The Batman

Overall i enjoyed it, a nice way to show of batman early years, I thought Robert Pattinson played Bruce and the Bat very well.

Way too long for the infantile writing that some may say stands as a script, the plot was pitiful and meandered hopelessly, and the “action sequences” a complete and utter travesty. Can’t remember being this bored since I walked out of Mars Attacks after about 30 minutes!

So, so, so… boring.

This film drags. The plot is weak and the casting of all the main characters with the exception of the Riddler and Gordon is poor - the rest, and the plot, were not believable. Hugely disappointing. A re-boot is needed already.

A lifetime Bat Fan, I'd been looking forward to this. I was happy with the Pattinson casting, impressed by the work he'd put in on more niche and indie pictures, with a quiet endorsement from being cast by Nolan himself for Tenet (ironically another bad movie). The change in tone from the DCEU movies seemed correct and the shots captured from set in Liverpool looked bang on. But then there were a few clues that something was amiss. The first was very much personal preference but the design of the new Batmobile didn't seem quite right, instead it was underwhelming. Then finding out the film had a runtime just shy of 3 hours. That's half an hour longer than The Dark Knight! 40 minutes more than Batman Begins. Even 10 minutes longer then the previous Batman runtime record holder, the too ambitious for its own good Dark Knight Rises. I wondered just what could they be cooking up for a first Batman story that was complex enough to need so much screen time. The answer did not deliver. I saw this opening day and tried again a few days later for a 4DX experience. Both times I was underwhelmed by a slow, bleak and joyless, simmering but never boiling story. Batman is fine but Bruce Wayne is barely anywhere to be seen, disappointing given the ample runtime. Catwoman has ham-fisted motivations that will take you out of the story. Alfred's actor can't act and settles on doing a Michael Caine impression. The Riddler actor goes excruciatingly "big" like he's trying to channel some Heath Ledger lightning in a bottle. And as much as I like Barry Keoghan, he's also either woefully miscast or like the Riddler performance, unhelpfully directed. The film starts strong with good music and tone but rapidly settles into a state of meandering it never quite recovers from, and you are left wondering why it wasn't reigned in in terms of pacing. For a movie trying to show batman as work's greatest detective, he solves remarkably little and always seems the last to know. A shame that The Batman couldn't fully realise it's potential but I will be there for the sequel anyway. Hoping for greater things.

This is not the film for those hoping for all action, adrenaline fuelled testosterone. It is darker with a sinister feel rather reflective of a time of distrust and uncertainty. Saying that I enjoyed the ‘Kurt Cobain’ searching soul of Batman; Robert Pattinson pulled off the role and made it his own. I thought I would struggle with the shift from Christian Bales Batman role (note I am ignoring Ben Affleck’s take on Batman), I hope there is more to come with Pattinson’s Batman. It is Paul Dano’s riddler that takes creepy to the next level; he is truly amazing as the weirdo misfit who terrorises Gotham. Definitely a different approach. Guess this film is going to be like marmite!

Too long, dull, boring storyline, bad Batman actor. Watch it if you're happy to give 3hrs of your life away

Best movie

I am not a die-hard fan, although I’ve watched most of the films on iTunes, so I didn’t have massive expectations other than hoping it wasn’t a rubbish addition and although a long film I wasn’t bored nor clock watching and the story kept me engaged. People have mentioned that the US version of the film has iTunes Extras so why not the UK? I know my iPad OS doesn’t have a 4K screen so when I try selecting the Extras it doesn’t work. I’m no techie but perhaps that may be where the issue presents itself to those mentioning it. *I’m pleased I hadn’t seen that this film is bundled with ‘Joker’ from 2019 or I might have purchased it only to be annoyed when later I found they have no discernible connection to one another, other than two actors - one from each film - with the same first name of Robert (Pattinson & De Niro) so unless I’m missing the connection I’m going to assume it is Apple being greedy.

Hands down best Batman movie !!!