Caption: ROBERT PATTINSON as Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “THE BATMAN,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley/™ & © DC Comics
Movies

“The Batman” Early Reactions: A Gripping, Glorious Street-Level Detective Story

February 28, 2022
By The Credits

After a very, very long wait, writer/director Matt Reeves’s The Batman arrives in theaters this Friday, March 4, and accordingly, the reviews have begun to surface. While we were always confident Reeves and his sensationally talented cast and crew were going to deliver something great, it’s still a rush to read the reactions and reviews are they start pouring in. As Total Film‘s Jordan Farley puts it, The Batman is a “gripping, grimy and sensational street-level detective story,” the reboot marking a “triumphant return.” The Guardian‘s Peter Bradshaw writes, “Director Matt Reeves’ ambitious and excellently crafted The Batman more than justifies its existence as a world-building wonder that slathers a realistic grime across its Gotham City.” And Variety‘s Peter Debruge says, “Registers among the best of the genre, even if — or more aptly, because — what makes the film so great is its willingness to dismantle and interrogate the very concept of superheroes.”

As a quick refresher, Robert Pattinson takes on the role of Bruce Wayne, with Reeves’s film taking place not at the beginning of Wayne’s career as Batman, but during the second year of his vigilante work. Batman, and the whole of Gotham, are plunged into a nightmare thanks to a diabolical lunatic calling himself The Riddler (Paul Dano). Pattinson and Dano are joined by Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, and Jeffrey Wright as Jim Gordon.

Assuming you want to keep the suspense and surprises for the movie theater (which we recommend), we’re providing, as always, a spoiler-free roundup of what some of the critics are saying/tweeting. If you weren’t excited for The Batman before, you might just be now:

For more on The Batman, check out these stories:

You Can Recreate “The Batman” Logo For Yourself

Colin Farrell Went to Starbucks as the Penguin Unnoticed (And Ordered This…)

“The Batman” Limited-Edition Tourbillo Watch Includes an Actual Working Bat-Signal

“The Batman” New Photos Reveal a Long Dark Journey Into Night

Featured image: Caption: Caption: ROBERT PATTINSON as Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “THE BATMAN,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley/™ & © DC Comics

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The Credits

The Credits is an online magazine that tells the story behind the story to celebrate our large and diverse creative community. Focusing on profiles of below-the-line filmmakers, The Credits celebrates the often uncelebrated individuals who are indispensable to the films and TV shows we love.