The shift away from fun in the Batman universe can be traced back to Frank Miller’s groundbreaking 1986 comic series “The Dark Knight Returns.” This series set a tone that emphasized a dark and claustrophobic atmosphere, greatly influencing many adaptations that followed.
Tim Burton’s films, “Batman” and “Batman Returns,” capitalized on this darker tone, but as I watch the subsequent Christopher Nolan films, Todd Phillips’s “Joker,” and Matt Reeves’s recent reboot, “The Batman,” it sometimes feels like an obligation to adopt a serious or somber outlook as a viewer.
Matt Reeves, known for “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” is a skilled director, and “The Batman” is more engaging than some prior adaptations. However, its lengthy three-hour runtime starts to drag, with the themes of revenge and societal decay feeling exhausted long before the film concludes. Reeves’s portrayal of Batman comes across as particularly grim, leaving Robert Pattinson to appear more preoccupied than fully engaged.
Nonetheless, the film boasts impressive cinematography, and Zoë Kravitz continues the legacy of memorable Catwomen, following icons like Julie Newmar and Michelle Pfeiffer. Additionally, Colin Farrell delivers a striking performance as the Penguin, transforming himself beneath layers of makeup to portray a more vulnerable and flawed version of the classic villain. While the experience may not be traditionally fun, it certainly provides a visually intriguing spectacle.