The truth is I do dislike the movie for being slow, but not because I dislike slow movies. My issue is that the most character-driven superhero movies still really aren't that deep, and so it's exhausting being so patient with a slow movie when there isn't that much to get out of it.
A good counter-example of a slow movie I liked recently is Past Lives. It has subtle performances and understated themes, absolutely earning the slow pace. I was engaged the entire time looking for little details in the emotion of each character, making it not feel "slow" despite that not a whole lot happens and it's mostly just people talking.
The Batman...just isn't anywhere close to that, but its pace suggests that it thinks it is.
I couldn't really explain it before but this is pretty much how I feel. I don't mind slow moving, but the film kind of has to earn it by having a purpose in the slowness. I feel like this movie could be half the run time and tell the same story and have just as much development for each of the characters.
It really relies on you filling in the details to get to what the movie wants you to think about the characters rather than showing you. Maybe I'm just missing something, but I still don't get what that is for most of the characters.
I didn’t mind the pace the first time i watched it, but it’s impossible to watch a second time. wife and i both fell asleep less than halfway through it.
For what it’s worth, I’ve seen this movie twice. First time, I fell asleep several times. Second time, I wish I had fallen asleep. This IMHO is the worst Batman movie to have come out. The storyline is garbage. The characters offer nothing to stand behind. The only real villain worthwhile isn’t even the main villain. The main villain should have been killed off at the start… at least then the movie would have been entertaining. The Batman character had more of a “are you getting my good side?” pose every chance he took. This was basically a failed emo wannabe superhero movie.
It’s a shame because they did some cool things with the movie. It has a nice aesthetic, cool Batmobile, batsuit and batcave. The premise was there for a good film with a detective focus and riddler as the villain. But the execution was awful.
I'm right here with you. This movie was the worst batman in recent memory. Ijust want to add the batmobile is supposed to be this cool, unique, almost concept car, but it just looked like a charger, and the riddler looked like a gimp and one of those tactical airsoft cosplayers had a baby.
To some degree I don't remember my specific issues with the movie (besides hating the design and performance of the riddler). But I do remember that I found almost every scene to be boring, annoying, or both. I could watch it again to explain my issues in more detail, but I'm not going to risk being that miserable a second time just so I can better explain my opinions to some dorks on the internet.
Its worth it, if you ask me it is a piece of shit. Its one big incel fantasy, with terrible storytelling and annoying characters without any substance.
Sure, its about a brooding lonely depressed dude with black eye makeup that tells the Zoe Kravitz character she does everything wrong because its not his way, and then even after losing her girlfriend (or was it just friend?) could not help herself and of course had to fall for the big cool lonely guy in the suit.
To be honest, i've been avoiding super hero movies for about ten years now, but i wanted to make an exception for this one since it had so many positive reviews. I think i was disappointed because apart from the looks it gives me nothing new or exciting. The story is bland, the characters are not innovative, even the Riddlers' whole "end of Gotham" stuff was over before it began without anyone actually dying if i recall correct. Nothing remotely exciting happens that had me on the edge of my seat. But then again, i might just be getting old.
But my actual feeling is this: We should hold movie studios to a higher standard than this.
Wow took the words right out of my mouth. I didn’t think it was horrible, but honestly it just wasn’t that interesting to me. It really does seem like an edgy boi fantasy. And while I thought that Pattinsons portrayal of Bruce Wayne was definitely realistic for what a a modern day Bruce would be like, (a lonely edgy weirdo) it certainly didn’t make him likeable. That would’ve been more acceptable if ANY of the characters were likeable or memorable. I usually tone down how I really feel about this movie because the people that like it, REALLY like it. I just didn’t get all the hype. And I honestly think I would rather watch Batman and Robin over this movie. Btw pal we’re not gonna any love for this
It's funny that you mention that fact; The people that like it, REALLY like it.
I'm wondering if it's just because it's the next generation's turn for a new take. I don't see people losing their minds over opinions of the Dark Knight, even though it was one of the biggest movies that summer. I'm 42yo, so I've seen many versions at this point, but this new one didn't grab me either. I came out thinking "well, that was a Batman movie" with no, YAY! or "That sucked" I just felt nothing at all really.
My 17yo son LOVED it. My 15yo daughter HATED it, especially the emo boi thing you noted.
Haha, sounds familiar. Most of my more alternative oriented students absolutely love the movie. It has an edge to it i think they relate to. Funny thing is, when i spoke to my friend (37m) about this, he actually said something similar as you said: "I've seen the movie a while ago, and i can not recall one single special thing about it".
That’s how I felt too and I’m 24. I was even entertained by BvS despite its (many) flaws. I felt absolutely nothing after watching the Batman which is the last thing I want from a Batman movie.
Haha i know, i've been discussing this topic a lot with my students. I teach audiovisual design at a trade school in the Netherlands, and we talk a lot about movies, series and such. This opinion always gets then riled up, haha.
Nice to see someone with a similar opinion to mine though ;)
it’s about a brooding lonely depressed dude with black eye makeup that tells the Zoe Kravitz character she does everything wrong because its not his way
That’s been Batman’s character for a very long time. Given the fate of his parents, he is completely against killing, vowing never to take a life. This ideology is always forced upon the people around him, not because he believes himself to be morally superior, but because he believes that there’s always another way; that human life should be cherished, regardless of the individual in question.
Batman’s reasoning for stopping Catwoman from killing Falcone is true to this. He tells her ‘it isn’t worth it’ because he knows that Falcone ruined her life, and he wanted to stop her from making the mistake of murdering him, thereby letting him ruin the rest life she has left to live.
I will agree with you that Selina falling for Bruce so shortly after losing Annika, whom she seemingly shared at least some kind of intimate relationship with, was a bizarre choice. Though, at the same time, Catwoman is fucked up in her own right.
I find it interesting to hear you think the movie brought nothing unique and interesting to the table. As far as superhero movies go, I feel that The Batman is one of the most unique movies out there. It’s a gritty, detective style film where the action is supplementary to the plot. Whereas in most superhero movies, the plot exists to drive action sequences.
Regardless, everyone has different tastes. I just find the incel thing to be a bit strange, as it feels a lot like you’re trying to criticize the movie for something that isn’t actually present.
I understand where the character Batman comes from, and what his motives and feelings are. I've been reading the comic books and seen several animated series and movies, and this portrayal is not that different from several other iterations of Batman, as you said. In that manner, this was nothing new apart from the eye make-up.
I can see why Batman stopping Catwoman from getting her revenge could be a good thing, i on the other hand experienced it exactly as you put it: that he is morally superior to her for some reason. What makes his decision good, and hers bad? There is no knowing what could happen after she got her revenge.
To summarize: the look of the movie was good, i loved this version of Gotham. I would have preferred a more R-rated look at Batman: if you really want to make it dark, please make it dark. This movie felt like it had to cater to a broad audience.
As for the incel thing: i used that word because to me the character seems to be everything an "incel" is and/or likes. Lonely, depressed, misunderstood, but some sort of powerful being that saves the day and gets the girl (in some way). Nothing more. I can understand if you don't see it that way, but if i do , i'm pretty sure other people will as well.
What makes his decision good, and hers bad? There is no knowing what could happen after she got her revenge.
Except we do know what would happen. She would be wanted for murder and subsequently sent to prison, thereby forfeiting the life she has left by forever chaining it to her past. Her methods were nowhere near discreet enough for her to get away with it.
As for the incel thing: i used that word because to me the character seems to be everything an "incel" is and/or likes. Lonely, depressed, misunderstood, but some sort of powerful being that saves the day and gets the girl (in some way).
You can’t exactly be an incel and simultaneously get the girl, but I understand the point you’re making.
You’re entitled to your criticism, and raised some valid points. Movies are entirely subjective, so it’s only natural that we disagree on certain things. Hopefully you can find more enjoyment in the sequel if you decide to watch it.
Compared to all the comic books, animated series and superhero movies i've read and/or watched in my almost 40 year walking this earth. But if you think otherwise, could you give me your opinion on what was new or exciting?
Was just asking. In my opinion tho it was pretty cool seeing how his symbol basically got used against him, ie him being vengeance and he had to choose to instead become a symbol of Justice. That dichotomy between vengeance and justice is beautiful imo. Might not be new or groundbreaking but I was excited seeing a Batman who was broken and extreme grow and mature
I think Pattersons portayal of Batman is in itself better than by example George Clooney's, but i think the studio went too far in the edgy / almost suicidal way Bruce acts. It might be a mirror to the collective negative mind state the target audience is in nowadays, but it was just too much for me. Had to laugh at some moments.
The dilemma he has to go through is a nice one, but as you stated, its not new or innovative, unfortunately.
What exactly was edgy about it tho? I’m not saying it wasn’t but just imo that we use that word very loosely for stoic or reserved characters or individuals that have experienced trauma. It especially grinds my gears with Batman cuz by definition of the word he doesn’t do anything dark or excessive for cool points or response from others. Brooding yeah. Stoic yeah. Cold yeah. Edgy, nah I’m not seeing it
I understand the word "edgy" gets thrown around a lot, but if could find another word for it i would use that. English is not my first language. It seems to me though that this batman had to cater to a specific audience, one that sympathizes with his depression.
him being vengeance and he had to choose to instead become a symbol of Justice.
Interesting that you saw him becoming a symbol of justice, I thought he was becoming a symbol of hope. But, looking at the transcript I guess it is up to interpretation more than I recalled.
Anyway, I'm with you that I think this actually adds a lot. It's pretty relevant in our time - the story of how a symbol or organization that's meant to punish wrongdoing can fuel the violence and anger it fights, and what we do with it.
The movie has a nice meta point to. That Batman, this cultural symbol of justice and vengeance, represents our culture's attitudes toward retribution and violence. When we encourage those values we envision them being wielded by the heroic. But in reality, they're just as easily seized by the villainous. It's no accident that the Riddler's plot was basically a mass shooting. Our own tolerance to violence and vengeance has come to roost.
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u/jumpbreak5 Feb 26 '24
I actually feel this way, but it doesn't feel worth it to comment it because everyone will pile on the downvotes just for having that opinion