The Batman

Pattinson leans into a noir-ish batman to bring new life to an iconic super hero.

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In his second year of stalking the streets as the Batman (Robert Pattinson), has been striking fear

into the hearts of criminals, . With only a few trusted allies—Alfred (Andy Serkis), Lt. James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright)—amongst the city’s corrupt network of officials and high-profile figures, the lone vigilante has established himself as the embodiment of vengeance amongst the criminal element of Gotham.

Robert Pattinson has been brooding for a while. Since his days as a vampire through his twists and turns as a light house worker or time cop his characters are pensive, and somewhat reclusive. Sometimes it works but often it can be tedious to watch. That is NOT the case here. Pattinson embraces film noir and gives a great performance as a young batman, struggling to find his identity. The Batman is where Pattinson is most comfortable. Who Bruce Wayne is supposed to be is still a mystery to him, but vengeance in a hood is like a bat to a cave for him... Yeah I went there!

John Turturro (the “Transformers” films, “The Plot Against America”), is the perfect balance of creepy mob guy who you would never deal with, but ultimately gets his claws into you.

Andy Serkis (the “Planet of the Apes” films, “Black Panther”) brings an interesting turn as Alfred, because is he younger and fully engaged with his ward Bruce Wayne. Alfred feels a compulsion to father Bruce and it brings out a tension between the two.

Jeffrey Wright (“No Time to Die,” “Westworld”) is solid as the only good apple in a slew of bad ones. He is always walking the line between trusting the Batman and wanting to arrest him as the masked vigilante.

Zoë Kravitz (“Big Little Lies,” “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”) holds her own in a film full of men. She might be the best catwoman so far. Some of the worst lines of the film are given to her, think "nine lives stuff" yet she handles it and moves on.

The Batman is long, nearly 3 hours, and leans into the noir, sleuth elements of the character. Yet it engages the viewer more than many of the throw away super hero films being made today. It's characters have purpose and motivation and when its all said and done it is a good film.

4 out of 5 stars