Patron-exclusive: The Batman

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Leon Velazquez

I wanted to add one minor point to what was an excellent podcast about this film. I had no real expectations going into it because I don't care too much about Batman the character and generally knew nothing of Pattinson as an actor except for Twilight (which I've never seen), but I ended up enjoying how this film was different from the standard Batman films we've seen. I like the hermit version of Bruce Wayne. I enjoyed that the film made Gotham feel like a lived in place rather than just "here's this movie's super bad". Finally, someone said on the pod that Bruce could have written a check, but I think the film, through the failure of Renewal, wanted to show how both vigilantism and money can't solve Gotham's problems. It takes a new kind of compassion that we see displayed at the end from Batman who can't punch or buy Gotham's way out of being submerged. Great work pod peeps.

I really liked this version of Batman. I very much enjoyed it as the Batman movie version of Batman Arkham Video games and The Batman Detective comics combined.

I agree with the points that the noir procedural is held back by being tied to a superhero movie. Maybe I’m getting old, but I was getting Bugsy Malone vibes from it all. Bobby Pattinson, Zoe, Dano, Keoghan - they all look far too young to be playing detectives and serial killers, lol. Stakes were far too low for me too. If you’re gonna do noir, kill off Gordon, Scream-style, in the opening scene (instead of a senator) and BOOM, you have my attention. Great pod as always, love you all equally.

Bixby Snyder

Glad to get your takes on it! I really had a hard time connecting to this movie and I think a lot of it had to do with how clunky the script was, and how often scenes don't end up serving more than one purpose. It made me really appreciate Nolan/Goyer's screenwriting -- similar to Alex I felt the "trailer cringe" during many moments of the movie, including all the scenes with Alfred. I wonder if the director was a little hamstrung by the R rating to sort of have to slap a lot of the Batman aesthetic onto the darker noir pastiche it seemed to be leaning in. Reminds me of the feeling Prometheus gave me where I left mad because I felt the movie had SO much potential that it didn't quite land -- ALL THAT SAID, the cinematography and sound design were BRILLIANT and I quite enjoyed Colin Farrell's random turn as the Penguin.

Hans Lueders

I was waiting for this one! I've seen the movie once and I really enjoyed it. I might even say that Robert Pattinson is... my favorite Batman. I think Brian said that when he was watching the movie it was difficult for him to detach from the Twilight era image of Pattinson or something on those lines. I found myself in the same position when I first heard he was going to play Batman in this movie, years ago. However, having seen Tenet, Good Times, The Lighthouse and even The Devil All The Time, I was actually really looking forward to see The Battinson. This gritty, dark and brooding interpretation really worked for me. I'm big fan of the Nolan Trilogy but I always felt that Christian Bale looked always a bit too glossy as Bruce Wayne and a bit too polished as Batman. That's why I was excited to see Affleck's take on the role especially in the Snyder Cut. It was more physical and gritty. And this most recent interpretation really doubled down on those aspects. Also, still on the grittiness note and Trisha's closing remarks about the environment and scenery - when I watch the Nolan trilogy I get the sense that I'm watching a Batman Mission Impossible as far as the settings and action scenes go, yet when I watched The Batman it was more like watching Blade Runner 2049 and I prefer the latter much more. Keep up the good work!

I've never had quite an experience like this, where the first viewing was almost entirely watching to find out what exactly they would do with the film and how successfully they'd do it. It's like, to guard against disappointment, I held the movie at arm's length the whole time. The second viewing fixed most of the doubts and problems I had with the first film, which is why I was so glad Alex was there to be the voice of "Seen It Twice."

JMW Music

Very much agree with Alex on this. I saw it twice on opening weekend (basically accidentally) and had so much better of an experience the second time around once I knew what I was expecting (and knew I didn't need to compare it to The Dark Knight all the time).

Zac Seehusen-Besky

In terms of the theme "being there earlier on," I do like how the Riddler copycat identifying as Vengeance at the end of the film harkens back to what we've been seeing unfold all along. But also, there's a moment in that opening Batman sequence, after he beats up the street gang, where the VICTIM of the street gang looks up at Batman and says . . . "Please don't hurt me." It's subtle, and I missed it the first time. But it shows how the fear he weaponizes is exacting collateral damage and feeding into the shadows. Even after he strikes the flare at the end, the citizens do NOT accept his helping hand until he helps the young boy out first. Fun stuff.

JMW Music

Hallelujah! I've been hoping for this! Can't wait to give it a listen!

JMW Music