Picturehouse Blog

The wait is, at last, over. After months of anticipation, the dramatic reimagining of Gotham City's Caped Crusader is finally here.

The Batman boasts a stellar cast led by none other than Robert Pattinson, an authentic star whose pedigree has proved itself again and again on screen. Donning the famous bat suit for the first time, he brings an edge to the role that bodes well for its future prospects as a fresh and dynamic franchise. 

Batman, the alter ego of billionaire recluse Bruce Wayne (Pattinson), is two years into his "other life" as the vigilante crime-fighter of Gotham – a city paralysed by endemic corruption.

Batman has only two people he can trust: his butler Alfred (Andy Serkis) and police lieutenant Gordon (Jeffrey Wright).

Events soon spiral out of control with the arrival of a new criminal mastermind hell-bent on destruction: a man going by the moniker of The Riddler (played by an unrecognisable Paul Dano). 

Batman being Batman, nothing is quite as it seems. There are plenty of dark secrets to be unleashed. Plus, there's the welcome sight of such iconic figures as Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), and The Penguin (Colin Farrell) to enjoy.

Who knows, there may even be time for another character or two to show up before the credits roll... 

This Batman, proudly pegged as an action-based thriller, means business – fitting for a story so timeless and universal that it has never gone out of fashion.

Incredibly, the character first appeared in a Detective Comic (aka "DC Comic") way back in 1939. Created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, Batman proved so popular that he had his own comic book a year later. He's been top of the DC universe ever since, despite being the rare superhero without any real superhero powers. 

Thankfully, we haven't had to survive without the Bat being a part of our lives for long. Stars like Michael Keaton and Christian Bale both famously made the role their own on-screen – and most recently, Ben Affleck donned the bat cape for the DC "Extended Universe" spectacular Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice.

This fresh reboot feels radically different – more compelling and darker than anything we've seen for some time. Helming this new adventure is Matt Reeves, the director best known for the Planet Of The Apes franchise, with a team of Oscar-winning creatives alongside him. It's fair to say that we are in very safe hands.

Above all else, The Batman recaptures a world that has consistently connected with audiences everywhere, regardless of how they feel about comic-book heroes.

Despite his name, there is something fundamentally human about the man that sets him apart from his contemporaries. He may be initially driven by vengeance (thanks to the actions of those evil criminals), but his purpose in life grows as his quest for justice cements itself in the hearts and minds of those who know him.

It makes for a potent and riveting premise – and something that remains utterly unique. So, it's a very welcome return for Batman. It feels only right to have him back where he belongs: on the big screen.   Ed Gibbs

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