The last Batman movie to come out was “The Dark Knight Rises” in 2012, which followed “The Dark Knight” from 2008 which many think is impossible to top. After seeing “The Batman” I am not so sure I agree with that anymore. Here I am going to do a mini review in which I quickly go over each of the most important elements of the movie.

Plot- The plot was really entertaining and I liked how it ups the detective/mystery aspect. It is cool to try to figure out all of the Riddler’s riddles and what his next move might be. It’s still easy to follow along with and the narrative is clear and concise.

Tone- This is definitely the darkest rendition of Batman yet. It didn’t just feel dark and edgy, it felt dirty and diseased. The movie also pushes the violence boundaries for a PG-13 rating. It seems to take influence from the “Saw” movies as the Riddler places his victims in traps and forces them to solve riddles or puzzles.

Characterization- There is some good character development for Bruce Wayne in this. It shows more of his thought process and mental struggle while being Batman. He doesn’t just seem like a rich arrogant party boy; he seems like he has a genuine reason for everything he does and wants to improve.

Acting- Robert Pattinson is amazing as Batman. It may not seem like much of a performance, but it is all in the body language. He nails the intimidating stance and voice as Batman as well as the insecure and quiet Bruce Wayne hiding in the shadows. Paul Dano also does well as the Riddler; his deranged laughter is still stuck in my head. As for Zoe Kravitz’s Catwoman, I am not as big of a fan. She certainly looks the part and has some good moments, I just felt like her delivery falls flat at times.

Sound- The soundtrack is by far my favorite part of the movie. The theme song is unsettling and horror movie-esque but also has a brooding edge to it, not unlike the caped crusader himself. Most of the soundtrack takes inspiration from horror movies and it really sets the scene for the dark rat infested streets of Gotham. It also features “Something in the Way” by Nirvana which I think fits really well with the Bruce Wayne scenes. I really recommend seeing this in Imax because it absolutely adds to the experience. Every punch and blow rattles the building and feels real.

Overall- I would give this movie an 8.5/10 and I really recommend seeing it if you like Batman even a little or if you are a horror movie fan.