Over the years, the character of Batman has undergone numerous transformations, moving from the portrayal of an almost caricatural superhero to that of a deeply human and realistic character. Robert Pattinson's version in "The Batman" marks a clear departure from previous film adaptations, offering a more realistic view of the Dark Knight and his universe.
In previous films, Batman characters were often characterized by exaggerated and stylized traits, almost as if they had jumped out of the pages of a comic book. For example, we all remember the incredible portrayal of the "Penguin man" by Danny DeVito in Tim Burton's 1992 "Batman Returns," raised in the Antarctic section of the zoo with his penguins... well, a very imaginative character construction perhaps closer to the DC Comics comic book but difficult to contextualize. The Penguin played by Colin Farrell, however, is much more realistic compared to DeVito's, and is a model we find in our society; in fact, his personal story is inspired by the character of Fredo Corleone from "The Godfather." This character is more of a mobster trying to make his way in the criminal world of Gotham.
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Matt Reeves' "The Batman" presents characters that embody human traits and conflicts, making them closer to the everyday experience of the viewer. Bruce Wayne, played by Pattinson, is not just the billionaire playboy or the masked avenger; he is also a man tormented by pain and in search of truth and justice. This human vulnerability makes him a believable superhero.
Even the city of Gotham, traditionally a place of gothic exaggeration and stylized crime, has been redesigned with greater attention to realism. The city reflects the social problems and urban challenges of the real world, such as corruption, organized crime, and economic inequality. This context provides a more authentic canvas on which the characters can act and interact.
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The choice to anchor the character of Bruce and the narrative in a more realistic and human context in "The Batman" lays the foundation for a new genre of superheroes, those who get hurt and are not invincible, and whose true strength lies in the pursuit of ideals, not indestructibility... This moves the viewer who identifies with the story because it reflects the world we live in.
So even though the film is very long, dark, and at times slow, consequently a bit difficult to "digest," overall I found it interesting precisely for its consistency with the real world.
Thank you for reading.