Finally saw The Batman on Friday. Overall I really liked this film. It definitely has a reason to exist and enough to distinguish itself from other batman movies, even if some of it is a little derivative from the Nolan movies. That said, I'm not sure this movie is better than any of the Nolan movies. It was good, I'd say a B+, maybe an A-. But not a definite one.
What I will say is that this movie really, REALLY needed to be a rated-R movie. I'm not usually one of the people who screams for things to be Rated-R and that it would automatically make it a better film, but this film has Rated-R elements built into it's very being that are kind of purposely held back. You can tell the "suits" in the room really had their hands pressing down on Reeves shoulders doing the production. I mean when you look at how the film opens with the ominous shots of the criminals afraid of what's in the shadows, or the introduction to the Riddler as the light keeps flickering on and off until he appears in the background. Or the very moody and detail orientated crimes of passion type scenes. This movie just wanted to be Rated-R. I think they made a serious mistake not going all the way with this new iteration of the franchise. Especially when they open up the first of the franchise with a portrayal such as this.
I don't even see why not. I get that the "suits" felt it was mandatory for this to have mass appeal and be accessible to the widest audience. But even in it's pg-13 form, it's not designed to appeal to the masses. Especially with its run time and the way the movie is designed as this atmospheric/moody and methodical detective story with only limited action. I mean that Joker film showed everyone that a serious R-Rated movie can work and sell big. This Batman movie very well may not ending up making more money than Joker, and that's somewhat of a serious problem I'd say. Sure some will say it's because of the pandemic, but that didn't stop the whole world from seeing Spiderman No way Home. That proved if the appetite was there, people wouldn't care about the pandemic.
A lot of people are happy with the box office so far, but I'm not so sure I see it as a victory. Sure it's successful, but if Spiderman can do 800 million domestically, this should have had 600 million domestically, ideally. Both of the last two Nolan movies, pretty much did that ten years ago and before. This one looks like it will prob come in at 350-400 domestically.
Not trying to slam the movie or anything, just speaking my mind. I think this was a worthy adaptation to the previous mantle of Nolan films, and I'm looking forward to what they build upon here. I actually will see it again in theaters, or just watch it on HBO max, but it definitely warrants a re-watch.
**Update - Looks like I was off slightly with domestic with Nolan films. But The Dark Knight came close to that number.