The Batman is a thriller disguised as a caped-crusader film

It starts off with the view of an unknown individual watching an expensive loft-style apartment in a large city. You assume that it could be the Batman (for just a moment) viewing criminals meeting in person or surveying a violent crime about to occur. But just as you're to get comfortable, being vicarious as your favorite superhero is about to kick some butt, you're introduced to the voyeuristic individual's horrific yet slightly sexual rapid breathing. Then the title credits do a smash cut in blood red. "The Batman," it reads in an aggressive and overwhelming font.

It gets formulaic later on in the film but the visuals are still striking. I would have loved to read the original, R-rated version of the script. However, the film doesn't have its own identity. At times I felt I was watching a Darren Aronofsky film. Some scenes I felt had been shot by an early-years David Fincher. The first scene before the title smashes into your view that feels like early 90's Coppola. I bet Gary Oldman wishes he chose this Batman. Now he's voicing a character in Star Citizen. Oh how the mighty have fallen! Mr. "Oh I have to read scripts on my kitchen counter" went from being the man of many faces, to being on the same level as Kevin Spacey: a video game character. Refuse to read my screenplay that I gave you at the Tinker, Taylor, Soldiier, Spy Q&A? Then you meet my wife at an event, not even a month later and you knowingly frick her??? You could have slept with any of the women there but instead, you had to choose the married mother of two children. Because why not? You're Gary Fricking OLD-MAN!!!

So that's why, no offense, I like this version of Batman. The guy who plays your commissioner role is really good in West World.

5/5 for comic book films