Robert Pattinson’s The Batman takes some big risks and delivers a dark, epic tale for our times

Robert Pattinson has taken a risk taking on the iconic role of Batman. Film critic Leigh Paatsch reveals why it’s paid off. SPOILER ALERT

The Batman (M)

Director: Matt Reeves (War For the Planet Of the Apes)

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Paul Dano, Colin Farrell, John Turturro, Jeffrey Wright.

Rating: ****

OK, then. Stand back. Take a few deep breaths.

Stretch. Flex. Blink. Take another deep breath.

Now you’re ready.

Ready for what, you may ask?

Well, the first truly epic, large-scale, wide-screen, bum-numbing, awe-inspiring, ambitious, seditious, uplifting, downbeat, in-your-face, on-your-mind and under-your-skin movie of the year is almost here.

And its name is The Batman.

Now, it has been a while since a big movie rolled the dice and took an audacious risk, by steering a proven screen brand in an unproven new direction.

Though The Batman does not reap a maximum payout from all the chances it takes with the mixed-up mythology of the Caped Crusader, his alter ego Bruce Wayne and the corruption-rotted metropolis of Gotham City, a rich dividend is still there for all to collect.

Not only do we get a very good – and every so often, undeniably great – motion picture for the price of our ticket.

Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader and Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle have serious chemistry in The Batman.

We also get to witness the unveiling of a new dark, uncertain and conflicted Batman. A Batman perfectly suited to the dark, uncertain and conflicted times in which we now live.

As portrayed by Robert Pattinson, the title character of The Batman differs from every other cowled crime-fighter who held the keys to the Batmobile before him.

(And not simply because whenever he dresses down to become Bruce Wayne, Pattinson looks like he’s nicked a lot of grooming tips from the late Brandon Lee in The Crow.)

Pattinson’s Batman is not just new to the job of Gotham’s number one, everywhere-at-once vigilante man of mystery. He is also not so sure it is a position he should be holding (a consequence of both his privileged upbringing and ongoing angst about the tragic deaths of his parents).

Robert Pattinson’s angsty Bruce Wayne looks like he may have taken style tips from The Crow.

While grappling with self-destructive tendencies that will alternatively help and hinder his work throughout the sprawling story told here – a detailed, doom-laden yarn which consumes almost three hours of screen time – the mostly friendless Batman sets about making himself some formidable enemies all over Gotham.

The most elusive and dangerous of this intimidating bunch of villains is The Riddler (Paul Dano), a serial-killing nutcake who has designed an elaborate sequence of deaths that is ideologically welded to an upcoming Gotham municipal election.

Waddling about the fringes of this ever-darkening scenario is The Penguin (an unrecognisable Colin Farrell), a crime lord on the rise with links to Gotham’s established mob boss, Carmine Falcone (John Turturro).

Colin Farrell is nearly unrecognisable as gangster the Penguin in The Batman.

Also prowling the perimeter of the angst-ridden action is Selina Kyle (Zoe Kravitz), whose evolving guise as Catwoman slowly syncs up to Batman’s cautious pursuit of The Riddler.

Meanwhile, leading police detective James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) and the wise and resourceful Wayne Manor butler Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis) provide the only voices of reason that Batman or Bruce will listen to.

As you may have gathered by now, there is a lot of ground to cover here, and very few short cuts have been taken while The Batman completes its mission to revitalise and reposition this genuinely iconic DC Comics character.

Though the choices Pattinson has made for the title role do take some getting used to – particularly his speaking voice as Batman, and the sullen-goth-on-home-detention demeanour of Bruce – each melds together to form an intriguing, enigmatic and compelling take on the Bat.

Andy Serkis plays Bruce Wayne’s loyal butler Alfred in The Batman.

Pattinson’s chemistry with Kravitz is strong, as are his interactions with a diverse and stylistically strong supporting cast (Dano’s signature speech for The Riddler at the movie’s apex is a stunner to behold).

To be blunt, no-one will dare mention The Batman in the same breath as any title from Christopher Nolan’s game-changing Dark Knight Bat-trilogy.

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However, when viewed in light of its brave shifts in energy, purpose and tone, The Batman sends a Bat-signal into the night sky that promises better things for instalments that will surely follow.

The Batman opens in cinemas nationwide on Thursday, March 3.