As The Batman erupts onto theater screens for its much-anticipated release, it’s time to get down with the Cape Crusader once again. What’s hot and what’s not in the film (don’t worry, this is a spoiler-free article), does it live up to the hype, and how does it rate on the Batman scale? Let’s take a deep dive.

Much Anticipated Release

The Batman was, of course, supposed to be released in July 2021, with two major setbacks to its release date leading to it only hitting global screens this month. Hype has been massive, and it was much amplified by the runaway success of Spider-Man: No Way Home in December. As the next superhero to burst onto our screens, it was inevitable comic book fans would be waiting eagerly. Plus, we’ve seen some outstanding marketing for the film. There’s even been a Chinese release date set for later in the month, something that’s been rare for superhero movies lately, so global fans will get to enjoy this one. Was it worth it? Fans sure seem to think so and we do too. So far, it stands as the 3rd best performing film of 2022, and that’s anticipated to keep rising as it rolls into its second week of global availability.

How The Batman Differs from Other Batmans

Batman has been a hit-and-miss franchise to bring to the screens. For every gem like The Dark Knight, we have a cringe-worthy disaster like Batman and Robin. This installment was originally conceptualized as the stand-along spin-off from Ben Affleck’s outings in the role in the Zack Snyder crossover films. However, it soon evolved to be a completely different series reboot, with new cast, director, and stars. The Batman takes place earlier than many of the other films, chronicling the rise of the Caped Crusader to superhero status.

There’s big boots to fill. Despite the odd miss, we have the much-celebrated Dark Knight trilogy, which wowed critics and viewers alike, Tim Burton’s signature style in his time directing the Batman movies, and the Affleck installments to compare it to. While there’s tinges of the grittier Dark Knight style in The Batman, it’s taken a step back in time and acted as a complete franchise reset, divorcing itself from the extended DC universe to recreate its own potential spin-offs and sequels. It’s a chance to look at Bruce Wayne in a new light and create a new dynasty of Batman movies. While it can get tiresome hearing of reboots, sequels, prequels and spin-offs, this one genuinely has some potential to bring new viewing and new storytelling to our screens.

How Did Rob Pattinson Do?

From the first announcement that Robert Pattinson, better known as the sparkly teen heartthrob from the Twilight series, would take the role of Batman himself, there’s been a lot of critical speculation. Some fans did not hold back, even creating an online petition to try and get him removed from the role. Unwise without knowing if he could do it? Certainly- but it did seem like an unlikely match at the time. Luckily for all involved, the casting remained unmoved by the premature pleas.

Luckily for Matt Reeves’ film, it seems like they have major egg on their face as of now. Pattinson turns in a performance that’s hit just the right notes with fans and critics alike, bringing a new depth to the fan-favorite superhero. He manages to cope very well with the complex themes that go into this early-stage Batman, turning in a pleasing performance that few have anything bad to say about. Critics, in fact, are eager to slot the film in pretty high on the Batman rankings. While it’s rare to get critics and fans to agree, this one seems to have struck the right note globally- unbelievable as it may have seemed when the casting was first announced.

What About the Batman Villains?

This goes for the ensemble cast, too, with some intriguing teases and stellar performances. Gotham City is a place packed full of supervillain goodness, after all! If you’re not sure who is who in the Batman Bag Guy zoo, try this infographic by ExpressVPN.

The complex villains that seem to litter Gotham City have often found a soft spot in fan hearts. Between the lure of a charismatic baddie, and the intrigue of their secret identities, it’s easy to understand why. After all, while we may not get to dress up in spandex and run elite crime rings, the Batman baddies raise some intriguing points about modern day life. Many of us don’t feel comfortable under the constant scrutiny of modern data-hungry eyes. From using VPNs to access content we want locked behind fabricated borders to keeping our privacy under lock and key, it’s easy to feel a certain empathy for the shrouded-in-secret operations and secret identities of compellingly crafted supervillains. And Batman is known for bringing us engaging, empathetic villains to love and hate in equal measure.

The Batman brings back the Riddler as its primary antagonist, but there’s much more than that to look forward to. Catwoman and The Penguin, alongside the Trigger Twins, put in a brief appearance and we have a delicious tease for the Joker, too. There’s even beguiling hints for the Court of Owls, Two Face, and Bane.

In short, there’s a lot to enjoy in this new installment in the long history of Batman films. The Batman delivers a strong performance that’s sounded the right notes with critics and fans, and seems set to spawn even more Gotham goodness as we go, too. While no one imagined the sparkly teen heartthrob of the Twilight series would make a convincing Batman, Rob Pattinson seems to have done the job, and he’s supported by great storytelling, interesting cinematics, and a great cast. We promised no spoilers for fans who haven’t seen it yet, so we won’t go any further- but if you’ve been debating about buying tickets, it’s time to get off the fence and go and enjoy. We certainly did.