“I am vengeance!” Robert Pattinson’s Batman asserts. And you know what? If this action-packed trailer is any indication, we’re inclined to believe him. This latest look at the upcoming Caped Crusader adventure shows us that we are dealing with the darkest depiction of the hero yet. Let’s have a breakdown of the best moments in the latest trailer for The Batman…
10) Andy Serkis’s Alfred
Reminiscent of how Gotham portrayed him, The Batman goes for a slightly younger, more grizzled Alfred than traditional comics. In his scene in the trailer, Andy Serkis’s Alfred questions Batman as to how far he’ll go to enact his mission of vengeance. As the trailer shows, Batman is a bit new to the job, being only two years into his crime-fighting career. Therefore, we can expect Alfred to act as Bruce’s ‘common sense’ in the film, bringing him back down to Earth when he needs it most. If this trailer is any indication, Alfred will likely spend the film trying to stop Batman from having a mental breakdown altogether.
9) Selina Fearful of Batman
The Batman trailer is pushing the idea that Bruce himself is a little demented. Indeed, it says a lot when the usually calm and collected Selina Kyle is shocked by her Bat-friend’s violent attitude. Batman looks as though he’s giving it to his foes, maybe even on the verge of killing them. It’s a sign that the audience may fear the Dark Knight as much as his foes do.
8) Selina Kyle Kickin’ Ass
Selina Kyle is one of the most bad-ass female characters in comics. So bad-ass in fact, she doesn’t require superpowers to prove an effective heroine/anti-heroine. The Batman trailer shows this off as the athletic vixen effortlessly defends herself against some thugs. It’s a great teaser of what we can expect from Catwoman in terms of her fighting ability in the film.
7) Batsy vs. the Clown Thugs
It wouldn’t be a Batman movie without some clown-themed gang walking the streets. Despite their menace, the scene gives us a good look at Batman’s fighting prowess. The comics make it blatant that Bruce trains his mind and body to the peak of human ability. The way he effortlessly takes down the clowns is indicative of this. However, this trailer scene also causes us to fear Batman because, at the end of the fight, he is struggling to hold himself back from killing his opponent – is Bruce heading for a mental breakdown?
6) Batman and Catwoman
The Batman trailer highlights the relationship between Batman and Catwoman. The pair meet on top of a rooftop as the sun goes down in isolation. What is great about this scene is that it shows their bond and how much they have in common. Both Bruce and Selina wear suits and prowl the rooftops at night in fabricated guises. This tease of their interaction tells us Matt Reeves wants to explore why the pair make such a good couple.
5) The Riddler Opening Scene
The first scene of the trailer has GCPD apprehend Paul Dano’s Riddler in a coffee shop. As the scene ends, the camera rises over the coffee cup and reveals Edward Nigma’s iconic question mark symbol. This scene alone is emblematic of how Matt Reeves is giving us a more subtle, menacing version of the villain. Given the Riddler is so collected upon his capture, it’s likely his arrest is part of his nefarious scheme.
4)Â “What’s Black and Blue and Dead All Over?”
The beauty of Matt Reeves’ film is that it takes inspiration from real-life events. In no way is this better represented than in his depiction of the Riddler. The character takes cues from the Zodiac Killer, who sent taunting letters to national newspapers, threatening killing sprees and bombings if they were not printed. The letters contained cryptograms where the killer claimed he was collecting slaves for the afterlife. Riddler has these vibes oozing off him and we can see this in his riddles and taunts towards Batman, especially when he mutters this riddle over a Livestream.
3) “It’s Not Just A Call, It’s a Warning”
This incredible line from the trailer demonstrates the gritty nature of Reeves’ universe. The film is trying to highlight how dedicated Bruce is to his crusade. It calls to mind a quote from the videogame Arkham Origins when Bruce tells Alfred “I am the reason criminals breathe easier when the sun rises”. Batman wants the criminal underworld to know they’re not safe and their reign of terror is not over.
2) Batman Deflects the Bullets
Have you ever wondered why Bruce wears a Bat emblem on his chest? Well, in the comics, he claims it’s so criminals aim for that over other parts of his body. This is smart since his chest plate is bulletproof as evidenced in the trailer scene where Batsy calmly walks towards a group of gun-toting thugs, unimpeded by their gunfire. He then proceeds to kick the hell out of them – how freakin’ cool is that?
1.5) Batman Pursues the Penguin
Batman is a virtually unstoppable vehicle of vengeance. In no way is this better represented than in the scene where Batman pursues the Penguin in his Batmobile. During the chase, Penguin is confident his foe is long gone after an explosion. However, Bruce Wayne isn’t so easily offed – his vehicle effortlessly glides through the blaze, continuing his pursuit unimpeded. This moment is so undeniably badass and highlights Batman’s strong resolve.
1) Batman Walks Towards A Defeated Penguin
Wow. Just wow. The Batman is trying to make us fear the Caped Crusader in the same manner as his adversaries. Following the intense car chase, we see a POV shot from Penguin’s perspective, showing Batman walk menacingly towards him like an angel of death. I can’t think of a superhero movie where we are scared of the hero – yet, Matt Reeves is seemingly pulling this off for the first time. Pure brilliance.
So, there we have it, a full breakdown of the latest trailer for The Batman. We will be able to see for ourselves whether Matt Reeves’ The Batman lives up to the hype on March 4, 2022. What were your favorite moments from the trailer? Sound off in the comments below!