Matt Reeves’ The Batman has set itself apart from other comic book movies, as AMC Theatres has granted their Artisan Films mark on the forthcoming flick, which hardly any movie adapted from a manga can achieve.
AMC highlighted why it chose to honor The Batman as a creative, artist-driven, and thought-provoking picture deserving of the Artisan Films mark. The statement, which was shared on Twitter, states that The Batman employs “themes of film noir to unmask a fresh and effective detective story.” The statement continues by praising Batman’s “expressionistic camera work,” “captivating” score, and “enticing use of color palette,” all of which “enhance this daring and very suspenseful cinematic experience.” Additionally, AMC commended the film’s performers for their “delicious cast of character performances.” Paul Dano was singled out for his depiction of the Riddler, a “haunting yet captivating sadistic killer.”
Following the same honor, Todd Phillips’ Joker gained a record-breaking 11 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, at the 2020 Academy Awards. Star Joaqun Phoenix earned his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Arthur Fleck, a mentally unstable and disenfranchised stand-up comedian who transforms into the Clown Prince of Crime. Though the Batman films have long been credited with redefining comic book filmmaking, Joker was attacked for its depiction of mental illness and purported ability to inspire real-world violence. That is not to imply that The Batman will shy away from controversial or distressing subjects, as Reeves previously stated that his forthcoming picture would break the boundaries of its PG-13 rating.
While AMC touts The Batman as a detective movie, star Robert Pattinson claimed that he was unaware of the Dark Knight’s reputation as “the world’s greatest detective” until he began working on the movie. “I hadn’t heard that in my life before,” Pattinson explained, “but it really plays.” Indeed, Pattinson confirmed AMC’s description of The Batman as a detective plot, revealing how strongly the movie focuses on the vigilante’s investigation abilities. “Normally, when you see Batman he arrives and beats people up,” Pattinson explained. “But he’s having conversations, and there are emotional scenes between them, which I don’t think have been in any of the other movies.”
This is true of Dano’s Riddler character. Not much is known about what Dano’s character has in store for Gotham and its Dark Knight, but a recently released international trailer did give us some hints. “Truth” is the name of the Riddler-heavy trailer, and it shows Dano’s character talking directly to Batman’s aloof alter-ego, Bruce Wayne. The sinister serial killer promises to make Bruce pay for the “sins of [his] father.”
The Batman is scheduled to open in cinemas on March 4.
