The 'most anticipated film of the year' proves to have been worth the wait. Peeling a big black onion for almost three hours - that's what you're getting with The Batman.
Now, whether you need to be peeling for quite so long is another thing, but this passing of the greatest cape brings plenty to the legend.
Feeling like a mix of Se7en, Dirty Harry and follow-the-money conspiracy thriller, it's better than Batman Begins but not as good as its two sequels, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. Crucially, it leaves you wanting to see more of Robert Pattinson as Batman/Bruce Wayne. The dual role is the perfect fit.
Director (and co-writer) Matt Reeves' hardboiled story of the hunt for a serial killer in a city that's "eating itself" takes Batman back to his roots in Detective Comics, the hero's bleak opening voiceover setting the scene for what follows. Arguably, there is more suspense here than in previous outings, Pattinson's portrayal of prince and protector ensuring that the meaning in his character's life is as much a mystery as the case he is trying to crack.
That rain-soaked, twist-filled quest towards the operatic finale also gives every member of the supporting cast time to shine in the shadows. Further details would be something of a disservice to the plot, suffice to say that their work - like the leading man and director's - ensures this franchise is in better shape at the closing credits than when they arrived. You may well be surprised at how much has been accomplished by the time you leave.
Discussing his tenure with the competition a few years back, Logan director James Mangold told Empire magazine that his goal with that film was "to avoid the feeling that you were just another action figure on a shelf". Using that yardstick, The Batman is another great success. Roll on act two...
