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Or an HBO max series :)
I don’t know what I expected to be fair. It looks as good as another Batman film could be. But having seen the trailer, I’m now questioning whether we actually need another Batman film; my interest just vanished. The serial killer angle is cool and Pattinson looks refreshingly tortured and unhinged, but other than that, it doesn’t really look like it’ll tread any ground that the Nolan films didn’t.
Say what you will about EON taking their time, but personally as I get older and time seems to go quicker, I like the fact that Bond remains an actual event. A novelty. Plus the advantage with Bond is he goes all over the world, on a new mission every time. These superheroes hang about in the same cities, fighting the same bad guys. And it’s gotten old imo.
That’s the one thing I liked about this trailer. The other ones have been a bit too clean when they take the mask off imo. The eye shadow suddenly disappears and they just look like standard chiseled Hollywood men. Pattinson looks dirty and unhinged, like he hasn’t slept for days. Personally I think that could be a refreshing take. Batman is essentially an unhinged nutcase.
I agree it doesn’t look distinct enough though. But then I’m not really sure what you can do to be distinct, seeing as we’ve had that much superhero stuff lately. Looking at Batman in particular, over the course of Daniel Craig’s run as James Bond we’ve had three different film Batmen (and I think I read Keaton is coming back too now? And Affleck staying on?), three spin offs (Suicide Squad, Joker, that other Harley Quinn film), Gotham on TV, the Arkham games. And he’s always limited to doing the same thing. Even if they went lighter or something, Marvel do tons of lighter superhero films. It’s just all a bit played out imo.
Although as for its distinction, besides the tone which I think is a fresher take than we’ve had, again keep in mind that this footage is only two minutes of the 25% they’ve actually filmed as production was halted due to coronavirus so there’s plenty of time for them to surprise you :)
But I get where you’re coming from.
Agree to disagree
See, I don't know about that. I keep looking for examples of why he should be.
I'm really trying my best to be fair to the man. Of course, he was the "guy from Twilight" and he played another heartthrob in Harry Potter. But I'm smarter than to let that get in the way of fair judgement.
So I watched the Cronenberg film, the Claire Denis film, the arthouse thriller, ... all of which I had hoped would reveal to me exactly what makes Pattinson -- indeed -- a "brilliant" actor. Each time I hoped that a good script, competent directing and strong fellow actors would bring out the best in Pattinson. Yet, each time I see Edward Cullen again, and little else. I see an actor who either turns stoicism into a virtue or just sleepwalks through a film like someone who showed up for a rehearsal while still high on sleeping pills. Every smile feels forced; every intonation a daunting task. "What smile and intonation?," you might ask.
Again I must stress that I don't think of this as a negative "per se". Some actors build an entire career on a detached, calm demeanour. Especially for the role of Batman, we need someone who can control his emotions and who can speak and act in a flat, monotone and matter-of-fact way. But then at the same time, a good Batman also needs fire, anger and at times he has to find the human side. Conroy, Keaton, Bale, ... all found those triggers...
... but I've never seen, let alone felt the fire or anger in Pattinson. Even in those dreadful Twilight films, which my fiancé loves to make me watch every once in a while, in those moments when it's really easy to yell "nooooooo!" like a boss and show some emotion, Pattinson acts as if he has just woken up and is now flossing his teeth while his beloved is in mortal danger.
I hope that people don't see me as the anti-Pattinson, for I really am not. I like him and I think he will be a good Batman. But if there's one film out there, just one, in which he shows some range as an actor, please let me know. For I must repeat @thelivingroyale's statement,
and concede that I have yet to find any empirical proof of that.
Sorry to keep replying guys but I'm just very passionate about this. Firstly, at the end of the day, if an actor doesn't resonate with you. That's completely fine. For me personally The Lighthouse, Good Time, The King, and a film called Damsel show that range that he has. Also I very much enjoyed his performances in High Life and The Rover.
But overall for me, The Lighthouse is where it's at. Showing pent up aggression and a man that's at boiling point to someone whose vulnerable and is stripped down by the other character and the script. It's a great performance for me, and his performance in one particular scene is the most uncomfortable (and honestly quite scared) I've ever felt seeing a film. So for me I'm with him all the way.
But I can understand the subjectivity of that, and you never know this film may prove you (or me) wrong. Or we'll disagree haha :D
But on a broader note, again, this is only 2 minutes of the little they have filmed before production was halted, and this gives me so much confidence in this project. Not that I needed it, but I was so pumped after seeing this. This is the Batman movie I've personally been waiting for.
And I think this is why these characters work so well (Bond, Batman), and why they continue to be played around with and presented in new ways. Not every incarnation will resonate for whatever reason. I personally never resonated with Ben Affleck on screen, and personally find Pattinson a better calibre of actor, but I know that he is considered the best of the bunch by others. Same goes for Christian Bale, and Michael Keaton, and so on.
My hope is that people give it a chance, and I know everyone here has enough respect for these properties to do so. Including yourself my friend :)
If you want fire then I think Good Time is a good one. He oozes danger in that film. It’s a really dirty, scuzzy film and he disappears into the role a twitchy, paranoid, dangerous low life criminal. He feels genuinely volatile in that one, there’s a sense he could explode at any moment, which works well to power a very unpredictable movie. I agree with those who’ve said he was snubbed an Oscar nom for it, personally.
Having said that, it’s not a particularly Batman esque role. But then, had Keaton done a Batman esque role? Or Bale? Had Heath Ledger done anything to show he’d be a good Joker? One thing I do think he did a really good job in Good Time though, that might signal something he can bring to Batman, was this enigmatic sense of his character always thinking. He’s very on edge, you can tell he’s constantly running through things in his mind. But he’s hard to get a handle on. I think that could work well for Batman, who really should be a psychiatrists wet dream imo. I like the idea of him being a bit more unhinged and wrought with ambiguity than the usual straightforwardly heroic versions.
I don’t know if that’s how he’s going to play it though, and I can’t tell you if he’ll be a good Batman. But I do think he’s a very good actor. I think he really inhabits his characters. Not so much in the sense of always being showy with accents or physicality. But subtley doing it. Little looks and mannerisms. The first face down with the seagull in the Light House comes to mind. Rewatched it the other day, and the way he creaked his head in this sort of bizarre, lifeless exasperation, seemed a million miles away from the constant twitchy, lowlife ruthlessness of Good Time. I agree with @Denbigh, he’s done far more to impress me as an actor than Ben Affleck (great writer/director but very wooden imo, I think his brother is a lot better).
Thanks, guys, for the very passionate posts. I haven't seen Good Time, so I think I'll start there. :)
@thelivingroyale
@DaltonCraig007
Isn't the Internet a place of magic?
Yesterday night, before going to bed, I read Denbigh's post and order 'Good Time' online. It said that the film would arrive on Tuesday. So imagine my surprise when about two hours ago, the kind delivery man rang and dropped 'Good Time' in my hands, 24 hrs "too soon". I unwrapped the thing, plugged it in and started watching.
Guys, you were right. I have seen my first really good performance given by Ro-Pat. He was electric, like Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler. I still don't think they should give him an Oscar for his performance here, but this is certainly Ro-Pat "elevated". I also loved the film, by the way. The score is hypnotic! I had a blast.
So okay, if Pattinson can find these strengths in the next Batman film, I'm in full support.
Thanks, guys.
I firmly don't believe that being a good actor qualifies you immediately to play a given character, though. That's why there are, sometimes, brilliant castings, lightnings in a bottle, such as Craig as Bond.
Another good, but contrary example, is Batfleck, one of the worst actors being almost perfect for a role. Yes, I also like Lazenby and Brosnan as Bond, btw.
It's always more of a question of being a good fit. I guess I'll have to see.
In the days of Twilight, it was all "Ro-Pat and K-Stew". I just went with that, I guess. I apologize. :)
Glad you enjoyed it @DarthDimi :) And agree on the score. Mesmerising stuff, made the whole film feel like a bad trip. The same directors recently made Uncut Gems, which is another one worth checking out (it’s available on Netflix in the UK, not sure if that’s the same with the rest of Europe though). Similar down and dirty atmosphere. I really can’t wait to see what they do next.
No. Just the opposite, in fact. Batman is a force for order in a chaotic world. This quality of being out-of-step in a world of crazies may make him appear "unhinged" to some, but I would suggest that is more a reflection on them than on him.
Really hoping we get Kevin Conroy for this
@BeatlesSansEarmuffs, I think both 'iterations' of Batman exist. In some, he's controlled, in others, he's the biggest maniac of them all. Batman really can be pretty unhinged. ;-)
That would be awesome! I recently had Kevin Conroy make a video for me via Cameo.com. He is, after all, my favourite Batman.
He definitely dresses up as a bat though :)
Yes, and he does it for a reason that makes sense in context.
The context that's he's mad? Yes, absolutely! :)
Wow; I’m really interested in seeing an adaptation of The Long Halloween! Hope they do it well!
No need to apologize, my dear friend, I just wasn't aware of it :)
https://www.firstshowing.net/2020/did-you-solve-the-riddle-hidden-in-the-batman-teaser-heres-how/
Now you're just being obtuse. The context being that he's a comic book character & needs to wear a colorful costume so he can sell lots of comics. The reason (beyond that) being that "criminals are a cowardly, superstitious lot! I must have a disguise that strikes fear into their hearts!" The whole "Batman is a psychopath" argument is the creation of fanpeople who need to justify their obsessions with fictional characters that don't really make sense when you try to examine them using real world logic. (Kind of like James Bond. That's how you get the "Bond as a code-name for several different agents over several decades" theory.) I don't need to justify Batman, or Bond either for that matter. I can just enjoy them for what they are: fiction. Look at it this way: Denny O'Neil was the most influential Batman writer of the last 60 years. He died just a few months ago, tributes to his life & career are still being printed in both DC and Marvel comics. Do you think for a moment that Denny would have subscribed to your "Batman is a psychopath" rationale? Not on your life! Denny was a "force for order in a chaotic world" kinda guy. Just for now, let's leave the psycho thinking aside, shall we?
Well, I'm just trying to have a fun laugh with you, but if you want to all fanboy ranty serious about it: he's clearly a disturbed guy, yes. The whole setup is he's been disturbed by seeing his parents die in front of his face as a boy, has become a recluse who only goes out at night in a mask. That's not a story of someone who is in perfect mental health! :)
The Nolan films really show him to be a very damaged fella, even the most cartoony and light Kilmer one has him as not a normal guy at all. But that's okay, he's not supposed to be fine. They are indeed fiction, and they're fiction about a fella who isn't quite right in the head. There's nothing wrong with that.