Modern Day's "Woke" Batman: My Thoughts on Matt Reeves' 'The Batman'

When the poster for 'The Batman' was first introduced to the entertainment world, truth be told, I had no expectations for it. After all, I am more of a Marvel fan myself. Even if famous actor, Robert Pattinson was casted for the role, I had very much zero interest in the future of the movie. I thought it would be no more different than the other Batman franchises that have tried to revive the DC universe, yet continuously failed to do so (excluding The Dark Knight and its success). To my surprise, I thought wrong.

Reeves' Batman showcases Bruce Wayne as a character. Not The Joker, not The Cat Woman, not The Batman, but the orphan boy who saw both of his parents gunned to death with his bare eyes. In this movie, Batman was portrayed in a new light, where the audience were able to see his vulnerability. Putting aside his wealth, his playboy persona, and all his advanced technology, Matt Reeves utilised a smart approach to reach the attention and expectations of the younger generation, whilst still maintaining to entertain its older audience.

With the concern of Time and Space taken for context in any form of creative works being done today, Matt Reeves did everything right in portraying a modern-day batman that brings more dimension to the forefront of Hollywood Cinema, while also maintaining its action-packed scenes that stole the hearts of its audience in the first place. Pattinson's Batman also has more dimensions compared to the other Batman franchises which was a smart move since this method proved to be a giant success for The Warner Brothers.

There is a reason why we cannot get enough of Pattinson's Batman; an undeniable allure surrounding Robert Pattinson's portrayal of Batman, and it stems from the subtle modifications made by the director to align with the prevailing social values of our generation. This convergence of modern societal norms and retroplay distinguishes itself from the antiquated conventions of the past. In the olden days, masculinity was synonymous with unyielding toughness, emotional restraint, entitlement in romantic pursuits, and the suppression of mental struggles behind a facade of opulence, popularity, and physical attractiveness. However, as we embrace the 21st century, our expectations have evolved. We no longer demand conformity to those outdated stereotypes from men. Matt Reeves, recognizing this contextual shift, deftly integrated these values into Pattinson's Batman, presenting a character who appears less "put together" yet immensely relatable by showcasing vulnerability, melancholy, and the depths of his struggles with depression during moments of grief. Remarkably, in the culmination of the Batman narrative, he even demonstrated mutual respect and unwavering support for Catwoman's decision to depart from Gotham City.

In the realm of cinematic adaptations, Matt Reeves' modern-day portrayal of Batman stands as a remarkable example of a rare gem—a film where "woke" interpretations succeed. The solution lies in a simple yet profound principle: the art of adaptation. Ultimately, it is imperative that we constantly attune ourselves to the ever-shifting environment in which we find ourselves. As human beings, adaptation is intrinsic to our existence. Echoing the wisdom of Chinese philosophy, we are reminded to harmonize with the natural flow of life, much like the graceful Koi fish navigating the currents of a river.