“The Batman” Taps Into The Beloved Era Of Thriller/Crime Dramas Like “Kiss The Girls” And “Bone Collector”

The latest foray with respect to Batman hitting the Big Screen is certainly a unique venture that might throw some off who were expecting something akin to the Nolan trilogy. But the approach taken in “The Batman” is really something that hits the benchmark of what will ostensibly serve as a great thriller/crime drama that will stand the test of time.

Back in the 90s and even slightly etching into the early aughts, the blended genre of thriller/crime served as some solid entertainment for those seeking a bit more from their movie experience — which many of those films that nestled themselves in the aforementioned genre have managed to remain genuinely entertaining now decades after their release even to contemporary audiences.

Much of said genre’s ability to remain relevant was that they were 1.) Produced amidst an era of film when general production/writing/acting had arguably mastered a craft of presenting authentic relatability (insofar one could see these things/interactions occurring); and 2.) These films heavily focused on the human experience and therefore didn’t need much of the flashy CGI that many films benefit from today.

And “The Batman” latches onto this very genre of film, and does so with expert execution.

When I think of stellar thriller/crime movies that stood out during their peak in the 90s and early aughts, titles such as “Kiss the Girls”, “Along Came a Spider”, “The Bone Collector”, “Seven”, “8MM”, and “Murder at 1600” showcased what the genre could be. They served as compelling, narrative driven spectacles that focused on the high-stakes, mystery aspect of the story while affording enough insight into the characters involved to get one enveloped into the ongoings of both the character development and the conflicts they faced.

But while this genre was a proven powerhouse in film amidst the 90s and managed to stay somewhat relevant in some early 2000s releases, it has been largely abandoned.

Yet, “The Batman” showcased that this genre can again get that blockbuster spotlight when executed properly — and also showcased what a comic book movie can genuinely be.

Batman, when it comes to his on-screen adaptations, has proven to be a rather flexible character; which that makes sense. Considering Batman’s creation predates World War 2, his story arc has undergone innumerable changes and angles.

But what “The Batman” dives into is the character’s roots, being a detective first with the edge of vigilantism. This film will allow viewers to see Batman delving into crime scenes of horrific murders, whilst seeing the villain baiting the vigilante-detective into his game of cat-and-mouse and peppering in some well-placed actions scenes.

Overall, this is a great interpretation of Batman and will hopefully deliver on some sequels of the same caliber.