Matt Reeves’ The Batman was one of the standout films of 2022. His new look on Gotham City and Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of the world’s greatest detective was a big hit with both fans and critics. This resulted in the film receiving nominations for the 2023 Oscars. It has been nominated for three categories: Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, and Best Visual Effects. Considering superhero films often get overlooked for awards, like Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight being snubbed for Best Picture, it is still a small positive that Reeves’ adaption received some attention from the Academy.
However, fans of The Batman are right to be frustrated with the lack of nominations. Categories such as Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, and Best Picture seemed like a possibility for one of the most popular films of the year. Not only was it one of the best films of the year, but it is also arguably one of the best superhero films ever made. Here’s a closer look as to why it deserved more Oscar nominations.
The Best Onscreen Gotham City
While Burton and Nolan’s versions of Batman are loved, we only saw glimpses of the real Gotham City. More so in the Tim Burton adaptions. In The Batman, Reeves gives us a version of Gotham that has never been seen before on the big screen. The comics have often shown how Batman transcends the superhero genre and fits into the noir-thriller category, but Reeves’s adaption is the first to perfectly capture the dark and gritty nature of Gotham City. Throughout the film, the city acts as a character itself, and it is brought to life by the superb cinematography work of Greig Fraser. Fraser, who previously won an Oscar for his work on Dune, can count himself very unlucky for not receiving a nomination this year.
Most superhero films these days have the same generic look and feel to them, often causing them to be forgettable. This is where The Batman differs. From Bruce Wayne’s opening monologue, Fraser’s skill is clear to see. As we hear Bruce speak about his sleepless nights and how he is the shadows, we are shown exactly what he means. Fraser creates beautiful shots of a heavy downpour on a hectic Halloween night in Gotham City. Throughout this monologue we see criminals look in dark corners and alleys as they hesitate in fear of what could be lurking there.
This gritty, wet, and dark aesthetic is reinforced throughout the film and creates an immersive feeling that hasn’t been apparent in other Batman films. Not only do we see the crime that has created this darkness and how Batman tries to use these shadows to instill fear, we see the darkness that is Bruce Wayne’s life. Fraser creates an unforgettable Gotham that helps make this film the fantastic experience that it is. Being one of the most memorable visual experiences of the year, there is no doubt The Batman deserved a nomination for Best Cinematography.
An Iconic Score
Some of the most impressive parts of the film are the shots of car chases, fights in dark alleys, and Batman gliding over Gotham after jumping from a building. But, these visually pleasing scenes are taken to the next level with the help of Michael Giacchino’s score. Reeves teased the score on social media prior to the film being released, and we heard some of it in one of the later trailers, which caused excitement among fans. They weren’t disappointed when they eventually got to hear the full extent of Giacchino’s work. The score, matched with Fraser’s cinematography, helps the audience really feel the somber and intense world Reeves envisioned. Giacchino’s score is most effective in the final moments of Batman and Penguin’s car chase scene.
We see Pattinson’s Batman slowly walk towards Colin Farrell’s Penguin, who is trapped in his car, which is flipped upside down. The backdrop is a blazing fire and torrential rain. We hear Batman’s theme slowly but eventually build to a powerful and triumphant climax while all the Penguin can do is sit in fear. Giacchino created a score that not only encapsulated the themes of this film, but it also captured exactly what Batman is about. It was one of the most iconic sounds of the year, and it will be associated with Batman for many years to come. It is puzzling as to why it didn’t receive a nomination when it is obvious it should have been a contender at the very least.
Could The Batman Have Been Named Best Picture?
The Batman had everything you want in a good film. Along with the cinematography and score, there were great performances. Robert Pattinson excelled in his debut as the caped crusader, Paul Dano terrified as the Riddler, Zoë Kravitz impressed as Catwoman, and Colin Farrell, unrecognizable, put in a fantastic performance as the Penguin. With these performances, there was also great writing, which gave viewers a fresh and riveting view of Batman on cinema screens.
This resulted in The Batman being one of the best films of the year. It was a film that justified the hype and excitement, leaving movie-goers extremely satisfied with the experience. So, given all this, it is disappointing that it didn’t receive a nomination for Best Picture. Now that there are up to ten nominees for Best Picture it is hard to see why The Batman didn’t make the cut.
Thankfully, the film did receive some recognition from the Academy, and it will compete on the night of the Oscars. But, The Batman deserved a lot more than that.
