When it comes to a character as well known as Batman, it's tough to do something that's genuinely different to what's come before.
So when the likes of Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson were promising that The Batman would be something "fresh and different", we took it with a pinch of salt because, at the end of the day, this is still Batman. However, we are happy to be proved very wrong in this instance.
By avoiding the origin story and focusing on the "World's Greatest Detective" aspect, we're seeing a side of Batman that has never fully been explored on screen before. Throw in some heavy film-noir vibes and a richly-detailed Gotham (under)world, and Reeves has delivered an exhilarating spin on the character.
Inevitably you'll be judging The Batman against other Batman movies, but not only is it a match for the strongest of those outings, it's also up there with the best comic-book movies overall. It's that good.
And if that's all you need to know, then feel free to leave right now. If you want to know more though, fear not, the following is totally spoiler-free.
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The Batman picks up after Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson) has had "two years of nights" as Batman, patrolling the streets of Gotham and striking fear into the hearts of criminals. However, it's not having the impact he expected, and things, if anything, are worse than ever.
They're about to get a lot worse, as sadistic killer Edward Nashton (Paul Dano), aka the Riddler, starts to target Gotham's elite. Helpfully, the Riddler also leaves cryptic clues for Batman, which sends him into the city's dark underworld, populated by the likes of Oswald Cobblepot (Colin Farrell) and Carmine Falcone (John Turturro).
As the investigation starts to hit closer to home, can Batman uncover the Riddler's grand plan for Gotham before it's too late?
That's really about all we want to go into, details-wise, as Reeves really immerses you in Batman's world. Where other Batman movies would cut away to show the villains doing villainous things, you're with Batman every step of the way as every clue is uncovered and riddle solved.
There are times when Reeves does cut to other characters, such as in the chilling and unforgettable introduction of the Riddler. However, by mostly keeping you with Bats, it elevates the detective angle and adds an intrigue that keeps you gripped throughout the near-three hour runtime.
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This immersion extends to Batman himself. In his DC debut, Robert Pattinson spends the vast majority as the vigilante and not as Bruce Wayne. His take on Bruce is one obsessed with his alter-ego, unaware of how his emotions are driving what he does and how that explodes in his brutal takedowns of any criminal that crosses his path.
Spending so much time in the Batsuit makes it all the more challenging for Pattinson, who has to do a lot with just body language. He rises to the task though with an imposing performance, and you never doubt that his is a Batman who villains will genuinely fear. Any doubts you may have had won't last long.
While it might be Pattinson's movie, it'd be wrong to single him out, because a Batman movie needs two to tango. Paul Dano makes the Riddler as terrifying as he is magnetic, which is all the more impressive as, like Pattinson, he's largely hidden behind a costume. It's a performance every bit as good as Heath Ledger's in The Dark Knight, and it'll haunt your nightmares.
Dano gets the most substantial role of the supporting cast, but there are strong turns everywhere you look, led by Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle. As with the other characters, she's not quite Catwoman yet, but neither is she a damsel in distress like the noir tone might suggest. She doesn't get loads to do yet still makes an impression.
Jeffrey Wright brings a welcome sense of dry humour to Lt James Gordon, while the emotional heart of the movie largely comes from Andy Serkis's affecting take on Alfred, who knows what Bruce needs but can't deliver it. John Turturro is suitably sleazy as Carmine Falcone, but special mention has to go to Colin Farrell's entertaining and transformative role as Oswald Cobblepot.
Warner Bros.
Related: The Batman cast reveal their most memorable filming moments
With all those notable Batman characters involved, you could fear Spider-Man 3 vibes, and we can't ignore that it is three hours long. However, by keeping the focus on Batman, Reeves – who wrote the script with Peter Craig – avoids making it feel overstuffed and constantly propels the plot along with a new reveal or big set piece.
This might be a very different Batman movie tonally and story-wise, but it still delivers the Bat-goods you'd expect, such as the Batmobile. Now a souped-up muscle car to fit the grounded tone, it gets its time to shine in a visceral car chase with cinematographer Greig Fraser putting you right in the driving seat.
Batman might be a proper detective now, but he still gets to show off his fighting skills. Fraser's striking camerawork lets you feel every bruising punch and gunshot, with editors William Hoy and Tyler Nelson eschewing quick cuts. The standout is a corridor fight where the only light comes from muzzle flashes, but you could truly pick any set piece to highlight the excellent craft behind The Batman.
This extends to Michael Giacchino's magnificent score, which weaves in influences like 'Ave Maria' and Nirvana's 'Something in the Way'. There are the booming and ominous beats, especially in Batman's theme, but it's distinct from Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard's work on Christopher Nolan's trilogy.
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The level of detail and technical skill that has gone into creating this new version of Gotham City is why the runtime never becomes an issue. It's a world you're happy to luxuriate in, filled with fascinating characters that, although they're well-known, feel different to what's come before.
It's easy to get Batman wrong, but Reeves never even threatens to do so. The Batman is an enthralling, chilling and fresh new take on the iconic DC hero that'll leave you desperate for another visit to this impeccably-crafted world.
The Batman is released in cinemas on March 4.
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