Matt Reeves’The Batman is a spectacle to behold. From the simplistic yet dynamic cinematography to the acting and direction, The Batman is being praised by critics and filmmakers alike.
Even Edgar Wright took to Twitter to applaud one of the best moments from the film: the car chase scene between Batman (Robert Pattinson) and Penguin (Colin Farrell).
The scene was teased multiple times in the trailers, featuring an explosive car chase on the streets of Gotham City. Wright is a known fan of car chase scenes and stunts that involve cars. Having written and directed Baby Driver just to fulfill his need for a good car chase-based film, Wright is an expert and enthusiast when it comes to car-based action.
Having praise from the great director is a good sign that you’ve done something right. Wright tweeted his praise, saying:
So what is it about that particular chase scene that is so good?
I would say it is the Batmobile's stunning reveal as it emerges from the shadows, but that doesn’t make a good chase scene.
Not only does the layer of realism fill the entire sequence with tension, but it adds a layer that has been missing from the Batman franchise for so long. The Bat is the world’s greatest detective and is quick to think about how to maneuver in and out of any situation. This element is on display throughout the entire movie and makes the car chase scene exciting to watch as both men drive down the rain-slicked highway.
No matter how many bumpers Penguin hits or how many exploding semi-trucks there are, Batman can and will find a way to get out of any predicament.
At the end of the sequence, the striking silhouette of the Dark Knight amongst the flames of burning cars emerges in an upside-down point-of-view shot that is instantly iconic.
'The Batman' car chase sequenceCredit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Reeves’ noted in Cinemablend’s Reelblend podcast that the shot was a “very Hitchcockian point of view–putting the camera in the subjective point of view of the character. So you can put the audience into that experience. So I thought it would be great if, at the end of all this propulsive, French Connectionsort of craziness, to suddenly be in the Penguin’s point of view as he’s lying upside down as you have this sort of mythic appearance of Batman with fire raging behind him.”
The subjective perspective gives this version of Batman the upper hand, showcasing that his talent outmatches the best criminals of Gotham City with a simple upside-down locked shot. Audiences, critics, and filmmakers are blown away by this sequence for a good reason: it’s a masterclass in car chases.
You’ve got explosions, fast cars in the rain, tension, the Batmobile, and a bad-ass superhero. Do you need anything else?
Let us know your thoughts on the car chase sequence in The Batman in the comments below!
Source: Collider
