Critics say that while 'The Batman' is a refreshing adaptation, it is 'handcuffed' by its PG-13 rating.

• Critics have given mixed reactions to "The Batman," with some praising it as a genre deconstruction while others found it to be a dark, tedious slog.
• The film chronicles the second year of a masked vigilante's pursuit of a serial killer who is preying on corrupt officials in Gotham.
• An 86% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes is currently held by the film, based on 217 reviews.

The new iteration of the Dark Knight in "The Batman" is emo.

The film, set for release on Friday, has sparked differing opinions from critics. While some have lauded the nearly three-hour movie as a critique of the superhero genre, others have deemed it a dreary chore.

The Batman movie, directed by Warner Bros., focuses on the second year of the vigilante's crime-fighting career. Instead of showing the death of Bruce Wayne's parents, which traditionally triggers his transformation into Batman, the film concentrates on the young billionaire's efforts to apprehend a serial killer who is targeting corrupt officials in Gotham.

The standalone feature does not link to other films in the DC Extended Universe.

In the upcoming film, Robert Pattinson plays Batman, with Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman and Paul Dano as the Riddler. The cast also includes Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, and Colin Farrell as the Penguin.

Ahead of its Friday theatrical debut, "The Batman" currently holds an 86% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 217 reviews.

Bilge Ebiri, Vulture

In Reeves' film, there is little distinction between Bruce Wayne and Batman, as Bilge Ebiri noted in his Vulture review.

Unlike other adaptations, the film doesn't focus much on Bruce's struggle with maintaining a double life. Instead, it portrays him as a brooding recluse who rarely makes public appearances, choosing to keep his private life private.

In "The Batman," Robert Pattinson's Batman walks so quietly and gingerly into most of his scenes that it's hard to believe he's a superhero rather than a ghost. Despite being tall, handsome, and strong, Pattinson plays Bruce Wayne with such broken and mournful despair that his body is practically concave when he's not in a batsuit.

Ebiri wrote that the film presents an overt reinterpretation of the superhero genre's commonality between the protagonist and the antagonist.

"Batman's pursuit of his targets is shot with the same psychotic, heavy-breathing, point-of-view aesthetic as the Riddler's, and now we have to determine how the hero differs from the villain," he said.

Eli Glasner, CBC News

"The Batman" appears to be a blend of "Saw," "Seven," and "Zodiac" to many critics. The film explores various genres, including horror, thriller, and noir, but is limited by its PG-13 rating.

Gotham's wealthy and influential residents have been targeted by the Riddler, who takes pleasure in his deadly traps and leaves behind enigmatic clues for the city's masked protector.

Eli Glasner wrote in his review for CBC news that "the focus of 'The Batman' is more on shock value than actual fear." He also stated that the movie is limited by its family-friendly PG rating, resulting in a Disney+ version of a 'Saw' movie.

Kristy Puchko, Mashable

Kristy Puchko wrote in her review of "The Batman" for Mashable that it's time for Batman to have a proper R-rated movie.

Robert Pattinson and Matt Reeves collaborate on a new take on 'The Batman,' but the lack of an R-rating limits the film's potential for violence and tension.

The film missed out on utilizing Kravitz as Catwoman for Puchko.

"Zoe Kravitz's natural charisma is stifled in a role that requires her mainly to sneer and hip swivel while wearing leather," she wrote.

In "Batman Returns," the chemistry between Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer was more intense than the one between Catwoman and Batman, according to Puchko.

She wrote that their forbidden romance feels more required than earned or authentically lusty.

Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service

According to Katie Walsh's review of "The Batman" for Tribune News Service, on paper, the film follows the standard Batman formula of fighting crime in Gotham, facing off with the Riddler and Penguin, and tangling with Catwoman. However, in practice, it is a unique blend of "The Godfather" and "Zodiac," a serial killer mystery combined with a mobster movie. The genre-play provides a refreshing change, while the detective work has evolved from merely apprehending petty criminals to a more complex and challenging task.

Greig Fraser's cinematography in "The Batman" creates a unique aesthetic with a rain-soaked black and red palette and pops of neon. The film is thrillingly composed and lit, with its style complementing the story.

Batman, too, has a new aesthetic in Reeves’ film.

Batman has been portrayed in various ways, from suave to campy, goofy to gritty, glam to grouchy, but this version is different. It presents Bruce Wayne as a disaffected youth rather than a playboy billionaire. This allows Reeves, as a director, to explore darker imagery and, as a writer, to delve into the true purpose of Batman.

"It's essential to question this character to gain a new perspective," she stated.

CNBC is owned by Comcast, which also owns NBCUniversal and Rotten Tomatoes.