Matt Reeves Directing The Batman

[STARMAN]

I like but don't love his previous films but find him to be a steady and competent director capable of even better. I see this as a positive.

 

[Wise]

What the ****? t: His make-up was fantastic.

Agreed, Croc's makeup was one of the best things going for that film. It reminded me of Tim Curry's transformation via makeup into Darkness in Legend.

 

[Jekecy]

Let Me In is not even close to the original...

The original is phenomenal, so I'm not going to fault Reeves too much. He did improve in cutting down all the extra meat at the screenplay level. He seems to be deft in managing pace and focusing on small character moments.

Just for fun, here's a comparison of the infamous "pool scene":

Original VS Remake

Reeves adds some pizzazz, but arguably to the detriment of the simplicity and serene feeling which made the original so damn brilliant. On its own, it's definitely shot well. If I hadn't seen the original I would've applauded the execution.

 

[Boom]

I enjoyed Let Me In well enough, but I confess I didn't see much of a point to it, seeing as how brilliant the original film is.

 

[shauner111]

I thought Dawn was rather underwhelming in comparison to excellent Rise and Cloverfield was so-so... Maybe War will convince me this was a good choice.

Meh, Rise was forgettable in comparison.

 

[DeadStroke]

The original is phenomenal, so I'm not going to fault Reeves too much. He did improve in cutting down all the extra meat at the screenplay level. He seems to be deft in managing pace and focusing on small character moments.

Just for fun, here's a comparison of the infamous "pool scene":

Original VS Remake

Reeves adds some pizzazz, but arguably to the detriment of the simplicity and serene feeling which made the original so damn brilliant. On its own, it's definitely shot well. If I hadn't seen the original I would've applauded the execution.

Comment shows where Reeves went wrong
*Spoiler for those who haven't seen the film*

This really PALES in comparison to the original. I mean, imo, the original film entirely beats out the remake (and not JUST because it's the original, either. Believe me, I've got legit reasons for why I think it's better) but this scene in particular really shines when comparing the two.
In the original, it was scary in a very subtle way. The swimming room is brightly lit, and the bullies, Jimmy especially (the one that holds Oskar/Owen underwater) all act calmly and nonchalantly at the fact that they're trying to kill someone, showing just how evil and disturbed they really are. Here, the room's dark and the bullies all over-act, almost cartoonishly, showing the film is trying way too hard to LOOK scary without actually BEING scary.
And the way the bullies are killed is much better in the original too, because that too was subtle, and thus more disturbing. There wasn't a bunch of cuts to kids screaming and being flung around. It was just a muffled crash of glass, a quick and subtle shot of another kid's feet flying across the water, followed by severed body parts gently falling into the pool. The original knew that you didn't NEED to see and hear the kids getting killed to get scared or know what was happening. But here, they just HAD to show off the fancy budget and special effects, with a kids head sinking DIRECTLY into the camera lens, followed by a bunch of poorly acted screaming and silly "ripping" sfx (the screams at 1:43 being hilariously bad. He sounded bored as he was begging for his life for God's sake). 

I think Reeves is great at handling emotions. However, there's a subtly he tends to lack in shooting certain scenes. Even in Dawn, but its not as much.

 

[Kane52630]

I enjoyed Let Me In well enough, but I confess I didn't see much of a point to it, seeing as how brilliant the original film is.

And it was mostly shot for shot anyways.

 

[Enriquespy]

He is good enough for the film to go either way. Its a coin toss at the moment.
I've set my expectations at 40/100

 

[shauner111]

It's not confirmed either. He's offered the role and has a meeting. Doesn't mean it's a done deal.

 

[Mad Love]

The way Matt Reeves handles Ceasar's family in Dotpota gives me confidence he could handle the Batfamily.

 

[shauner111]

I agree with that.

 

[Travesty]

 

[DeadStroke]

Last time I saw odds this good the Falcons were likely to win the Superbowl once up 28-3.

 

[Joeyjojo72]

Reeves is a solid choice. Someone who, in theory, could deliver a quality pr9duct. But it's hardly a guarantee, no more than Jenkins or Ayer, that this will all pay off. Nor is there any reason to assume he won't get fed up and drop out long before the shoot commences. Wait and see is the only rational approach at this point. For obvious reasons.

 

[Joeyjojo72]

Last time I saw odds this good the Falcons were likely to win the Superbowl once up 28-3.

The state of Georgia should disband all college and pro sports teams. For the greater good.

And for good measure, the airport should be demolished and used as landfill. Again, for the greater good.

 

[DaddlerTheDalek]

Matt Reeves. Good choice.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

Agreed, Croc's makeup was one of the best things going for that film. It reminded me of Tim Curry's transformation via makeup into Darkness in Legend.

Agreed. There are problems with SS, but that makeup wasn't one of them.

The original is phenomenal, so I'm not going to fault Reeves too much. He did improve in cutting down all the extra meat at the screenplay level. He seems to be deft in managing pace and focusing on small character moments.

Just for fun, here's a comparison of the infamous "pool scene":

Original VS Remake

Reeves adds some pizzazz, but arguably to the detriment of the simplicity and serene feeling which made the original so damn brilliant. On its own, it's definitely shot well. If I hadn't seen the original I would've applauded the execution.

I think that's a great example of how Reeves was able to improve upon the original. Like you said, most are biased who saw the first movie before LMI. That's how we usually react....we like the first thing we see the most. (or hear if it's a song) But there are several problems in the first movie that are excused because it was "first".

First of all, Reeves fixed that gaff with the hand being backward holding down the boy. (how do you miss that one as a director?) And why would the boy never budge an inch while a vampire is flying around the room killing his friends? Didn't make any sense. Reeves fixed that problem too. Abby would obviously go for the guy who was holding down Owen first...not last.

And in LMI, the boy is actually out of breath after being under water so long. That was pretty goofy in the first movie.

In LTROI, Eli lets one boy live. The one who wasn't a part of it. That meant Eli was outside watching the whole time. Abby shows up in a hurry (glass spraying across the surface of the pool was a nice touch) and kills them all...because of course she would.

Lighting matters and is a preference. Personally I like the darker lighting in LMI.

But a big change was the end. We never see Abby's face. Everything is through the reaction on Owen's face. He is in shock as he looks up at Abby. In LTROI, there is a sense of serenity as the (not out of breath) Oskar smiles warmly among the carnage of dead bodies and Eli smiles back at him while a glow is around him/her.

LTROI takes you by the hand and leads you right to a "happy ending". (There is a "right one" after all) In LMI, it's whatever you want it to be. There are any number of possibilities from that point on and Reeves ruled none of them out. I know a bunch of LMI fans and everyone has a different interpretation. ...And all of them are valid. Reeves always refused to answer any question regarding motives and the future...he left it up to the viewer.

I think the Reeves methodology is far better for a Batman movie.

I think Reeves is great at handling emotions. However, there's a subtly he tends to lack in shooting certain scenes. Even in Dawn, but its not as much.

I've seen that "subtle" word thrown around without much to back it up. Body parts are flying around in both movies. LTROI is less "subtle" in many places than LMI. Like when the caretaker falls out of the window and slams into the ground. Reeves cut away to let the viewer imagine what happened there. More subtle.

Or how about when Hakan explains what the acid is for out of nowhere in LTROI? Reeves lets the viewer figure that out on their own.

Let Me In is not even close to the original...

This is pretty funny. One LTROI fan says they aren't the same...

And it was mostly shot for shot anyways.

Then another says they are exactly alike.

That's what fans do, isn't it?

 

[Chesterfield]

Matt Reeves will be a patsy; a yes man; someone WB and Affleck can control without any resistance. I'm incredibly hoping the outcome will turn out great BUT I'm expecting for WB to do what they've always done thus far with the DCEU and that's interfere and trespass, compromising the whole thing.

 

[Mad Love]

Matt Reeves isn't a doormat. He's going to have his input and say. I think fans are going too far with the WB meddling theories...

He's a smart director who gets characters, story and pathos.

He went against the studio for Dawn. https://youtu.be/rOdyqrBS-KY?t=2m16s

 

[Greenlite]

Matt Reeves will be a patsy; a yes man; someone WB and Affleck can control without any resistance. I'm incredibly hoping the outcome will turn out great BUT I'm expecting for WB to do what they've always done thus far with the DCEU and that's interfere and trespass, compromising the whole thing.

What....

Greg Silverman is fired.

Matt Reeves is not Adam McKay...

 

[Saint]

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was solid, to be honest I don't even know if it matters. DCEU gonna DCEU, solid directors or otherwise.

At least it's not Snyder.

 

[kguillou]

Matt Reeves isn't a doormat. He's going to have his input and say. I think fans are going too far with the WB meddling theories...

He's a smart director who gets characters, story and pathos.

He went against the studio for Dawn. https://youtu.be/rOdyqrBS-KY?t=2m16s

David Ayer isn't a doormat either and the studio walked all over the poor guy and we all know Ayer is a very fine filmmaker. You simply can't fight the studio at the end of the day. Guys like Chris Nolan who could tell an exec to shut the f*** up and said exec would back down are an extreme rarity.

With that said, assuming the studio "shuts the F*** up" and leaves Reeves alone I am ALL for this choice. Loved Dawn of Apes and War looks INCREDIBLE. The guy knows how to make a motion picture.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Count me as someone who thought Let Me In was just as good if not better than the original. I thought LMI was smoother and more to the point, trimming a lot of fat from the original. And I thought LMI had a better tone also.

I loved Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, was one of the biggest surprises that year and really blew me away. But I thought Dawn improved on it in every way. War looks amazing as well.

Reeves is a great choice.

 

[Greenlite]

David Ayer isn't a doormat either and the studio walked all over the poor guy and we all know Ayer is a very fine filmmaker. You simply can't fight the studio at the end of the day. Guys like Chris Nolan who could tell an exec to shut the f*** up and said exec would back down are an extreme rarity.

With that said, assuming the studio "shuts the F*** up" and leaves Reeves alone I am ALL for this choice. Loved Dawn of Apes and War looks INCREDIBLE. The guy knows how to make a motion picture.

Ya Ayer had a couple of small/mid budget movies that are well received, but I don't think he has the power like Reevs who's about to have 2 critical and financially acclaimed blockbusters with a big TV show and a cult hit.

And Silvrman is n his bike, while Ayer stayed, karma I guess lol

 

[Loden Greatstorm]

I'm not the biggest Apes fan but hopefully Matt delivers with The Batman.