The Batman: Every Character Ranked From Worst To Best

If some prior Batman films have allowed the Caped Crusader to become overshadowed by his own villains - looking at you, The Dark Knight - that's certainly not the case here.

This new cinematic depiction of Batman lies in stark contrast to all others, portrayed here as younger and more inexperienced than ever before.

This is by far the weirdest and most unnerving take on Bruce Wayne we've ever seen on the big screen - a grungy recluse with a wiry physique, far from the gregarious, muscled Bruce Wayne that defined most of the Christian Bale era.

Beyond Bruce being haunted by his parents' deaths as expected, his major arc throughout the story is to be more than a mere instrument of vengeance, not to inspire maniacs like the Riddler to cause more harm but serve as a beacon of safety for the citizens of Gotham.

Robert Pattinson's subdued portrayal of Bruce - who really doesn't appear in the film much at all - is massively refreshing, yet as a potent visage of fear whose mere bat signal leaves criminals running for cover, he cuts an unmistakably intimidating figure.

The debate will rage on over where exactly Pattinson's take on the characters ranks among his predecessors, but on its own merits it's a remarkable and in many ways unexpected rendition of both.