I think people need to remember this is a very early (and young) Brucec Wayne, 2 years back into Gotham and his "project" so he's still full of rage and regret over not being able to save his parents. I suspect the strained relationship with Alfred comes from the moody angry version of Batman we're given. I don't think the film
needs to explain any of this considering how much Batman content precedes it. We got an origin story in Batman Begins but it went from 0-60 in one film whereas this is going from 0-20 first. I don't really agree the detective stuff is weak though? Again, he's 2 years into being Batman and being the detective. I think my favourite thing about the film was they didn't make him so ridiculously overpowered and unbeatable physically and intellectually like they normally do in superhero films. He needs to look raw and vulnerable at this point in his "career".
Agree on the Riddler justification part, I can understand
why he'd want revenge and also the story leaned very heavily into Batman inspiring people to act. (I think as well Bruce saying near the start he's been doing it 2 years and Gotham is getting worse is another fuel to his fire and rage at a lack of results). I did love Dano's acting though; he plays the perfect creep. Also a very different Riddler to what people are used to and especially those that have only seen Jim Carey in green spandex.
Colin Farrell was one of my standouts; you would not have known it was him whatsoever if you never saw the cast list. Excited to see where they go with that. I actually was most worried about John Turturro as Falcone but was pleasantly surprised at his sinister side after so many goofy roles before this.
In regards to the bold I think what will happen next is this because if you remember the very end scene on top of the concert stadium thing he said he realises he needs to do more to help Gotham which goes hand-in-hand with the new mayor saying he (Bruce) isn't doing enough and also at the beginning when Alfred tells him he needs to care more about the Wayne Enterprises side of thing. I think we'll see more of his Bruce Wayne mask come into play in any sequel leaning into his philanthropist side and fake playboy side. Right now he is purely Batman fighting back against Gotham and in future we'll see Batman and Bruce fight back.
I still understand some of the criticisms but I've also seen some I just cannot wrap my head round. Even read this review last night which I hope is purely satire:
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/humourless-and-stale-the-batman-reviewed
Edit: Last point, I didn't really like the Joker part, I think they need to maybe try a Batman series without another one.
