LucasMend Revisits: Tim Burton's BATMAN

LucasMend Revisits: Tim Burton's BATMAN

I decided to revisit the first Tim Burton Batman movie this time, is a little bit hard to review such a classic and beloved movie, but it was a great fun.

Review Opinion
By LucasMend - Jan 20, 2012 07:01 PM EST
Filed Under: Batman (1989)



It's 1989, and Tim Burton brings for the first time this character to the big screen, with a perfect gothic style and a slight emotional touch in Batman. This universe comes to life with a more emotional version of Bruce Wayne, which becomes passionate with Vicki Vale(Kim Basinger) at some point of the movie, and as we see the movie going forward, Bruce has a wish to reveal his alter ego to Vale. Also, Gotham City is beautifuly done here, and has a remarkable gothic touch by the director.

Both the story and the action are well driven, as we've got Batman acting in the shadows in the beginning of the movie, and the creation of the Joker, which to tell you the truth, is both weird and intriguing at the same time. Later Batman reveals himself at the same time that Jack Napier would become the Joker. From now on, Batman would start appearing in public, with Vicki Vale interested in both him and Bruce Wayne.

Batman
Directed by Tim Burton
With Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Michael Gough, Pat Hingle and Billy Dee Williams.

Michael Keaton is something really tough to discuss, because the actor brings at the same time two different performances, as Bruce Wayne he seems a little bit wrong, his version of the character is a little too much emotional, and turns out that he is not a millionare playboy who likes to spend his money, but as Batman, he does a great job, because he can terrify his opponents with a really great dark performance, not to forget that his voice is not forced.

Jack Nicholson is the exactly same thing, but is better to talk about his performance. Before becoming the real Batman nemesis, he is Jack Napier, a "Mafia" man who is betrayed by his business partner, resulting in his transformation into the Joker. Nicholson acting is pretty good, but at the same time, it is hard to talk about it, as he does a different personification of the character, which in the end, turns out to be unforgettable. Is a more sadistic Joker than the usual.

The villain then brings a terrifying threat to the city, and wants Batmans attention at all costs, so he can retribute what the bat has done to him. With all this going on, Bruce Wayne eventually finds out that Jack Napier was the one responsible for killing his parents, later in the end of the movie, Batman reveals to the Joker all he knows, and we have the great connection between the characters revealed: One created the other. Just by this connection we see that the whole purpose of both of them being together in the movie was perfectly planned.

Batman is a great movie, the actors performances are a little different of the ones in the original comics, but in the end, they turn out to be amazing. The story is well written and solid, it is great to catch the public attention. It's definitely a classic movie.








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RidiculousFanBoyDemands
RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 1/21/2012, 9:44 AM
The problem with this movie is lazy writing. First of all the movie is supposed to be about Batman, instead Tim Burton gives this ridiculous back story for the joker and making him responsible for the murders of Bruce's parents. Commissioner Gordon does absolutely nothing, and it seems like everyone else is given the bare minimum in regards to plot development. It is a fun movie to watch, but does not hold up well at all. Jack Nicholoson basically played himself as the joker. He didn't try to create a character, he phoned in the performance almost as bad as he phoned in the departed. You could tell it was a paycheck movie for him and he didn't take the role seriously.

Good review, though man.
Viltrumite
Viltrumite - 1/21/2012, 2:30 PM
I used to love this movie as a kid, but it really doesn't hold up well at all for me now. I hated knowing more about the Joker in this movie than I did about Bruce Wayne, I hated that Joker killed Bruce's parents, and it always bothered me that Batman killed. I like Keaton as Batman (even though he was too short and wasn't physically intimidating at all), but I thought he was wasn't that great as Bruce, and Nicholson's Joker was just a slightly more insane version of Jack Napier. The set design however was astounding. I appreciate this film for what it did for Batman's image, but I think it's vastly over-rated and nowhere near as good as people think it is. I blame nostalgia.
I'd give it a 6/10, just because of it's importance to Batman. Without that, a 5/10.
Viltrumite
Viltrumite - 1/21/2012, 2:31 PM
Also, the Joker does not dance to Prince. Ever.
Ghostt
Ghostt - 1/21/2012, 7:50 PM
I think 89 Batman was a great movie and good interpretation of Batman/Joker. Think about it: this was an 80s movie; it could have been much worse. What an unusual choice in Micheal Keaton, but he did great. I disagree that Nicholson 'phoned it in' great Joker
PeterParker1991
PeterParker1991 - 1/22/2012, 6:37 PM
Loved this movie. Can't beat the classics. I have so much respect for the original Batman film, from 1989. Keaton and Nicholson were amazing. They owned their respective roles pretty spot on, and Bale is this generation's Batman. I could never compare the original Batman to this new series. Two totally different takes on the same character. But both are good in their own way. Good article.
hoodedjester
hoodedjester - 1/23/2012, 9:03 AM
I still enjoy watching this and Returns. I think Keaton looked great in the suit especially how his face fit the cowl and those intimidating eyes.

If there is one thing Burton did grab properly out of the comics, is how he portrayed Gotham - old, dirty, dingy, large statues and massive gothic buildings - and not to mention dark. Perfect Batman movie... no but fantastic first Batman film, yes!
superbatspiderman
superbatspiderman - 1/23/2012, 3:07 PM
Don't get me wrong that this is a fantastic film but Batman Begins is a much better Batman movie. Batman Begins in a lot of ways is a better movie than The Dark Knight. I loved Batman Begins because Batman was the main character and he wasn't out shown by any villain or other character.
DCnerd46
DCnerd46 - 1/26/2012, 5:45 PM
Forget the obsessive Nolan fans. This is still my favorite Batman film of all time.
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