Ror Revisits: Batman

Ror Revisits: Batman

One of the Grand Daddy's of big budget CBM's, Tim Burton's Batman. So with Chris Nolan's (more successful?) reinvention, how does this classic really hold up?

Review Opinion
By MarkCassidy - May 29, 2010 12:05 PM EST
Filed Under: Batman (1989)

I have gotten into countless debates on here about who's take on Batman is better: Burton's or Nolan's. Some feel that Burton's is closer to the comic book vibe, others that Nolan's faithfulness to the characters wins out. Personally I have always liked Nolan's movies more, but still have an affinity for this first film at lest from Burton. In this review I'll try to leave the "which is better" debate for the comments section, and just review the film as if Nolan's didn't exist.

Definitely a milestone in my young cinaphile life was going to see Batman with my older sister. Growing up with a comic loving family, I always had an interest from a very early age, but aside from Superman 4, this was the first CBM I had ever managed to see on the big screen. I loved it, it was amazing. Everything about it. When your a kid you don't notice the same type of problems an adult would, but watching it again recently, I did! Thats not to say Batman is unsuccessful at all, its still stands as a great movie, but while something like Superman really holds up as an almost flawless depiction of the character to this day, Batman does leave a lot to be desired for me. Burton creates a pretty impressive Gothic nightmare of a Gotham City, certainly more reminiscent of the dark cityscapes from the comics. He begins the story with Bruce Wayne already established as his batman persona and in the midst of cleaning up the city while the police and the reporters scramble to make sense of the criminal's cries of "Giant bat!". One such reporter is Mike Knox, who along with the gorgeous photographer Vicki Vale is determined to get to the bottom of the vigilantism. Enter Jack Napier, right hand man to Gotham crime boss Carl Grissom. When a raid at Axis Chemicals goes wrong, Batman sends Napier tumbling into a vat of chemicals, thus creating his most feared nemesis, The Joker.



I think that should do it for the plot recap, after all if there is anyone on CBM that hasn't seen this move I would be very worried! So, on to the performances. Michael Keaton was an outside the box choice to say the least for Bruce Wayne/Batman, but he does a great job, at least acting wise. Physically he is just too scrawny and short to be playing such an intimidating character. He almost makes up for it with intensity, but when you have a Joker that's actually bigger than Batman, something just looks out of place! That being said, his whispered tones and menacing stare as The Dark Knight are fantastic. His Bruce Wayne, less so. Keaton is charming, but not charming enough to disguise the fact that his handsome, debonair billionaire, isn't very handsome or debonair! He plays Wayne like a slightly less psychotic Batman, which as any fan of the character knows, is a no no. In private sure, but his public face should be a boozy, womanizing himbo. Keaton spends as much time brooding as Wayne as he does as Bats. But again, in this world that Burton has created, it works. Jack Nicholson is a riot as The Joker. In the comics, The Joker has been portrayed as a mischievous but dangerous clown, and an outright sadistic maniac. Nicholson goes more towards the clown. Sure he's ruthless, but never really intimidating. He's never shown as a real threat to Batman. He brings the laughs of course, I just always preferred a bit of a darker take on Mr J. The rest of the performances are meh. Kim Basinger is awful as Vicki Vale, and annoys in practically every scene shes in. Great to look at though! Blink and you will miss both Commissioner Gordon(Pat Hingle) and Alfred(Michael Gough) in this film. These two characters who have always been a huge part of the Batman mythology are reduced to about 3 scenes each, and through no fault of these great actors, are not given the chance to do anything but look old in them. Any big fan of the batman comic will also have a problem with this little tweak in the mythology. Burton's Batman kills. And not even only when he has to. Joyfully! From immolation to death by church bell, this Bats has no "one rule". Its something that pretty much every writer has always adhered to, even the most violent incarnations by Frank Miller never cross the murder line. Burton also has The Joker be the one responsible for Wayne's parents murders. Anyone who reads my stuff knows that I'm not a huge stickler for every little detail from the source material being adhered to, but these a big part of the character and also, I am sick of hearing that Burton's films are more faithful to said source material than Nolan's!(sorry, I did say I'll TRY:) Anyway, enough of that.

The story is a good one, faithful or not. It keeps you riveted at all times. The script is solid, if nothing spectacular. Obviously Nicholson gets the best lines! As the film hurtles to a final showdown in a church, it loses a lot of its quality. Burton's movie really plays out like a carnival ride, complete with somersaulting thugs springing from nowhere and The Joker gleefully dancing around Batman and Vale's fingers as they hand from the church ledge. You could say it hearkens back to the purposeful silliness of the old 60s tv show with Adam West, but for me, its just dated a little. But, flaws aside, I still enjoyed the Hell out of this again, and Danny Elfman's theme music and score will probably never be bettered for this character. Does it deserve its classic status? Not as much as something like Superman, but yeah, I think it should stand the test of time for another 20 odd years, a few scenes aside!.





Check out all of my other reviews and revisits here. RorsReviews
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BATMAN Star Michael Keaton Says He'll "Never Understand" Why People Had An Issue With Him Being Cast

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Tim Burton On Difference Between BATMAN And Today's Superhero Movies, SUPERMAN, And Possible Return To Genre

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LEEE777
LEEE777 - 5/29/2010, 12:05 PM
MICHEAL KEATON = AWESOME BATMAN!!!

I'd say 5 Stars myself!
SHAZAM171
SHAZAM171 - 5/29/2010, 12:09 PM
Ahhhh, memories. Good times. Keaton back then was not my choice for Batman. I was hoping Alec Baldwin would've gotten the role. Oh well.
InstigatorGIRL
InstigatorGIRL - 5/29/2010, 12:11 PM
"Where does he get those wonderful toys?"

Great Ror now I have to go pop this movie in and watch it. LMAO. I'm never going to get my shit doen today. LOL.
InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 5/29/2010, 12:11 PM
Good review. I think Nolan's films are overall better, but this one is still a classic. Good points on Keaton. I always thought that he was the best Batman, but Bale was the best Bruce.
antz1104
antz1104 - 5/29/2010, 12:21 PM
Good review Ror. Nolan definately, but this set the standard. KEATON AND NICHOLSON OWNED, even tho I agree about the killing. In the 2nd one he killed the circus guy by pushing him in a hole w/ a bomb and it was like every movie had someone falling to their death! Bad guys go up high and you think "yep, he's gone. damn"

5 stars in my book.
SHHH
SHHH - 5/29/2010, 12:25 PM
Great review...

Off topic
Dennis Hopper has died..74..cancer RIP..
Codeseven
Codeseven - 5/29/2010, 12:33 PM
I think it was good for its time but Nolans Batman is still the best. I'm more of a fan of Bale's Batman than Keatons, but that's just my personal preference.
SpiderBat209
SpiderBat209 - 5/29/2010, 12:35 PM
Burton's two Batman films are stand alone films to me. The First is just epic (but I agree Vicki Vale annoys the sh*t outta me when she talks or worse, screams!) :P

Batman Returns I simply ENJOY for the VILLAINS! DeVito & Phieffer are just entertaining to watch! :D

Great Review, Ror! I'm gonna go put these on now; it's been a while since me & my kids watched these! :)

skidz
skidz - 5/29/2010, 12:37 PM
A friend said that Keaton was a better Batman but Bale was the better Wayne (Bat's toys were a little better in Nolan films because they gave more information). With the Joker I think it's an even keel, Nicholson got the manic perfectly, grand scale madness of the Joker and Ledger nailed the truly evil, grand scale madness.
Phinehas
Phinehas - 5/29/2010, 12:37 PM
NO...Not Dennis Hopper!!! Crap. I liked him.

Great review, Ror.
My only objection is that I think Nicholson made an unpredictable and intimidating clown.

Motorhead anyone?
LibertySeaOtter
LibertySeaOtter - 5/29/2010, 12:43 PM
I think Keaton's Batman was better... that's all I can really say. And Jack Nicholson is Jack Nicholson. It doesn't matter who he plays, he's great, hands down.
BryEL
BryEL - 5/29/2010, 12:43 PM
I was... oh... 2 when this Batman came out. I still have like 50 something figures from both Burton films up in storage. Truly, Burton's Batman is key to my childhood.

Nolan's Bats feels like you can look outside and see his vision, while Burton's... it's just a whole different, but very fun world.

Good review, Ror!
Phinehas
Phinehas - 5/29/2010, 12:54 PM
Man, Dennis Hopper. They go in threes, huh?

One of my favorites was Flashback with Kiefer Sutherland.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000454/
The man has seen miles of film! Sorry for being off topic, Ror.
comicdreamer
comicdreamer - 5/29/2010, 12:57 PM
Dude I love these movie reviews; keep on doing them :P
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 5/29/2010, 12:58 PM
jshark
jshark - 5/29/2010, 1:04 PM
I loved this movie. To me the two styles are seperate. I loved both Keaton and Bale's portrayals and both Joker's have a place in my heart. Two totally different performances but yet I felt like they were the real Joker while watching each of them. Each movie, even the less nameable ones, have their standout characters. 1 and 2 have Keaton, Nicholson, and Devito; 3 has Jones; 4 has Thurman; BB has the whole cast almost; and TDK has almost the whole cast too except the new Rachael, she ruined the character for me but maybe it was intentional so when she died you wouldn't care. Anyway the first is, and always will be a classic.
Joe6Pack74
Joe6Pack74 - 5/29/2010, 1:05 PM
I liked that movie a lot. It was before Tim Burton totally left the reservation and just went off the scale weird. Keaton was a great Batman, the Batmobile was one of my personal favorites, the Batwing was also cool and the Joker was top notch. It was what is was back then and it was cool.
comicdreamer
comicdreamer - 5/29/2010, 1:15 PM
BTW; think you could review Batman Returns?? :)
R.I.P. Dennis Hopper...
LibertySeaOtter
LibertySeaOtter - 5/29/2010, 1:17 PM
@jshark I agree with you. Both Nolan and Burton's Batman had there different points that made them great, at least in most people's eyes. It's Batman Forever and up that Burton blew chunks on.
thedon786
thedon786 - 5/29/2010, 1:24 PM
Both are so good and i think they work well for thier era.
flames809
flames809 - 5/29/2010, 2:03 PM
nolan batman still better
WordofCROD
WordofCROD - 5/29/2010, 2:05 PM
I love both old and new Batman movies! Except for Batman & Robin of course.

My whole family considers this a classic movie. Keaton really did do a good job.
peterparker420
peterparker420 - 5/29/2010, 2:13 PM
Well, This is a CLASSIC! and no matter how many times
I see this one, It is always a great watch.

I think NOLANS is WAY better, Burton's will ALWAYS
be the FIRST live-action batman I've ever seen, Even
Batman: Returns is a great movie, but the FIRST, It
will stay close to my heart as on of the greats in CBM
history.

GREAT REVIEW @ ROR
blacksad
blacksad - 5/29/2010, 2:24 PM
Burton´s version was epic, it was my childhood dream and Nolan´s version is my adult fantasy.
48and2
48and2 - 5/29/2010, 2:43 PM
@Rickly actually Keaton was pretty good I thought - Burton had to fight insanely hard to keep him. And the main reason was of course Beetlejuice. That insane dark side he has - when he was younger as an actor he had a completely unpredictable side, from what I know.

Anyway, yeah I love them both. But recently there is this TV station I get (not a big fan of "cable") called Ion, and they played Burton's Batman and Batman 2 over and over like 300 times lol. So I'm a bit burnt out on it atm.

They're sort of like apples and oranges, and you have to admit - for what Burton had to work with, he did an amazing amazing job. That is of course when things deteriorated to complete idiocy, is when he left the series. Then Nolan came back and saved the day - after a 20 year lapse.
48and2
48and2 - 5/29/2010, 2:46 PM
@Rickly I just saw The Machinist the other day... my skin is crawling thinking about it. But, most here know of course, that's why they chose Bale - off American Psycho. I don't really care what anyone says about him, after seeing The Machinist - unbelievably fearless and dedicated actor willing to venture where most would not.
BigMas1979
BigMas1979 - 5/29/2010, 3:06 PM
good review....but still best Batman movie in my book... I was ten when it came out and it blew me away, everytime I stumble on it I can't help but have a ish eating grin....
Stealthduck
Stealthduck - 5/29/2010, 3:15 PM
@ RorMachine - Thank you for a very nice article on a landmark CBM movie. I agree with your definition of Michael Keaton's role; not Batman in any physical aspect yet convincing in the cowl close-ups (although his potrayal of Batman's emotional intensity is, unfortunately, an insufficient counterweight to the lack of physical presence). Nicholson's 'clown' aspesct of the Joker was, in my humble opinion, tantamount to Ledger's 'sadistical' approach. Overall Ledger's performance was, hands down, the personification of the Joker. But Nicholson ruled as the epitome of the role from the moment I left the cinema (I remember!), and the CBM I still covet the most from my youth. So once again, thanks!
theangrytroll
theangrytroll - 5/29/2010, 3:16 PM
This film is BY FAR still the best live-action incarnation of Batman. Keaton owns the role.
rsalas
rsalas - 5/29/2010, 3:25 PM
Love the movie but I always felt that Keaton lacked in some areas which took away from his Bruce and Batman. Didnt quite have the looks and charm for Bruce or the height and build for Batman but still overall it was a great movie.
rsalas
rsalas - 5/29/2010, 3:29 PM
R.I.P. Dennis Hopper your scene in True Romance with Christopher Walken will never be forgotten.
Stealthduck
Stealthduck - 5/29/2010, 3:38 PM

@ rsalas - Superb. Excellent call on one of the all time slept on cinematic scenes. R.I.P Dennis.
DLM
DLM - 5/29/2010, 4:20 PM
Gr8 review Ror, this movie was [frick]ing amazing!!

WTF? Dennis Hoppers dead? When did that happen?! :(
thebamf
thebamf - 5/29/2010, 4:27 PM
This movie was perfect (for it's time). You say Bats never killed anyone ("Burton's Batman kills. And not even only when he has to. Joyfully! From immolation to death by church bell, this Bats has no "one rule". Its something that pretty much every writer has always adhered to, even the most violent incarnations by Frank Miller never cross the murder line.") You should read The Dark Knight Returns. He killed the Joker.
blacksad
blacksad - 5/29/2010, 4:37 PM
RIP Dennis Hopper
captquirk
captquirk - 5/29/2010, 4:47 PM
I still have to say, I enjoyed Burton better. Now, if they could somehow merge the 60's version, Burton's version, and mix it with Nolen's vision, it might be closer to what I want to see. I am not a fan of Nolen's narrow minded vision or Bale in general. The 60's show just went too far into camp, but was somehow closer to the comics. Burton had a good surrealistic feel, but just missed the mark.
TDKR11
TDKR11 - 5/29/2010, 5:05 PM
Burton's 1st Batman movie will always be a classic, but IMO Nolan's Batman movies are far better and are more true to what Batman is, and why Bruce does it. Good review on this classic movie. Keaton played a good Batman, and Jack played a unforgettable joyful Joker.
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