Batman
UK Release Date: 11 August 1989
Certification: 12
Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Kim Basinger, Michael Gough, Pat Hingle, Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Billy Dee Williams, Robert Wuhl
Rating: 57%
Review:
Like many comic book movies from the 1980's and 1990's Batman doesn't stand the test of time. Tim Burton directs, but in my opinion didn't take the project seriously. Batman is so over the top, but incredibly slow paced at the same time. I know that Tim Burton's Batman is loved by many fans, but as a teenager watching the movie for the first time, it felt dated and devoid of action. I generally love comic book movies but Batman is the exception to date.
Michael Keaton is ok as the lead. His performance feels off compared to Christian Bale's or Ben Affleck's interpretation of the same character [although Keaton donned the mask before Bale and Affleck]. Keaton is oblivious to what is happening around him, displays little care for those around him and, to be honest, isn't very smart. Jack Nicholson on the other hand was the only performance that I enjoyed. Yes, his portrayal of the Joker was over the top but quite good. Obviously, nowhere near as good as the late great Heath Ledger's, Joker in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight. Jack Nicholson's laugh was infectious and whilst his plan to overthrow Gotham didn't make a whole load of sense, he was still a good character. Kim Basinger as Vicky Vale was rubbish - the definition of a damsel in distress. And the relationship between Vicky Vale and Bruce Wayne felt forced and unbelievable. Supporting cast members like Michael Gough, Billy Dee Williams and Robert Wuhl didn't offer anything to the movie.
By far the best part of Batman is Danny Elfman’s score. The rest of the movie feels dated but the score doesn't. The iconic Batman Theme gives weight to the movie which at times feels camp.
The reason Batman does not work for me is the weak story. Joker's plan, to see "my face on the hundred dollar bill" is just plain silly and doesn't make sense. And Batman literally doesn't do anything of note. At one point Joker remarks "Where does he get all those wonderful toys?" but we only see Batman use a grapple gun, a smoke bomb and some car keys. Clearly, audiences were more easily impressed in 1989.
Certification: 12
Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Kim Basinger, Michael Gough, Pat Hingle, Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Billy Dee Williams, Robert Wuhl
Rating: 57%
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| "Wait 'til they get a load of me." |
Like many comic book movies from the 1980's and 1990's Batman doesn't stand the test of time. Tim Burton directs, but in my opinion didn't take the project seriously. Batman is so over the top, but incredibly slow paced at the same time. I know that Tim Burton's Batman is loved by many fans, but as a teenager watching the movie for the first time, it felt dated and devoid of action. I generally love comic book movies but Batman is the exception to date.
Michael Keaton is ok as the lead. His performance feels off compared to Christian Bale's or Ben Affleck's interpretation of the same character [although Keaton donned the mask before Bale and Affleck]. Keaton is oblivious to what is happening around him, displays little care for those around him and, to be honest, isn't very smart. Jack Nicholson on the other hand was the only performance that I enjoyed. Yes, his portrayal of the Joker was over the top but quite good. Obviously, nowhere near as good as the late great Heath Ledger's, Joker in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight. Jack Nicholson's laugh was infectious and whilst his plan to overthrow Gotham didn't make a whole load of sense, he was still a good character. Kim Basinger as Vicky Vale was rubbish - the definition of a damsel in distress. And the relationship between Vicky Vale and Bruce Wayne felt forced and unbelievable. Supporting cast members like Michael Gough, Billy Dee Williams and Robert Wuhl didn't offer anything to the movie.
By far the best part of Batman is Danny Elfman’s score. The rest of the movie feels dated but the score doesn't. The iconic Batman Theme gives weight to the movie which at times feels camp.
The reason Batman does not work for me is the weak story. Joker's plan, to see "my face on the hundred dollar bill" is just plain silly and doesn't make sense. And Batman literally doesn't do anything of note. At one point Joker remarks "Where does he get all those wonderful toys?" but we only see Batman use a grapple gun, a smoke bomb and some car keys. Clearly, audiences were more easily impressed in 1989.
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