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Rating of
2.5/4
Batman runs away from everything.
memento_mori - wrote on 09/28/2013
Spoilers
I guess I'm in among the very few that don't love the 1989 Batman for its supposed large charisma and great action. It's the opposite, in fact.
The philosophy and pacing of the story arches were very muddled, though. Near the middle of the film nothing had really happened except for a few scenes where I could say: these are truly fantastic and embody what I think of Batman. Too much emphasis on puns made by the Joker, who wasn't that good to begin with.
I still think Keaton made the best Bruce Wayne, but the film has too little to say about the subject matter. Too little to say about Batman. It beats around the bush, so to speak.
And I couldn't stand the decision to make the Joker the murderer of Wayne's parents. Come on, seriously?
I'm in the minority that thinks …
Rating of
3/4
Do I look like I'm Joking?
MikeInMotion - wrote on 08/13/2012
When this film was released, it was at a time when superhero films meant nothing to Hollywood. They were not blockbusters, they weren’t critically acclaimed, and there certainly wasn’t high demand for them. Tim Burton bringing Batman to the big screen was not only important for this particular superhero, but for the superhero genre as a whole. He created a world that is gritty and more realistic than what people had seen up to that point, focusing more on the drama and less on campiness. Tim Burton’s Batman is definitely an important film, but he backed that up by creating a film that still holds up very well to this day.
Bruce Wayne is a man who witnessed the murder of his parents when he was very young. Vowing to avenge their deaths and stop these kinds of things from …
Rating of
2/4
"Batman" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 04/09/2012
Following the cult success of 60s kitsch campfest Batman the TV series which was a million miles from the original comic book, the character became something of a joke. Tim Burton reinvented Batman far more in the mould of the creator's original intent; as a brooding, brutal vigilante who stalked criminals through the twilight underbelly of a corrupt and decaying city. It was a brilliant idea that faltered somewhat in the execution however. Michael Keaton doesn't really have the charisma and physical stature to carry off the role, and with the exception of Jack Nicholson and Michael Gough, who brings a humble nobility and pathos to the role of Alfred, the supporting cast are all lacklustre. Jack Palance over-acts to an amusing degree (even by his standards!), Jerry Hall is a plank and …
Rating of
4/4
Batman (1989) review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 11/26/2011
The first Batman that accurately portrayed the rich playboy Bruce Wayne/Batman (Michael Keaton) on film before the popular Dark Knight. Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger) is a photographer-journalist who befriends Bruce, is abducted by the artistic lunatic Joker/Jack Napier (Jack Nicholson). Keaton and Nicholson shine, only minor reservation I had was the Vicky Vale character and script that tends to be cheesy which shows the sign of the times. The soundtrack was applicable, the special effects and set pieces were eye-catching and the screenplay was effective to bring out the color of the antagonist and protagonist. It represents 2 individuals who had tragic experiences with different perceptions.
The caped crusaders film was entertaining from beginning to end, and for its time, just a …
Rating of
1/4
Is worse than some will admit.
Ichabod Crane - wrote on 03/04/2009
Here is a film that I think people like more than it deserves because of sequels like Batman and Robin and because it was really the only serious Batman with any merit. I thought that at first but then I thought more and saw that it did not really have any merit whatsoever. The visual design might be better than the later ones but not much else. The action scene all look bad for the same reason Batman cannot move. All he does is look really stupid and run at the bad guys with his arms raised into the air. Another problem is none of the characters are true to the source material or good in a unique way. Batman has no character too him nor do any of the side characters because so much time is spent with the Joker. Commissioner Gorden is just a clumsy cop, Harvey Dent is there for basically …
Rating of
3/4
Stylish... But Needs Substance
Franz Patrick - wrote on 08/22/2008
Batman is my favourite superhero but I must admit that I did not like this film the first time I saw it. The Joker, played by Jack Nicholson, is supposed to be 75% crazy mixed with complete menace and 25% funny in a twisted manner. Instead, Nicholson played The Joker as more even between the two extremes. I guess my main problem is the first half; the second half picked up the pace because that’s when all the action happened. As the film went along, The Joker became scarier due to his methods of killing and his darkly amusing one-liners. As for Batman, played by Michael Keaton, I thought he was a bit weak and I wanted to get to know him better. Although we got a taste of his past, he spent too much of his time brooding in his Batcave. Most people claim that this is the best …
Rating of
3.5/4
The "Dark Knight" returns in a wonderful movie
The M.O.W. - wrote on 08/01/2008
"Gotham City" is under the insane criminal grip of its most dangerous criminal, "Jack Napier", better known to the Gothamites as "The Joker" (Jack Nicholson). And there is only one man who can stop him -- the world's greatest detective, "The Batman" (Michael Keaton).
Director Tim Burton brings to the silver screen the first correct adaptation of the popular comic book character created by Bob Kane back in 1939. This "Batman" is as dark as the city he protects.
The first thing you notice with this movie is the dark scenery. The use of dark colors and shadows are used wonderfully, especially in the final fight in the movie.
As good as the visuals of this movie is, the acting is their equal.
Michael Keaton is wonderful as "Bruce Wayne" and "Batman". His version of "Wayne" is …
Rating of
3.5/4
Review - Batman (1989)
Delorted - wrote on 12/20/2007
In the dark city of Gotham, Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) plays the part
of a crime fighter known as Batman. His skills as both a hero and a
human are tested when a maniacal clown, appropriately dubbed the name
Joker (Jack Nicholson), comes to town in "Batman."
What can I say about the movie that made comic books cool again? It was
the highest grossing film of all time in its time and is to date
director Tim Burton's biggest profit-maker. Through all the problems
people had with the original idea, the movie came out as a phenomenal
piece of cinema that nobody expected.
Keaton proved to the world that he could do drama well, and Jack
Nicholson proved he could push even his own limits of twisted humor.
The movie also really boosted Burton's name as a director, and I …
