Rating of
4/4
Batman (1989) review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 11/26/11
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 landmark for comic book heroes. Lines like "Decent people shouldn't live here. They'd be happier someplace else." from the Joker and "You know my life is really complex." from Wayne. Its one of the precursors of how comic book figures can be presented in a Gothic method with humor coupled with spectacular performances. Batman may have some iffy moments, I still perceive it as one of a few Burton's masterpieces.
