Review of Batman (1989) by James R — 28 Sep 2017

A somewhat dated, but still extremely entertaining super hero film. This movie is still quite good. I hadn't seen it in close to probably about ten years or so, but man did this bring back some memories.

Batman/Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) is a somewhat enigma of a character on the streets of Gotham. We don't find out too much about him in this film and what we do get is a darker take on him (thanks much to the director Tim Burton).

Anywho this film largely revolves around the origin of the Joker (Jack Nicholson) and how Batman does battle with him. We basically have an early version of Batman where he isn't as well known. People are scared of him and not sure what he's all about.

In comes Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger) a photojournalist who is trying to find out more about Batman. Meanwhile a thug named Jack Napier (Nicholson) is double crossed by his crime boss which leads him into an early encounter with Batman at a chemical plant Jack falls into a vat of chemicals and comes out as the maniac the Joker.

The Joker begins terrorizing Gotham and it's up to Batman to put an end to his reign of terror. The film is dark and moody and like I said this is Tim Burtons kind of movie. it's very campy at times, but it just works out so well.

Nicholson is an absolute delight as the Joker and easily steals all of the scenes he's in. Keaton is great too here and while we don't get too much of his backstory it's fleshed out enough and not overdone (as it would be in future sequels).

Overall, it's a fun film that still holds up regardless of the dated material.