Review of Batman (1989) by Tanner B — 27 Feb 2017
Batman (1989) C-126m. ?? D: Tim Burton. Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl, Pat Hingle, Michael Gough, Billy Dee Williams, Jack Palance. Expensive but vacant, big-budgeted, gritty adaptation of Bob Kane and Bill Finger comics, tells drab story of troubling superhero standing up to crime and corruption in Gotham City, which spawns a homicidal mastermind known as The Joker.
State-of-the-art re-creation of the comics, this looks and sounds amazing, but lacks much sympathy and closure; by the end we feel nothing. Nicholson as The Joker (whose scenes seem to repeat rather than develop) overshadow the hero, and the climatic third act goes on too long.
Bravura art-direction won an Oscar. Danny Elfman composed the terrific music. Followed by three sequels, starting with BATMAN RETURNS.
This review of Batman (1989) was written by Tanner B on 27 Feb 2017.
Batman has generally received very positive reviews.
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