Review of Batman (1989) by Bill M — 12 Jun 2014

Tim Burton's first Batman movie is (and this will be a controversial call among fans of Chris Nolan's amazing but over rated, grumbly voiced batflicks) to me at least, the best batman movie by far, mostly for the leftfield casting of Michael Keaton as the caped crusader, what he brings to the role is a factor so often missing from other big screen portrayals of Bruce Wayne/Batman, something fucking interesting (sorry Bale fans) his take on the duel character is edgy, odd, jittery even, along with Robert Downey Jr his is the most unusual, risky casting of a big franchise superhero, he is possibly the only actor to really put across the idea that Wayne isn't really that far removed from the freaky lunatics he pursues, and only a small barrier stands between his and the Jokers psyche's.

Speaking of the clown prince of crime, id say that Jack Nicholson's larger than life, gleefully demented turn is on a par with Ledgers seminal turn, different but as good in many ways, not least the scene that has him dancing to Prince whilst defacing an art museum, he's funny, menacing and scary all at once.

The other big factor is Burton coating the whole film in his gloriously weird, gothic, idiosyncratic style, plus Danny Elfmans iconic, instantly recognizable score, something that the Bale batman movies seriously lacked (der DERRRRR! is not a theme tune, sorry Hans Zimmer) it also possesses a very dark, ghoulish sense of humor and the BEST Bat-mobile ever add up to the definitive Dark Knight outing if u ask me.

Kim Basinger screams far too much though, SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU SHRILL BITCH!