Review of Batman (1989) by Filipeneto — 17 Feb 2018

This movie is the film adaptation of the comic-strip where Batman was born. Directed by Tim Burton (who became famous at this time thanks to this film and "Edward Scissorhands"), has Michael Keaton (in the title role) and Jack Nicholson (as the villain Joker) among others talented actors. But in this movie the actors weren't well, they simply failed to adapt to the way Tim Burton, a sui generis director, wanted the film.

In fact, in this film (and in the following sequels), Tim Burton has shown that knows nothing about comics, and his love for his personal way he understands cinema is greater than his ability to adapt comic strip for cinema. Merely copying one thing to another?! A film that is comic-strip is not a movie nor a comic-book! The interpretation of the characters is too stylized, the costumes are too unrealistic, the cinematography is too dark and the absurd scenarios are worthy of an Orwellian dystopia. Everything has been thought to refer the public to the comics and strengthen the dystopian character of the city where the story takes place. Thus, as in the comics, Batman is the product of reality where he lives: a good and noble man who uses the violence to brings justice where it fails, turning perversity against the perversity he fights. Still, it's a comic-book Batman, not a cinema Batman, and the film doesn't even tries to bridge's the gap between reality and comics, something that surely would make the film more interesting.

Mr. Burton, who want a comic-book buys it, who is going to the movies normally expects to see something different...