"Batman" (1989)

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Action & Adventure

Directed By: Tim Burton

Written By: Warren Skaaren, Lorenzo Semple Jr., Sam Hamm, Warren Saire

In Theatres: Apr 6, 1990 

Runtime:  126 minutes

Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Summary: 

Having witnessed his parents' brutal murder as a child, millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) fights crime in Gotham City disguised as Batman, a costumed hero who strikes fear into the hearts of villains. But when a deformed madman who calls himself "The Joker" (Jack Nicholson) seizes control of Gotham's criminal underworld, Batman must face his most ruthless nemesis ever while protecting both his identity and his love interest, reporter Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger).

Review: 
This was a great film!! I never watched any of the Batman movies until just a few days ago and after watching this one I don’t know why! It’s a great movie! 

Jack Nicholson stole the whole show. He was fantastic as The Joker; completely owned this part. He was eccentric, funny, batshit mad – a man on the edge. That laugh! What’s more, he had finesse and style to boot. He’s a man loving life, and who takes pride in his work. That dance to Prince in the museum was hysterical and so unexpected! I’m sorry to any Batman fans out there if this is the wrong thing to say, but I was kind of rooting for him in the beginning of the film… His backstory was so tragic, and the way Bruce Wayne was treating Vicki Vale and the fact we knew more about Jack Napier than him. Of course, this changed when it was revealed The Joker had ruined his girlfriend’s face with acid, that was downright cruel. He had no respect or value on her as a person. Her character doesn’t seem to be much of a muchness at all. The cruelness to this villainess activities aside, he’s a very funny villain. He brings humour to the film in a twisted sort of way it’s almost part of the terror… 

Batman is a cool dude. A man of few words. I know in Christopher Nolan’s version (while I haven’t seen it) that Christian Bale puts on this husky deep voice when he’s Batman, but honestly, I preferred that Michael Keaton didn’t put on any voice. He just spoke low and it was very effective combined with the black suit getup. I felt very sorry for him in the beginning, he always seemed to come and try to save the day but end up being misunderstood as the person responsible for the crime. Wrong place, wrong time. But he carried on regardless and the whole misunderstanding rectified itself needless to say. On a side note, I also prefer Michael Keaton’s Batman Suit to Christian Bale’s. The Batman sign is actually visible, surely that’s important to him, no? Also his car is badass. 

I liked Vicki Vale as a female love interest. She wasn’t afraid to get into the thick of things. She’s a daring lady. Almost got shot and still finds a way to stop to take a photo of the mysterious man in a bat suit. I liked Kim Basinger in the role, it suited her I thought. She wore a lot of white throughout the film, I thought this was very striking and I liked it. It highlighted her innocence in the whole crossfire between The Joker and Batman. Her dress in the beginning when we first met Bruce Wayne was so pretty. The love story between her and Batman is really sweet. 

This such a great film! I really enjoyed it, it’s good fun.

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