Rating: 
Summary: The best Batman movie.
Review: This movie was great for its time--it was dark, stylish, and comic-book fantastical without being too hokey.However, I hadn't seen this movie for a few years, and I watched it again today, and I must say, Kim Basinger's "acting" was VERY forced and contrived through most of the movie. Also, some things just did not seem consistent. Her apartment, clothing, and career all suggested she had ample money, yet her car was a small heap on four wheels, if I remember correctly. Also, Harvey Dent was BLACK, yet as far as the comic goes, he becomes Two-Face. Two-Face was Black? Plus, we are shown an "example" of Vale's work on the cover of "TIME," and the print reads "Corto-Maltese Revolution: Pics by Vicki Vale." Is that how photographers are credited? Maybe that's how they were in 1989, I don't know...that sub-heading just seemed really juvenile. Despite the flaws of the movie, at least it knew what to do with itself. It had a clear plot, focused direction, and good pacing. Overall, the acting was good (except Basinger), and the sets were wonderful, especially for the time the movie was released. Keaton's and Nicholson's performances were excellent, and throughout the entire movie, I reminisced on what it was like to be a kid seeing this movie in the theatre for the first time. If anything, this movie is enjoyable for its nostalgic value. I'd give it a 4 1/2 stars if I could.
Rating: 
Summary: Michael Keaton *IS* Batman
Review: So many reviews are on the spot about this movie - brilliantly filmed and acted, and the sets, wow!, what I can say but that they are perfect? This is Batman the way Batman should be - dark, brooding, moody, obsessed, driven. It's also Gotham the way it should be - dirty, all architecture excessively huge and imposingly impersonal and filled with the hubris of a city gone mad, busy, and of course filled with crime and danger. It is unfortunate that Keaton left the series to Val Kilmer - who is an absolutely rotten Batman - and George Clooney, who could be a good Batman if given a script that isn't garbage. If you want to know who Batman is, and what he is like, this is the movie. Keaton has perfect reserve and intensity in this role. While we (the Serious Fans) were up in arms over the casting of Keaton as Batman, assuming he would bite, I was not just surprised when I saw the movie, but am convinced at the genius of Burton for seeing the rightness of his decision, and sticking with it even against the very concerted attacks from the fans to remove Keaton. This is, thank God, not the stupid vacuous Batman of the TV series. I have no idea why the makers of the following films - especially Clooney's - decided to make Batman into a cartoonish caricature of who he really is. The brilliance of this film is even more evident when compared with the lack of honor that the later films have. Jack Nicholson of course is a wonderful Joker. One can see that Jack was absolutely enjoying his acting time, and really put himself into it. Jack Palance as the whispering evil guy is also a perfect addition to the mood of the film. Although Nicholson really takes the screen in any scene he is in, Keaton is the real standout in this movie - perfectly quirky as Bruce Wayne, the man who is rather shy and nervous around people, but perfectly determined and confident when being Batman. This is the best superhero movie that has been made (in my opinion) in terms of being true to the hero, and in terms of artistic merit in cinematography, writing, set design, costume design, and acting. Don't think of it as a superhero movie - this is first and foremost an artistic movie, and it just happens to be about a superhero. (this is a review of the VHS version, not the DVD version)
Rating:
Summary: CLASSIC FOR ALL TIME
Review: Batman is the super hero movie all others look to for comparison. With a tremendous cast lead by Keaton and Nicholson acting is something you'll never have a problem with when watching this movie. It depicts Batman as the dark figure he should be. The following sequels seemed to get worse every time(go figure). They made him to comicy if thats a word. Batman doesn't make the occasional wise crack or have a silver costume(stupid!) in this one. Batman is kept dark and mysterious in this one which is a crucial part of the movie. Nicholson's Joker was his best nemesis by far which is no surprise. He was perfect for the part. Instead of going to the sequels for more Batman entertainment I would recommend checking out the animated movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. There are many who think that was the best Batman movie ever and seeing it myself it does come close. Still this one is a must buy if your a fan or just want a great action movie.
Rating:
Summary: By far the best Batman movie.
Review: I might go as so far to say it is the only good Batman movie. There. I said it! This is the only good Batman movie. Burton's Batman does not have any of the cheesy cartoonish-ness of the later Batman films. His characteristic dark moodiness gives the first Batman an edgy hipness that the others definetly lack. This is not without humor, of course--Jack Nicholson makes a wonderfully perverse Joker. I also love Michael Keaton as the unlikely superhero. Kim Basinger is a little annoying as Vicki Vale but oh well, you can't have everything.
Rating:
Summary: Batman : The greatest superhero movie of all time!
Review: Tim Burton percieved the Batman comic book better than any other director of the Batman series! The Dark Knight in the movie is just as dark as the comic book Batman! If you love great movies, then you will love this movie. With production notes and cast bio's, you will love this DVD. The movie starts out on the dark and gritty streets of Gotham City. The story evolves from a fairy tail type story, to a darker and more evil story as Jack Napier turns into the evil and sinister Joker! This Batman is clearly the best. Great make-up, costume designs, set designs, and acting. Get ready for the edge of your seat acting, pyrotechnics, stunt work, and photography as Batman makes it's way into your Souls as the greatest superhero movie of all time!
Rating: 
Summary: Triumphant Movie, Poor DVD
Review: ...I am anticipating the Special Edition release of this DVD. I have read reports that it is to be coming out this winter from Warner, but a official statement hasn't been released yet. But it is definitely needed. The surround sound on this current disk stinks. The picture isn't horrible for a 12 year old movie, but it could be a heck of a lot better. The widescreen version on this disk might as well be full screen because it almost fills the screen. I loved this flick when I saw it the first night it came out and is one of my childhood favorites, the DVD I have doesn't do this movie justice!!
Rating:
Summary: Nicholson is camped up and amazing.
Review: This is one comic book film done right. Many have made the mistakes of taking comics and turnig them into bright shiny happy worlds but Batman stayed true and daark so dark at times you will need to turn the light on just to see what is going on. I loved every minute of this film-even the Prince soundtrack and the vision of Nicholson dancing is a hoot. But when he watns to evoke his "Shinning" side the film moves at such break neck speeds that you almost want to place the disc in slow motion just to cach keaton's and Nicholson's suttle exchanges of dialogue and facial expressions. Everyone is familiar with this film but watch it again for Burton's tribute to film noir; the bad guys in fidoras and the atmospheric lighting is marvelous! This film almost rates a five but that damn Robert Whul is so damn smug and annoying to watch in this or anything.
Rating: 
Summary: THE MOVIE SAVES IT
Review: Okay, I have not bought or watched BATMAN on DVD. I already own this fine film on VHS. Why 1 star you ask? Simple. With all of the hype...all of the propoganda...all of the BEHIND THE SCENES stuff I've seen on SUPERMAN (recently released), why the devil do they NOT do this with BATMAN? C'mon! What's the purpose of owning BATMAN on DVD when there is nothing special about it?!? The film is excellent and is worth 5 stars. But I am reviewing the DVD - THE DVD, which in the year 2001 is ridiculous. C'mon Warners! What the devil are you thinking? I remember the BATMAN-crazed hype in 1989. I remember a behind the scenes special and a whole lot more. As for this one, it rates te same as the others. If you want the film only, its worth it. If you want some special stuff like ANY DVD NOW HAS NOWADAYS, forget it. Buy it on VHS.
Rating:
Summary: The DVD needs to do justice to the masterpiece
Review: An absolute shame. The movie deserves a lot more. Hope the studio does to it what they've done to 'Superman - The movie'.You can't have a classic on DVD without any additional features. I've heard that the studio will be releasing a new DVD with extra footage and additional features sometime later this year. Hope that's true. Can anyone confirm that? The waiting is killing me.
Rating:
Summary: Needs a special addition like a crackhead needs a hit
Review: To make myself absolutely clear, the one star has nothing to do with the movie itself. "Batman" is such a favorite of mine, I can nearly quote the entire damned film. However, I own a perfectly good VHS copy, and I REFUSE to buy any DVD as shoddy as this. No trailers? No commentary by Tim Burton or Sam Hamm? No behind-the-scenes on the making of the movie, maybe with interviews of the late, great Batman-creator Bob Kane? And I suppose they made this entire movie without any outtakes and without having to delete a single scene? Even an isolated audio track of the score (which I normally never care about) would have been Heaven. .... When "Batman" comes out with a Criterion, 2-disk, gold-plated, limited edition, cancer-curing, multi-super-giant DVD edition that costs [price]dollars, I'll buy it in a New York minute. Hell, I'll buy two. Until then, my [price] VHS copy is enough.
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