Batman

Rating:
Summary: A fantastic roller coaster ride
Review: It's always been known that originals are always better than their sequels because the first has the best villians, the best fights, the most suspense, and many other things. But after watching the three dreadful sequels to Batman without actually seeing the original, I was ready to give up on the superhero and his films. Luckily, my friends told me to forget the horrible sequels and see the very first film. And I was pleaseantly surprised with what I saw: Incredible fight scenes, an unbelievable villain, and a whole lot of thrills and surprises.

I ended up buying the film and have enjoyed it every time I watched it. It's one of those films that might be boring after a few views but still is something you want to watch.

Batman proves the theory that all originals are far more superior than their sequels. Unlike the violent Batman Returns and the boring Batman Forever and Batman and Robin, Batman has a bit of everything, which holds the film firmly together. The film that would make Tim Burton the most sought after director in Hollywood and actually end up with an Academy Acard despite its violence.

Batman, is of course the story of Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) who by day is a multi-millionaire and by the night the crime-stopper Batman. In this original, Batman is forced to take on the Joker (played amazingly by Jack Nicholson), the man who killed his parents. Enter Vicki Vale(Kim Basinger, LA Confidential) a reporter who tries to piece out the man behind the mask. She's determined to find out who the superhero really is and that leads to the film's romantic story.

One of my favorite characters is the old butler Alfred (Michael Gough) the only real person who knows Batman's identity. He brings a distinct feeling of comedy and intelligence to the film and establishes himself as a likeable character who you want to see in every scene.

Michael Keaton will always be the best Batman (Val Kilmer and George Clooney were horrible) probably because he's a bit different from the others. Joker will probably be the best and most terrifying bad guy because he acts at though it's all a game and all he wants to do is have fun playing it. Kim Basinger will probably be the best lady (Michelle Pfeiffer was not good, Nicole Kidman was good, and Uma Thurman was dreadful) because of her style. And Michael Gough (I think he's the only person who remained for all four movies) is brilliant. Batman is a must get for all superhero, Keaton, action, and Burton fans. It is sure to be a classic and to be remembered in decades to come. Buy it now.

Rated PG-13 for some scenes of violence

Rating:
Summary: Solid, moody adaption of the comic
Review: Tim Burton's gothic style goes over very well with Batman. Trouble is that there's much here that doesn't work as well as Burton's off kilter visual style. Michael Keaton does a terrific job as Batman. He brings both an edginess and comic element to the role. The contradictorary elements in his portrayal highlights the very contradictorary character of Bruce Wayne/Batman.

Jack Nicholson's Joker fills up this movie in a way that later villians couldn't. His over the top performance fits perfectly within the Batman universe and, again, provides balance to Keaton's performance as Batman. The other performances are fine as well although the great Michael Gough is virtually wasted in the role of Alfred.

There are quite a few flaws. Trying to "sell" Batman with the inclusion of Prince's songs just doesn't work. Prince's music, despite his talent, doesn't belong in this film. In fact, there shouldn't be any pop music at all. The script is riddled with plot holes large enough to drive the Batmobile through. It's clear that the script passed through many hands and last minute rewrites. My theory is that Jon Peters probably had a heck of a lot to do with the changes. Burton's inability as a director to tell a straight forward narrative has come to light with more recent films. His style always seems to triumph over content. The best Burtom films begin with a solid well written script with few major changes. Batman isn't one of them.

Still, there is quite a bit to be said for getting the gothic mood right. Burton manages to see Batman closer to Bob Kane's vision vs. Hollywood's. Still, this was a missed opportunity. If Keaton's character hadn't been underwritten (some would call this keeping the character "mysterious") and the script well structured this would be a 5 star classic. Batman Return is a much darker but ultimately sharper film (and still remains the best in the series to date).

The DVD is a crisp, sharp transfer and looks pretty good. It looks a bit too dark for my taste (compared to both the laserdisc and the original theatrical film). The soundtrack has been effectively mixed for 5.1 dolby is a marked improvement over the earlier transfer on DVD. A pity there aren't any extras thrown in. I'd love to see the screen tests for Batman, rehearsal footage or outtakes. Additionally, commentary from director Burton, Nicholson and Keaton would make this DVD much more interesting.

Here's hoping that someday Hollywood gets it right.

Rating:
Summary: From a True Batman Fan
Review: I have to say, Jack Nicholson is perfect as the Joker, and he is the film's best element. TIm Burton does an excellent job portrying Gotham the way it should be portayed, but I have a few issues about the whole thing. First off, Michael Keaton as Batman. I mean, Batman is dark and serious. Michael keaton isn't. I know everyone says he's been the best person to portray him in the Batman movies, and that's true. I still don't like him in the role. He just doesn't create the "Dark Knight feel." Also, Prince contributed several songs. don't get me wrong, I don't dislike Prince, some of his music is great, but it doesn't belong in this movie. Although Commissioner Gordon IS in the movie (played by Pat Hingle), either he doesn't really get as large of a role as he should, or Pat Hingle just doesn't do a good job. It's been a while since I watched it (maybe a month), but in this film jim Gordon doesn't leave an imprint on your mind like he does in the comics (specifically "Batman: Year One" and "Batman: Long Halloween"). Finally, like another reviewer said, Batman doesn't kill. You can read that review though, since I share that opinion, and I don't want to take up unnecessary space on the site. I'd just like to comment on what another reviewer said about "Why couldn't they make it an origin story?" Well, for one thing that person obviously doesn't read Batman. If they made it an origin story, it wouldn't have a villian like most comic book heroes in movies do. Putting the Joker in an origin story would be unfaithful to the comics, and incredilbly sloppy, since the Joker doesnt show up until Batman's gone through a year as Batman. Putting them in the ame film woul be utterly unacceptable. I'd also like to say that they ARE making an origin story of Batman. They are making the film version of the graphic novel "Batman: Year One," which isn't a cartoony action flick like this. Batman: Year One falls more under the Drama category, as there are no villians, except for Bruce Wayne's personally demons, unless you count the corrupt Gotham City Police Department, and the gangster Carmine Falcone, but enough of that. As a Batman fan, I do enjoy watching this movie, especially after horrble failures like Batman & Robin (Arnold as Mr. Freeze? Gimme a break.). This IS the best of the series, but I'm looking foward more to the revival of the series with more serious undertones.

Rating:
Summary: Mixed
Review: A mixed result. The intro with Danny Elfman's theme is excellent followed by the family lost in Gothom, which is pure brilliance. Here we see a man and a women with their son coming out of the theater. Surely we say to ourselves, this is the Wayne family returning from the Mark of Zorro where that anonymous killer comes out of the shadows with his gun forever altering young Bruce's life. But no! History does not repeat itself; tragedy is averted by Batman as he comes to stop the criminals.

I enjoyed Michael Keaton as Batman he certainly doesn't look the part but that's not what's most important. When one is dealing with a decades old pop culture icon there is plenty of room for different portrayals so I won't comment there. Except for one litter thing...

And this is where we get to the movie's fundamental flaw. "The Batman does not kill." Batman's refusal to kill isn't some minor character detail, it is more essential to who he then the emblem on his chest. More than anyone else the Batman is someone who doesn't want to see another person die. That is what sets him apart from the other dark and gritty almost psycho action stars have been popular throughout the 20th century (from The Shadow to the Terminator) Michael Keaton has no problem with murder though. From spraying machine gun fire along a parade route to bombing factories to beating the Joker senseless (one could argue about his failure to save him both on the church and especially in the chemical plant) killing seems to come as natural to this Batman as to many of his enemies.

Perhaps I have been overly critical of the movie's flaws and it is important to keep them in perspective. This movie is far superior to any of the other live action portrayals of Batman (except for Batman: Returns which is almost as good). If one compares it to the cartoon movies it comes in just under the excellent "Mask of the Phantasm."

Rating:
Summary: If Only It Were Made Today
Review: "Batman" is a great movie. It is true to the comic book and it is definately a classic. But it does have its flaws just like any other movie. I am a fan of Batman and what would please me and maybe some others would be if it were darker and more gothic. Batman is a superhero but I mean we DO call him the "Dark Knight". What's the point of calling him the "Dark Knight" if he isn't dark. Maybe if you put in some churches or some foggy nights, that would "pour some dressing on the salad". They also should've made it longer and with it being longer, you can make the movie into an origin story, basically starting the film when he is a child and show his development into becoming Batman in a length of ten to fifteen minutes, then go on to showing his battle with the Joker.

But overall, "Batman" is a great movie with style and atmosphere. Definately a must-see!

Rating:
Summary: burton is god
Review: this is yet another burton masterpiece. keaton is by-day bachelor bruce wayne/by night superhero batman.kim basinger is the ever so luscious vicki vale. and jack nicholson is the very infamous Joker. each of these performers deserve an oscar! i can't think of a comic book movie as genius as this

Rating:
Summary: SHOULD HAVE CHOSE ADAM WEST
Review: I think that Adam West should have played BATMAN instead of
micheal keaton it would have made the movie more enjoyable
to watch...................

Rating:
Summary: One of the Kings of Comic Book Movies
Review: Michael Keaton is the ultimate Bruce Wayne in this Gothic, Tim Burton styled retelling of the Dark Knight's first introduction to his Arch-Nemesis, The Joker. Jack Nicholson plays the Clown Prince of Crime in this 1989 example of filmmaking perfection, and he truly makes the role his own.
If you don't know the character already, Batman is a superhero unlike most others. He has no superpowers, he is simply a man born into privilege, whose parents were taken away from him when he was a boy in a dark alley by a common thief (who later became the Joker). As young Bruce Wayne grew up, he vowed to use his money and power to fight crime, so he perfected any and all skills he deemed helpful. He became the world's greatest detective, a master escape artists, learned martial arts and pretty much anything and everything that could help a man fight crime without the use of deadly weapons. With his wealth he armored himself with vehicles, an assortment of high tech gadgets, and a special suit that hid his identity while also giving him the imposing appearance of some sort of half man-half bat creature. The idea of the costume being to strike fear into the hearts of evil doers in order to intimidate them and make them easier to capture.
The film begins with a classic "day in the life" scene, where a couple and their son walk through a dark alley in Gotham city and are straight away mugged, with Batman winging in to nab the villains. Here we are introduced to a Batman unlike any we have seen on screen before: Dark, brooding, and even scary in a way, just as he should be. But in other parts of Gotham City, Evil is in full control. Crime boss Carl Grissom (Jack Palance, is this great casting or what?!), has most of the cops in his back pocket. Though Batman is new on the scene and the cops still don't know what to make of him, he truly is the only help Commissioner Gordon has in battling the mob. Grissom's lead man is a loose cannon named Jack Napier, who thinks Grissom is unaware of his secret meetings with Grissom's gal. One fateful night, Grissom's setup to land Jack in an early grave goes awry, when Batman interferes. When Napier falls into a vat of chemicals he comes out with a white complexion, green hair, and a permanent smile on his face, not to mention he's even crazier than before. With a newfound confidence and a taste for revenge, Jack, now calling himself The Joker, kills boss Grissom and takes over the mob that runs Gotham. But Joker is more of a psychopath than a crime boss. His big plans for Gotham include mass murder.
During this changing of the guards, Bruce Wayne, AKA Batman, is preoccupied with a pretty photojournalist he's just met, Vicki Vale, who coincidentally is working on a story about the Batman. Her partner, Knox, tries his best to keep her mind off romance and on their story, but there's something about Bruce Wayne that has her fascinated. And there's something about Vicki Vale that quickly catches the Joker's eye. Before we know it, Batman's battle with the Joker includes constantly coming to Vicki's rescue, but an even bigger problem is unfolding. Joker is poisoning the people of Gotham city through a mix of cleverly hidden chemicals in common beauty and hygiene products. When Batman finally deciphers THAT riddle, a new danger comes up. For the city's 200th birthday celebration, Joker sets up a parade from which he promises to shower the crowd with millions of dollars in cash. He keeps his promise, but as the citizens scramble to collect the loot, his giant balloons begin to release poisonous gas over the city. Now Batman must find a way to save the citizens of Gotham, including his new love Vicki, and confront the Joker one last time.
Sadly, this DVD has little to offer outside of the actual movie, but at least you can choose from full-screen and widescreen, a feature I always enjoy having, even if I always seem to choose widescreen nowadays. As for the movie itself, Batman ranks up at the top of those ultimate comic book movies, alongside Spider-Man, Superman, X-Men, and Dick Tracy, among a few others. Aside from the animated Batman, there has never been a Batman this good, maybe there never will be again. The cast is top notch, and this is definitely one of Tim Burton's best, up there with Sleepy Hollow. If you haven't seen this movie, if you don't own this movie, what have you been doing the past 13 years?

Rating:
Summary: Great movie, HORRIBLE SETS!!!!
Review: this movie movie is great but could have been better if they would've made some better set designs.When the mayor is giving a speech in Gotham City, you can see the city is covered by cheap paintings and fake looking sets,and also in other parts too.And Batman's costume isn't all that cool like in the other batman movies.Overall a good movie because of awesome performances by Keaton,Nicholson, and Kim Basinger.

Rating:
Summary: Keaton is a mis-cast Batman
Review: Tim Burton does a fantastic job of transposing his dark, nightmarish vision of Gotham City onto the widescreen in this Superhero effort. The cast includes the top-notch acting talents of Micheal Keaton, Jack Palance and Jack Nicholson. The special effects are well done, the sound of the Batmobile is terrific & the Bat cave looks like something out of Dante's INFERNO.

So what is the problem, you ask? Why the mediocre rating? The answer is: Michael Keaton. That Keaton is a terrific actor is not in dispute. In fact, he is one of my favorite current actors. The problem lies not in his acting ability, but in his physique.

See, Keaton is even smaller than I am, and I am certainly nobody's 1st choice to play Bruce Wayne. In the comic book lore, Bruce Wayne is always depicted as this hulking figure whom you just don't want to mess with. Keaton doesn't fit that criteria (and neither do I!).

Tobey Maguire is a small fellow, but he made a terrific SPIDERMAN. That's because SPIDERMAN has genuine Super-powers; it does not matter if he's on the puny side. Batman does not have Super-powers. His crime fighting ability rests upon his working out in the gym (probably 3-4 hours a day), his cunning and his gadgets / inventions. This film focuses mostly on the gadgets, mostly due to the fact that Keaton is not believable as a guy who can throw people around.

Truth be told, Val Kilmer and George Clooney did not match my vision of Bruce Wayne, either. Both were more believable than Keaton, but when I think of Bruce Wayne I traditionally think of a Dolph Lundgren type physique. Of course, Clooney also had the misfortune of being in by far the worst of the BATMAN movies.

On the upside, Keaton's acting ability does account for some measure of why this movie is worth seeing. He does a splendid job of portraying an emotionally tormented man who leads the double life of ordinary person & Superhero. Furthermore, Nicholson is outstanding as Batman's arch-enemy, the Joker.

So, all-in-all, I rate this film a 3 star effort. Certainly worth seeing, but with serious shortcomings in the casting department.