Batman (1989) Warner Bros./Action-Adventure RT: 126 minutes Rated PG-13 (strong stylized violence, language, some sexual innuendo) Director: Tim Burton Screenplay: Sam Hamm and Warren Skaaren Music: Danny Elfman Cinematography: Roger Pratt Release date: June 23, 1989 (US) Cast: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl, Pat Hingle, Billy Dee Williams, Michael Gough, Jack Palance, Jerry Hall, Tracey Walter, Lee Wallace, William Hootkins. Box Office: $251.3M (US)/$411.3M (World)
Rating: *** ½
Welcome to Gotham City where the police are corrupt and the criminals roam the streets all night. Gotham City, home of crime boss Carl Grissom (Palance, City Slickers). Gotham City, where even the best efforts of newly-elected district attorney Harvey Dent (Williams, The Empire Strikes Back) and police commissioner James Gordon (Hingle, Sudden Impact) aren’t enough to stem the crime wave. Gotham City, home to a mysterious costumed vigilante known as Batman. Sounds like a great place to live, yes?
The man behind the mask is Gotham City’s wealthiest citizen Bruce Wayne (Keaton, Beetlejuice) still suffering from the trauma of seeing his parents murdered by a psychopath as a child. He vowed to avenge their deaths by becoming a caped crimefighter and cleaning up the crime-ridden city. Most of the criminals are afraid to go out at night even though most people dismiss the existence of “The Bat” as an urban legend. Well, Batman is very real and so is the psychotic bad guy known as The Joker (Nicholson, The Shining).
Once known as Jack Napier, he was Grissom’s second-in-command until the boss found out he was having an affair with his moll (Hall, Freejack). Grissom sends Napier to rob a chemical factory only for the police to show up after being tipped off by the vindictive crime boss. Napier tries to get away, but runs into Batman who sends him falling to his presumed death in a large vat of toxic chemicals. He re-emerges as The Joker after a failed attempt at back-alley plastic surgery leaves him deformed with a permanent silly grin on his face. Sporting green hair and white facepaint, he proceeds to kill Grissom and assume the role of Gotham City’s new crime boss.
Meanwhile, sexy photojournalist Vicki Vale (Basinger, L.A. Confidential) and dogged reporter Alexander Knox (Wuhl, The Hollywood Knights) are investigating the rumors of the shadowy vigilante that terrorizes the criminals of Gotham City at night. She meets Bruce for the first time when she attends a benefit at Wayne Manor. They’re immediately attracted to each another. She has no idea the reclusive billionaire leads a double life.
Wait a minute! What’s the actual plot of Batman? It’s a pretty silly one, I’m afraid. The Joker has all the people of Gotham City at his mercy after tampering with everyday hygiene products. When used in certain combinations, they will cause the user to literally die laughing. Obviously, the GC Police can’t catch him, so it’s up to Batman to save the day. Though the plot may be flimsy, it takes a back seat to Anton Furst’s awesome production design. His vision of Gotham City is a work of art with the imposing, surrealistic architecture that bears the obvious influences of German Expressionism- e.g. the 1927 silent sci-fi film Metropolis by Fritz Lang. It’s truly a wondrous sight to behold. The costume design by Bob Ringwood is cool too. He updates the Batsuit in a big way. No more tights for this crimefighter. He now wears a black latex suit designed to put the fear of The Bat into all law-breakers. The new Batmobile looks totally bad ass. Danny Elfman’s score, in conjunction with songs by Prince, sets just the right weird mood. Tim Burton (Beetlejuice) is a perfect choice of director. The filmmaker famous for his eccentric nature is at his best with dark material. This Batman is NOT the campy TV show you grew up watching after school. This is definitely what Bob Kane had in mind when he first created Batman in the 30s.
Keaton delivers an excellent performance as Batman/Bruce Wayne. He’s actually my favorite Batman. Bruce is a complex individual trying to find a way to balance his dual nature. He doesn’t want the world to see the darkness within him which is why he wears a mask. Nicholson is an absolute maniac as The Joker. He’s the right actor for the role. No actor could do it the way he does. It’s a perfect blend of camp and psychotic. Basinger is fine as the love interest you just know will need saving in the finale. Wuhl adds comic relief to the proceedings as the kind of schmo who thinks you’re supposed to tip the butler at a party. In the role of Bruce’s wise and trusty manservant Alfred, Michael Gough (Horror of Dracula) is terrific. Billy Dee Williams is similarly great as Harvey Dent. It’s a crime he was replaced by Tommy Lee Jones for Batman Forever.
What’s interesting about Batman is how it suggests that hero and villain have more in common than they think. It’s this kind of thing that sets Burton’s vision apart from what other filmmakers might have conceived. He has amazing insight into the psychological makeup of his main characters. He also has a wild imagination that he allows to run free while still retaining tight control over the material. Granted, the writers could have come up with a stronger storyline, but at least it doesn’t sink the picture. It’s a decent movie that’s fun despite its gloomy trappings and serious undertones.
