Jasonic's Favorites: Batman
Hey, everyone! It's me, Jasonic!
I have been away for the longest time and decided it was time to start another blog of movie reviews, ones that specifically focus on my favorite characters of all time. These include Spider-Man, Batman, Scooby-Doo, and Sonic the Hedgehog among many others for those who know me. For those who don't know me, this is a taste of what kind of person I am and I hope it shows through in my posts somehow.
That said, I am going to kick off this blog with an all-time classic, Batman. Released in 1989, it was what many consider to be the first major cinematic adaptation of Batman aside from Batman: The Movie or the theatrical tie-in to the 1960s Adam West show. As a comic book superhero movie released prior to the revolution that took place in the 2000s with films like Spider-Man and X-Men, it did excellently at the box office and was very much successful with the critics. It defined many comic book nerds' childhoods and got a lot of people reinvigorated with a character who, at the time, was relatively well-known through just a campy TV show. Comic book fans have given their two cents on various aspects such as the depictions of the title character and the Joker throughout the years, but really, what's the problem with taking some sort of liberty in comic book movies? As an early comic book movie it does very well with what it portrays and has a very iconic Tim Burton flare that makes it stand out amongst his other works. That said, I will examine what makes it work as a movie and where it may falter whether or not people agree with me.
*SPOILERS* (but who cares? It's a 30+ year old movie)
As famous as Batman is, he almost needs no introduction. The film is about sheltered billionaire Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) who leads a double life as crimefighting superhero, Batman, in the night when criminals run amok in Gotham City. Meanwhile, crime boss, Carl Grissom (Jack Palence) tries to set up his second-in-command, Jack Napier (Jack Nicholson), to murder him at Axis Chemicals only for Napier to survive -- albeit disfigured -- and become the Joker. The Joker then murders Grissom and takes over his operations, effectively using a chemical formula called "Smylex" to poison Gotham with. Elsewhere, Gotham Gazette reporter, Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger) begins to have a relationship with Bruce Wayne, but he refuses to open up to her much to her dismay. She eventually becomes a target of the Joker who tries to win her over to no avail only for Batman to intervene on his schemes and rescue her multiple times. When the Joker plans to sabotage Gotham City's 200th anniversary celebration, Bruce soon realizes that this mysterious psychopath and his past are inextricably linked.
For starters, this film is a large part of what inspired the tone of Batman going forward. The dark, gothic landscape of Gotham City created through matte paintings give the overall tone and landscape of the movie that not only captures standard Tim Burton vibes, but makes Gotham City feel more grandiose and otherworldly. Tim Burton's style definitely made it less of a generic night city and it shows in the various wideshots of the city with its unconventional structures and huge statues plastered on buildings. The music also really helps solidify the dark, grandiose feel of the film; longtime Tim Burton collaborator, Danny Elfman, did the music for this movie and really sold the feel of what it feels like to triumphantly kick ass as Batman. The iconic Batman theme that the movie opens up with starts off calm and slowly builds up until it swells and continues to meander until it reaches a great climax, really opening the movie with a bang. Most of the movie's slower scenes have less noticeable music, in my opinion, but the tunes that play during the actions scenes capture that same feeling from the intro. Between the Batmobile chase scene and alleyway fight scene to the confrontation at the Gotham Cathedral, Danny Elfman knocked it out of the park in the music department. No wonder he would later compose the title theme for Batman: The Animated Series, which was the biggest thing this move inspired.
The actor choices and the actors themselves are arguably some of the best casting choices Batman has ever had. I'll go ahead and say that Michael Keaton is a superb Bruce Wayne/Batman; given that he was known mainly for comedic roles around the time he was cast was understandably met with skepticism, but his acting is proof that no one should judge an actor by their main shtick. On the Bruce Wayne side of things, he really sells the role of a man whose past tortures him day and night and he refuses to open up to anyone about it, including the ones he loves. The Batman side, on the other hand, is one of the best Batman portrayals ever; his stoic, no nonsense demeanor shows that this version of the Dark Knight really means business and the fact that the suit doesn't allow him to turn his head actually makes for some imposing, otherworldly movements, displaying Batman as a force to be reckoned with. Interestingly enough, the Joker is just as good, if not greater, of a presence with an excellent performance by Jack Nicholson to boot. I have not seen too many of Nicholson's other works such as The Shining, but I am aware of how crazy he can act and it really is on display here. From the Joker's quirks such as the way he imitates the statues in the museum vandalism scene to his iconic evil laugh, Nicholson's crazy side makes this one of the best live action Joker's to date. Naturally, the honor of best live action Joker goes to Heath Ledger in this day and age, but we'll get to him later.
Despite what many people say about Kim Basinger as Vicki Vale, I am actually quite fond of her character here. She might be a classic 80s screaming damsel for a decent amount of the film, but what differentiates her from others in that ball park is that she has a great personality and tries to have a relevant role. I find myself enjoying her interactions with Bruce Wayne, even if the flirting comes off a bit shallow, and her constant rejection of other men like Joker and Alexander Knox (Robert Wuhl) shows that she has independence and likes who she likes. Her plot to figure out the mysteries behind Bruce Wayne gives her a more proactive role in the plot and effectively turns Batman's origin into a mystery for the audience unlike later versions that show it to us from the beginning. The main downside with her part in the story is how Alfred (Michael Gough) willingly lets her into the Batcave to figure out Bruce Wayne's secret. As early as the original comics, Vicki Vale's plot to uncover the secrets of Batman usually led to Bruce or someone else to throw her for a loop so to have it presented to her outright feels like there wasn't enough of a rewarding payoff for her figuring out that her lover was also her superhero. In the end, this version made me fond of other versions of the character and see some great potential for doing different things with her.
Despite the dark tone of the film, there are some interesting, out-of-place music choices in the form of Prince songs during Joker's scenes with the vandalizing of the museum and the Gotham City parade. Sure, if you listen closely to some of the lyrics, they fit what the Joker's doing in those scenes (i.e.: "Money - how much'll make you happy?" as Joker's showering Gotham with his money), but still, it's slightly out-of-place in something like Batman. Thankfully, those scenes are not very standoutish and, depending on who you ask, are not what the film is remembered for in general. That said, I find myself remembering the impactful climax that follows with Joker's goons assaulting Batman at the bell tower while the Joker himself dances with Vicki in the pale moonlight (a depiction of the movies "arc words" -- "Did you ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?"). The blood and death that happens here and throughout the film shows that this movie is not exactly for kids and was probably the best attempt at a more adult superhero movie at the time. Speaking of death, it's understandable why they would kill the Joker, Batman's archnemesis, in only one movie because, at the time, no one knew whether this would be successful or not so they didn't plan a series. The series that followed this movie eventually declined in quality for better or for worse, but for what it was worth, it started off Batman's move toward modern movies very solidly.
With this being the first film in a long line of Batman films -- live action or animated -- this was definitely something to behold. Despite its questionable story and music choices, I find myself enjoying a lot of its great qualities. From its gothic aesthetic to its excellent score, great actors and portrayals, and its depiction of the love interest, I could see myself watching this film more and probably would have tons had I grown up with that. However, due to the PG-13 rating, I doubt my parents would have let me watch it prior to at least 10 years old, but I digress. Whatever it set out to do, it did well and paved the way for better Batman content for years to come. Despite its flaws, I give this film a solid B rating and recommend it to any film and Batman fan.
Thanks y'all for reading and I will see you in the next review!
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