Reviews of Batman

"Holy Dark Knights, Batman.....!"

Posted : 3 months, 4 weeks ago on 11 September 2009 12:41 (A review of Batman)

Okay, so maybe, the latest incarnations of the Dark Knight have sort of watered down the impact of the Caped Crusader's modern film debut.
And maybe, Jack Nicholson, for the role of the Joker was a little too old, not to mention, not in the kind of shape that one would expect for a Clown-Prince of Crime.
But for me, personally, this isn't so much about the acting (which I admit, despite the fun he has with it, Jack does tend to opt for a bit of an over-the-top performance, even for the Joker....) but more for the weight that his presence brings to the flick. In the same manner of Marlon Brando's participation in Superman's 1st big budget blockbuster, Nicholson also brings a certain class & credibility to a movie based off of a what the "cool kids" of the general public tend to look at as "just a silly comicbook".
Besides, Tim Burton's adaptation of the Batman still was the first serious effort outside of the comicbook to try & depict ol' Bat's as the true Dark Knight of justice that we nerds who read his comics always knew he was.



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''Never rub another man's rhubarb!''

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 5 November 2008 04:35 (A review of Batman)

'' Now comes the part where I relieve you, the little people, of the burden of your failed and useless lives. But remember, as my plastic surgeon always said: if you gotta go... do it with a smile. ''


The Dark Knight of Gotham City begins his war on crime with his first major enemy being the clownishly homicidal Joker.

Michael Keaton: Batman / Bruce Wayne

Jack Nicholson: Joker / Jack Napier

Kim Basinger: Vicki Vale

Batman, the first major Blockbuster of Tim Burton and effort to Bob Kane's Dark Knight. Regarded by me when i was younger as a truly captivating movie it was very fun to watch indeed.

I watch it now and time has taken it's toll, what with sequels and the new reboot, which has overshadowed this in part, Batman Begins.

Granted Tim Burton infused so much energy into making this film he became sick, and it shows in the end result how much effort he's put in yet at the same time i see now he couldn't let loose all his artistic vision and darkness in full intensity. What with Warner Bros. overlooking and shadowing his every move.
Granted the sprawling metropolis that is Gotham City is a unique dirty huge vision of amazingly huge skyscrapers, buildings in contrast to it's dark grimy back alleys. Tim Burton hands down has given party of his vision.

On to the performances, which should start with Michael Keaton & Jack Nicholson.
Michael Keaton's Bruce Wayne/Batman is dark, mysterious, thoughtful and quiet yet underneath this lies a character that shows he's a man not of many words, that in his expression there's something that tells us more. Granted he's a versatile actor and his days of Beetlejuice show us he can change himself as any good actor should be able too.
Jack as the Joker kind of overshadows Keaton completely in all his intense lunacy. He's loud, colourful, insane and has all the qualities that Nicholson can empower. His performance maybe a little too good that it does make the movie more Joker than Batman. Granted he stuck in my memory most when i was little, even his random killing ended up being humourous and his one liner's, don't even get me started, he's a legend.

''Where does he get those wonderful toys?''...Magic !

Michael Gough as the Butler is like putting the kitchen sink in the bathroom, it belongs where it started, Gough just fits hence all the successor's of the Batman franchise, excluding Batman Begins & Dark Knight of course, featuring him that he's instantly connected to the role.
Jack Palance falls victim to the ''other'' Jack, pardon the pun and that bit where Joker shoots him, get me a potty because...THAT'S FUNNY! i know I'm sick but hey ah well...

Kim Basinger of course has the sexiness and female lead bit in the bag, and her chemistry with Keaton & Nicholson shows she was comfortable.

Batman would be a great start but the follow up Batman Returns is Burton Unleashed. Overshadowed by the recent Batman Begins which puts a more realistic serious human face on the villainy.

Still a great film Batman shines in all it's Blockbuster Comic glory, a fine way to finish of the 80s period.

Take it away and hit the road Jack !

''Never rub another man's rhubarb!''

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Phenomenal filmmaking...

Posted : 1 year, 5 months ago on 16 July 2008 01:07 (A review of Batman)

"Tell me something, my friend. You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?"

When director Tim Burton grasped the reigns of the first serious screen manifestation of the DC Comics superhero, The Dark Knight (a.k.a. Batman), fans were understandably slightly nervous considering the director's little prior experience as a filmmaker. If one inspects director Burton's current résumé, it's crammed with some of the greatest fantasy films of all time - from Big Fish to Edward Scissorhands. However, towards the end of the 1980s he was only commercially recognised for Pee-wee's Big Adventure and Beetlejuice. Tim Burton's Batman marks the first escapade of the illustrious superhero since the incredibly campy 1960s TV show. It was apparent from the outset that Burton's intent was to visibly separate himself from those roots, instead opting to return to the menacing psychopathology of vigilante violence amidst a neo-noir atmosphere with chilling gothic connotations. Burton's amazing vision is a mix of noir mobster clichés with remote psychotic notions that appear to encompass their origins in dreamlike imagery cast over with the compelling spectacle of the legendary Dark Knight. In a nutshell: this makes for equally a visual and an expressive extravagance.

Batman introduces an innovative interpretation of the renowned character: a traumatised albeit determined vigilante...a spot on blend of hero and anti-hero. The creative team eliminate the embarrassingly atrocious blue tights worn by Adam West in the 1960s TV show (and the campy film): these are substituted with smooth leather, latex and marvellously meticulous body armour. To contrast the dark image of Batman, we are presented with a flamboyant, vivacious Jack Nicholson portraying Batman's arch nemesis...the Joker. The characters are wholly believable as opposed to over-the-top and campy. They are placed where they belong: in a serious film noir. Burton's Batman is a template for the superhero genre that also introduced an innovative formula. This masterpiece gave birth to both the summer blockbuster and the contemporary superhero genre in general.

Bruce Wayne (Keaton) is a millionaire whose parents were killed when he was a boy. Bruce is now residing in Gotham City which is governed by fear and crime. By day he's a bland rich man with seemingly nothing to do. But by night, he masquerades as the Caped Crusader who's an illustrious, albeit mysterious figure. Jack Napier (Nicholson) is a criminal being hunted by the authorities. Following a disastrous encounter with Batman, Jack Napier returns as the Joker who threatens the entire population of Gotham City. The Joker is a brilliant but unreservedly crazy criminal mastermind capable of heinous and unpredictable brutality.

There are countless reasons in relation to why Tim Burton's Batman is a masterpiece of the highest regard. Principally, its brilliance is due to the director's decision to make his production as dark and realistic as possible while still preserving a comic-book sensibility. There's impressive stylised violence that's spectacular but not brutal. The kids will love the film due to its visuals, while the adults will appreciate the film on a much broader scale. It's a daunting task to convincingly pull off a film concerning a crime-fighter in a bat suit swinging from one building to the next in a fictional Gotham City. Burton manages the achievement by making us believe the characters, their ambitions, and even believe in their predicaments. Burton helps us suspend our disbelief by crafting a noir-ish atmosphere reminiscent of the best Hollywood film noirs of the 40s, the 50s and the greatest graphic novels of the 80s and beyond: we are presented with shadowy rooms; gloomy, rain-swept streets; and dark, smoke-filled alleys. This is a towering spectacle that stands as a monumentally creative reinvention of a superhero for the big screen.

The vision of Gotham City is an unparalleled feat. Instead of a typical city setting similar to those frequently seen in America, we are transported to a visual feast that is marvellous to behold. It's like a page of the comic being transported to film. The combination of Anton Furst's production design and Peter Young's set decoration makes everything look truly impeccable. On top of this, the action is satisfying and abundant. People watch superhero films to see their favourite superhero overpowering their adversaries. From start to finish we have a clear-cut villain, and we're rooting for the good guy. Then there's Danny Elfman's invigorating musical score containing a theme as recognisable and as energetic as the Superman theme. Prince also contributed a few songs to the film's soundtrack. Sure, they may sound silly but it adds to the film's perfect tone. One glance at the opening sequence alone and you know it's Batman: a unique labour of love flaunting considerable inspiration and imagination.

Michael Keaton shall always be Batman through my eyes. Burton's decision would have been considered slightly peculiar as the actor was known mainly for comedic roles (like featuring in Burton's Beetlejuice), however Keaton proves capable of pulling off a complicated role. Jack Nicholson is brilliant as the Joker. Granted he's over-the-top, but he nails the character's sinister undertones while maintaining a colourful appearance. His laugh and smile are faultless here. Kim Basinger would probably be considered an odd choice as well. But lo and behold: she also nails her character of the nervous and determined journalist. Also in the magnificent supporting cast you'll find such names as Robert Wuhl, Pat Hingle and Billy Dee Williams. Michael Gough is perfect as Alfred. He has a warm feel to his character and it's impossible to imagine someone pulling off a better performance.

All in all, Tim Burton has accomplished a groundbreaking masterpiece with his neo-gothic vision of Batman. The comic has been brought to life in an amazing cinematic event. I remember watching this classic film as a child and adoring it. Years have passed, but I'm still in complete awe at everything about this film. It's perhaps needlessly long and slightly slow-paced around the middle section...still, this is possibly the greatest superhero affair of all time: a groundbreaking visual and aural onslaught that altered the way in which comic book adaptations were viewed. Followed by Batman Returns, and an additional two sequels before the series was rebooted in 2005.

9.76/10

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Batman review

Posted : 2 years, 4 months ago on 25 August 2007 11:51 (A review of Batman)

Tim Burton's Batman film has to be regarded as one of the greatest made about the dark knight. Michael Keaton is surprisingly good in his role as Batman, playing the charming, spoilt and supposedly naive Bruce Wayne, but it is Jack Nicholson's performance as The Joker that steals the show.

This version isn't a camp, completely over-the-top comedy action film like Batman & Robin. It's a much darker and brooding affair. Seeing how Jack Napier transforms into the Joker is a nice touch as Batman and his most notorious nemesis go head to head in the streets of Gotham. Easily the most memorable portrayal of The Joker on the big screen, something The Dark Knight will have to best if it stands a chance of winning over the fans!

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