Analyzing The Batman Movie Franchise (Pt. 1 of 8): Batman (1989)

Batman is hands down my favorite fictional character ever. The Bat ignites passion from many different kinds of people. Because of this his movie franchise has been hugely popular, but as with any series of films there have been highs and there have been lows (I'm looking at you, Joel). So with Batman's 75th anniversary year coming to a close later this month, I thought this would be a good time to re-examine Batman's film history. The game plan is to look over each of the seven Bat-films over the next seven days. Then end with an massive overview that includes a look at the future of Batman in film (B V S and Justice League). So without any further ado, let's get started.

Batman (1989) 

Directed By: Tim Burton

Batman/Bruce Wayne: Michael Keaton

Love Interest: Vicki Vale (Played By: Kim Basinger)

Villain: The Joker/Jack Napier (Played By: The Great Jack Nicholson) 

Score: Danny Elfman

High Points: 

• Not enough can be said for how this film took on a dark tone that veered the general audience away from thinking of Batman as campy like the Adam West days (Even those are fun and they have their place in Batman's history). 
• Tim Burton's Gotham was beautifully realized by Art director Anton Furst. The sets were how I had always envisioned Batman's hometown. (Even though the film was shot on a sound stage).
• Anton Furst's Bat-mobile and Bat-Wing were glorious
• Jack Nicholson's The Joker was both comical and devilishly dark. He was the main highlight of this entire film. 
• Michael Keaton did well with what he was given.
• Prince!
• "Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?"
• Danny Elfman's Batman March was/is still iconic
• Billy Dee Williams (LANDO CALRISSIAN!!) was DA Harvey Dent
• Batman did some detective work (Finding the poisonous Joker products)
• Batman got laid (Doesn't feel like that happens often)

Favorite Line: "Where does he get those wonderful toys?" - The Joker

Favorite Scenes: The Birth of The Joker and his murder of Carl Grissom

Why?: Holding off showing Joker's transformation was a brilliant move. It made his reveal when he killed Carl Grissom that much cooler.

Low Points:

• Batman killed people. He blew up a factory of Joker's Henchmen and later killed the Joker himself. All this was unlike the modern Batman and much more like the very beginning of The Dark Knight in 1939.
• Making The Joker the killer of Bruce Wayne's parents was an unneeded tweak to both character's origins.
• Kim Basinger's Vicki Vale and Robert Wuhl's (made-up fairy-tale character) Alexander Knox were largely forgettable.
• Batman was largely reactive and the only time he really helped was when he foiled the Joker's poisoned products scheme and when he kind of got rid of the Laugh-X filled balloons.
• Pat Hingle's Gordon was a goddamn joke whose relationship with Batman was nonexistent.
• I'm never a fan of giving the Joker an origin (besides knowing he fell in the vat at ACE Chemicals)
• Michael Gough's Alfred is a damn ballbuster/cockblock. First he didn't cover for Bruce when he lied to Vicki Vale about leaving town, then later on Alfred actually brought Vicki to the Batcave and revealed Bruce's secret identity without permission. What the fuck Alfred? I thought you were here to help?

Worst Line: "You wanna get nuts?" - Bruce Wayne

Worst Scene: Alfred letting Vicki Vale into the Batcave

Why?: Seriously Alfred would never do this. Such a dick move.

Verdict: This was the one that started it all. It's importance to Bat-franchise cannot be overlooked. Tim Burton's art-deco film style matched Batman's dark outlook, but it seemed Burton was never truly interested in Bruce Wayne or Batman, but just the Joker. Timmy has always preferred his lead characters be weirdoes/freaks (or Johnny Depp being a freak). He has stated that he didn't read comic books and it showed in his iteration (with Batman offing fuckers left and right). With that said Jack Nicholson's Joker was the highlight of the film. He was funny, scary, and homicidal all rolled into one. He was just fun to watch whenever he was on screen. So overall Batman (1989) gets a 7.5 out of 10. An enjoyable film that brought Batman away from the campiness of the 60's, but didn't stick much to any comic book lore.

Thanks for reading. Stayed tuned for an analysis of Batman Returns tomorrow. And make sure to follow us on Twitter @Caped_Informers or follow me @cstrand73 for all your comic book and Caped Informers news and stories.

Art By: Francesco Francavilla (Batman: The Black Mirror)