In retrospect, Batman(1989) is really baadd
- Thread starter RAMA
- Start date
I give this remark TWO THUMBS UP
Actually, at the time, it didn't really receive too many accolades. It received medicocre reviews; Nicholson was acclaimed but the general response was that it was an anti-climax and failed to live up to the hype.
There was a joke to the effect of 'Batman made $200m (or whatever.' 'Yeah. Imagine how much it would have made had it been any good.'
I always liked the movie. Still do.
Based on the OP's standards, Donner's Superman movie doesn't hold up any better, and I think that one's pretty great too.
Based on the OP's standards, Donner's Superman movie doesn't hold up any better, and I think that one's pretty great too.
I have to disagree. I think it's one of the greatest movies of all time. It's got a really haunting, gothic look, lots of quotable lines, a kickass Danny Elfman score, and that whole Tim Burton stamp of weirdness all over it. A masterpiece!
I would change that a bit and say judged on 1989 comic book movie standards, it deserved all the accolades it received. I think it made it possible to treat Batman as an action hero and not as a source for camp and I'm glad it led to the amazing Batman animated series. I don't think it stole the show as an action movie (where I think TDK would stand well even without it being a comic book movie), but I think it raised the bar for what a good comic book movie is.
I still think it's a good movie. I haven't seen it in a long time, though. It's slow at parts and Nicholson does overshadow everyone else (although I think Ledger stole the show in TDK as well), but I still think it's a decently well-made movie. Each movie that followed got stranger and stranger and, obviously with Batman and Robin, campier and campier. But I think this movie holds up at least as the plot goes. However, I do think The Dark Knight is a much better film, which might hurt Batman in retrospect.
It's no surprise to me that Greg Cox said everything I would say about this movie.
In retrospect, Batman (1989) is a bit campy, which should come as no great shock as it was made by the guy who made Beetlejuice.
I utterly disagree. I think it's held up incredibly well. People say it's not about Batman, but frankly, I got a stronger impression of what this character was like from Keaton in this film than I ever have from Christian Bale (who does a perfectly good job, by the way). The production design and music are fantastic, the plot is taut and compelling and it's littered with iconic scenes. A while ago I watched this and The Dark Knight on DVD over one weekend and for all that I like TDK, I enjoyed Batman more.
Batman returns is damn good too.
Batman returns is damn good too.
Yeah.
The 1989 movie really dragged in a lot of places, especially the romance scenes. Keaton was not a good Batman and only gets the credit he does because he wasn't as bad as originally feared.
When I was a kid I thought Batman Returns was the greatest thing since sliced bread... aside from the penguin army at the ending. Even as a little kid, that was just stupid
Batman Returns was remarkably campy for what was supposed to be a dark movie. Not only did you have the army of trained penguins with frikkin missile launchers on their heads but you had Penguin running for Mayor (a plot stolen from the Adam West series) and a plot point that involved the schematics for the Batmobile being found in the Gotham Public library.
Really, BR had all the flaws of the 1960s series and none of the charm.
Danny DeVito giving delivering a military address to an army of penguins is worth the price of admission.
Say what you will about the Burton Batman films, I still think Michelle Pfeiffer's performance as Catwoman is one of the most fun performances of any Batman villain. For live action villain performances, I'd rate it right up there with Ledger's Joker (Frank Gorshin and Julie Newmar were terrific too, but I'm talking about serious performances).
I didn't like Burton's interpretation of The Penguin (much like Tom Hardy in "Star Trek: Nemesis", I think DeVito did a good job playing an ill-conceived character). Jack Nicholson was fun, but just doing the same villain schtick he always does. I realized this when I watched "The Departed" and thought Jack just seemed like he was playing a combination of his "Batman" and "The Witches of Eastwick" characters. Pfeiffer's Catwoman was a true original, both in how it was written and played.
I didn't like Burton's interpretation of The Penguin (much like Tom Hardy in "Star Trek: Nemesis", I think DeVito did a good job playing an ill-conceived character). Jack Nicholson was fun, but just doing the same villain schtick he always does. I realized this when I watched "The Departed" and thought Jack just seemed like he was playing a combination of his "Batman" and "The Witches of Eastwick" characters. Pfeiffer's Catwoman was a true original, both in how it was written and played.
Great minds, etc.
I admit to being partial to the Burton films since I got my foot in the door by writing some BATMAN RETURNS tie-ins . . . .
Original? Serious? While she gave some pathos to the Selina side of the character, in costume, her performance was basically an imitation of Mae West and nearly as campy as anything on the TV show.
Well then, I guess I haven't seen enough Mae West, 'cause I thought it was pretty out there. 
And I didn't think she was very similar to Julie Newmar. I liked them both in the role, but for different reasons, and thought each had a unique take on the character. Also, I thought she was as memorable as Selina as she was in costume. She was completely nutball with Wayne at the "Maxquerade Ball" and in their scene on Wayne's couch.
And I didn't think she was very similar to Julie Newmar. I liked them both in the role, but for different reasons, and thought each had a unique take on the character. Also, I thought she was as memorable as Selina as she was in costume. She was completely nutball with Wayne at the "Maxquerade Ball" and in their scene on Wayne's couch.
I can't fault your other points you make in the thread, because really they're your opinion. But I jut gotta correct you on this one. No where in the film is it ever shown that the Penguin get's the schematics for the Batmobile. Call it a plothole if you'd like, but don't say something happened in the film that doesn't.
S
Stone_Cold_Sisko
Guest
I wouldn't go as far as the OP, but yes the 1989 Batman hasn't really aged all that well.
I find some parts of it are still really good, but other parts are just silly. Some of the dialogue and acting is corny as hell too. I wish the city felt more like a vast city and less like a soundstage (Returns was particularly egregious on this front).
I find some parts of it are still really good, but other parts are just silly. Some of the dialogue and acting is corny as hell too. I wish the city felt more like a vast city and less like a soundstage (Returns was particularly egregious on this front).