Post by Heineken Skywalker on Nov 27, 2005 12:20:20 GMT -5
A look back at one of the biggest box office hits of the 80's.
Unlike 2005's BATMAN BEGINS, this is not an origin story, unless you count The Joker's origin.
When this movie opens, Batman's costume, the Batcave, Batmobile and all his other "wonderful toys" are already in place. This Tim Burton movie attempts to tell the story of Batman (Michael Keaton), after he's already made a couple of appearances to the criminal underworld, but before the citizens of Gotham City, including Commissioner Gordon, have become fully aware of him. He is seen as a kind of urban legend at first, who some people aren't sure is even human.
The movie is as much about The Joker (Jack Nicholson), maybe more so, as it is about Batman. We get to know him a little bit before the chemical accident that would change his life. And after he has settled into his new persona, we see him take over the criminal empire of his old boss, Carl Grissom (Jack Palance). Others may disagree, but I think Nicholson gives one of his greatest performances in this movie. As memorable as his work in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, but for different reasons. It's simply a great comedic performance. The Joker is such an over the top character that you can tell Nicholson probably had a lot of fun playing the part. A very cool prosthetic/make-up job, some outrageous costumes and Jack's "chew the scenery" performance, all come together perfectly for a very memorable character. Of course, he also gets some of the best lines in the movie, and his impression of Jack Palance in one scene is a real hoot.
The cast against type, Michael Keaton is equally fine in the polar opposite kind of way. His Batman is a no-nonsense, kick ass now, ask questions later, kind of guy. When he and The Joker finally have their big showdown at the end, he barely speaks. While Joker keeps trying to distract him, Batman just keeps punching his lights out. Now, pretty much any actor with a decent build is going to look good as Batman. The costume is a badass, all black & molded rubber piece of work. But it's Keaton's performance as Wayne that's the real revelation here. His Wayne is thoughtful, brooding & quiet. If we didn't believe him as Wayne, we wouldn't have bought him in that Batman costume either. Who knew Beetlejuice had this kind of acting range in him?
Like the comics, we do get to see Batman do a little bit of sleuthing, trying to figure out who this Joker is, and what this chemical Smilex that he has infiltrated Gotham with, consists of. The whole Smilex subplot is actually one of the stories weaker elements. While it fits in with The Joker's style, it's kind of forgettable. The movie is more about the main character's dual personalities and how they helped to create each other. Batman unintentionally causes the accident that disfigures Napier and transforms him into Joker, and a young Napier murdered Bruce's parents leading him on the path of crimefighting.
Kim Basinger as Vicky Vale, photo journalist and Wayne's love interest, is third billed in the credits, but the art direction & set design are the other real stars of the movie. Gotham City is where this really comes off as a Tim Burton movie. A dark, nasty landscape of gothic architecture and gargoyles. The best Gotham that's been represented on film. Same goes for the Batmobile in this movie. I know people raved about the more realistic tank/car hybrid Batmobile in BATMAN BEGINS, and while it is cool, the Batmobile in this movie is still my favorite. As dangerous and powerful looking as it is sleek, it's just an amazing looking piece of machinery. Having seen it a couple of times at auto shows, I can add that it's just as impressive in person as it is on film.
Another area where this movie tops BATMAN BEGINS is the music. BB would've been helped greatly by Danny Elfman's BATMAN score, which includes one of the coolest main themes, and is almost on a par with another classic superhero theme, John Williams' main theme for SUPERMAN.
Now, overall, I think that BATMAN BEGINS is the slightly better made film, but this Batman flick has a lot going for it too. It may not be as "realistic" as BB, which seems to be one of the main reasons people dug it so much, but it did bring the Dark Knight to the big screen in a way he'd never been seen before, except in comics & graphic novels.
8/10
Unlike 2005's BATMAN BEGINS, this is not an origin story, unless you count The Joker's origin.
When this movie opens, Batman's costume, the Batcave, Batmobile and all his other "wonderful toys" are already in place. This Tim Burton movie attempts to tell the story of Batman (Michael Keaton), after he's already made a couple of appearances to the criminal underworld, but before the citizens of Gotham City, including Commissioner Gordon, have become fully aware of him. He is seen as a kind of urban legend at first, who some people aren't sure is even human.
The movie is as much about The Joker (Jack Nicholson), maybe more so, as it is about Batman. We get to know him a little bit before the chemical accident that would change his life. And after he has settled into his new persona, we see him take over the criminal empire of his old boss, Carl Grissom (Jack Palance). Others may disagree, but I think Nicholson gives one of his greatest performances in this movie. As memorable as his work in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, but for different reasons. It's simply a great comedic performance. The Joker is such an over the top character that you can tell Nicholson probably had a lot of fun playing the part. A very cool prosthetic/make-up job, some outrageous costumes and Jack's "chew the scenery" performance, all come together perfectly for a very memorable character. Of course, he also gets some of the best lines in the movie, and his impression of Jack Palance in one scene is a real hoot.
The cast against type, Michael Keaton is equally fine in the polar opposite kind of way. His Batman is a no-nonsense, kick ass now, ask questions later, kind of guy. When he and The Joker finally have their big showdown at the end, he barely speaks. While Joker keeps trying to distract him, Batman just keeps punching his lights out. Now, pretty much any actor with a decent build is going to look good as Batman. The costume is a badass, all black & molded rubber piece of work. But it's Keaton's performance as Wayne that's the real revelation here. His Wayne is thoughtful, brooding & quiet. If we didn't believe him as Wayne, we wouldn't have bought him in that Batman costume either. Who knew Beetlejuice had this kind of acting range in him?
Like the comics, we do get to see Batman do a little bit of sleuthing, trying to figure out who this Joker is, and what this chemical Smilex that he has infiltrated Gotham with, consists of. The whole Smilex subplot is actually one of the stories weaker elements. While it fits in with The Joker's style, it's kind of forgettable. The movie is more about the main character's dual personalities and how they helped to create each other. Batman unintentionally causes the accident that disfigures Napier and transforms him into Joker, and a young Napier murdered Bruce's parents leading him on the path of crimefighting.
Kim Basinger as Vicky Vale, photo journalist and Wayne's love interest, is third billed in the credits, but the art direction & set design are the other real stars of the movie. Gotham City is where this really comes off as a Tim Burton movie. A dark, nasty landscape of gothic architecture and gargoyles. The best Gotham that's been represented on film. Same goes for the Batmobile in this movie. I know people raved about the more realistic tank/car hybrid Batmobile in BATMAN BEGINS, and while it is cool, the Batmobile in this movie is still my favorite. As dangerous and powerful looking as it is sleek, it's just an amazing looking piece of machinery. Having seen it a couple of times at auto shows, I can add that it's just as impressive in person as it is on film.
Another area where this movie tops BATMAN BEGINS is the music. BB would've been helped greatly by Danny Elfman's BATMAN score, which includes one of the coolest main themes, and is almost on a par with another classic superhero theme, John Williams' main theme for SUPERMAN.
Now, overall, I think that BATMAN BEGINS is the slightly better made film, but this Batman flick has a lot going for it too. It may not be as "realistic" as BB, which seems to be one of the main reasons people dug it so much, but it did bring the Dark Knight to the big screen in a way he'd never been seen before, except in comics & graphic novels.
8/10
