Batman (1989)

There are plenty of comic book adaptations out there, that's for sure. But what's truly elusive is the good comic book adaptation that manages to not only be loyal on many levels to the source material, but also a genuinely entertaining piece in its own right. Luckily, Batman is one of the better known of these adaptations.

Inspired by the darker, more realistic turn on the character taken by Frank Miller in the 80s, driven by the desire of DC Comics to wipe out the public image of the campy, happy-go-lucky 60s Batman (itself a result of the long, dark years of censorship under the Comic Code Authority, but that's another story), and taken under the direction of Tim Burton, 1989's "Batman" is a flawed but entertaining movie that gave a dim light of hope to future adaptations of 'spandex books.'

Much of the strength of Tim Burton's "Batman" comes from the casting. Nobody would have guessed it, but Michael Keaton is an excellent Bruce Wayne/Batman. To play the character effectively, one actually must play at two different personas: that of a bungling, wealthy eccentric, and that of a stone-faced, anal-retentive vigilante. Keaton pulls this off almost perfectly, and there are times that-even without the mask on-Keaton tells us through expression alone that Bruce has gone into "Bat-mode."

However, perhaps the real star of the show is Jack Nicholson as the Joker. The most modern incarnation of the Joker in the comics is that of a completely irrational but morbidly brilliant mass murderer, and Nicholson takes on that persona with a manic glee. Everything, from the hokey jokes to the strangely reasonable and polite conversations about combining high art with homicide to the infamous maniacal laughter, is pulled off incredibly well, leading one to wonder just how intensely Nicholson prepared for this role.

Because this is still a Hollywood movie, there has to be a love interest for Batman and the Joker to war over. I think it's more the script's fault than Kim Basinger's, but the character of Vicky Vale never came across that strongly. While there are a few good scenes, such as her reaction to seeing Bruce as the Batman for the first time, she mostly comes across as a second-rate Lois Lane who screams a lot. While certainly being pursued by a completely insane, mass murdering clown who wants to get into your pants would warrant a certain amount of distress, it doesn't make for an interesting female protagonist. Also her character just seems completely inactive. Besides being the sympathetic love interest to Bruce and helping along a few plot points, all Vicky seems to be there for is to provide a reason for Batman to confront the Joker (or vice versa), as if a reason beyond the two characters' inherent opposition to each other isn't enough.

Tim Burton's direction itself is a bit restrained (good news for those who hated the sequel Batman Returns or most of Burton's films for that matter) but will still appeal to fans of his style. To be honest, Batman Returns is my personal favorite in the series, but this is also the better film in many ways, mainly because it is the most accessible to even those with no or little acquaintance with the comics. This is the only one in the entire series that I would recommend to someone who isn't a fan of the comics, since at least you have Jack Nicholson's performance, which alone is worth the price of admission, even if you occaisonally have to tolerate the occaisonal Prince song the soundtrack forces on you.


Choice Quotes

"You see, I do what other people only dream of. I make art until someone dies. I am the world's first fully functioning homicidal arist."

-The Joker improves upon Western culture at the museum (but damn that Prince song!)

-Wonder if its possible to stick a parking ticket on the Batmobile's shield?

-Joker-brand Joker products!

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