“Batman” (1989)
The Best of Tim Burton — Vol 3.
The Best of Tim Burton — Vol 3.
I was around my son’s current teenage age when I first saw Tim Burton’s Batman and whilst I’d like to think my teenage self watched this at the cinema, I can’t remember doing so. But for a man of my now advancing years, Michael Keaton was always Batman and Jack Nicholson always the villainous Joker. I’d classify myself as a fan and not an aficionado of all things DC Universe/Marvel and whilst I loved the camp Batman television series which was a staple of the UK’s earliest incarnation of “Breakfast TV”, Tim Burton’s cinematic vision was THE version and a large portion of my reasoning for placing his visionary creation as third on my all time favourite films directed by the eccentric American filmmaker.
Nearly 34 years later, I enjoy musing on what my teenage self would’ve thought three decades ago if he knew that by the year 2023 Batman would no longer be Michael Keaton and an actor named Heath Ledger would spectacularly usurp even Jack Nicholson as his favourite nemesis. That the entire cinematic franchise would pass through many directing and acting hands before Christopher Nolan would direct a trilogy of films with Christian Bale magnificently filling the bat suit of the “Caped Crusader” as well as the ill fated shoes of his every day alter-ego. Or that Matt Reeves would direct a dirty, grimy version of Batman last year that was surprisingly very good.
I do know that my teenage self would be immensely pleased that I’m still a huge myopic fan of Tim Burton, that someone called Christopher Nolan would in fact leapfrog the great storyteller in my cinematic affections, and that I’m still perennially a teenager at heart that just loves talking film.
I’d love to jump into a cinematic time machine and tell my teenage self that one day he’ll write at length on certain films and proclaim these written thoughts and ideas on something called “The Internet” to random strangers.
I’d love to see his reaction to such futuristic witchcraft!
A choice of three follows (1) Review of last year’s The Batman (2) Opus career article on the films of Tim Burton or (3) My decade old review of his original and visionary Batman. Or all three!
My teenage self thanks you for reading.
“The Batman” (2022)
A gothic, dirty, fetishised and stylised “sins of the father” tale that was almost very good indeed.medium.com
The Magic of Tim Burton
1985–2016. 18 films. Couple of clunkers! But a whole lot of magic. All lovingly appreciated and spoiler free.medium.com
“You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?”
With Danny Elfman’s iconic theme in the background and the Batman motif slowly being unveiled, we cut to a wide shot of Gotham City and it’s cartoon like feel, the hustle and bustle of a busy city below and we’re immediately in a Tim Burton film and Burton’s very individual take on Batman. 23 years on the effects may look a little dated compared to today’s standards, even the repertoire of “toys” so synonymous with Batman are a little dated too, but it remains a benchmark for others to follow and a triumph for the Director. On it’s release 23 years ago I loved this film for it’s closeness and homage in many ways to the TV series, for Michael Keaton as a superb and underrated Batman, for Tim Burton bringing Gotham City to life so brilliantly, and for Jack Nicholson! His portrayal of The Joker still resonates all these years later. It’s sublime, pitch perfect and as the character unravels, Nicholson balances the fine line between psychopathy and madness excellently.
As you may have read in my other blogs (quick plug — they’re all on here), Christopher Nolan’s re-boot of the franchise and his own very individual take on Batman with his trilogy is a favourite with me, and with fan boys. I considered doing a retrospective take on both Jokers (Nicholson and Heath Ledger) however I’ve covered Ledger’s incredible performance on my Christopher Nolan blog, so have decided instead to focus on this original film’s three key players, “Batman” (Michael Keaton), “The Joker” (Jack Nicholson) and the Director himself, Tim Burton.
But first, a very short premise: After being disfigured in a chemical accident, Jack Napier returns as The Joker and quickly rises to become a homicidal, psychopathic underworld crime boss. Gotham City is in peril, and the call is made to The Dark Knight, Batman, to save the city from his evil clutches.
As described above, the very first scene of a dark and gothic Gotham City is Tim Burton at his best. Richly stylised backdrops and sets bring Gotham City to life, however on re-watching this film it is perhaps the Director’s greatest feat here to take a more hands off approach in terms of constant stylisation and allowing both the story and the characters themselves room to breathe and develop. The story is particularly well told, backed by Danny Elfman’s iconic and triumphant musical score and matched by a cast of actors playing iconic roles superbly. The nods and flourishes in the first two Acts are subtle and tasteful, pushing the story to it’s climatic third Act. The red roses placed at the scene of his parent’s death could have been played far more heavily and with more exposition, but a short flashback later more than suffices. The shoot out on the Gotham City Hall steps give a nod and indication to all, especially “Vicki Vale” (Kim Basinger) that Bruce Wayne may not be only the businessman he appears to be. But it’s the end of that short scene where the Director shines, bringing Bruce and The Joker together, The Joker waving as he departs in the car, Bruce’s bemusement and frustration aptly shown in the car’s reflection.
Smaller nod’s to the TV show (the red fire exhaust of the Bat Mobile) and a nod to the comic book Batman and his mastery of Kung Fu are added, but whereas this is fully explored in the Christopher Nolan trilogy, there is just a fleeting glimpse of that here. The Director’s influence is more evident as we approach the end of Act Two and throughout the final Act. The exhilarating drive back to the Bat Cave, winding through typical Burtonesque avenues of dark, overhanging trees to the Bat Cave itself is pure Tim Burton. As is the final Act and The Joker’s benevolent City Parade and party. Backed by original songs from Prince throughout and here especially, this adds to the majesty and the surreal nature of the climatic finale, and the inevitable final showdown between Batman and The Joker.
Sublime and surreal in equal measure.
“Batman” (Michael Keaton). Remains underrated as the caped crusader and perhaps even more so now Christian Bale excelled so brilliantly in the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy. However, Keaton excels here too, infusing Bruce Wayne with a deliberate geek sensibility and a slightly bumbling and unsure of himself fool type role, perfectly designed of course to show the duality of all comic book heroes. Once they don their suit, they adopt a style and self assurance and invincibility of super heroes. The difference between the two persona’s is stark and very well played. A convincing Batman, the fight scenes are well choreographed and exciting for the audience, the dramatic entrances show Keaton in a good light, as do his frequent appearances as his alter ego Bruce Wayne.
Throughout the film it’s interesting to note that Bruce Wayne/Batman often only interact with one other character, dual scenes with Vicki Vale and his Butler “Alfred” (Michael Gough) and as Batman, with Vale again, and of course, The Joker. All dual scenes propel the story well and perhaps being the example that proves the rule, Keaton really shows his mettle in a short scene with a further character “Alexander Knox” (Robert Wuhl) and Vicki Vale, the two reporters snooping around his “trophy room” unaware of Keaton as Bruce Wayne slowly approaching behind them. A very short but telling scene.
“The Joker” (Jack Nicholson). Once again in a Batman film, The Joker steals the limelight! As with Heath Ledger in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, Jack Nicholson steals every scene he is in, punctuates every scene he is in with jokes and gags and literally bursts forth onto the screen. An immense performance from Nicholson who for thirty five minutes of the film is his alter ego, Jack Napier. However, no concentration necessary there, as it’s The Joker who dominates and steals the film. With his maniacal laugh and attire a direct nod to the TV series, Nicholson is sublime, delivering the trademark Joker punchlines brilliantly, from “Oh, I’ve got a live one here!” as he electrocutes a rival to death, “Never rub another man’s rhubarb!” after he believes he’s murdered Bruce Wayne to my personal favourite, “He stole my balloons!” during the climatic scene. There are many, many more, all delivered brilliantly by Nicholson and equally many more touches and subtle gags that round off the character and assure both the character and Nicholson, an Actor’s Hall of Fame position.
Noted by the Director himself as a film about a “Duel of the Freaks”, a large cast of supporting roles include Billy Dee Williams as “Harvey Dent”, Pat Hingle as “Commissioner Gordon”, Jerry Hall as “Alicia Hunt” and Jack Palance as “Carl Grissom” as the star stand outs not previously referenced and with two concurrent soundtracks from Danny Elfman and Prince complimenting Tim Burton’s surreal vision and direction, this 24 year old film remains a joy to watch time and time again. Director of Photography Roger Pratt deserves great credit as does Anton Furst’s Production Design as they both bring a cartoon like Gotham City to life brilliantly. Anton Furst, along with Peter Young deservedly won an Oscar in 1990 for their Art Direction/Set Decoration achievements.
Thanks for reading. Just for larks as always, and always a human reaction rather than spoilers galore. My three most recently published film articles are linked below or there’s well over 200 blog articles (with 400+ individual film reviews) within my archives from which to choose:
“There Will Be Blood” (2007)
“We have a sinner with us here who wishes for salvation!”medium.com
“Requiem for a Dream” (2000)
Darren Aronofsky and a heart breaking masterpiece.medium.com