Batman (1989)
7.2 /10
6168 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
Batman must face his most ruthless nemesis when a deformed madman calling himself "The Joker" seizes control of Gotham's criminal underworld.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Bruce Wayne / Batman
... Jack Napier / The Joker
... Vicki Vale
... Alexander Knox
... Commissioner James Gordon
User reviews
Vision not fully realised, but still a template of sorts.
It could never have lived up to the hype back in 1989, it was hailed as the film to rival the impact of "Jaws" & "Star Wars" as regards historical cinema conventions, it was, we were led to believe, a new age in cinema, or so it seemed. As it was, the film went down a treat for the modern cinema going audience, it raked in cash galore and spawned a raft of very inferior sequels, even though ultimately critics of the time were less than impressed.
So it makes for something of an interesting experience viewing it again as each decade passes. More so in light of Christopher Nolan's bank busting "Dark Knight" series of films. I remember the hype and marketing campaign (T-Shirts and toys bonanza) that ensured that the film could never live up to the gargantuan hype, and I'm honest enough to say that I was a little underwhelmed on first viewing. Yet time has been very kind to it, now showing that Burton had the nous and foresight to reignite a genre without going purely for kiddie like appeasements.
Visually the film still stands up with the best that today's genre pieces can offer, the sets are incredible, with Anton Furst rightly winning the big award for his work here, whilst Burton's dark and deep tone captures the essence of Gotham City and Bruce Wayne's troubled mind perfectly, but does the cast fully realise the potential on offer?. Michael Keaton as the troubled and vengeful Bruce Wayne, is a fine actor and it would only be in time where his take on Wayne the man would be appreciated, as the caped crusader he is outstanding and he set the bar high for all those that followed him.
Jack Nicholson has the time of his life camping it up as The Joker, and he steals the film for sure. This is not because he is acting with great poise and class, but purely because in a film calling for the battle of two unhinged characters, he is the one awash in colour and overacting the maniacal side of the character to the max. Kim Basinger looks great but doesn't have to do much as Vicki Vale except say her lines right, pout, look scared when required and scream with conviction, and she does all of these. But really any other actress could have done the same thing - though I'm personally relieved that Sean Young dropped out of the film and thus allowed some other actress to step in.
The supporting cast do OK, and the soundtrack by Prince pushes the boundaries of annoying caricature indulgence. Ultimately it's a fun ride, respectful of the source material and giving the comic book genre of fil a shot in the arm. Yet you can't help feeling that there is some great Burton vision here that never got fully realised. And that is a damn shame, and something that Burton himself would come to admit down the line. 8/10
Director:
Release Date:
1989-06-23
Run Time:
126 min
MMPA Rating:
PG-13
Reviews of
Batman
Vision not fully realised, but still a template of sorts.
It could never have lived up to the hype back in 1989, it was hailed as the film to rival the impact of "Jaws" & "Star Wars" as regards historical cinema conventions, it was, we were led to believe, a new age in cinema, or so it seemed. As it was, the film went down a treat for the modern cinema going audience, it raked in cash galore and spawned a raft of very inferior sequels, even though ultimately critics of the time were less than impressed.
So it makes for something of an interesting experience viewing it again as each decade passes. More so in light of Christopher Nolan's bank busting "Dark Knight" series of films. I remember the hype and marketing campaign (T-Shirts and toys bonanza) that ensured that the film could never live up to the gargantuan hype, and I'm honest enough to say that I was a little underwhelmed on first viewing. Yet time has been very kind to it, now showing that Burton had the nous and foresight to reignite a genre without going purely for kiddie like appeasements.
Visually the film still stands up with the best that today's genre pieces can offer, the sets are incredible, with Anton Furst rightly winning the big award for his work here, whilst Burton's dark and deep tone captures the essence of Gotham City and Bruce Wayne's troubled mind perfectly, but does the cast fully realise the potential on offer?. Michael Keaton as the troubled and vengeful Bruce Wayne, is a fine actor and it would only be in time where his take on Wayne the man would be appreciated, as the caped crusader he is outstanding and he set the bar high for all those that followed him.
Jack Nicholson has the time of his life camping it up as The Joker, and he steals the film for sure. This is not because he is acting with great poise and class, but purely because in a film calling for the battle of two unhinged characters, he is the one awash in colour and overacting the maniacal side of the character to the max. Kim Basinger looks great but doesn't have to do much as Vicki Vale except say her lines right, pout, look scared when required and scream with conviction, and she does all of these. But really any other actress could have done the same thing - though I'm personally relieved that Sean Young dropped out of the film and thus allowed some other actress to step in.
The supporting cast do OK, and the soundtrack by Prince pushes the boundaries of annoying caricature indulgence. Ultimately it's a fun ride, respectful of the source material and giving the comic book genre of fil a shot in the arm. Yet you can't help feeling that there is some great Burton vision here that never got fully realised. And that is a damn shame, and something that Burton himself would come to admit down the line. 8/10
This movie is so bad I couldn't even finish it.
Yeah, it's good.
_**Looks good, but surreal and tedious**_
Tim Burton's "Batman" (1989) is _so_ disappointing! Yeah, the costumes, sets, cast, cinematography and music are great, but the story is unrealistic, goofy and, worst of all, dull; in other words, it siphoned! Tim Burton is outstanding with visuals, but he failed to incorporate an interesting story. What good is a BORING film that looks great and doesn't take its subject seriously? This is a quintessential example of style over substance.
Most of the high ratings are from people who saw it when they were kids and they're just nostalgic. If they viewed the film objectively as an adult, with respect to the true Batman of the silver/bronze/modern age of comics, they'd have to admit that it's not a good interpretation.
Sure, it could be accepted as a sort of an ALTERNATIVE Batman; a friend of mine who's in the comic business said this was the only way he could appreciate it. But if you want to see a serious Batman flick, true to the legend of the Dark Knight, catch "Batman Begins" (2005) and its sequels, they blow this overrated soporific dud out of the water.
The movie's overlong at 2 hours, 6 minutes.
GRADE: C
Cast & Crew of
Batman
Cast
... Bruce Wayne / Batman
... Jack Napier / The Joker
... Vicki Vale
... Alexander Knox
... Commissioner James Gordon
... Harvey Dent
... Alfred Pennyworth
... Carl Grissom
... Alicia Grissom
... Bob the Goon
... Mayor
... Eckhardt
... Goon
... Goon
... Goon
... Goon
... Goon
... Goon
... Accountant
... Rotelli
... Crimelord 1
... Crimelord 2
... Ricorso
... Nic
... Eddie
... Anchorwoman
... Anchorman
... TV Director
... Becky
... TV Technician
... Napier Hood
... Napier Hood
... Napier Hood
... Napier Hood
... Napier Hood
... Reporter
... Reporter
... Doctor
... Patrolman at Party
... Wine Steward
... Young Jack Napier
... Young Bruce Wayne
... Maitre d'
... Scientist
... Dad
... Mom
... Jimmy
... Dr Wayne
... Mrs Wayne
... Other Mugger
... Medic
... Man in Crowd
... Lawyer
... Bob the Cartoonist
... Reporter
... Cop
... Cop at Axis Chemicals (uncredited)
Crew
... Editor
... Director of Photography
... Director
... Original Music Composer
... Screenplay
... Costume Design
... Characters
... Producer
... Producer
... Casting
... Production Design
... Screenplay
... Story
... Supervising Art Director
... Music Editor
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Visual Effects Production Manager
... Art Direction
... Set Decoration
... Makeup Designer
... Makeup Artist
... Art Direction
... Casting Assistant
... Sound Editor
... Second Unit Director
... Projection
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Songs
... Conductor
... Orchestrator
... Music Supervisor
... Assistant Camera
... Draughtsman
... Publicist
... Visual Effects
... Stunts
... Stunt Coordinator
... Assistant Costume Designer
... Wardrobe Supervisor
... Scenic Artist
... Gaffer
... Still Photographer
... Foley Artist
... Best Boy Electric
... Property Master
... Production Sound Mixer
... Sculptor
... Location Manager
... Stunt Double
... Focus Puller
... First Assistant Director
... Script Supervisor
... Rigging Grip
... Production Accountant
... Assistant Art Director
... Special Effects Supervisor
... Title Designer
... Hairstylist
... Rigging Gaffer
... Production Driver
... Electrician
... Visual Effects Editor
... Associate Producer
... Co-Producer
... Costume Design
... Art Department Assistant
... Standby Painter
... Camera Operator
... Key Grip
... Grip
... Prosthetic Makeup Artist
... Carpenter
... Clapper Loader
... Propmaker
... Dialogue Editor
... First Assistant Editor
... Production Coordinator
... Boom Operator
... Assistant Sound Editor
... Foley Editor
... Scoring Mixer
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Unit Manager
... Production Illustrator
... Second Assistant Sound
... Dressing Prop
... Catering
... Second Assistant Director
... Assistant Accountant
... Tailor
... Third Assistant Director
... Construction Buyer
... Dressing Prop
... Special Effects Technician
... Stunt Driver
... Wardrobe Assistant
... Assistant Script
... Floor Runner
... Production Runner
... Rotoscoping Artist
... Stunts
Similar Movies To
Batman
Independence Day (1996)
6.841/10
On July 2, a giant alien mothership enters orbit around Earth and deploys several dozen saucer-shaped 'destroyer' spacecraft that quickly lay waste to major cities around the planet. On July 3, the United States conducts a coordinated counterattack that fails. On July 4, a plan is devised to gain access to the interior of the alien mothership in space, in order to plant a nuclear missile.
Release: 1996-06-25
Men in Black (1997)
7.16/10
After a police chase with an otherworldly being, a New York City cop is recruited as an agent in a top-secret organization established to monitor and police alien activity on Earth: the Men in Black. Agent Kay and new recruit Agent Jay find themselves in the middle of a deadly plot by an intergalactic terrorist who has arrived on Earth to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies.
Release: 1997-07-02
Men in Black II (2002)
6.347/10
Kay and Jay reunite to provide our best, last and only line of defense against a sinister seductress who levels the toughest challenge yet to the MIB's untarnished mission statement – protecting Earth from the scum of the universe. It's been four years since the alien-seeking agents averted an intergalactic disaster of epic proportions. Now it's a race against the clock as Jay must convince Kay – who not only has absolutely no memory of his time spent with the MIB, but is also the only living person left with the expertise to save the galaxy – to reunite with the MIB before the earth submits to ultimate destruction.
Release: 2002-07-03
Ghostbusters (1984)
7.456/10
After losing their academic posts at a prestigious university, a team of parapsychologists goes into business as proton-pack-toting "ghostbusters" who exterminate ghouls, hobgoblins and supernatural pests of all stripes. An ad campaign pays off when a knockout cellist hires the squad to purge her swanky digs of demons that appear to be living in her refrigerator.
Release: 1984-06-08
The Usual Suspects (1995)
8.201/10
Held in an L.A. interrogation room, Verbal Kint attempts to convince the feds that a mythic crime lord, Keyser Soze, not only exists, but was also responsible for drawing him and his four partners into a multi-million dollar heist that ended with an explosion in San Pedro harbor – leaving few survivors. Verbal lures his interrogators with an incredible story of the crime lord's almost supernatural prowess.
Release: 1995-07-19
Lost Highway (1997)
7.585/10
A tormented jazz musician finds himself lost in an enigmatic story involving murder, surveillance, gangsters, doppelgangers, and an impossible transformation inside a prison cell.
Release: 1997-01-15
Dr. No (1962)
7/10
In the film that launched the James Bond saga, Agent 007 battles mysterious Dr. No, a scientific genius bent on destroying the U.S. space program. As the countdown to disaster begins, Bond must go to Jamaica, where he encounters beautiful Honey Ryder, to confront a megalomaniacal villain in his massive island headquarters.
Release: 1962-10-07
Belle de Jour (1967)
7.4/10
Beautiful young housewife Séverine Serizy cannot reconcile her masochistic fantasies with her everyday life alongside dutiful husband Pierre. When her lovestruck friend Henri mentions a secretive high-class brothel run by Madame Anais, Séverine begins to work there during the day under the name Belle de Jour. But when one of her clients grows possessive, she must try to go back to her normal life.
Release: 1967-05-24
From Russia with Love (1963)
7.1/10
Agent 007 is back in the second installment of the James Bond series, this time battling a secret crime organization known as SPECTRE. Russians Rosa Klebb and Kronsteen are out to snatch a decoding device known as the Lektor, using the ravishing Tatiana to lure Bond into helping them. Bond willingly travels to meet Tatiana in Istanbul, where he must rely on his wits to escape with his life in a series of deadly encounters with the enemy.
Release: 1963-10-10
You Only Live Twice (1967)
6.5/10
A mysterious spacecraft captures Russian and American space capsules and brings the two superpowers to the brink of war. James Bond investigates the case in Japan and comes face to face with his archenemy Blofeld.
Release: 1967-06-13
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
6.6/10
After romancing Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo and acquiring valuable information from her crime boss father Marc-Ange Draco, James Bond tracks his arch-nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld to his base in the Swiss Alps, uncovering a secret plot to hold the world to ransom.
Release: 1969-12-12
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
6.4/10
Cool government operative James Bond searches for a stolen invention that can turn the sun's heat into a destructive weapon. He soon crosses paths with the menacing Francisco Scaramanga, a hitman so skilled he has a seven-figure working fee. Bond then joins forces with the swimsuit-clad Mary Goodnight, and together they track Scaramanga to a tropical isle hideout where the killer-for-hire lures the slick spy into a deadly maze for a final duel.
Release: 1974-12-01
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
6.8/10
Russian and British submarines with nuclear missiles on board both vanish from sight without a trace. England and Russia both blame each other as James Bond tries to solve the riddle of the disappearing ships. But the KGB also has an agent on the case.
Release: 1977-07-07
Catwoman (2004)
4.582/10
A shy woman, endowed with the speed, reflexes, and senses of a cat, walks a thin line between criminal and hero, even as a detective doggedly pursues her, fascinated by both of her personas
Release: 2004-07-22
Inspector Gadget (1999)
4.435/10
John Brown is a bumbling but well-intentioned security guard who is badly injured in an explosion planned by an evil mastermind. He is taken to a laboratory, where Brenda, a leading robotics surgeon, replaces his damaged limbs with state-of-the-art gadgets and tools. Named "Inspector Gadget" by the press, John -- along with his niece, Penny, and her trusty dog, Brain -- uses his new powers to discover who was behind the explosion.
Release: 1999-07-23
Batman Returns (1992)
6.871/10
While Batman deals with a deformed man calling himself the Penguin, an employee of a corrupt businessman transforms into the Catwoman.
Release: 1992-06-19
A History of Violence (2005)
7.159/10
An average family is thrust into the spotlight after the father commits a seemingly self-defense murder at his diner.
Release: 2005-09-23
Mars Attacks! (1996)
6.4/10
'We come in peace' is not what those green men from Mars mean when they invade our planet, armed with irresistible weapons and a cruel sense of humor. This star studded cast must play victim to the alien’s fun and games in this comedy homage to science fiction films of the '50s and '60s.
Release: 1996-12-12
Batman Forever (1995)
5.377/10
Batman must battle a disfigured district attorney and a disgruntled former employee with help from an amorous psychologist and a young circus acrobat.
Release: 1995-06-16
Batman & Robin (1997)
4.315/10
Batman and Robin deal with relationship issues while preventing Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy from attacking Gotham City.
Release: 1997-06-20