On B List of Movie Reviews
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Batman (1989)
Rate:
7
Viewed:
1/03, 6/08, 3/20
6/08:
Batman is mostly lackluster.
Only Jack Nicholson's much deserved Oscar-nominated performance as the Tommy Udo-like Joker is worth watching. As far as the
franchise goes, his character is the best villain ever, having a terrific makeup. This brings up an interesting question: how
come Jack Nicholson gets all of the best lines? It's like he has his own personal screenwriter and everybody else is stuck
with third-rate hacks.
Michael Keaton isn't bad as Batman, and I like him the best for this particular role. Yet still, I think he could've
done more. Anyway, cool are the toys Batman has: Batmobile, Batwing, Batarang, and Batcave. The weakest point is Bruce
Wayne's need to reveal his identity of Batman to Vicki Vale. Really, it's not necessary because both have no chemistry
to start with. By the way, what an awful performance by Kim Basinger.
Having Robert Wuhl on board is another nail in the coffin. He looks like a slimebag, no matter how hard he tries to get rid of his
stupid grin, becoming a prime candidate to join the Joker's gang. The last fifteen minutes always leaves me falling
asleep every single time I see the film.
All in all, when I think of Batman, I think of Jack Nicholson's one-of-a-kind performance.
3/20:
Despite two actors being nominated for an Academy Award for the same character, there is one and only one Joker: Jack
Nicholson's.
His performance made Batman. If not for him, it's nothing but dark, mediocre crap with a weak screenplay. Oddly, Michael
Keaton plays second fiddle to Jack when the movie is supposed to be about his character. Kim Basinger is horrible
and has no emotional connection to what's going on. Robert Wuhl looks out of place.
Tim Burton has never been a good director to begin with, but he sure has a knack for creativity; that much is apparent
by the atmosphere of Gotham City. The darker it looks, the more ways he finds to differentiate with the exterior set pieces.
Save for Ed Wood, Tim Burton's trademark has always been ruining the last thirty minutes of any film; it's been the case
here which has put me to sleep every single time when the three principal characters climb atop the cathedral to have a showdown.
I never understood the need for Bruce Wayne to tell Vicki Vale that he's Batman. They just had sex, and all of sudden, he's
in love with her after a mere week? It's also stupid that his butler allowed her to be inside the Batcave. I know what Michael
Keaton looks like, even if more than half of his face is covered by the mask; hence, there's no way that anyone won't be able to
figure out his identity.
All in all, Jack Nicholson as the Joker is the only reason to watch Batman.