BATMAN (1989) - ♦♦♦♦♦
Directed by - Tim Burton
Written by - Sam Hamm, Warren Skaaren (based on the characters by Bob Kane)
Starring - Jack Nicholson, Michael Keaton
"In 1989, Tim Burton took Batman out of campy TV productions and into ambitious territory that not only won instant critical and commercial success, but also brought back credibility to the dark knight franchise.
Batman is the first of his two films inspired by the Frank Miller graphic novels based on the Bob Kane. It follows multi-billionaire Bruce Wayne, as he decides to take matters in his own hands and helm Gotham's fight against its corruptive and dominating criminal underworld. His first arch nemesis is also arguably the most iconic of all - The Joker.
The film has Burton's fingerprints all over it, and yet none of his usual excesses. There are many different influences that define its style. The outrageous and colourful characters, both eccentric in personalities and costumes, create a sharp and unsettling contrast with the gloom and darkness of Gotham city, which seems like a timeless place both from the past and the present. This contrast also conveys a film noir atmosphere with a more cartoonish outlook of occasional flirtations with comedy along with a coating of exciting and spectacular special effects that never take over from the impressive architecture of the screenplay by Sam Hamm and Warren Skaaren, and its gripping narrative.
Top marks go to the cast as well, whose performances further distances this film from the usual two dimensional acting that had defined the practice in the vast majority of previously released superhero movies. Michael Keaton appropriately looks like a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde character, almost awkward and clumsy when out of his suit - and everyman doing extraordinary things. Kim Basinger, arguably at the peak of her career both as an actress and as a sex symbol is the perfect clever and empowered femme fatale.
But the show stealing turn comes from Jack Nicholson, unforgettable in his performance as The Joker, possibly because it is the performance in which he finally gets to unleash his craziest side in a most flamboyant of way - the result of which is delightful and chilling.
Batman is also neatly accompanied by one of the most memorable scores by Danny Elfman, with a central theme that would accompany its sequels, and some great songs by Prince."
Action, USA/UK
