Batman (1989) was bad and helped me to appreciate just how great the Dark Knight trilogy was for comic book movies. The plot was simply uninteresting and the action was dull. I wasn't a fan of the production design either, too much goddamn smoke everywhere, plus the special effects and sound effects were just so bad. I'm not entirely sure what people mean when they say the movie's "dark". Sure, aesthetically it is, but the actual content isn't really that dark. I guess everybody was just comparing it to Adam West. Keaton seemed so mechanical as Batman, and barely seemed to have any personality at all as Bruce Wayne. As if to compensate though, everybody else's acting was so over-the-top; this wasn't even just Jack Nicholson (though how anybody can think he's better than Heath Ledger is beyond me), everybody's performances were overly theatrical and exaggerated. The whole movie just lacked subtlety. The musical cues and camera movements were all so obvious. Did you see that facial expression he made? Did you notice this was a dramatic moment?? Did you?! It's like a movie reenactment of a stage production of Batman.

This movie does not hold up. Do not re-watch unless you want disappointment in your past self.

I was 5 when this came out. I remember watching Returns in theaters....I didn't see this until I owned the VHS. Which. Was. Amazing. There are 3 VHS tapes I wish I still had: Christmas Vacation, Top Gun, and Batman. Just for sentimental sake. Love this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This movie felt like one of the greatest superhero movies of all time to me back when I was a kid. I mean, seriously it is pretty great, and by just 15 years ago or so, I'd say it was the best. When I watch it, I think of Six Flags. Just think about how big of a deal this movie was for the superhero genre. We had Superman, which had been great, but then it progressed into terrible after four films (Batman will get there too). Then this pumped it up, then Spiderman kicked off... and well you know where we are now.

Part of me really likes how classic comic booky it feels. I mean the Dark Knight franchise is better with being so realistic, but there's something kind of nice about it being over the top. Anyway, the acting is great both with Keaton and Nicholson. And Tim Burton cools his style down to work really well without being over the top. Yea, pretty good time.

Best Batman, 2nd best Joker, definitely the best Batmobile...2nd only to the Dark Knight

Good:
-Gotham is amazing. The set design is perfect and portrays the captivating gothic city in a cartoony but plausible way. Same for cinematography and direction. (I recommend to buy the remastered bluray, it is a pleasure for the eye)
-Joker and Nicholson's performance. So good and in the second part so exuberant that it overshadow Batman and every other aspect of the film
-Iconic costumes and vehicles
-Great music score

Bad:
-This is a film more about Joker than Batman.
Batman is a poorly developed character in this film. He's always between being a caricature (like Joker) or a serious character but he doesn't shine in any aspect.
-Vicky Vale\Kim Basinger could have been an interesting character (like a dark lady for example, since this film has a noir vibe) instead it is simply a damsel in distress used only to provide a (weak) love story and a means to explore Batman psychology, failing to do so.

Bluray quote:
"You wouldn't hit a guy with glasses, would you?" - Joker

Damn, it has been a long time since I last watched this film. I forgot just how good that score was. Chills during the opening credits. Unfortunately, the rest of the film hasn't held up very well.

Vastly underrated movie. Over the top and campy but I don’t mind that in a comic book superhero flick. Nicholson‘s Joker is iconic and for me personally it‘s the best Joker ever. Add that to a Prince soundtrack and you have the best superhero movie of the 80s.

batman : 9 only for Joker

Total Nostalgia for me, I was 16 years old when Batman came out, I wish I could go back to my 16 year old self now and show him how many superhero movies would be coming out now

This was a film that set me on course for my love of movies, sitting in the theatre, and Danny Elfman's booming soundtrack, as the camera span round what would be a bat symbol....... the hairs on the back of my neck was standing on end!

Tim Burton created our image of Gotham, the character of this city, the production design is awesome, and then there is Jack Nicholson's performance, lets not get into that debate, who is better, just lets say Jack Nicholson is absolutely awesome. Micheal Keaton delivers, in an understated performance, and adding his comic touches to Bruce Wayne.

Yes the effects dont hold up that much now, but as I said at the start this is pure nostalgia for me, I absolutely love this version of Batman, and I believe it played an important part in superhero films, and also my own personal journey of loving films.

Part of the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher Batman series (1989–1997).
Batman (1989) https://trakt.tv/movies/batman-1989
Batman Returns (1992) https://trakt.tv/movies/batman-returns-1992
Batman Forever (1995) https://trakt.tv/movies/batman-forever-1995
Batman & Robin (1997) https://trakt.tv/movies/batman-robin-1997

Somewhat overshadowed by Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy, It is hard to remember what a huge blockbuster this was in 89. Watching it nearly 30 years later, the film is a triumph of production design and iconography with a musical score that has stood the test of time almost as much as Williams' Superman theme. It's easy to forget how controversial Keaton's casting was, but he is great as both Batman and Bruce Wayne. The pre digital effects may have aged a little and the action sequences were always fairly tame, but Burton utilises the sets, costumes and props to great effect, drenching the film in smoke and shadows and producing some iconic moments, from Batman's first and final appearance in the film, to the Batmobile racing through a forest and the Batplane soaring in silhouette across the moon all set to one of Elfman's best scores (Forget Prince, Danny Elfman is the true musical hero of this and the sequel). Still great fun!

With this film, Burton took superheroes to a new level. These are no longer B-class stories. By adding a great cast, we get modern motion picture, which deserves its place among other breakthrough productions.

After another viewing of Tim Burton's "Batman", I've come to the conclusion that it's a movie locked within the confines of its late 1980's culture. It was truly a big deal upon release and there was an overwhelming amount of hype surrounding it. Looking at it today under the light of the Nolan "Dark Knight" trilogy and some of the fine "Batman" animated films, it reveals itself as being horribly dated. It's absolutely a product of its time.

The rendering of Gotham is appealingly Burton-esque. Michael Keaton, while an odd choice for the title role, is fun to watch. Jack Nicholson's "Joker" is good and he's entertaining, but there's too much of Nicholson in it. The actor is so recognizable that you know you're watching Jack playing the Joker. Of course, that's pretty much how he is in every movie. I even thought that Kim Basinger was fine as Vicki Vale. Robert Wuhl as newspaper man Knox was annoying and unlikable.

Burton's "Batman" leans more toward "Batman 1966" than "The Dark Knight". That's not a bad thing. It's just that this movie doesn't hold up or live up to the pre-release hype that I remember.

Funny how in 1992. Batman Returns was called a disappointing and overly dark sequel. Today it is called superior to this film. While I have warmed up to Batman Returns.
I think this film deserves much better reviews than Returns. Even though if you listen to Tim Burton’s commentary. He didn’t really even know why he had a final confrontation on top of the church.
Joker had no real game plan, unlike Ledger’s. I accept it as Joker just being crazy and truly heart broken that he is now a freak. Like he said, he is crying on the inside. He wants everyone else to be stuck with a silly grin on their face as well.
As for Joker’s obsession with Vicky Vale. It’s just to unnecessarily give Batman a damsel in distress. Unlike Batman 3-4 though, it takes Batman seriously. After Batman & Robin failed. At least WB realized that darker is better.