In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Sunday 6 November 2011

BATMAN [1989]

I still remember seeing this film on opening night. It was like going to a rock show, the audience was so insanely loud and excited. I haven't experienced anything like it since.
Tim Burton's Batman brought life to the comic book superhero film unlike any film in it's genre had done before then. With a scene-stealing Joker from Jack Nicholson and a unexpectedly great performance by Micheal Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Burton's vision redefined how the general public would view the world of Gotham City. A vastly large and dark metropolis like the grim reaper had cast it's shadow over everything, Anton Furst's Gotham design is easily one the best elements in the film. Complimented with Danny Elfman's iconic theme, Sam Hamm's delightfully comic booky dialogue and Bob Ringwood's stylish noir-like fashion.
It's dark, gloomy and dripping with Gothic imagery but never takes itself too seriously and maintains the comic book style that is a step closer to fantasy than reality.

4 Gotham is a Vancouver map? out of 5

5 comments:

budarc said...

Based on your description alone, I'd be more likely to award it a 5. It is a damn great movie, isn't it?

I'm trying to think of my most memorable theatre experiences. Probably Revenge of the Sith and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, because the midnight screenings were packed with raving fans.

cuckoo said...

It's pretty fun. It does lag in quite a few areas though. Even Burton's expressed some disinterest in quite a few spots as well.

Actually The Phantom Menace was pretty crazy too. All that craziness was wiped away by the 20 minute mark. :laugh:

Dr Faustus said...

I liked Keaton, he got a lot of criticism but I think he did good. I liked this so much that I even bought the shameless cash-in graphic novel adaptation.

cuckoo said...

He got a lot of criticism before the film was released. Most people shut up about it afterwards though.

Yeah...I have the graphic novel adaptation too. :P I like the rich colors that don't really fit. :laugh:

Dr Faustus said...

"I like the rich colors that don't really fit." :loldata: It's on glossy paper, makes it worse. It sits awkwardly at the very end of my Bats comic collection.