Batman 30 Years Later

On June 23, 1989, I was a nervous wreck. That’s because June 23rd was the day that  Tim Burton’s “Batman” finally hit theaters. After what had been months and months of the hype I was finally getting the chance to see the movie and I intended to be there for the first show on opening day. Fate, however, had other plans for me.

Because of all the snow days, we had the previous winter, I was stuck in school the day “Batman” opened. No problem I thought, my uncle and I will just go to the movies that night. But once again fate had other plans as to when I called my uncle that afternoon he told me he was busy this weekend with work and would not be able to go to the movies until at least Tuesday. I was disappointed but understood since he was a teacher and was stuck working until Monday.

The next few days went by slowly especially when I had to keep listening to my friends tell me how cool the movie was. By the time Tuesday rolled around it seemed like everyone had seen “Batman” except me, which probably wasn’t far from the truth. Fans who were around during that time probably remember how excited everyone was for “Batman.” The recent Avengers: Endgame” hype was huge, but nothing like the summer of 1989 was for Tim Burton’s “Batman.”

Anyways, Tuesday finally arrived and I was off to the movies with my uncle and one of his neighbor’s kids who I was friendly with. We got tickets to the first show of the day at the old Harborlight Mall in Weymouth Ma. Surprisingly, our theater only had about 15-20 people in it. This meant everyone saw the movie over the weekend, or it was too damn early for some people. It didn’t matter one way or another, at long last I was going to see “Batman” in all its glory.

Before the movie opened, I had already read a few comic books here and there, but seeing the live-action “Batman” awakened something within me that still lives to this day: a love of comic books. I was 11 when “Batman” came out and the movie was a seminal moment in my life. This was the first movie that I felt was aimed at me and what I liked.

It didn’t take long before  I knew that I had to buy all the Batman comics I could because I needed to know more about the character and his rogue’s gallery. I was intrigued by the idea that a man would cope with loss by dressing up as a bat to fight crime. But I also liked all the cool gadgets (or “wonderful Toys”) Batman had to play with.

Besides fueling my love of comic books, 1989s “Batman” also unleashed the movie fan inside me. Everything in the movie made me go “wow.” Every detail in every scene clicked with me, from Anton Furst’s production design all the way to Prince’s music. All of it worked in perfect harmony and added to my experience that day. Today some of the sets look like sets, but a lot of them still stand out. And you have to admire the fact that the filmmakers built a city from scratch on the Pinewood Studios backlot.

Of course the biggest highlight of “Batman” was seeing Batman on the big screen, and Michael Keaton did an awesome job in the part. I don’t remember having a problem with his casting probably because I only knew him as Beetlejuice. But I was old enough to know he’s an actor, and cant do all kinds of parts. Not caring about casting choices is something I wish I had today, but oh well.

The film’s scene steeler was Jack Nicholson’s Joker, a character I found funny rather than scary. Despite being the clown prince of time, I always had the feeling that this Joker thought he was sane and the rest of Gotham were the crazy ones. My favorite Joker moment was not as obvious as you might think. The moment comes when he leaves Vicky Vale’s apartment while doing a silly dance. It’s a scene that lasts mere seconds, but it made an impact on me for some reason.

As I mentioned earlier, I was 11 when “Batman” was released. But that didn’t stop me from going “Gaga” when Kim Basinger strides in as Vicky Vale. But it’s not my fault, it’s Tim Burton’s. The first glimpse we get of the famous photographer is of just her legs for crying out loud. Plus she was smart, funny, and looked good in giant glasses. I could see why Bruce Wayne would fall for her, though I’m still not sure why she wore a wedding gown to Wayne’s casino night.

Michael Gough was fine as Alfred Pennyworth. I thought he added some nice subtle comedy to the film like when he’s constantly picking up after Bruce Wayne at the party or telling Vicky Bruce will be late at the end of the film. But Michael Gough does have the worst moment in the movie where Vicky is brought into the Batcave by Alfred, letting her in on Bruce Wayne’s secret. I’m sorry, but this scene didn’t work in 1989 and it doesn’t work now.

Today the first big-budget “Batman” film looks tame compared to modern day blockbusters. But in 1989 Tom Burton’s tale on the caped crusader was the greatest movie ever made thanks to brilliant casting, great sets and miniatures, and the coolest Batmobile ever. It’s hard to believe it’s been thirty years since “Batman” sent me flying into geekdom, but it’s a journey I’m still on and I have to thank “Batman” for it.

 

Hello, Vinny. It’s your Uncle Bingo. Time to pay the check!

It’s hard to believe, but this month marks the 25th anniversary of Tim Burton’s “Batman.” A film which set the box office on fire, an revolutionized the comic book movie genre for years to come.

Even if you weren’t a comic book fan, you knew the Batman characters. But ,much of the country only knew Batman from the Adam West and Burt Ward “POW, WHAM, ZAP! days. The 1960’s television show was great, but by 1989 things had changed, and Batman had changed.

During the 1980s, DC Comics gave us Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns” and Alan Moore’s “The Killing Joke.” The days of Bat-Shark Repellant were gone, and Tim Burton knew that.

Tim Burton’s vision for Batman was to be much darker, more in line with the comics of the mid to late 1980’s. Little did anyone know this new take on the Dark Knight would become one of the most successful movies of the decade, and the first in a long line of super-hero movies.

The casting of Michael Keaton created a firestorm for Warner Bros. as comic fans flooded the studio with 50,000 letters demanding Keaton’s removal from the film. The backlash was massive, but at least it happen before the internet and social media.

But in the end it didn’t matter who was wearing the cowl. Nothing could stop the Batman machine and film became the first movie to earn $100 million in its first ten days of release.

Jack Nicholson did a great job as the Joker, a role that defined him for many years. Nicholson  was funny when he had to be, but he was always evil. And the actor took the role seriously give it his all. His version of the Joker seems a bit cartoony now compared to Heath Ledger’s performance. But for 1989, Jack Nicholson was the right choice, and really the only one who could pull it off.

Kim Basinger was a last-minute addition tot he cast, but she was very good as the love interest for Bruce Wayne. Although sometimes I wonder if she was only cast for her ability to scream. Regardless, she was very beautiful and did a solid job. Meanwhile Robert Wuhl as Alexander Knox brought some light-hearted (and much-needed) moments.

Now, as much as I enjoyed this movie, I did have a couple of issues with “Batman,” for instance:

In the film it’s revealed that the Joker was, in fact, the criminal that killed Bruce’s parents. If you ask me that’s just crazy talk and a clear sign of Tim Burton running amok. Then there was the scene in which Alfred brings Vicki Vale into the Batcave. As a comic fan I was in disbelief. How could Alfred betray Bruce like that?

I saw “Batman” on opening day with a friend and my douche bag uncle. It was an event, one of those moments you don’t forget for the rest of your life. To me the movie was as if a comic book had come to life.

After Christopher Nolan’s epic (and mega successful) trilogy, Tim Burton’s movie looks a bit dated, and somewhat small since it was shot completely in the backlot of Pinewood Studios. But I’ll tell you this much:

I may not have been a Batman fan before, but 1989’s “Batman” made me a Bat-fan for life.