This week I chose the 1989 movie Batman played by Michael Keaton and The Joker played by the one and only Jack Nicholson. This movie shows how the Joker becomes himself and how batman figures out that the Joker, who is Jack, killed his parents when he was a child. The Jokers get pushed into a chemical pool and chemically burn him and try to have someone fix him but they did the best they could. His smile showed from almost ear to ear. He was set up to be arrested by the police and he never let that grudge go and killed who set him up. Eventually, Batman starts to get in the way of The Joker trying to make Vicki, the photographer, his new girl. Little does the Joker know that Batman was dating Vicki but obviously Vicki doesn’t know Bruce is Batman. Batman of course always saves Vicki and saves the day. Eventually, Batman shows Vicki that he is the man behind the black mask but there wasn’t much of a response. Joker kidnaps Vicki and of course, Batman goes to rescue her and ends up getting into a tiny brawl with the Joker and Joker falls to his death.
This movie was conventional because it was based on the famous comic books of Batman. This movie was made on a $185 million budget and made $250 million and $150 million internationally. This movie has been named the top-grossing film of all time which is amazing. For what budget they were on I didn’t think a movie as this would make as much as it did. I watched an interview with the director which was, Tim Burton, and he explained how he wanted to stay true to the characters and didn’t want to make a lot of changes. This kind of backfired on him because he is known for his out of this world creativity and a lot of people see this movie and not delivering.
Michael Keaton took a lot of heat being chosen to be Batman because he wasn’t a six-foot man like Batman is described. An article I read written by Vincent Camby from the New York Times said, “It doesn’t help that the title character remains such a wimp even when played by Michael Keaton. Nobody could do anything with this ridiculous conceit, but asking Mr. Keaton, one of our most volatile actors, to play Bruce Wayne/Batman is like asking him to put on an ape suit and play the title role in ”King Kong.” This quote really made me think Michael was going to be horrible in this movie. Although this was untrue I believe he did a good job, he acts the same as any other Batman I’ve watched.
I don’t think the film did its justice with the budget they were on. The building in the background did look good but the fighting could have been better and the shooting as well. There were times when Batman would come down and I could see the strings that were attached to him. There were also times where I didn’t know if I should be laughing because Michael was so still it looked funny and I would laugh.
I read a review by Robert Ebert and he talks about how he was disappointed how Vicki reacted to finding out Bruce was Batman. There honestly could’ve been a better reaction from her and I was disappointed. He also explained that he felt as though there was no real plot in the movie, just a bunch of explosions and fighting. I disagree only because the plot came later in the movie. Bruce was trying to find who killed his parents and towards the end of the movie he found out it was the Joker. After finding this out I connected the dots with other parts of the movie and seen the pattern of the plot is about his parents.
From all the debates on the movie mainly being about Keaton not being a good batman I completely disagree. Keaton played Batman in a great way and I enjoyed it. The only part I would change is when he wants to tell Vicki he’s Batman. I didn’t like the way he was pacing and trying to say it and how Vicki had to open the door. That scene definitely felt forced as if there wasn’t any real emotion it that scene.
I would definitely need o re-watch the film at a different time to give it another chance. I have all of the Batman movies and I definitely think I am going to watch Batman Returns soon.
Hi Julieann!
First off, I love how you talked about the budget of the film, and I think it is really interesting how Tim Burton wanted to stay true to the characters. While I think it is important to do so, I also think that Tim Burton has a brilliant mind and artistic style. It’s a shame that he didn’t take advantage of it as much as he could have. In addition to this, I agree with you that the film didn’t quite do justice with the budget they were on. Great post!
Julieann, this read was pretty awesome. I loved the way you wrote I felt like I could hear you talking and even laughing in some parts. The talk about weather you didn’t know if you should be serious or laughing along with the talk about the strings actually made me laugh. I adore the way you write it truly felt like you were talking to me, it kept my interest all the way through! I learned a lot about this movie without ever watching it, I could visualize everything you talked about. I really enjoyed how you gave a back story on how Joker became the Joker. Great writing I really enjoyed the read!
Hi, Julieann!
This is a very great post and I love your comments about this film. I didn’t chose this movie but I know about the main information of it from your post. I also agree that Keaton played Batman well in this film. Because everyone has a ideal Batman in his heart and we cannot deny the specific of different types of hero. And your opinion about the scene of Vicky and Batman is good. I really enjoy your post!
I honestly did not know that Jack Nicholson starred as the Joker! That is cool! I am not a big fan of DC heroes that is why I did not choose this film but Batman will always be Batman. I am surprised that Tim Burton directed this film as you could tell how his directing is by how the movie is done but I’ve only seen clips of this movie and I just do not see it at all.
Hi Julieann,
I saw the sequel for my movie this week. I agree that the movie is conventional with the cast and the budget and plot. Definitely a good example of a movie that is conventional but still really good. I didn’t realize how much money it made (383 million dollars if we adjust for inflation.) I also liked how you pointed out some of the negatives of the film. Keep up the great work!
-Will
Hi Julieann,
I really liked reading your blog this week. You did an excellent job describing the movie. I too am surprised how much money the film grossed. It was enjoyable to read you blog because you visuals are throughout your writings. I think I will try that next time! There were some interesting facts about Michael Keaton as well! Great work!
Hi Julieann,
I think you and i are the few people who chose this movie to watch this week. I like how you discuss the uproar at Michael Keaton playing Batman as he didn’t the original description. I feel Ben Affleck also faced criticism when he played Batman. I like how you described the plot in such detail, it would really help someone who hadn’t seen the film. Great post!
Just wanted to add JulieAnn that we both got hugely different amounts for the budget. I understood the budget for Batman was $35 million but you stated it was $185 million. I did some research and The Dark Knight was a budget of $185 and the original Batman (1989) was $35 million. I think it’s amazing that the success of Batman (1989) garnered such success that the budget for more recent Batman films is more than 5 times that of the original. Another measurement of the films success!
Julieann,
I really like your blog post and what honestly made me click on it was your extremely creative title! I really like it. I like how you gave multiple videos as this is one of the best ways I learn and I find these to be the most entertaining. Something I learned from your post was Vicki was disappointed Bruce was Batman. A main character can make someone’s perspective of the movie change so much! Great job on your blog post.
-Blake