Batman 89: Classic Super Hero Cinema

 Super heroes are everywhere these days, anime, animated movies, comics, video games, and of course live action movies. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been running for almost twenty years now and shows no sign of stopping. Super heroes have had a presence for quite some time, comic books, radio dramas, old television shows, and yes of course, movies. Before Tom Holland took to the screen as the web warrior Spider-Man, before there was a Spider-Verse to see bring a whole new style of animation, there was Toby Maguire. Long before Christopher Nolan wowed the world with The Dark Knight, or Matt Reeves with The Batman. There was a time when Tim Burton, Jack Nicholson, and Michel Keaton brought Batman to the big screen in  1989, and that movie, still, is nothing short of fantastic. 

This movie follows a battle between Batman and The Joker, played by Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson. This movie shows the Joker's rise and the battle between the hero and villain, the Joker, at every turn, keeping the people of Gotham surprised. Batman must also balance both his lives and a romance with reporter Vikki Vale as he tries to deal with some of the remaining moments of his past that still linger. This film has action, comedy, and plenty of moments that feel at home within the confines of a comic book, moments of a villain causing genuine terror, and the hero wishing to stop him. 

The presentation of this movie is one of a kind, from the sets, costume design, the way the film is shot, and especially the music done by Danny Elfman and featuring many songs written by Prince. The atmosphere feels like a comic book come to life, while also paying homage to famous Batman stories in the past, such as the Adam West show, and still having a voice and style of its own. The movie makes Gotham feel like a real city, and yet it also still has the whimsical feeling that movies can bring to us. The music of this movie is so striking and dynamic, with so much fun splashed in, fitting the moments where epic super heroics come into play, but also when the Joker is trashing a museum, and making it one of the most fun things I have ever seen in a movie. And no matter how often I see that scene, it is still a blast, every single time. 

Some of the camera work in this movie is absolutely stunning, especially when the Batmobile is involved. The sleek look of the car adds to how this world portrays the bat. In this world, the movie establishes through dialogue that Batman is seen as an urban legend, one to strike fear into criminals, the way he fights, movies, and appears, making him seem almost like a monster from a monster movie instead of the hero. The lighting in this movie gives that bleak feel to Gotham, as if the city is in a perpetual state of autumn season, even when the sun is out, there is gray in the skies and across the city. 

The color of the film brought in by none other than Jack Nicholson, having a world that is so full of gray and muted colors, but then having the main villain bring in reds, greens, and, of course, bright purple into the world is a bold decision. But it works, making the villain bright and colorful and the hero wear black, still causing a visual contrast for the viewer to see, subverting expectations. 

The writing in this film is nothing short of superb, with tons of quotable lines and well-written moments. The acting in this movie is also top notch, the stellar writing only complimented by these performances. Nicholson as the Joker begins subdued and plotting, then grows into a maniacal yet entertaining villain who wants to own the city. He is full of quotable lines and memorable moments, pitch-perfect deliveries on lines, and great expressions that make this movie come to life. Keaton plays the two parts of Batman and Bruce Wayne incredibly well, making each role feel different yet connected at the same time. You can tell as the audience that he plays both, that he is full of secrets, but also how he does his best to hide them. Every role from the main cast, to even the extras is acted so well, they really help bring the whole piece together to make what is still an incredible film.

The film feels of its time and timeless at the same time. The visuals and music tie together with amazing performances and writing, making this movie one I have to watch at least once a year. The film just feels classic to me in the same way the older Spider-Man and X-Men films feel. Feelings of their era, but still great watches, with moments that stay with us long after the credits roll. This is one film that nails its atmosphere so well that I want to visit this world at least once a year. As if it were a comic where I knew all the twists and turns, but the writing and look of it were so great, I couldn't help but read it again.