Batman (1989) Movie Review

[PetaHatingChris42]

Still my favorite Batman film, featuring my favorite Batman. Though I will say that Nicholson has nothing on Ledger.

[Jetli2013]

BATMAN IS 10/10

[scaredofmilk]

I loved the comic but when this came out I thought it stunk.

[aMiR1412]

this was an osm film and i luvd the fact the harvey dent was black this time and not white like in batman forever

[jamestargetedindiv]

Check my comments in my channel for information about the Pre-January 8th version of Inception.

[postersandstuff]

Williams was offered Riddler......was he offered role of Joker as well ?

[hush00]

Love your review. It's spot on!

This batman is based on the very early comics where he did kill some of his enemies(even used a gun at some point). So it's not a mistake of the movie. It's just that most people today are more familiar with the later comics where he doesn't kill.

[KevsHardLemonade]

@hush00 Batman killed for a couple of months during his first year in 1939, where they were still trying figure out what to do with the character and was not an established icon or even close to it. For the next 70 plus years as an established global icon, he had a no kill policy.

[RobRobertTheMusicMan]

I love how dark the Tim burton and chris nolans Batmans are.

[LoboFan1000]

best batman movie ever. jack nicholsan would kick heath ledgers ass

[Hudsucker94]

Awesome review! Always glad to see others who have the appreciation for this as much as me!

[starball23]

Batman created Joker and Joker created Batman, interesting

[ableclair]

Necro, I liked your reveiw of the film. You brought up a few interesting points about the theme of the movie and the notion of Batman killing his enemies being out of character. Indeed for rural Batman fans, this is definitely out of character, as the caped crusader in Nolan's film series has shown. This version of Batman was not the "then contemporary" version, which is what I loved, and nothing campy, but it was dark and grungy with a "Duel of the Freaks" theme. The clash at the end was great!

[saix235]

"he can't move his head for fuck's sake" they actually make fun of this in the dark knight, when bruce wayne/batman wants a more flexible suit

[Wadsy591]

Batman (1989) is a classic. Not the best Batman film but it's sure up there. Jack Nicholson played a great Joker and Kim Bassinger played Vicky Vale nice enough. Keaton was my favorite aspect of the film, and my favorite Batman actor. Nice review. I give Batman (1989) an 8/10

[regulator619]

@Wadsy591 no its not up there. Why dont take a look at the story. Who kills bruce's parents? The joker....err wrong.

Why does alfred lead Kim into the batcave even though keaton barely knows her.

What does the bat plane look like freakin plastic? 20 years old film. I guess it makews sense but why is the movie so boring and corny?

And last but not least Why do fanboys of Micheal keaton/ Tim Burton.... old batman movies, feel so threatened by Nolan's superior movies they try to diss them on utube

[lilwaynewezzy]

necro it seems like u have the most stupid and idiotic people comment on ur vids

and when they try to prove u wrong its alwasy ends bad for them

this batman is a classic from its look to characters it may have flaws but name one film that doesnt have flaws and i heard that robin williams was asked to play the joker in this film but it was given to nicholson do u think williams would have done well as the character or bombed it i still think nicholson was the best choice

[NecroVMX]

@lilwaynewezzy Sometimes I wonder why the trolls bother, and then I remember...they're trolls!

[Hudsucker94]

First they offered it to nicholson, then williams, and used it to lure Nicholson in, and that's when Nicholson took the part. Williams has been pissed, and rightfully so, over it ever since.

[postersandstuff]

I love the style/atmosphere of this movie......just draws you in.

[okeanos317]

Where did it say that the money is fake,i've watched the movie like 30 times,if you could point it out,I would be really appreciate it :)

[NecroVMX]

@okeanos317 It may not actually have been in the film itself, as a kid I also read the novelization so it may have been from that.

[okeanos317]

@NecroVMX thanks buddy ^_^

[Pneumonox]

@NecroVMX i always thought that they should showed that in the movie, and it should the joker's face on it, that would have been hilarious

[kurvos]

Batman don't kill people? Oh, bite me. He kills people in some of the earlier comics. For fuck's sake - like that's a big deal.

[NecroVMX]

@kurvos Yes, completely abandoning the heart of the character is no big deal, riiiiight.

[kurvos]

@NecroVMX The heart of the character is to bring fear into the criminals of Gotham City, you moron. If you want a hero with letting villains live as the heart of the character, that's Spiderman. Batman has killed several of his enemies - deal with it. And if you wanna send me another message, just think about this - what are you trying to prove? It's like telling the heart of Wolverine is his stupid yellow-blue spandex-suit.

[NecroVMX]

@kurvos Why would I bother responding in any way other than to block you? You can't even make a point without calling people names, you're immature and you have no respect, go fuck yourself.

[FireFistShikamaru]

@kurvos Batman never killed in the comics except his first year. And the first year is no longer canon.

[rodrigodet]

@kurvos Batman cant kill someone cause of the trauma that suffered on his childhood he wants to kill the Joker he just cant put him self to do it , its what makes batman great and unique so, so yea agree with Necro go fuck ur self

[tthomaselli2]

What'd you mean by "Cops on the take."?

[ViolaXZ]

Batman is one of my all time favorite movies. Michael Keaton was definitely the best Batman ever. Jack Nickolson was perfect Joker. Kim Basinger was stunning and brilliant as always. Fantastic Movie!!!

[totshirts]

Burton's take on the Joker is the best. He's funny, he's wicked and he doesn't have some gay need to play with Batman's feelings. I also like the fact that Batman gets justice for sending the Joker to his death for his parent's murder.

Overall I liked TDK movie but I thought "holy crap what a pussy" Nolan's Batman is. Joker killed the woman he loved and has to save him so the Joker doesn't win some philosophical debate. Let his ass drop and see where his beliefs in chaos take him...to HELL!

[regulator619]

@totshirts Okay obviously Burton's movies dumbed you down to the point that you forgot about the character of bruce wayne. Try watching Batman begins, it might save you from hell(like you say)

[totshirts]

Oh whatever. I own both of Nolan's as well as all the first three movies, and the entire animated series. So blah blah blah about not knowing the character. High mindedness goes out the window when someone's killed your family, girlfriend or a city block... you want to see that guys face down in a ditch. Oh and don't confuse a comic book for a Bible. No man in long underwear saves souls...even if he drives a cool car-tank-thing. No, I'm sorry that be Jesus. Amen! I said can I get an Amen!

[FireFistShikamaru]

@totshirts But Batman doesn't kill in the comics.

[totshirts]

Uhh..that depends on how far back you go. According to Wikipedia:

The first Batman story, "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate," was published in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939). Finger said, "Batman was originally written in the style of the pulps," and this influence was evident with Batman showing little remorse over killing or maiming criminals.

[FireFistShikamaru]

@totshirts *sigh* I am so sick and tired of people using the fact that Batman killed in his first year as an excuse for him to kill in this movie. For most of the time, It takes years and years of changes until until they could perfect the character. Batman is the perfect example of this. When he used to kill, he killed because the character wasn't fully developed at that time.

[FireFistShikamaru]

@totshirts Him killing didn't work so they made him more campy and that didn't work either. It wasn't until Post-Crisis when they fully finished the basics of the Batman character.

Plus, DC Comics rebooted all their characters in the 80's. So everything that happened before is no longer canon.

My point is that Batman is never allowed to kill unless it's an Elseworld story or if it's the first year.

[totshirts]

Blah, blah, blah. I hear you fanboy but really could not care less about what you're saying. So if you're expecting an apology for liking a movie that offends you because its not part of a religious canon of comic book lore then you are sadly mistaken. Hey you know what else...I like the fact that Jack's Joker killed Batman's parents aswell. I know, I know sacrilege!

[FireFistShikamaru]

@totshirts So just because I dislike a major change to the characters makes me a fanboy? LOL that's pretty pathetic XD. The fact that you go around pointing fingers at random people that disagree with you and tell them that they're a fanboy obviousl means that you are just an immature butthurt child who thinks that the whole world revolves around his opinion. Or maybe you're just a Burton fanboy who enjoys pretending that he knows so much about Batman ;)

[totshirts]

Wow! You need help...Fanboy. No I don't go around pointing fingers. In fact you're the one pointing fingers when you chose to pick a fight with a three month old comment. I called you like you are...you're retort "butthurt." Yeah real mature. And no the world doesn't revolve around my opinion. I simply commented on the first Batman movie as a fan of the movie which I believe I have the right. I'm a fan of Burton's earlier work, so what. Its better then the comic book schlock you love.

[FireFistShikamaru]

@totshirts I never chose to pick a fight. You said that Batman is a character that kills people and I simply corrected you. If you can't accept a respectable debate, you are a fanboy and you should not be on YouTube.

And as I said, that is your opinion and I respect it. I like this movie too as just a movie (but not as an adaptation).

[totshirts]

Ah yeah you did. And I wasn't talking about the comics in the first place Fanboy. But then I go and pull a little fact in Wikipedia that states Bob Kane, the guy who created Batman, had him carry a gun and shot bad guys. Then you went all fanboy psycho saying how you can't stand people who bring up that fact. Whatever. Not everybody who liked this movie is enslaved to the comics like you are.

[FireFistShikamaru]

@totshirts I never said that I hate people who bring up that fact. What I said was that I hated how people used the first year of Batman's career as an excuse for him to kill as much as he wants. It is a very stupid argument and I wish people would stop using it. If you PREFER a Batman who kills, then that's a different situation.

Also, "fanboy psycho" means insulting people due to different opinions.

[FireFistShikamaru]

@totshirts I spend most of my time on YT dealing with fanboys anyways. So if you want to join my rouges' gallery, no problem ;)

And no one cares that you liked Jack's Joker as the killer of Bruce's parents. You are entitled to your opinion like everyone else and I respect that opinion as long as you respect mine.

You're sorry for what? I don't care at all if someone likes this movie. Even I like thi movie (I like it as a classic but I don't like it as a Batman adaptation).

[totshirts]

Sorry pal once again you're the fanboy if you go around responding to other people comments you disagree with. I could give a damn if anyone cared what I liked or disliked but I have every right to comment as a fan on the movie on a page about the movie. As for Burton I liked his work in the early nineties. Not a big fan now. This film introduced me to Batman. Before I thought of Batman as the loser in Superfriends who always needed rescuing or worse...Adam West.

[FireFistShikamaru]

@totshirts LOL I don't go around disagreeing with people's opinions. And dude, no one is going to flmae you if you like this movie. Of course you have the right to like it. No one said you don't have the right to like it.

BTW I'll send you a video soon to show to you how much "effort" Bob Kane put into Batman.

[totshirts]

Please you do to. My comment was from three months ago. You had to scroll to find it. As for you being a fanboy...Hmmm you know of a video where an irate bat-geek calls Bob Kane a money whore? Whatever. Holy bat crap Batman! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Its a freaking comic book or comic book movie.

[FireFistShikamaru]

@totshirts I enjoy reading comments while the video loads (my computer works slow T_T).

The video that I sent you was to show you that Bob Kane didn't create Batman.

[PTSmash]

Jack Nicholson actually demanded top billing and that's half the reason he got top billing. The other half is that Burton always saw Batman as a mysterious and dark figure who only came out when he had to and strove to finish the job so he could vanish again. So his lack of screen time was meant to add to the mystery and the buildup to when he finally appeared. Then again, when we read the stories involving the Joker, which of these two do we always notice more anyway?

[joshuanight332]

Also in the movie joker had a birthday and the cake said 200. But he wasn't 200 years old.

[NecroVMX]

@joshuanight332 Gotham was turning 200, hence the bicentennial parade at the end.

[joshuanight332]

Also in the movie joker had a birthday and the cake said 200 but he wasn't 200 years old.

[aMgVbros4aetas]

@joshuanight332 I think that was supposed to be the celebration of Gotham city. Remember all the scenes with the mayor talking about balloons and celebrating " proudly and publicly"?

[Razersun]

I was offended by your use of the phrase "fuck's sake". Only ball lickers and butt pirates use profanity like that. This is youtube. Show a little class.

[NecroVMX]

Fuck that, that's fucking shit right there.

Also: Cock, Cunt, Bitch, Bastard, Motherfucker, Dickhole and Vas Deferans.

[desotowrong]

I actually find this to be the best Batman film ever made, even after twenty years and several movies and shows.

[regulator619]

@desotowrong You also find teletubbies funny and pedobear friendly. So would you say that your opinion is reliable?

[Maurcusj777]

he should do a superman 1,2,3,4, returns review

[rockstarnetonline]

The only good thing about the 1989 batman movie was Jack Nicholson.His joker act was simply great(Heath ledger was marvelous too).Overall I didnt like this movie much and that was because much of the scenes werent realistic.

And talking about Nolan series it completely surpasses the Burton one.OK i agree it was 1989 when Burton made the movie but I am watching it in today's world and I am going to decide what entertains me.

[5keeper7ful]

This movie was great without an origin story, the fact that it does go right into the good stuff. It was not necessary for the plot of the movie.

Remember that Batman TAS, best superhero cartoon ever, started off right into the action, without an origin story.

Well, I guess Mask of the Phantasm was the origin story, made after the show started and seperate.

[JCFL100]

you know this may seem funny but ever since TDK was released a year ago and Ledger's Joker carried on, Nicholson's roles have diminished. he has not done a new film since 2007's The Bucket List. what's your take Necro?

[NecroVMX]

He's old, i think there's nothing more to it than that, though he has a new project he's working on

[dilcofilms]

People need to stop panning Jack Nicholson as Joker. No he wasn't as good as Heat Ledger but Jack was still great as the Joker.

[NecroVMX]

I don't see very many people panning him, as you've said, he's not as good as heath was, but nicholson really was the best part of this movie

[dilcofilms]

Oh no doubt, if said he stle the show then that would be way too obvious. But i've saw many people saying that Jack was way too goofy but have they ever saw Cesar Romero as the Joker???

[ienjoysleeping]

comparing nicholson and ledger is like comparing apples and oranges. nicholson took the comedic part of joker, ledger took the darker side. its really preference that decides which is better.

[presleyj1]

No he didn't. Nicholson took the 1940 Joker (as in his first apperance.) Cesar took the more 1950's comedic approach. Heath took a more modern approach, but Nolan added some stuff to it as well.

[presleyj1]

I disagree. I think they were just playing two different Joker's. Jack played very well the 1940 version, which was dark. If you read his first apperance, that is most resembled with jack's performance. Heath did something of a more modern performance. Both are good, but a bit different from one another. I wouldn't say one was better than another.

[FireFistShikamaru]

@presleyj1 I disagree with you on that one. I think that Jack's performance was based more on the Silver Age Joker (1950's Joker) while Heath's performance was an amalgation of the Golden Age Joker (1940's Joker) and Modern Age Joker. In the 1940's, the Joker wore make-up and sometimes removed it to disguise himself as a police officer. Both of those qualities apply to Heath. Even the way he talks is similar to the 1940's Joker.

[FireFistShikamaru]

@presleyj1 I'm not dissing Jack or Heath though. I like both performances.

[batfan1939]

The original Batsuit weighed 70 lbs.

[menace391]

DAMN!!!!!!!! that is more than a suit of armor from the middle ages

[SidJustice1]

I thought the action was sufficient for it's time. And I was not surprised about the acting, either. Considering, Keaton and especially, Nicholson's acting expertise. Total classic!

[silverrhawk]

Could not have said it better.

[bladedudentughguy]

i havent seen this movie but i know its good

[thanks51]

IT'S GREAT. Check it out.

[thesatanic6]

wow nice review you spoiled the whole movie

you are suppost to say what you think about it not how it ends

you should just call this batman 89 spoiler.....1 star

[NecroVMX]

What are you stupid? There's a moratorium on spoilers, the movie is fucking 20 years old. Blocked, due to sheer idiocy.

[bulletproofKevlar]

spoil the movie? comon who hasnt seen this? its a classic and everyone knows what happens to classic movies before they see it..like did you go into kingkong thinking he wasgoing to not die at teh end or even the titatanic? comeon!

[rcw0388]

the movie is 20 fucking years old, its not like he reviewed it a week before it came out or anything, dumbass.

[exmarine323]

The best Batman movie ever!!! I would get into these new ones if Christian Bale and his over the top performance. Joel Schumacher's version sucks. Batman Begins was ok, but only because of Liam Nesson. The Dark Knight is boring. Everyone had too much of a powerful speech. Too much talking. I love action and I think that this one had much more better action than The Dark Knight. Also, Michael Keaton as Batman/Bruce Wayne made him confident. Bale looses confidence, making him a punk.

[menace391]

hmmm... i can't agree with that, but i can agree with this, cb's acting was a bit over the top, while Michael keatons acting was natural

[5aintLink]

One thing i always hated in the old Batman films was Alfred, I never liked the actor and i had to endure his lame acting for 3 sequels.

[vegettoSSJ3ROCKSS]

@5aintLink yeah, agree, this version of Alfred looses the important that he have in the original comics and is too old for Alfred, he is too secondary and don´t apport anything in the movies, only a little in Batman & Robin , in the comics he is the paternal figure of Bruce Wayne and his conffident, Nolan movies show this very well

[vegettoSSJ3ROCKSS]

@5aintLink Commisioner Gordon sucks in all Batman old movies too, he is too fat and useless, he is a ridicolous character in all the old movies, like Alfred he don´t apport anything at the story. Nolan´s Gordon Version is way better than the Burton-Schumacher version, he is more like the Commisioner Gordon of the comics.

[dsfdfhy]

I loved the 1989 batman movie.

[drlee2]

BATMAN89 is great, but BATMAN RETURNS is better.

[Bladethepokefreak]

My favourite scene is the museum scene where Joker goes around painting over pictures to very Jaunty music, oh and the bit near the end with that MASSIVE gun he pulls out of his trousers!

[vegettoSSJ3ROCKSS]

@Bladethepokefreak my favorite scene is when Batman fight all of the Joker´s henchmen while Joker dances with Vicky Vale, and when Batman finish all of them, he confronts the Joker for his parents death and get his revenge

[Dkad]

I prefer the lack of backstory about Batman in this one than the overdose of plain explaination in fucking Batman Begins...

[Tai02]

1989 Batman is a classic.

1991 is very similar to this one.

The following 2 ones just get worse...

Batman Begins brought a new light to the bat... Dark Knight was ok I guess..

[kakacarmenheath]

i think the Batman wardrobe in 1989 sucks....

[jjtheman]

I wholeheartedly disagree, my good sir. But to each his own.

[Bladethepokefreak]

I bet you loved the Batman and Robin suit with it's bat nipples...uggh...

[mikesteelheart]

I think the late 80's was the perfect era for the Batman series to be born. The late 80's had this stylish, dark, materialistic flavor that is completely portrayed in this film and makes it 10X tastier than this movie would of ever been in a different era. I'm an avid movie reviewer like yourself, and I consider this film to be an anomaly of perfection in film making.

Nicholson's Joker is brilliant - he's suave, tough, insane, and into art. Talk about a dimensional character! 10/10!!!

[degree7]

Agreed. Although Batman Returns was even darker.

[kingofcrime87]

Meh, i like all the Batman films, even Batman and Robin, its a good laugh lol

[ReviewForReel]

I don't think that Burton understand Batman since he turned Batman into a killer. He also should have chosen a better Keton because he can not play Batman convisningly Burton does not understand Joker because he made his character all about attension. The character is about chaos in this movie he wants the spotlight

[msiterE]

i always felt that the 89 and to a lesser extent 91 batman perfectly captured the feel of the 80's comics... the newr ones are more as if batman were in the real world...

[Daemonocracy]

Good review. I'd say this is about as good as Batman Begins but neither can touch The Dark Knight.

[kfsfkakf]

Batman Begins is overrated in my opinion and i think that the Dark Knight was a good movie but i prefer this on in my opinion

[disneyparkfreak]

I agree

[tuworkzz]

I would give Begins the edge over 89 for having a better cast and for having far fewer and less gaping plotholes. Not to mention far better characterizations.

[SuperWillHatch]

Really? Well, to each his own.

[tthomaselli2]

You said 'Batman' has some "Small plot-holes in it.". Would you mind going over some of them, in case I missed 'em, because, I havn't caught any of them & I've seen this movie 1,000-some times, before.

[yourjokesarebad]

This was the best Batman.Jack was an amazing joker.Micheal Keaton was the best batman.I did not like Kim Basinger as Vikki Vale.If i gave review out of ten it would be a nine.

[tuworkzz]

Sorry, guys, you can thumbs down all you want, but this film is still drastically overrated.

[zufgh]

i thought the action scenes were first class but that's just me.

[sandmanhater]

good review, this is my fav batman movie!

[greatgmasta]

the best out of the original four.

[Wadsy591]

@greatgmasta

1. Forever

2. Batman

3. Returns

4. Robin

[thealgaehunter]

Kim Basinger was so annoying in that movie.

[DjMontana42X]

I think shes hot:P

[thealgaehunter]

Hotness doesn't excuse screaming in place of acting.