Batman (1989)

Of Shadows And Darkness

THE PLOT (7 stars - Good)

I like how the movie introduces Batman as a mysterious being.  How it interprets Joker's origin too - highlighting his mafia days, his hideous transformation, and his laughing mayhem.  Problem is, they stick long on awkward dance steps and annoying pranks.

THE PERFORMANCE (8 stars - Very Good)

Surprisingly, I'm impressed with Keaton's and Bassinger's acting.  At first, I have doubts with Keaton but hey, his underacting works.  You can sense they're both dedicated on their parts.  For Nicholson?  No questions asked, he's perfect as a sinister clown.

THE PRODUCTION (7 stars - Good)

Aside from the costume, everything here is black and shadows.  Burton's dark trademark is everywhere. Gotham resembles a chaotic New York.  Although, gadgets and vehicles are a treat, special effects are not at its best, not yet polished - infancy stage.

OVERALL SCORE
(7 + 8 + 7) / 3 = 7.33
7/10 points = Good



OTHER CRITICS

1.  All Rovi
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (reviewed by Matthew Doberman)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on 57 users)

2.  Amazon
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (based on 480 users)

3.  Box Office Mojo
     = B (based on 4,649 users)

4.  Film Critic
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by James Brundage)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on users)

5.  IMDB
     = 7.6/10.0 stars (based on 121,661 users)

6.  Metacritic
     = 66/100 points (based on 17 critics)
     = 8.1/10.0 points (based on 79 users)

7.  MRQE
     = 74/100 (based on critics)

8.  MSN Movies
     = 3.5/10.0 stars (based critics)
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (based on 425 users)

9.  RottenTomatoes
     = 71/100 points (based on 52 critics)
     = 78/100 points (based on 823,712 users)

10.  Yahoo Movies
     = B- (based on 5 critics)
     = B (based on 58,433 users)


THE GIST

Some parts I love, some parts I loathe it.  As fanboy, I don't imagine it to be theatrical and silly.  I am expecting dead serious and full of real action.  :|

EXTRA STUFF

1.  CAUGHT QUOTE

"I made you,

you made me first."

- Batman

2.  INTERESTING CHARACTER

"Poker Face" Joker

3.  TEASER SCENE

- Not Picasso

4.  MOVIE TRAILER



5.  NUMBER TRACKER 

Production Budget                        $ 35.0 M
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Domestic Gross           $251.2 M
Foreign Gross              $160.1 M
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Worldwide Gross                           $411.3 M
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Profit                                           $376.3 M



6.  ACCOLADES (BEST AND WORST)

Academy Awards, USA (Oscars)
Winner:                         - Best Art Direction-Set Decoration

BAFTA Awards (British Academy of Film and Television Arts), UK
Nominated:                   - Best Actor in Supporting Role (Jack Nicholson)
                                    - Best Costume Design
                                    - Best Make-Up Artist
                                    - Best Production Design
                                    - Best Sound
                                    - Best Special Effects

Golden Globes Awards, USA
Nominated:                  - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture
                                        - Comedy / Musical (Jack Nicholson)

Grammy Awards, USA
Nominated:                  - Best Album of Original Instrumental Background Score
                                         Written for a Motion Picture or Television
                                   - Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture
                                         or Television (for the song "Partyman" by Prince)

People's Choice Awards, USA
Winner:                        - Favorite Dramatic Motion Picture
                                   - Favorite Motion Picture  

Saturn Awards, USA
(Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films)
Winner:                       - President's Award
Nominated:                  - Best Actor (Jack Nicholson)
                                   - Best Costumes
                                   - Best Fantasy Film
                                   - Best Make-Up
                                   - Best Supporting Actress (Kim Basinger)