DVD Review
by Chris Alexis
| MOVIE: ****1/2 (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: * (out of 5 stars) STARRING Jack Nicholson as THE JOKER/JACK NAPIER Michael Keaton as BATMAN/BRUCE WAYNE Kim Basinger as VICKI VALE Pat Hingle as COMMISONER GORDON Michael Gough as ALFRED PENNYWORTH Rated PG-13 Studio: Warner Bros. Directed by: Tim Burton Back to DVD Review Home |
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Before this film came out, the last live-action Batman was Adam West in the campy TV series. Director Tim Burton helped put the “dark” back in the Dark Knight in this cinematic classic. I still disagree with the choice of Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. He rocked as Batman - he had the body gestures, the tones, and demeanor - everything down for that. But, as my friend said and I agree with him, he’s not the handsome, seemingly carefree playboy.
Burton stated that he had tested all sorts of action stars and large, muscular men for the role of Batman. He felt (as stated in his biography) that it made sense to him that a smaller man, who is not at all threatening or powerful in his daytime human side, would be more apt to put on a batsuit and appear terrifying to the strong and destruction-oriented criminals. I don’t exactly see it the same way, but for the role of Batman as far as being in the suit, it worked out pretty well.
The true star of this film, though, is Nicholson as the Joker. He seemed born for the role. He carries just the right amount of menace with a stark insanity that is beyond any reproach. Entertaining and terrifying, the Joker steals the show away from Keaton. His complete lack of concern for his killings is evident - especially when he even kills his own henchmen out of frustration for Batman foiling his plans.
SPOILER: If you’re one of the four people in this Earth who have not seen the film, please skip this paragraph. Okay, you were warned. A major problem with this story is that in the comics, The Joker any alter-ego of this never, ever killed Bruce Wayne’s parents. The filmmakers added this to connect the two characters in their battle more - but it’s all wrong. It was a character named Joe Chill in the comics who was an ordinary thug - a thug that has seemingly a thousand clones on the street. It’s the faceless thug, criminal after criminal, that Batman battles down. Not just one man who he gets revenge after - then where’s the motivation to continue?
This dark and gritty film works perfectly for the character and world of Batman. The gangsters have a 1940s look to them, which looks like it was pulled straight out of the comics. Overall, the production design of this film really works well.
This film is a bit of an origin story, but glosses over the basic origin in a simple flashback. This works for this film because you get the point of what happened and you have Batman in action from the first scene on.
One of the only real thorns in this film - a damaging aspect truly - is the Prince soundtrack. It really bothers me. It doesn’t work. At all. Get it out. In fact, it actually hurts the film. Would the Joker in the comics come into a museum after gassing everybody just to seduce a woman he wants? Sure. Would he dance around like a loon? You bet. Could this scene have been great? Yep. Was it? No. Why? The awful and out of place Prince soundtrack. This happens again towards the end with the parade scene. Ick.
Kim Basinger is a bit one-dimensional in this picture - just a pretty face for Batman to hook up with. Her character adds very little to the story I thought - she never challenges the darkness of Batman within Bruce Wayne - offering him a life of salvation and love away from his nightly torture - it almost seems not to be a big deal to her at all.
This movie is the best of the original four movies in total, though: fun, action-packed, violent and funny - in the right places. Batman is truly a demon of the night in this film -a force to be feared by the criminal element.
The DVD offers pretty much nothing. A “Production Notes” section that is text on the screen to read - very brief about the production of the movie mostly. There’s also bios on cast and crew. All text on the screen. That’s it, really. There’s also a section that recommends other movies to watch if you liked this one, but no one really cares about that.
A great movie put on a useless DVD. If you’re looking for neat special features, commentaries, etc - don’t bother. If you just want to see Batman kick some butt with some high flying action - check it out.
Specifications: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Fullscreen (1.33:1) and Widescreen (2.35:1) versions available. English and French language track. Subtitles in French, Spanish or English for the hearing impaired.
