Batman must face his most ruthless nemesis when a deformed madman calling himself "The Joker" seizes control of Gotham's criminal underworld.
Michael Keaton
Bruce Wayne / Batman
Jack Nicholson
Jack Napier / The Joker
Kim Basinger
Vicki Vale
Robert Wuhl
Alexander Knox
Pat Hingle
Commissioner James Gordon
Billy Dee Williams
Harvey Dent
Michael Gough
Alfred Pennyworth
Jack Palance
Grissom
Jerry Hall
Alicia
Tracey Walter
Bob the Goon
Lee Wallace
Mayor
William Hootkins
Eckhardt
Richard Strange
Goon
Carl Chase
Goon
Mac McDonald
Goon
George Lane Cooper
Goon
Terence Plummer
Goon
Philip Tan
Goon
John Sterland
Accountant
Edwin Craig
Rotelli
Vincent Wong
Crimelord 1
Joel Cutrara
Crimelord 2
John Dair
Ricorso
Christopher Fairbank
Nic
George Roth
Eddie
Kate Harper
Anchorwoman
Bruce McGuire
Anchorman
Richard Durden
TV Director
Kit Hollerbach
Becky
Lachele Carl
TV Technician
Del Baker
Napier Hood
Jazzer Jeyes
Napier Hood
Wayne Michaels
Napier Hood
Valentino Musetti
Napier Hood
Rocky Taylor
Napier Hood
Keith Edwards
Reporter
Leon Herbert
Reporter
Steve Plytas
Doctor
Anthony Wellington
Patrolman at Party
Amir M. Korangy
Wine Steward
Hugo Blick
Young Jack Napier
Charles Roskilly
Young Bruce Wayne
Philip O'Brien
Maitre d'
Michael Balfour
Scientist
Garrick Hagon
Dad
Liza Ross
Mom
Adrian Meyers
Jimmy
David Baxt
Dr Wayne
Sharon Holm
Mrs Wayne
Clyde Gatell
Other Mugger
Jon Soresi
Medic
Elliott Stein
Man in Crowd
Sam Douglas
Lawyer
Denis Lill
Bob the Cartoonist
Paul Birchard
Reporter
Paul Michael
Cop
Pat Gorman
Cop at Axis Chemicals
Chris Andrews
Election Ceremony Patron
Stephanie English
Woman in Green Coat
Barrie Holland
Party Guest at Wayne Manor (uncredited)
Albert Evansky
Crimelord #3 (uncredited)
Director
Tim Burton
Characters
Bob Kane
Screenplay
Warren Skaaren
Screenplay, Story
Sam Hamm
July 29, 2016
8
Vision not fully realised, but still a template of sorts.
It could never have lived up to the hype back in 1989, it was hailed as the film to rival the impact of "Jaws" & "Star Wars" as regards historical cinema conventions, it was, we were led to believe, a new age in cinema, or so it seemed. As it was, the film went down a treat for the modern cinema going audience, it raked in cash galore and spawned a raft of very inferior sequels, even though ultimately critics of the time were less than impressed.
So it makes for something of an interesting experience viewing it again as each decade passes. More so in light of Christopher Nolan's bank busting "Dark Knight" series of films. I remember the hype and marketing campaign (T-Shirts and toys bonanza) that ensured that the film could never live up to the gargantuan hype, and I'm honest enough to say that I was a little underwhelmed on first viewing. Yet time has been very kind to it, now showing that Burton had the nous and foresight to reignite a genre without going purely for kiddie like appeasements.
Visually the film still stands up with the best that today's genre pieces can offer, the sets are incredible, with Anton Furst rightly winning the big award for his work here, whilst Burton's dark and deep tone captures the essence of Gotham City and Bruce Wayne's troubled mind perfectly, but does the cast fully realise the potential on offer?. Michael Keaton as the troubled and vengeful Bruce Wayne, is a fine actor and it would only be in time where his take on Wayne the man would be appreciated, as the caped crusader he is outstanding and he set the bar high for all those that followed him.
Jack Nicholson has the time of his life camping it up as The Joker, and he steals the film for sure. This is not because he is acting with great poise and class, but purely because in a film calling for the battle of two unhinged characters, he is the one awash in colour and overacting the maniacal side of the character to the max. Kim Basinger looks great but doesn't have to do much as Vicki Vale except say her lines right, pout, look scared when required and scream with conviction, and she does all of these. But really any other actress could have done the same thing - though I'm personally relieved that Sean Young dropped out of the film and thus allowed some other actress to step in.
The supporting cast do OK, and the soundtrack by Prince pushes the boundaries of annoying caricature indulgence. Ultimately it's a fun ride, respectful of the source material and giving the comic book genre of fil a shot in the arm. Yet you can't help feeling that there is some great Burton vision here that never got fully realised. And that is a damn shame, and something that Burton himself would come to admit down the line. 8/10
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$35,000,000.00
Revenue:
$411,348,924.00