Batman | | Cast : | Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson | | Director : | Tim Burton | | Studio : | Warner Studios | | Format : | Color, Widescreen, Closed-captioned, Dolby | | Released Date : | June 23, 1989 | | DVD Released Date : | August 22, 1997 | | Language : | French (Subtitled), English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Original Language), French (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 09, 2005 | | Summary | Gotham City. Always Brings a Smile to my face... | Content
 | Unless you born after 1989 - or lived under a pretty big rock, you are probably aware that the Dark Knight, BATMAN made a startling cinematic resurgence. Gone were the ZAP, BAM, and POW of the campy television series. In its place, a brooding protagonist running amok in a cool car through Gotham, an industrial town unchallenged by geometry. All the time, he is tracking the rise and fall of the sadistic and villainous JOKER. And what a journey it is.
Director Tim Burton (EDWARD SCISSORHANDS) bravely re-imagined the Bat franchise, focusing more on the emergence of the villain rather then the more obvious hero. The Batman is left better to the daring feats of strength, wit and creativity. Casting of the Dark Knight proved to be an ominous chore as longtime fans of the comic book had strong misgivings for casting funny man, Michael Keaton (BEETLEJUICE). Their concerns now are unwarranted and after he was replaced a couple sequels later, those same detractors were screaming for his return
Burton was confident in keeping the Batman as part of the cities underworld, quite often traveling in shadow. THE JOKER has a less subtle approach. He does all he can to get his grin seen by as many Gotham-ites as possible. Jack Nicholson brought new meaning to 'the villain you love to hate' as he rises from ordinary hood to colorful maniac. Throw in a damsel in distress, Vicki Vale played by Oscar Winner Kim Basinger (L.A. CONFIDENTIAL) and an often-hilarious newspaper sidekick, Robert Wuhl (BULL DURHAM) and you've got your character soup. Now, place them in a wonderful dark world, an indescribable mix of past and future and fasten your utility belt.
BATMAN is a huge success and a must for fans of comic adventures. This was a very early DVD release so the video transfer is not tremendous and the film itself challenges the screens dark contrast. The audio is great, especially highlighted is Danny Elfman's musical score, an instant classic.
Followed up by 4 sequels of varying success, this BATMAN is a great film filled with startling, often memorable images that will leave you asking, "Where does he get those wonderful toys?"
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| Rating | | | Date | August 08, 2005 | | Summary | Great but 2 things could have made it a masterpiece... | Content
| A great great movie. However I think it would have been a masterpiece had they used Joker's true comic book orgin as The Red Hood and dropped the stupid music by Prince. I mean really Prince is alright but his music did not fit or belong in Gotham City. It added nothing to the film but a campy commercial feel which I found to be very annoying. Jack was great as Joker,Michael remains the best Batman in the movies and Kim was good as Vicki Vale. I'd love to see this film re-worked with a new music score. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 07, 2005 | | Summary | BATMAN: THE MOTION PICTURE ANTHOLOGY 1989-1997 | Content
| On October 18th, a new box set (Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997) featuring all Batman films as two-disc sets will be released. For more information, read on:
Batman: Two-Disc Special Edition
Digitally Remastered Anamorphic Widescreen Transfer
English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Track
English DTS 5.1 Surround Track
Audio Commentary with Director Tim Burton
Legends of the Dark Knight: The History of Batman Documentary
Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Parts 1, 2 & 3
- The Road to Gotham City
- The Gathering Storm
- The Legend Reborn
Beyond Batman Documentary Gallery Including:
- Visualizing Gotham: The Production Design of Batman
- Building the Batmobile
- Those Wonderful Toys: The Props and Gadgets of Batman
- Designing the Batsuit
- From Jack to Joker
- Nocturnal Overtures: The Music of Batman
Batdance, Partyman and Scandalous Music Videos by Prince
The Heroes and The Villains Profile Galleries
Batman: The Complete Robin Storyboard Sequence
On the Set with Bob Kane Featurette
Batman Theatrical Trailer
Batman Returns: Two-Disc Special Edition
Digitally Remastered Anamorphic Widescreen Transfer
English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Track
English DTS 5.1 Surround Track
Audio Commentary with Director Tim Burton
The Bat, The Cat and The Penguin Cast Recollections
Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Part 4
- Entitled "The Dark Side of the Dark Knight"
Beyond Batman Documentary Gallery featuring:
- Gotham City Revisited: The Production Design of Batman Returns
- Sleek, Sexy and Sinister: The Costumes of Batman Returns
- Making Up the Penguin
- Assembling the Arctic Army
- Bats, Mattes and Dark Nights: The Visual Effects of Batman
Face to Face Music Video by Siouxsie and the Banshees
The Heroes and The Villains Profile Galleries
Batman Returns Theatrical Trailer
Batman Forever: Two-Disc Special Edition
Digitally Remastered Anamorphic Widescreen Transfer
English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Track
English DTS 5.1 Surround Track
Audio Commentary with Director Joel Schumacher
Riddle Me This: Why is Batman Forever?
Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Part 5
- Entitled Reinventing a Hero
Beyond Batman Documentary Gallery featuring:
- Out of the Shadows: The Production Design of Batman Forever
- The Many Faces of Gotham City
- Knight Moves: The Stunts of Batman Forever
- Imaging Forever: The Visual Effects of Batman Forever
- Scoring Forever: The Music of Batman Forever
Kiss From a Rose Music Video by Seal
Selection of Additional Scenes
The Heroes and The Villains Profile Galleries
Batman: Forever Theatrical Trailer
Batman & Robin: Two-Disc Special Edition
Digitally Remastered Anamorphic Widescreen Transfer
English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Track
English DTS 5.1 Surround Track
Audio Commentary with Director Joel Schumacher
Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Part 6
- Entitled Batman Unbound
Additional Scene: Alfred's Lost Love
Beyond Batman Documentary Gallery featuring:
- Bigger, Bolder, Brighter: The Production Design of Batman & Robin
- Maximum Overdrive: The Vehicles of Batman & Robin
- Dressed to Thrill: The Costumes of Batman & Robin
- Frozen Freaks and Femme Fatales: The Makeup of Batman & Robin
- Freeze Frame: The Visual Effects of Batman & Robin
The End is the Beginning is the End Music Video by Smashing Pumpkins
Foolish Games Music Video by Jewel
Gotham City Music Video by R. Kelly
Look Into My Eyes Music Video by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
The Heroes and The Villains Profile Galleries
Batman & Robin Theatrical Trailer
Since the original DVD's had disappointing picture and sound quality, it will be great to know that the films will finally be released as they should have been the first time.
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| Rating | | | Date | August 06, 2005 | | Summary | STILL my favorite Batman EVER!!! | Content
| I just saw the movie a couple nights ago, and man, i havent had so much fun watching it as i did then! its a rollercoaster of a movie, keeps you watching for all the great performances going on. cmon people, this movie has everything, the Batmobile (still to this day THE CAR to have!) the Batwing (loooooove it!), jack nicholson, micheal keaton, hot kim basinger (though i favor michelle pieffers later performance 10 time over basingers), and that amazing elfman music and themes!! basically, the story is about how batmans first days in gotham city, which is this masterpiece of a city, yes, its an art deco city, and amazing nonetheless. its creepy, keeps you on edge, and scares you! and when Batman shows up for the first time confrointing those 2 thugs after they ripoff some poor family of tourists, its WOW! batman hangs a thug from the roof and the thug screams "WHAT are you!!!"
"I'm Batman."
What a way to open a movie! Keatons performance is incredible, you can tell how much he puts of himself into this role, HIS role, as in he OWNS thid role. hgis eyes pierce through you in that dark cowl, those eyes that haunt you, want to tear you limb from limb...wow. ppl like to say that jack nicholson stole the show, and i cant disagree more. keatons calm, collected presence MAKES this movie, jack is just there as the evil joker, but far from "steals" the scenes. plenty of action with the batmobile with some of the greatest music ("decent into mystery" for fans of the fabulaous soundtrack), and the batwing as well, in one of the most memorable scenes in cinama. incase ppl dont know, the batwing is the "batplane" used to take down jokers men and save gotham from jokers deadly "smilex" gas. keatons offbeat, phychologically disturbed bruce wayne fits the tone of this film, and his Batman pefectly. Tim burton may have had a hard time making this film, but what he accomplished is nothing less the pure "movie magic". the sets are incredible , especially in gotham city, and feels like a real hell hole, making you ponder "why would batman want to save such a stinking city?" why? cuz his parents were murdered by thugs (not sayin who the thug is to avoid spoilers) and he wants event to never happen to anuone else, there fore becomes Batman. they dont go into "how" he became batman, but you can see that in "batman Begins", though its not in the same continum from the burton films. kim basinger is probably the only negative part of this film, probably the studios decision to hire a dumb blonde "love interest", not burtons. you can find the real deal in the sequel "batman returns", pieffer is bruces true love, not this blonde disaster. this is a good one, BUY IT NOW!! you will not be dissapointed! dont listen to the negative reviews on this movie, its well done and the acting, especially keaton, is superb, and he nails the true spirit of batman and keeps the mystery intact as well. very serious, has a great score, and just wont let up! youll LOVE IT!! would give it more stars if i could!
UPDATE!!!: DO NOT BUY THIS DVD RIGHT NOW!! COME OCTOBER 18, WB WILL RELEASE 2 DISC SPECIALL EDITION VERSIONS OF ALL FOUR BATMAN FILMS, WHICH INCLUDE BURTONS FIRST 2 MASTERPIECES "BATMAN" AND "BATMAN RETURNS", AND ALSO SCHUMACHERS DISASTERS "BATMAN FOREVER" AND "BATMAN AND ROBIN". REPEAT: DONT BUY THIS VERSION YET!!!! WAIT TILL OCTOBER 18TH 2005!!
thank you. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 01, 2005 | | Summary | Holy Jack Nicholson, Batman! | Content
| It seems Burton and Keaton had a good time together in 1988 with Beetlejuice and decided to team up a year later with Batman. Good call! Michael Keaton plays The Dark Knight in this deliciously gloomy take on the caped crusader of Gotham City. The film begins right in the middle of Gotham's seemingly hopeless ring of crime as Batman drops in for a butt-kicking session with a couple of crooks. And before long, he faces off with Jack Napier at Axis Chemical. Through a freak accident, Napier falls into a vat of toxic chemicals. He is presumed dead, yet actually escaped through the sewer system. He survived, but not without a price. His skin is bleached chalk-white, his haired dyed green, and his facial nerves severed, creating a permanent ruby-red grin. Batman must now face the man he thought was dead, as Napier (now known as The Joker) unleashes pure chaos throughout Gotham with his deadly Smilex gas. The Joker has lost his mind and wants to destroy Gotham, and especially Batman. Thrown in the mix is Vicky Vale, caught in between Batman and the Joker. So not only must Bruce Wayne save Gotham, but also his new love who is oblivious to his hidden superhero identity.
It is absolutely undeniable that Nicholson stole this movie and ran with it. He fit the part so naturally well, managing to throw in his own style for The Joker. Tim Burton certainly noticed this, as he gave about half of the scenes to The Clown Prince Of Crime. But, while Nicholson may be the main reason in my opinion to see "Batman", he's not the only reason. Obviously stretching far from the squeaky clean Adam West era, here we get the darker side of Gotham -- as well as a darker vision of Batman. Burton's visual style, mixed with Elfman's brilliant score, is a formula for a wonderful cinematic treat that everyone should see at least once. And if you're a fan of Batman (or the Joker, heheh), then you'll be watching it until the DVD wears out. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and one big maniacal last-laugh for Batman! |
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