Batman [PG]

In Gotham City, the streets are riddled with crime. But there is a caped crusader known as the Batman out to keep the criminals in line. But when a new villain, known as the Joker, arrives on the scene, Gotham is unsure what to make of Batman: friend or foe? 

Like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Indiana Jones, Batman has no expiration date. Packed with action, romance, damsels in distress, explosions, surgery, nifty gadgets, and directed by my favourite director, Tim Burton, Batman is the ever popular classic that you can always come back to. 

The streets of Gotham City are overrun with petty thieves and criminals. But there is a caped crusader known as the Batman who is out to scare and keep the criminals in line. Unfortunately, where the most important people are gangsters and criminals, the city does not take too kindly to the masked liberator. That is until a new villain going by the name of Joker bursts onto the scene, creating a cosmetics scare and generally wreaking havoc. As Batman and the Joker go head to head, the people of Gotham are unsure what to make of the caped crusader: friend or foe? 

I can’t remember when I first saw this movie; all I know is that I absolutely love it now… more so after discovering that Tim Burton directed it. I’ve never read any of the DC Batman comics or anything, but my dad tells me that Tim’s portrayal of Gotham City was spot on: dark, sinister, and almost gothic. 

I simply must draw attention to the marvellously manic performance that Jack Nicholson gives as the Joker. After being disfigured by exposure to toxic waste, Jack has to suffer an almost-scary grin for the duration of the film, but he is such a good actor that he can still be sinister and menacing even with a look of great enjoyment on his face. With his manic gestures and expressions, you never know which way he’s going to turn, so there’s always a great sense of anxiety and anticipation as you quickly try to figure out if he’s going to do something less than friendly. 

Just a bit of trivia now: did you know that if Jack Nicholson refused the part, Tim Curry was the second choice? Can you imagine that! Tim Curry as the Joker! I reckon he would’ve done well. But Jack was the immortal genius in the purple suit. 

Michael Keaton stars as the dark knight himself and I have to say that he did very well. It’s not easy playing dual roles and it’s even more difficult when you keep in mind that Michael is really more of a comic actor and this is an action film. He did really well. Rock on! 

Also starring Kim Basinger, Michael Gough, Billy Dee Williams, and Jack Palance, Batman is a classic science fiction movie filled with action, great costumes, gadgets, damsels in distress, bad surgery, romance, and memorable characters. Another classic that is a must-have in any film buff’s collection. 

“I’ve been dead once already… it’s very liberating.”