Batman
Academy Award × 1·National Film Registry
Rent/Purchase
Having witnessed his parents' brutal murder as a child, millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne fights crime in Gotham City disguised as Batman, a costumed hero who strikes fear into the hearts of villains. But when a deformed madman known as 'The Joker' seizes control of Gotham's criminal underworld, Batman must face his most ruthless nemesis ever while protecting both his identity and his love interest, reporter Vicki Vale.
What critics thought
Burton's Batman landed as a genuine cultural phenomenon, though critics then and now tend to agree that its spectacular production design and Jack Nicholson's showboating Joker overpower everything else — including the title character. The darker tone divided audiences used to campier fare, and ongoing debates about Keaton's Batman, the Prince soundtrack, and a plot many found thin keep the film from being considered a clean triumph.
“Batman is a triumph of design over story, style over substance, a great-looking movie with a plot you can't care much about.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“the best thing that can be said about Batman is that it led to Batman Returns, which was a far superior effort.”
James Berardinelli·ReelViews
Genres
Action, Adventure
Cast & Crew
DirectorTim Burton
StarringMichael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl, Pat Hingle
ComposerDanny Elfman
Batman
Academy Award × 1·National Film Registry
Having witnessed his parents' brutal murder as a child, millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne fights crime in Gotham City disguised as Batman, a costumed hero who strikes fear into the hearts of villains. But when a deformed madman known as 'The Joker' seizes control of Gotham's criminal underworld, Batman must face his most ruthless nemesis ever while protecting both his identity and his love interest, reporter Vicki Vale.
What critics thought
Burton's Batman landed as a genuine cultural phenomenon, though critics then and now tend to agree that its spectacular production design and Jack Nicholson's showboating Joker overpower everything else — including the title character. The darker tone divided audiences used to campier fare, and ongoing debates about Keaton's Batman, the Prince soundtrack, and a plot many found thin keep the film from being considered a clean triumph.
“Batman is a triumph of design over story, style over substance, a great-looking movie with a plot you can't care much about.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“the best thing that can be said about Batman is that it led to Batman Returns, which was a far superior effort.”
James Berardinelli·ReelViews
Genres
Action, Adventure
Cast & Crew
DirectorTim Burton
StarringMichael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl, Pat Hingle
ComposerDanny Elfman
Rent/Purchase