Robert Wuhl | Kevin Barrett's Blog

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Just Dancin’ With The Devil In The Pale Moonlight

Posted in General Comments, Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, tagged Alternate-Universe, Art Deco, Batman (1989) — movie review, Best Art Direction Oscar, Billy Dee Williams, Bruce Wayne, CGI, Charles Dickens, Dickensian, General Comments, Gotham Cathedral, Gotham City, Harvey Dent, Highest Gross Attendance, Jack Napier, Jack Nicholson, Joker, Kim Basinger, Michael Gough, Michael Keaton, Movie Reviews, Pat Hingle, Police Commissioner Gordon, Reviews, Robert Wuhl, Strong Movie Recommendation, The Batmobile, The Batplane, The Flash, Tim Burton, Vicki Vale on June 1, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“Batman” (1989) — movie review
Today’s review is for the dark‑fantasy / comic‑book action film “Batman”, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne, the quiet, intense billionaire fighting Gotham’s crime as Batman; Jack Nicholson as Jack “The Joker” Napier, the flamboyant gangster turned homicidal showman; Kim Basinger as Vicki Vale, the photojournalist drawn into Bruce’s world (serves as the romantic interest); Robert Wuhl as Knox, the reporter chasing the Batman story; Pat Hingle as Commissioner Gordon; Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent; and Michael Gough as Alfred, Bruce’s moral anchor. The film follows Batman’s emergence and his escalating conflict with the Joker, whose chaos threatens to tear Gotham City apart.

Background: I saw this film in theaters during its 1989 original release. It felt like a cultural event (even in my 30’s) — the first “serious” comic‑book movie after decades of camp. Nicholson’s Joker dominated the marketing, and Keaton’s casting caused a minor uproar. “Batman” was a huge box‑office hit (highest grossing film attendance for the year) and won the Oscar for Best Art Direction. Historically, it reset the tone for superhero films: darker, moodier, and more stylized, with Burton’s gothic Gotham and Danny Elfman’s now‑iconic score.

Plot: Gotham is drowning in crime. Bruce Wayne fights back as Batman. During a raid, mob enforcer Jack Napier falls into chemicals and becomes the Joker: a theatrical killer with a taste for chaos. He poisons consumer products, terrorizes the city, and fixates on Vicki Vale. Batman tries to stop him while balancing his relationship with Vicki. The story builds to a showdown in Gotham Cathedral, where Batman confronts the Joker and publicly commits to protecting the city.

So, is this movie any good? How’s the acting? The filming / FX? Any problems? And, did I enjoy the film? Short answers: Yes; very good; stylish; a few; yes.

Any good? Yes. “Batman” is atmospheric (a mix of art deco and heavy modern industrial), confident, and visually distinct (dark). It’s not action‑heavy by modern standards, but it was for back then. Burton’s Gotham is dark, industrial, and oppressive (very Dickensian) — perfect for this version of the dark of night super-hero character. The story is simple, but the tone and performances carry it.

Acting: Nicholson steals the movie. His Joker is funny, menacing, and unpredictable — big, and practically uncontrolled. Keaton is understated and works better than expected as both Bruce Wayne and Batman. Basinger is beautiful, but the role is limited to only a romantic interest and is therefore underwritten. Gough is excellent as Alfred. The rest of the cast supports the tone without drawing attention.

Filming / FX: The production design is the star of this film. Gotham looks like a noir‑industrial nightmare. The Batmobile design is iconic even if it is ridiculous, as is the Batplane. The practical effects hold up well, and the Joker’s makeup is simple but effective. The action is a bit stiff because of the heavy Batsuit, but the atmosphere makes up for it.

Problems: A few. Some of the green-screen / CGI is obvious. The pacing dips in the middle. Vicki Vale’s character is thin, and her relationship with Bruce moves too fast. Actually, the elapsed time within the film doesn’t stand thinking about. LoL. Batman sometimes feels like a supporting character in his own movie because Nicholson dominates the screen. The action choreography in general and the martial arts in particular is limited by the suit and choreography of the time. Nothing fatal to the film back then, but noticeable for today’s audiences.

Did I enjoy the film? Yes. It’s stylish, memorable, and still fun to watch. The atmosphere, the music, and Nicholson’s performance make it re-watchable. It also has a nostalgic charm for anyone who remembers the late‑80s hype.

Final Recommendation: Strong recommendation. “Batman” is historically significant for reshaping the superhero genre and remains visually striking and well-acted. If you enjoy comic‑book films (I do), Burton’s gothic style (I don’t really), or character‑driven action, this one is well worth your time. Not perfect, but a milestone — and still entertaining after thirty years. This film also has the attraction of showing an “alternate-universe” Batman which is later used in “The Flash” in 2023 (review here).

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