“Batman”

Tim Burton’s 1989 version of “Batman” features Michael Keaton as the Dark Avenger against Jack Nicholson’s Joker. It’s the film that restarted the franchise and took the story of the Caped Crusader to new heights.

Bruce Wayne is fighting the demons that haunted him after the murder of his parents. As heir to their vast fortune, he uses his wealth to buy all the fancy toys, such as the batmobile, various weapons and even an airplane. He fights bad guys and protects Gotham City from scum. The character is relatively static, as opposed to Nicholson’s Joker, who is incredible. By portraying the Joker as a mentally disturbed gangster, he’s less cartoonish and more believable and disturbing.

While the original film may be overshadowed by Christopher Nolan’s revamp, which deserved all the credit it received, Burton’s original is no less terrific. Perhaps the film’s greatest triumph is the director’s ability to pull off a blockbuster film while keeping his distinct style intact. Burton proves that he can handle typical Hollywood elements like action sequences and fight scenes while maintaining his dark sense of humour and macabre set design. Despite critics’ stabs at the predictable plot, the general consensus was that the movie’s atmosphere had more drama. However, it was Burton’s revamp of the franchise that started everything. It’s the film that launched regular sequels every few years. Some of them are terrible while others are terrific. Each of them owes a thank you to Burton for proving that a directorial auteur can make a film with mass appeal.