Recently I watched the 1989 Batman movie and was impressed by how good it still is.
There are quite a few “quotable” lines said in this movie — most of them by Joker, and I’ve included one as the subtitle of this article. I’d heard that line said before but didn’t realize Joker said it in this movie.
Here are some things I noticed while watching Batman (1989). But first, a quick rundown of who played what role.
Major Roles.
Batman = Michael Keaton.
Joker = Jack Nicholson.
Vicki Vale (Batman’s love interest) = Kim Basinger.
Alexander Knox (reporter who’s convinced the Batman is real) = Robert Wuhl
Commissioner Gordon = Pat Hingle.
Harvey Dent = Billy Dee Williams.
Alfred = Michael Gough.
The movie was directed by Tim Burton.
Batman’s Entrance.
Batman makes quite an entrance near the beginning of this movie. After confronting two thieves, Batman responds to one of the thugs who is concerned Batman is going to kill them, “I’m not going to kill you. I want you to tell all your friends about me…I’m Batman.”
I’m Batman.
Is there a more quoted superhero line than that one? I don’t think so.
Joker and Batman.
Batman (1989) is as much about the Joker as it is about Batman — but I think that’s kind of the point.
Joker is the “yin” to Batman’s “yang.” They are the opposite sides of the same coin. You can’t have one without the other.
The similarities between Batman and Joker are shown later in the movie when they are both at Vicki Vale’s apartment. Batman as Bruce Wayne, of course, and Joker as — well, Joker. They both say the same thing when they step into her apartment, “This is a lot of space.”
Bruce shows his crazy side — the side of him where he’s not afraid to die. You see this side of him several times throughout the movie. Joker also shows no fear in the face of Batman flying straight at him in his “Batplane.”
Not only are they the opposite sides of the same coin, but as they said during a fight to the death — they made each other.
Sharing the Movie’s Spotlight.
I couldn’t help but notice how Jack Nicholson’s Joker dominated this movie.
I didn’t time it, but I suspect that Joker and his story had at least an equal amount of screen time as Batman and his story — Joker may have even had more screen time.
But, I suppose even that detail fits with the character of Batman and Joker.
Joker is the one constantly forcing his way into the limelight — breaking into newscasts, parading down Main Street, busting into important meetings, etc.
Batman prefers to operate in the shadows, having his headquarters in a secret Batcave.
I’m in the process of watching all the Batman movies and giving them my own ranking.
Batman (1989) is the first one I’ve watched, so right now, it’s in 1st! While I don’t think it will stay in the top spot, I do think it will be one of my favorite Batman movies.