Though often heralded as a highlight of the genre, this early example of a superhero flick hasn't held up well even when compared to its similarly aged peers mainly thanks to its lax pacing. 'Batman (1989)' places much more emphasis on a relatively dull, hum-drum background 'Bruce Wayne' plot than any of its actual bombastic bat-based elements, with the only joy in the Gothic goings-on coming in when the piece pulls back on the sincerity and decides it's time to get nuts. It's when its ostentatious side turns front and centre that it can be almost ironically enjoyed, for at all other times it is actually genuinely quite boring. There is one seriously good aspect, though, and that's Jack Nicholson's 'Joker'. Here, he is treated as the focal point, even receiving the origin story over the eponymous hero beginning with a nice little bait-and-switch, so much so that he steals the show in the most literal sense and it's a crying shame every time we're wrenched away from his campy yet callous criminal acts to focus on an unfortunately uncharismatic lead. 5/10

This is actually probably the most well acted out of all of the Batman movies, even more so than Batman Begins. However, the way that the Joker was handled was not really all that stand out to me and while I do think Dark Knight is over rated, I will admit their Joker was better. I really also think that the action was pretty good in this movie, at least for the time. But I don't think it is the best today, and if for nothing else, I think that the chemistry between Batman and his girlfriend in this movie was actually probably the best between a Batman and their love interest in any of the adaptations to this day.

This was the first superhero movie I have ever seen and it still holds up. Michael Keaton plays an excellent Batman and Jack Nicholson plays an excellent Joker. While almost 30 years old, the movies effects are extremelly good and Tim Burton's Gotham looked excellent. This was the first movie that proved that superhero movies can be serious stuff and I recommend it. It's quite fast-paced and fun.

Batman released with great hype in 1989 kicked off the superhero craze that lasts till this day. Sure the road was bumpy with flop films such as The Shadow and even Batman sequels declined in quality with Batman & Robin being a nadir.Tim Burton brought a particular dark version of Batman. The makeup and art direction had a 1930s skid row look with people's faces looking pallid.The film was shot in England and made use of CGI, elaborate sets and even animation. Burton teamed up again with Michael Keaton who plays the Dark Knight. Keaton's Batman is eons away from the campy Batman of Adam West. I was not sure he excelled as Bruce Wayne though coming across as rather bland but miles better than some of the actors that succeeded him.The film is stolen by Jack Nicholson as Jack Napier who transforms to the psychotic Joker after falling into a vat of acid. I still believe his portrayal was better than Heath Ledger's. Nicholson mixed jokes, campiness and evil. The Joker just wants to kill in his twisted ways. Poisoning random makeup products, throwing a party where he would give free money but then poison the crowd.Kim Basinger brought glamour as Vicki Vale and Robert Wuhl provided the laughs as the dogged reporter.It is surprisingly watching the movie again after all this years I still knew the lines from the Joker and the film still stands up well even though it is noticeable that the movie is rather set bound.