Matthew ShallueBatman (1989) vs. The Dark Knight (2008)
I had the opportunity to re-watch the 1989 Tim Burton film Batman. Coincidentally this was the second film we watched as a family on our first VCR, No Holds Barred starring Hulk Hogan being the first. Thinking about the film, I cannot help but make comparisons to the more recent Dark Knight by Christopher Nolan. Both movies have some striking similarities, and also many subtle differences.
Surprisingly, Batman holds up really well when compared to more recent films starring the Dark Knight. Better than just about all of the Batman movies between it and The Dark Knight starring Christian Bale. Tim Burton's off-beat film making style still shines through, adding a touch of brooding darkness to the genre, without creating the campy live action comic book features that many of the other films in the franchise are guilty of. By focusing on the story of Bruce Wayne, Batman, and The Joker and not so much on the gadgets, Tim Burton creates a personal investment in the outcome of the story. The toys are clearly displayed but only to further the story.
As the joker, Jack Nicolson is priceless, not a psychotic as Heath Ledger’s Joker, and more closely resembling the character that I remember as a child. Nicolson added small undertones of comedy into his performance, where Ledger’s criminal clown, was very demented and clearly mentally imbalanced. Taking nothing away from either actor, they both equally perform well, and matched the tone of their respective films. Your taste in Jokers really depends on what you are looking for from them.
Michael Keaton works as Bruce Wayne and Batman for me. He fits the role of rich, eccentric, millionaire by day, crime fighter by night persona. Keaton's batman is the everyday man, plus cash, driven and tormented by his past to the point where he cannot help but pursue his vengeance around every corner. Watching the film you can see how Keaton's batman understands what the costs of his actions are and accepts them with regret.
Bales Batman definitely carried the same determination for justice, just in a different way. His Batman was accepting of cost, but did not seem connected to the outcome. Almost indifferent to whether or not he hurts those around him, with the exception of Maggie Gyllenhall's Rachel Dawes. What director Chris Nolan and Bale did better was incorporating the character of Bruce Wayne into the script. Taking the time to show how Bruce Wayne purposefully made a point to act like the playboy in public gave a dynamic not in Burton's film. It showed that Bruce Wayne could never stop, that taking off the suit was not a break from his goals and self-imposed responsibilities. This carries a weight with it, which was not conveyed in the 1989 release.
Stylistically, both movies are unique; they both paint the city of Gotham in different ways. Tim Burton's Gotham seemed to be set in a smaller world. The sets were masterfully created and detailed down to the brick, making the city feel old and used, but lacked the expansiveness and big city feel of the Dark Knight. Giving Batman a more metropolis like city to play in, afforded Nolan the chance to add in big budget scenes, and all the fireworks that go along with that.
Batman (1989)
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Micheal Keaton, Jack Nicolson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl, Pat Hingle, Billy Dee Williams, Micheal Gough
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 126 Minutes
The Dark Knight (2008)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaon Eckhart, Michael Cain, Magie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman
MPAA: PG-13
Runtime: 152 minutes
Surprisingly, Batman holds up really well when compared to more recent films starring the Dark Knight. Better than just about all of the Batman movies between it and The Dark Knight starring Christian Bale. Tim Burton's off-beat film making style still shines through, adding a touch of brooding darkness to the genre, without creating the campy live action comic book features that many of the other films in the franchise are guilty of. By focusing on the story of Bruce Wayne, Batman, and The Joker and not so much on the gadgets, Tim Burton creates a personal investment in the outcome of the story. The toys are clearly displayed but only to further the story.
As the joker, Jack Nicolson is priceless, not a psychotic as Heath Ledger’s Joker, and more closely resembling the character that I remember as a child. Nicolson added small undertones of comedy into his performance, where Ledger’s criminal clown, was very demented and clearly mentally imbalanced. Taking nothing away from either actor, they both equally perform well, and matched the tone of their respective films. Your taste in Jokers really depends on what you are looking for from them.
Michael Keaton works as Bruce Wayne and Batman for me. He fits the role of rich, eccentric, millionaire by day, crime fighter by night persona. Keaton's batman is the everyday man, plus cash, driven and tormented by his past to the point where he cannot help but pursue his vengeance around every corner. Watching the film you can see how Keaton's batman understands what the costs of his actions are and accepts them with regret.
Bales Batman definitely carried the same determination for justice, just in a different way. His Batman was accepting of cost, but did not seem connected to the outcome. Almost indifferent to whether or not he hurts those around him, with the exception of Maggie Gyllenhall's Rachel Dawes. What director Chris Nolan and Bale did better was incorporating the character of Bruce Wayne into the script. Taking the time to show how Bruce Wayne purposefully made a point to act like the playboy in public gave a dynamic not in Burton's film. It showed that Bruce Wayne could never stop, that taking off the suit was not a break from his goals and self-imposed responsibilities. This carries a weight with it, which was not conveyed in the 1989 release.
Stylistically, both movies are unique; they both paint the city of Gotham in different ways. Tim Burton's Gotham seemed to be set in a smaller world. The sets were masterfully created and detailed down to the brick, making the city feel old and used, but lacked the expansiveness and big city feel of the Dark Knight. Giving Batman a more metropolis like city to play in, afforded Nolan the chance to add in big budget scenes, and all the fireworks that go along with that.
Batman (1989)
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Micheal Keaton, Jack Nicolson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl, Pat Hingle, Billy Dee Williams, Micheal Gough
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 126 Minutes
The Dark Knight (2008)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaon Eckhart, Michael Cain, Magie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman
MPAA: PG-13
Runtime: 152 minutes
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Kynaston Tales
Well said!
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