I was 7 when Batman (1989) came out and I was utterly obsessed with it. In fact, it's the first modern film I remember getting ~really excited about. I loved the action, I loved the style, I loved the pacing of the film and I loved the addictiveness of it (I used to want to watch that film on VHS at least once every single day). I also loved the bond it forged between me and my Dad. The two of us enjoyed that film together - whenever I'd put the tape on, he'd come join me in the family room and watch it with me (he still does to this day whenever it's on TV or when I play my digital copy). Dad and I have very similar taste in film, and Batman was the very first movie that we avidly enjoyed as a father-daughter team. One last thing: Michael Keaton will always be ~my Batman too.
@@VanessaButtino Same here Batman Returns will always be my favorite one then Batman 1989 a close second for me. I can't stand the shitty later ones Batman Forever and Batman & Robin 1997 i hate those ones so much
This is still the ultimate Batman film for me. I remember seeing it as a kid. Every one of my friends were talking about it. It was a special time back then 😎
I was born in 89. Needless to say I grew UP with this. This will always be THEE batman movie to me The other versions of the actors have done great too, but this will always be the main one.main version
Iconic film for fans of the Dark Knight. I remember watching it for the first time in theaters in ‘89 and thinking to myself how much Tim Burton appeared to have been influenced by Lang’s METROPOLIS. Great episode, Heath.
Fancy title cards, wearable microphones, virtual backgrounds... where does Heath get those wonderful toys?? Great job as always, sir! I was 13 when Batman landed so I'm right there with you; Keaton is still and will always be my Batman. And as much as I could do without a modern DC Flash movie starring Ezra Miller, I must admit that I can't wait to see Keaton don his cape again!
Good video! Keaton gave a fine, gritty performance in CLEAN AND SOBER a year or so before Batman. He won the National Society of Film Critics award for Best Actor for that film and BEETLEJUICE.
I was working at my local comics shop and I took the day off so we could stand 1st in line to watch the 1st showing, we spent all day listening to Dr Demento tapes that I had taped off the radio , the Batman special songs were fun. So we were there all day and they picked the people 2nd in line to interview for the news... you could see us off to the left in the frame. It was still awesome making a run for one of the 3 theaters they had for the opening. It was an awesome experience!!! One of my all time favorite movie experiences.
I was at a comic book store before I had seen the film and there were several people discussing the score of the movie. “Who is this Elfman character and what does he know about music” I remember one guy asking. I knew of course of Elfman being in Oingo Boingo and of his work on the Pee Wee movie. Judging from the amazing Batman score, it turned out that Danny did indeed know a lot about music.
When this was released in the UK it was the first movie rated 12, i was 11 so had to "sneak in" then when it came out on VHS here we had no 12 rating for home releases so it was released as a 15 rated movie, this time i had to get an older kid to buy it for me and so began my youth of breaking age limits for movies
I was 19 when I saw it and it was so different from any superheroes movies that came before. It wasn't campy more serious and better made. I am not into superheroes but saw it because of the hype. Good review and cool video Heath!👍
Hi Heath. I love Batman (1989) and remember how excited I was to see the movie when it came out. Still one of my all time favorites. Love the performances from Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson. Great video.
This was so big that summer. I was already a comic fan when this came out and then everyone was into it. Gun to my head, I'm still going to say '66 is my favorite Batmovie, but I've seen this more, love it, and Nicholson is my favorite live-action Joker. I have the Nolan movies, but I can't reconcile his this-is-the-real-world approach with a man squatting on an L-train rail and using a goofy old-smoker voice. I can't see that now and not think "Rachel, either laugh in his face and call him Bruce or mace him and run away because that's what real people would do."
I must have watched this a dozen times in my local cinema ...then I got the VHS video then the soundtrack on LP and CD and now Blu Ray and 4K ...you could say I am a fan..
When Batman came out it was the first movie you had to buy advance tickets for. I spent 10$ big ones and left work early on my bike. A car smashed my bike on the way and I just left my bike and walked to the theater. One of the best movies I ever saw 🦇 I was already a frank Miller nut. And I wanted to see an adaptation of the dark knight returns. Not disappointed.
You offered some great insight! I rather prefer how set-based and stagey this and many older films are. I feel like the performances come across bigger when you have big actors, and frankly, it feels more true-to-life because these films are normally shot more realistically than formalistically. The art gallery scene is a great example of this. The Joker is freaky with his streaked makeup and Batman coming through the ceiling is jarring and the escape is intensely exciting
Tim Burton very much created dark fairy tales that shaped our minds when we were young, the way I imagine older generations grew up with Grimms' fairy tales.
Great video. Yup, I was there; I was in the Navy at the time, and saw this one at Virginia Beach, and I remember how one could not walk five feet without seeing the Batman t-shirt, or a poster, or a magazine cover. (I bought the tshirt, and one or two of the magazines.) So I never get tired of watching this one, despite the fact that I know every beat by heart. I was interested in your comments about the iconography of the Danny Elfman score, mainly because this score shares a level of iconography with John Williams' score for SUPERMAN. When the SNL staff did a comic tribute to Superman for an anniversary, they used the John Williams; The SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES is just a variant of the theme; the documentary LOOK, UP IN THE SKY, that accompanied the release of SUPERMAN RETURNS was opened with the John Williams. And I would very much agree that Mr Elfman's BATMAN theme is up there at that level of iconography, and, regardless of how one feels about the Whedon cut of JUSTICE LEAGUE, hearing the addition of the beats from both scores is a nice little Gotcha. I must express amusement with the scene involving the Batplane shooting at the Joker. This would become a fairly regular part of the Batman series, at least through this first iteration: Batman (and, later, Robin) would come after the villain in some tricked out Batvehicle, only to have the villain blow it up. Especially after BATMAN FOREVER, with the destruction of the Batboat, I found myself wondering how much Wayne Enterprises was losing on Batman's toys, and on what sort of creative accounting was going on. (Yeah, I know, we're not supposed to ask these questions.)
My favorite movie of all time. I put this as my #1, tied with some of the other great Batman films, like “Returns,” “Begins” and the “TDK.” Love Batman. ☝️
Yo ... You basically said my list too 💯 when people ask which I like better this or the dark knight. If I had to choose joker revolver to my head, I would choose this one. But my real answer is BOTH lol
This past Christmas I finally got around to purchasing the Batman 4K set 89-97 and I always thought that Batman Returns was my favorite of the 4 films but as I rewatched them after many years I quickly realized that the first one was such a great masterpiece that it now sits at number one for me and I essentially like the 4 films in chronological order now.
I was 21 in 1989 and me and my friends were all giddy as school girls when this was announced. I still remember the frenzy that night at the Beverly theater. A single screen palace of old with about 1100 seats. I miss theaters like that with such huge screens. IMAX isn't really the same, it doesn't have the same grandeur. Keaton was great in the 80s and his role in Night Shift was brilliant. LOOOOVE BROKERS! 😆 I loved the SegaCD Batman game. Still have it and play it from time to time. Lol I was kind of all over the place with this post.
I got to see Batman in theaters in 2006 at one of those discount theaters. It was like being in a time machine. loved it. I have seen it a ton and this review makes me want to watch it again. Such a unique movie. Good job.
Heath after seeing and knowing you like Scooby Doo and this video show casing Batmans Michael Keaton.....You are truly my favorite......Thank you dearly for these great videos.....
Still such a great movie, can't wait to see Keaton as Batman again in Flashpoint. My nerdy little bat-dream though is that Keaton will end up playing Old Man Bruce someday in a Batman Beyond movie. Battastic review, Heath!
I like that they explored the surreal/fable-like Gotham in this one, it was one of the things I looked forward to seeing when I went to the theater for the two sequels... Perhaps dodged a bullet on not seeing the fourth It was a solid action movie, great music, fun editing. I didn't know at the time Batman's history with the idea of killing, it took TAS for me to really learn about the character. Keaton is really great in this, I buy this Bruce more than any other I think, he's both at the same time, however giving one's self over to the Bat is more gothic. Them eating at that little table in the kitchen is probably my favorite scene in the film
Saw it at the flicks twice - fabulous rendition. Gotham rarely looked so cool and Keaton was SO good as Bats - i hope his reprise in the forthcoming Flash film is extended. Enjoyed your review Heath. 🙋🏻♂️
Although it's not my favorite Batman movie, 89 is a lot of fun. The super artificial Gothic Soundstage look is a timeless look, and the characters are a lot of fun. It's always a good time when revisiting.
I appreciate your honesty on the Prince soundtrack. It takes me out of the movie every time. Seal's "Kiss from a Rose" has aged better than the Prince music.
I loved the summer of 1989 and I'm sorry to report it wasn't Batman summer for me. For me it was all about Lethal Weapon 2, which made a big impact on yours truly. 🙂
I was 11 years old when I saw this Batman Movie and as I kid I liked it but not hugely. As I've gotten old Batman 1989 is my favorite live action Batman Movie! My favorite Batman Movie would be Animated BATMAN KILLING JOKE. My friends mock me all the time when I say Batman Movie 1989 is the best, but I do not care.
Okay. Here's my hot take. I'm okay with Batman killing sometimes. Maybe I'm thinking too much into it, but in some of these situations where someone has a mega bomb, or poisonous gases or something. Maybe you just... Knock em down a bellfree a little!
I recently watched Batman on UHD for the first time since I was a kid and it's honestly pretty odd. It has such an unusual tone and atmosphere. I'm not sure it has aged very well as far as pacing and action but it's certainly unique. I do think 89 Batman feels like a product of its time but it was absolutely an important and watershed film.
@Mac Tex flex capacitor honestly if you converted those old vhs tapes or even dvds to digital they look fantastic on modern TVs that's what I did with some of my old dvds and vhs tapes
I was 12 when this was released. I was obsessed with G.I. Joe and TMNT then. DC and Marvel superheroes were not in my wheelhouse. I had seen the Adam West series and was not a fan. This movie made me a lifelong Batman fan. I did eventually get into Marvel and DC, but my interest in all that has faded-except for Batman.
![KSI - Thick Of It (feat. Trippie Redd) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/At8v_Yc044Y/mqdefault.jpg)
I was 7 when Batman (1989) came out and I was utterly obsessed with it. In fact, it's the first modern film I remember getting ~really excited about. I loved the action, I loved the style, I loved the pacing of the film and I loved the addictiveness of it (I used to want to watch that film on VHS at least once every single day). I also loved the bond it forged between me and my Dad. The two of us enjoyed that film together - whenever I'd put the tape on, he'd come join me in the family room and watch it with me (he still does to this day whenever it's on TV or when I play my digital copy). Dad and I have very similar taste in film, and Batman was the very first movie that we avidly enjoyed as a father-daughter team. One last thing: Michael Keaton will always be ~my Batman too.
That's an amazing story i had a similar story. Do you and father ever watch Batman Returns together as well ?
@@Mike-t5r9q Oh definitely! Actually, Batman Returns is my favourite Batman movie.
@@VanessaButtino Same here Batman Returns will always be my favorite one then Batman 1989 a close second for me. I can't stand the shitty later ones Batman Forever and Batman & Robin 1997 i hate those ones so much
I was 6 when it came out and I can fondly remember going to see it!
I was about the same age too. 🎉
This is still the ultimate Batman film for me. I remember seeing it as a kid. Every one of my friends were talking about it. It was a special time back then 😎
I was born in 89. Needless to say I grew UP with this.
This will always be THEE batman movie to me
The other versions of the actors have done great too, but this will always be the main one.main version
Iconic film for fans of the Dark Knight. I remember watching it for the first time in theaters in ‘89 and thinking to myself how much Tim Burton appeared to have been influenced by Lang’s METROPOLIS. Great episode, Heath.
YES. Lots of German Expressionism in Burton's Gotham City, and they turned the dial up even more in the sequel.
Fancy title cards, wearable microphones, virtual backgrounds... where does Heath get those wonderful toys?? Great job as always, sir! I was 13 when Batman landed so I'm right there with you; Keaton is still and will always be my Batman. And as much as I could do without a modern DC Flash movie starring Ezra Miller, I must admit that I can't wait to see Keaton don his cape again!
I was 19 when Batman came out. Watched it recently on blu ray and it still holds up today.
Good video! Keaton gave a fine, gritty performance in CLEAN AND SOBER a year or so before Batman. He won the National Society of Film Critics award for Best Actor for that film and BEETLEJUICE.
I was working at my local comics shop and I took the day off so we could stand 1st in line to watch the 1st showing, we spent all day listening to Dr Demento tapes that I had taped off the radio , the Batman special songs were fun. So we were there all day and they picked the people 2nd in line to interview for the news... you could see us off to the left in the frame. It was still awesome making a run for one of the 3 theaters they had for the opening. It was an awesome experience!!! One of my all time favorite movie experiences.
I was at a comic book store before I had seen the film and there were several people discussing the score of the movie. “Who is this Elfman character and what does he know about music” I remember one guy asking. I knew of course of Elfman being in Oingo Boingo and of his work on the Pee Wee movie. Judging from the amazing Batman score, it turned out that Danny did indeed know a lot about music.
When this was released in the UK it was the first movie rated 12, i was 11 so had to "sneak in" then when it came out on VHS here we had no 12 rating for home releases so it was released as a 15 rated movie, this time i had to get an older kid to buy it for me and so began my youth of breaking age limits for movies
I was 19 when I saw it and it was so different from any superheroes movies that came before. It wasn't campy more serious and better made. I am not into superheroes but saw it because of the hype. Good review and cool video Heath!👍
Hi Heath. I love Batman (1989) and remember how excited I was to see the movie when it came out. Still one of my all time favorites. Love the performances from Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson. Great video.
This was so big that summer. I was already a comic fan when this came out and then everyone was into it. Gun to my head, I'm still going to say '66 is my favorite Batmovie, but I've seen this more, love it, and Nicholson is my favorite live-action Joker. I have the Nolan movies, but I can't reconcile his this-is-the-real-world approach with a man squatting on an L-train rail and using a goofy old-smoker voice. I can't see that now and not think "Rachel, either laugh in his face and call him Bruce or mace him and run away because that's what real people would do."
I must have watched this a dozen times in my local cinema ...then I got the VHS video then the soundtrack on LP and CD and now Blu Ray and 4K ...you could say I am a fan..
When Batman came out it was the first movie you had to buy advance tickets for. I spent 10$ big ones and left work early on my bike. A car smashed my bike on the way and I just left my bike and walked to the theater. One of the best movies I ever saw 🦇 I was already a frank Miller nut. And I wanted to see an adaptation of the dark knight returns. Not disappointed.
You offered some great insight! I rather prefer how set-based and stagey this and many older films are. I feel like the performances come across bigger when you have big actors, and frankly, it feels more true-to-life because these films are normally shot more realistically than formalistically. The art gallery scene is a great example of this. The Joker is freaky with his streaked makeup and Batman coming through the ceiling is jarring and the escape is intensely exciting
Tim Burton very much created dark fairy tales that shaped our minds when we were young, the way I imagine older generations grew up with Grimms' fairy tales.
I don't LIKE our world mr.alex 😢
I wanna live in DIS world. 🦇🃏🐧🐈⬛
Great video.
Yup, I was there; I was in the Navy at the time, and saw this one at Virginia Beach, and I remember how one could not walk five feet without seeing the Batman t-shirt, or a poster, or a magazine cover. (I bought the tshirt, and one or two of the magazines.) So I never get tired of watching this one, despite the fact that I know every beat by heart.
I was interested in your comments about the iconography of the Danny Elfman score, mainly because this score shares a level of iconography with John Williams' score for SUPERMAN. When the SNL staff did a comic tribute to Superman for an anniversary, they used the John Williams; The SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES is just a variant of the theme; the documentary LOOK, UP IN THE SKY, that accompanied the release of SUPERMAN RETURNS was opened with the John Williams. And I would very much agree that Mr Elfman's BATMAN theme is up there at that level of iconography, and, regardless of how one feels about the Whedon cut of JUSTICE LEAGUE, hearing the addition of the beats from both scores is a nice little Gotcha.
I must express amusement with the scene involving the Batplane shooting at the Joker. This would become a fairly regular part of the Batman series, at least through this first iteration: Batman (and, later, Robin) would come after the villain in some tricked out Batvehicle, only to have the villain blow it up. Especially after BATMAN FOREVER, with the destruction of the Batboat, I found myself wondering how much Wayne Enterprises was losing on Batman's toys, and on what sort of creative accounting was going on. (Yeah, I know, we're not supposed to ask these questions.)
My favorite movie of all time. I put this as my #1, tied with some of the other great Batman films, like “Returns,” “Begins” and the “TDK.” Love Batman. ☝️
Yo ... You basically said my list too 💯 when people ask which I like better this or the dark knight. If I had to choose joker revolver to my head, I would choose this one. But my real answer is BOTH lol
This past Christmas I finally got around to purchasing the Batman 4K set 89-97 and I always thought that Batman Returns was my favorite of the 4 films but as I rewatched them after many years I quickly realized that the first one was such a great masterpiece that it now sits at number one for me and I essentially like the 4 films in chronological order now.
I was 21 in 1989 and me and my friends were all giddy as school girls when this was announced. I still remember the frenzy that night at the Beverly theater. A single screen palace of old with about 1100 seats. I miss theaters like that with such huge screens. IMAX isn't really the same, it doesn't have the same grandeur.
Keaton was great in the 80s and his role in Night Shift was brilliant. LOOOOVE BROKERS! 😆
I loved the SegaCD Batman game. Still have it and play it from time to time. Lol I was kind of all over the place with this post.
I got to see Batman in theaters in 2006 at one of those discount theaters. It was like being in a time machine. loved it. I have seen it a ton and this review makes me want to watch it again. Such a unique movie. Good job.
I absolutely love this film I remember watching it for the first time on VHS with my dad one of my best memories.
Heath after seeing and knowing you like Scooby Doo and this video show casing Batmans Michael Keaton.....You are truly my favorite......Thank you dearly for these great videos.....
Batman 1989 was very valuable and still is in 2024
Last time I watched Batman 89 I was quite baffeled how many similar scenes are in TDK.
Still such a great movie, can't wait to see Keaton as Batman again in Flashpoint. My nerdy little bat-dream though is that Keaton will end up playing Old Man Bruce someday in a Batman Beyond movie. Battastic review, Heath!
Michael Keaton will always be my favorite Batman...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like that they explored the surreal/fable-like Gotham in this one, it was one of the things I looked forward to seeing when I went to the theater for the two sequels... Perhaps dodged a bullet on not seeing the fourth
It was a solid action movie, great music, fun editing. I didn't know at the time Batman's history with the idea of killing, it took TAS for me to really learn about the character. Keaton is really great in this, I buy this Bruce more than any other I think, he's both at the same time, however giving one's self over to the Bat is more gothic. Them eating at that little table in the kitchen is probably my favorite scene in the film
This movie means a lot to many people.📽️💣💀
Saw it at the flicks twice - fabulous rendition.
Gotham rarely looked so cool and Keaton was SO good as Bats - i hope his reprise in the
forthcoming Flash film is extended.
Enjoyed your review Heath.
🙋🏻♂️
Although it's not my favorite Batman movie, 89 is a lot of fun. The super artificial Gothic Soundstage look is a timeless look, and the characters are a lot of fun. It's always a good time when revisiting.
I appreciate your honesty on the Prince soundtrack. It takes me out of the movie every time. Seal's "Kiss from a Rose" has aged better than the Prince music.
Prince is still better though
Interesting timing for this review. 🧐
Bat-fever, baby.
Prince Super Bowl in the rain.... bad @$$
I loved the summer of 1989 and I'm sorry to report it wasn't Batman summer for me. For me it was all about Lethal Weapon 2, which made a big impact on yours truly. 🙂
I really like this movie, I was actually just thinking of watching it and doing a review!
I was 11 years old when I saw this Batman Movie and as I kid I liked it but not hugely. As I've gotten old Batman 1989 is my favorite live action Batman Movie! My favorite Batman Movie would be Animated BATMAN KILLING JOKE. My friends mock me all the time when I say Batman Movie 1989 is the best, but I do not care.
Okay. Here's my hot take. I'm okay with Batman killing sometimes. Maybe I'm thinking too much into it, but in some of these situations where someone has a mega bomb, or poisonous gases or something.
Maybe you just... Knock em down a bellfree a little!
I recently watched Batman on UHD for the first time since I was a kid and it's honestly pretty odd. It has such an unusual tone and atmosphere. I'm not sure it has aged very well as far as pacing and action but it's certainly unique. I do think 89 Batman feels like a product of its time but it was absolutely an important and watershed film.
I rather watch the original dvd from 1997 batman 1989 & Returns since i prefer watching it in the original quality then the 4k umd one
@Mac Tex flex capacitor honestly if you converted those old vhs tapes or even dvds to digital they look fantastic on modern TVs that's what I did with some of my old dvds and vhs tapes
And the Joker shooting down the Bat plane with a pistol? Sorry, people.
I was 12 when this was released. I was obsessed with G.I. Joe and TMNT then. DC and Marvel superheroes were not in my wheelhouse. I had seen the Adam West series and was not a fan. This movie made me a lifelong Batman fan. I did eventually get into Marvel and DC, but my interest in all that has faded-except for Batman.
I just watched this with my 14 yr old. Ugghhh…he didn’t like it much. I should not have showed him Nolan films first.
Batwing! C'mon ;-)
You’re right! Those are my comics roots showing.