1989

Starring: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Jack Palance, Robert Wuhl, Jerry Hall

Director: Tim Burton

Runtime: 126 Minutes

Distributor: Warner Bros

Rating: PG-13

When a second big screen adaptation of DC’s flagship comic book series about a borderline schitzo billionaire turned caped crusading vigilante was suggested there were concerns that it might emulate the camp “Pow! Zok!” ‘60’s television show which, for all its nostalgic charm, was terribly daft. After the budget swelled to then epic proportions (Batman was the first $100M picture), fretting studio execs’ fears weren’t so much put to rest but rather baited into full blown panic with the casting of Michael Keaton in the role of Bruce Wayne. Up to that point Keaton was a man best known for his comedic mania in titles such as The Dream Team. But director Tim Burton saw something in the twitchy Keaton, who had been able to flick a switch and make the grotesque (not to mention dead) freelance exorcist, Beetlejuice, come alive so vividly, so to speak. As it turned out, Burton was spot-on and Keaton flourished in the role of defender to the dark, moody and lavishly stylized world outlined by his director.

Click here to read the full review at JustPressPlay.net.

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