”I’ve seen the future and it Will Be. I’ve seen the future, and it Works.”
Here’s news to make you feel old: Tim Burtons Batman was released 20 years ago today, June 23rd 1989.
Let me repeat that: 20 years ago. Wow.
While there was definitely some “Batmania” that took place with last year’s The Dark Knight, it cannot compare to the hype and excitement that greeted Burton’s darker vision of the superhero. Bat symbols were everywhere, and while there were a lot of Joker’s this past halloween, it pales in the number of Nicholson wanna-bees we saw that fall. Finally, it allowed for Adam West’s version to be (by many) happily forgotten.
It was the right movie, at the right time. While Burton’s movie didn’t make as much money as Christopher Nolan’s film, Nolan owes a debt of gratitude to the dark vision of the original film. We wouldn’t have a culture that embraced and accepted a Dark Knight if Tim hadn’t done it first. Not better, just… first.
Looking at this movie, which I recently re-watched, three things made an impression on me. First is Nicholson – this and The Witches of Eastwick are the movies that marked the end of Nicholson the Great Actor and the beginning of Nicholson the Cartoon Character. He’s not bad here, he’s just… Jack. I never accepted him as the Joker, and the film should probably have been called The Joker, he is given so much screen time.
The second thing is the effects and model work. The ending was supposedly changed by the producers and they had to rush to make the release date… and it shows. The sequences at the end make Gerry Anderson’s Thunderbirds look realistic. And yet… It still entertains. I credit deft editing and…
The score. Man, that score is sooo good. Danny Elfman had a brief shining moment in his career where he was The Guy to score movies (Michael Giacchino is the current version of The Guy) and his score is one of my personal favorites. Like all great scores, it elevates a good movie beyond its base materials, compensating for any shortcomings that are on screen. If you have not heard it lately, listen to it again. It stands the test of time, more than many elements of the movie.
So, happy anniversary Batman! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get my walker…
UPDATE: I tried to avoid all this, but I can’t… Get the funk up!
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