There's a temptation to constantly praise a classic for being a classic. Having seen Batman as a child, I'll be slightly prejudiced but there's no doubt the movie holds up. The question is why. At the core, the issue is adaptation. This is not the Batman of the comic books or the TV serial by far. And some crucial changes seem unmotivated - like giving the Joker a specific identity. But if one sees the film as it's mean to be seen: as primarily a spectacle then the film works.
For the uninitiated, the film has tortured billionaire Bruce Wayne fighting the Joker, a gangster in this incarnation, in order to save Gotham City. The plot - such as it is - is fairly thin and the main focus is on Jack Nicholson's interpretation of the Joker (as Jack Napier), which is typically overdone.
Fans of The Shining are going to recognize many trademark staring and yelling by Jack. This is definitely Nicholson's movie. But the real gems are in the supporting performances. Not perhaps the best Batman film but certainly one that bears Tim Burton's distinct style (though with clear sampling of Fritz Lang). Enjoyable to be sure but don't expect any deep thinking behind the Batman mythos in this entry.
No comments:
Post a Comment