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BATMAN: A GOTHIC EXPERIENCE
by: Edwin Bartolome
 Tim
Burton’s 1989 “Batman” is still considered the standard when
it comes to stylized comic book film adaptions. The
brooding backdrop of this tale was almost as big a news as the story and actors
themselves. Set
amidst a Gotham City in the midst of a crime-induced melancholic mood, the
writers couldn’t have picked a better setting for this tale of good vs.
evil.
The premise is actually very simple - the Joker, the so-called ‘Crown
Prince of Crime’ is attempting the capitulation of Gotham City by distributing
a sort of “laughing death” chemical through certain everyday consumer
products. Anyone who uses products injected with this mysterious chemical immediately
goes into an uncontrollable fit of laughter that rapidly leads to death. The
most unmistakable imprint of this crime is that of the Joker’s grin forever
etched in the dead person’s lips. Enter the reclusive billionaire Bruce
Wayne who largely keeps to himself in “the stately Wayne Manor”.
This obscenely rich bachelor has an interesting secret -- he dons a cape and
cowl everytime Gotham City has a major crime incident and immediately proceeds
to dispense of the criminals. The Batman must now face the Joker and put an
end to his evil plans. Simple enough?
“Batman” succeeds in a number of aspects, not the least of which
is the production design. The depiction of Gotham City as a dark, decaying
place has earned a lot of kudos from the critics. Oversized statues and gothic
architecture helped convey the city’s sense of despair in the face of
the burgeoning crime wave. This largely traditional-looking mural stood in
sharp contrast to the display of the Batman’s sophisticated gadgetry,
which was greeted by characteristic awe back in 1989. Even today, the Batmobile
would still definitely be earning ooohs and ahhs from a spellbound audience.
This combination of traditional and futuristic is one of the film’s enduring
appeal and the manner by which these have been presented merely showed the
brilliance of the “Batman” production team.
The most memorable performance in the film was undoubtedly that of Jack Nicholson
as The Joker. Though many have commented that Nicholson’s Joker was a
tad overacted, I would in fact argue on the opposite side and say that the
correct depiction of the Joker is necessarily overacted. Clowns by nature,
are overactors, aren’t they? So why should the Joker be an exception?
Michael Keaton as the Batman was initially greeted with skepticism. Not a
few have actually said that Bruce Wayne should have been portrayed by a more
suave, heftier-built actor like Mel Gibson back in 1989. I happen to agree
with these critics and George Clooney’s stint as the Dark Knight in the
horrendous “Batman and Robin” may have been the producers’ answer
to the mounting criticisms. Still, Keaton was able to do a bit of justice to
the part by being somber and brooding in many of the movie’s scenes.
Alas, many people just can’t get a picture of a comedian like Michael
Keaton portraying the role of the most serious superhero in the face of the
planet.
Kim Basinger’s Vicki Vale was the typical damsel-in-distress. Although
the writers have imbued certain girl power characteristics to this reporter-character,
there were still a lot of screams that emanated from her that made us realize
that, indeed, Vicki Vale is still the traditional girl that needed rescuing.
Aside from the production design and Nicholson’s performance, another
memorable aspect from the film is the musical score. The rousing instrumental
march complemented the film’s mood perfectly. Dark, somber, and at times
triumphant, these characteristics perfectly captured the Batman’s personality
and the score was the perfect accompaniment to the brooding motion picture.
Prince’s megahit Batdance, on the other hand, was targeted toward the
pop audience, and looked like it was highly successful. While “Batman” the
movie soared in the box-office charts, “Batdance” stayed atop the
Billboard Top 40 for a considerable duration.
All in all, a good film. There was something lacking in the storytelling that
failed to complement the lush design and score, and somehow, it affected the
end product itself.
All characters are © and ™ of their respective
companies.
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