Batman
Directed by Tim Burton

Based on characters created by Bob Kane

Music by Danny Elfman
Screenplay by Sam Hamm and Warren Skaaren
Production Designs by Anton Furst

Cast:
Michael Keaton
Jack Nicholson
Kim Basinger
Jack Palance

Gothan City opens it's dark gothic sinister urban interior to us as the disturbing residence of Superhero Batman. The bleak industrialized buildings in gothic grandeur tower high above the New York City of the future. The sight is forbidding and menacing, luring and beguiling you into the world of the comic book hero created by Bob Kane.

Batman is the eccentric millionaire recluse Bruce Wayne, played expertly by Michael Keaton, on a personal crusade to rid Gotham City of crime and evil hoodlums that live within. As a child he witnessed at close quarters the brutal murder of his parents - he is now a confused and traumatised man and yet also a hero that you cannot help admiring. As Batman he is a vision of power and super-technical magnificence, his presence always shrouded in deep mystery.

Gothan City is terrorised by the crime-boss Charles Grissom, played by Jack Palance, who soon finds out that his right hand henchman Jack Napier, played by Jack Nicholson, is sleeping with his girl. Grissom sets Napier up with the Police knowing that he will be killed. However during a fight with Batman Napier falls into a tank of corrosive chemical soup and returns from this experience, a psychotic cartoon like figure calling himself The Joker. He is a megalomaniac who enjoys killing for pleasure and wants to rule the world.

Bruce Wayne is introduced to Vicki Vale a photojournalist and soon becomes emotionally entangled with her, although he has a great fear of showing his emotions and feelings to anyone. Vicki Vale, played by Kim Basinger, is fascinated with the legend of Batman and has arrived in the city to capture the real story.

The joker goes on a killing spree using poisoned chemicals that he places in make up and everyday items on the family-shopping list. He yearns for recognition and fame, which is remains out of grasp, due to all the news articles about Batman. Eventually he decides to kill thousands of people and take Vicki Vale with him and a battle between the two men ensues with, you guessed it, Batman as the winner.

This film pulses with energy; rhythmical, enticing and ominous you see humanity through Batman's eyes and you are left with images ripe with imagination and poetic beauty. Tim Burton has succeeded in making Batman the menacing and powerful hero that he truly was when he first appeared in DC comics.

The scenery and sets in this film are truly magnificent especially the legendary Batmobile and Batcave. John Evans designed the Batman's weapons including the Speargun and Gauntlet and the Batmobile brilliantly.

Anton Furst brought his unique imagery to the film with ferocious architectural drawings and designs re-creating Gotham City for the big screen.

Batman is an unearthly creature, forceful and compelling - evoking fear in his enemies, he is also gentle and incredibly humane as we can see from the sick bat he keeps in a cage representing his unfaltering compassion for those in need.

Tim Burton's masterful direction is a wonder to behold.