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Customer Reviews: Average Rating:  Rating :  - BETTER THAN CLASSIC AND GREAT
Although this was't precisely the beginning of the revival of comic book heroes as hi-budget color movies, it was certainly one of the mos famous and successful of the transformations. Tim Burton, by casting Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger and Michael Keaton assured at least big headlines for his provocative cast. It was a signal that Button, the arch-eccentric director, intended to do something worthy of notice with this new film. And indeed he did.
The supporting cast was excellent: Billy Dee Williams, and Jack Palance were sensational, each in his own way, and Palance more even than Pat Hingle, captured the public imagination with his characterization.
Myself, I'm impressed mostly by the unique and effective music by Prince, one of yhe most innovative of POP artists. The stuff made for this movie particularly, was outstanding. And, in addition to that, the art design -- of the sets and of the ariel floats -- was brash, sensational and thrilling, like cheap candy. The idea of gassing an entire city by means of festive baloons is a high point in demenedness.
The sight jokes and the staging of them is wonderful. Basinger is exquisite and the perfect foil for the JOKER"S perverse, monomonical lust.
In short, while keeping most of the elemens of the original Detective Comics creation -- the demented, sadistic arch-villain; the beautiful, helpless girl; the bumbling, well-meaning police force; the blithering and spooked population of corrupt Gotham, and above off the appearances and disappearances of the caped crusader -- this version of the BATMAN myth, combines with the 1943 Serial, to offer the careful observer of the changes in American POP culture and behavior, a rich and irreplacable reward. The sexual symbolism is hotter and more overt; the overall feeling of irrational psychosis is more intense and shrill, and the cynicism of the concept thrills the nerves like an Asian aphrodisiac.
This is or can be a valuable addition to your collection of BATMAN POP junk treasure. Long shelf life. It defies time. + See Full Customer Review |  |