Batman (1989)

[JDFP]

Carried over the WWZ thread that degenerated into anything but WWZ... Last night I watched "Batman" (the only real Batman movie, 1989 version) and really enjoyed it. I hadn't watched it in quite some time. Just a fun-filled flick even with all the "Yeah, that wouldn't happen" moments all the same. I guess when we were all 8-12 years old watching the film for the first time watching this none of this stuff really stands out to you so much ("Wow, Joker is throwing out 20 million in money and there aren't any cops around and man, where'd he get and store those massive balloons and get the gas into them?"). It's just a fun movie though, as comic book films (IMO) should be -- not so serious, bleak, depressing, etc. Nolan did these things (bleak, depressing, serious) extremely well and the two new flicks are great but it's just not my idea of a comic movie really. Anyway, I was dancing along to Prince along with Jack Nicholson as they are on the balloon float going through the Gotham street and he's throwing money everywhere. Man, you can tell he had a hell of a good time in that role and making that film. He really got into it and was able to get all of us into it as well (and I had to re-wind it a few times perfecting the dance with him in the restaurant and the float). EDIT: Any film with Billy Dee Williams gets a major thumbs up for me too, even though he seemed woefully miscast as Harvey Dent. What exactly was his purpose in this film again? Were they originally wanting to use him to greater purpose? Correct me if I'm wrong, but it just seemed kind of like: "Hey, we need a minority actor with all these other white people in here, let's cast Billy Dee!". Not like that ever took place in Star Wars either... j.p.

[bassman]

Nolan did these things (bleak, depressing, serious) extremely well and the two new flicks are great but it's just not my idea of a comic movie really. Serious? Yes. Bleak and depressing? No. The messages of BB & TDK are both inspiring. "Why do we fall, bruce?". "You either die a hero, or live long enough to become the villian". Both films are intended to be inspirational in the sense that Wayne can and will become whatever he has to become in order to save his city. Whether it be to face his fears and save everyone from suffering the same fate as his parents, or to become the bad guy in order to keep the city's hope alive. Batman is the only superhero that anyone can become and these two films nailed that. This isn't to say Batman 89 isn't good. I love Batman and as I've said before, I just prefer Nolan's take on the character because it's the one that takes the source material from page to screen without major alterations. Llike Burton making Penguin some goo-spitting obese midget in Returns. And now for some laughs...

[rongravy]

I had a hard time buying Keaton as Batman. A balding, middle aged Batman... I like the newer ones better, too, but I still don't think they've ever nailed down the Batman in my mind's eye. I know what he looks like(to me), no one's even come close.

[acealive1]

this is what started it all. the end of the action star.

[Legion2213]

I didn't think I'd enjoy The Dark Knight...so much hype, so much gushing over Ledger. Several months later I sat down and watched it...with a big fat helping of humble pie! Because Ledger was fucking brilliant, it got to a point where every time he was on screen I was expecting my house to blow up or something. Far far FAR better than the Keaton versions IMO. Nobody has nailed Batman for me yet BTW, it's pretty hard to do when comics present such a mythical animal.

[rongravy]

I didn't think I'd enjoy The Dark Knight...so much hype, so much gushing over Ledger. Several months later I sat down and watched it...with a big fat helping of humble pie! Because Ledger was fucking brilliant, it got to a point where every time he was on screen I was expecting my house to blow up or something. Ehhhh, he was ok. I thought crazy Crispin Glover would've been the perfect Joker.

[bassman]

Nobody has nailed Batman for me yet BTW, it's pretty hard to do when comics present such a mythical animal. If you're a fan of Frank Miller's gritty Batman, next year DC is releasing Batman: Year One on DVD. It will be a cartoon much like Gotham Knight and this years Batman: Under the Red Hood. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing year one come to life. Then they should move on to Dark Knight Returns.

[JDFP]

Part of what made Nicholson and Ledger so good at being evil was their natural charisma, something that's sorely lacking from too many superhero flicks... as far as new Batman films in the future, there's a couple of recommendations I could think of... Victor Fries/Mr. Freeze: Tobin Bell. Harley Quinn/Harlequin: Ellen Page. Edward Nigma/The Riddler: Gary Busey. What are your thoughts/personal recommendations on some good villains? j.p.

[bassman]

None of the above. Freeze wouldn't work in Nolan's world, Harley would be possible but hard to pull off without joker imo, and Gary Busey?!? Seriously, dude? I could maybe see his son Jake, but Gary? That sounds about as good as those Eddie Murphy/Cher rumors that were thrown around a while back. Whoever we see....I hope they're not just the usual stable of villains we've already seen on screen. Throw one "popular" baddy in there for the fans, but also have someone less known by the general audience like Deadshot, Hugo Strange, or Hush. I could see all of those working within Nolan's realistic approach. And Batman's rogue gallery is HUGE so the possibilities are endless. And of course....Crazy Quilt!

[JDFP]

None of the above. Freeze wouldn't work in Nolan's world, Harley would be possible but hard to pull off without joker imo, and Gary Busey?!? Seriously, dude? I could maybe see his son Jake, but Gary? That sounds about as good as those Eddie Murphy/Cher rumors that were thrown around a while back. Ah c'mon Basscunt, Gary Busey is crazy as hell, he'd be perfect as The Riddler! He wouldn't even have to do much acting... even better... j.p.

[bassman]

Ah c'mon Basscunt, Gary Busey is crazy as hell, he'd be perfect as The Riddler! He wouldn't even have to do much acting... even better... Well....the Riddler isn't crazy. At all. Despite what the 60's TV show and Batman Forver may have shown. They made him out to be a Joker rip off, but that's not really what the character is. He has yet to be portrayed correctly on film. The riddler is actually a brilliant narcissist with a huge ego. He leaves puzzles in an attempt to actually get caught by the batman. He is not a psychopathic murderer as some would think, but a smooth talking criminal that commits non-violent crimes in an attempt to out smart the city.

[rongravy]

Yeah, I don't wanna see Gary Busey in anything... 'Cept a bodybag. Kidding, geez. Still would hate to see The Riddler as some wierd, annoyingly uninhibited, energetic sack of lard with horseteeth. In a skintight green suit, no less... Although he does raise question marks to me everytime he opens his mouth.

[Mr.G]

Patrick Stewart as Mr. Freeze.....make it so.

[Danny]

The guy who plays sheldon from the Big Bang theory as the riddler.

[BillyRay]

Ahhhh.....discussions about theoretical casting for the next Batman film. The fuel that's been keeping the Intertubes going for the past 15+ years...