Okay, with Batmania running wild with the release of The Dark Knight Rises, I've decided to revisit the original Batman films and see how the movies hold up all these years later. Up first is Batman, staring Jack Nicholson as the Joker and Michael Keaton as Batman. When this first hit the theaters back in 1989, this was a cultural tidal wave. You couldn't escape the image of both the Joker and Batman. Wherever you turned, there they were. It was probably 2 weeks after the premiere date did I go and see it. My initial reaction to the movie after it was over? It sucked. I thought it was the most overrated and definitely one of the most boring Superhero Comic Book films ever. I will say this is better than Daredevil. But that's not saying much.

That was then, but what about now? It's still a weak film in a lot of ways. Many people argued that the film back then was "too dark". I for one thought it wasn't dark enough. I actually thought it was still campy, but not so campy to be lumped in with the Adam West / Burt Ward TV series. But watching it now, it is definitely too campy to my liking and that all falls on the shoulders of Jack as the Joker. He's really just doing an imitation of the late, great Cesar Romero. This movie is just not that good overall. It really is a boring movie and it has nothing to do with the characters or story, but everything to do with how Tim Burton shot it.

I will give him props on some of the set pieces he designed and there are some iconic one-liners that still get their share of press today. Back in the day, a lot was said of the casting of Michael Keaton and how he would ruin the movie. He was the only thing I liked the first time around and the only thing I like now. The rest of the movie is just average at best.

I say give this a Rent to see where it all started (not counting the Adam West / Batman: The Movie), leading up to the eventual reboot by Christopher Nolan. But if you want to watch a kick ass movie, the one that this should have been, you absolutely can't go wrong with The Crow. Stylistically, visually and character-wise, The Crow is the far more superior film.

My wife wants to actually visit the new Batman series. Well, she says she does. I don't think we will revisit this one though.

I thought the Joker was very campy. I liked Keaton though and I remember thinking WTF when I first heard he was gonna play the roll. He did a great job.

Don't let some wack job influence you like that. In my mind, a movie like Batman is why you go to the theater. Not me, but big movies like that.

Now I have seen the first Nolan Batman. I liked most of it... Thought Bales voice was a huge WTF are you doing though. So those are the movies I plan to pick up in the next few weeks.

two movies.... right?

great screen caps....it's been a while since I've seen it...so it would be tough for me to say anymore than I never cared for Jack as the Joker...I know MANY MANY people loved it...I never did...I'd also never been a huge Michael Keaton fan as Batman...I knew him from things like the movie Night Shift etc...and always liked him as a sort of cocky punk ass...but as Batman...that was a big leap for me.

that said...he looked great in the costume but as Bruce....I never thought he fit well....it's not horrible...but he's just not my idea of billionaire playboy.

that said.

I prefer a fun Batman movie with more visuals than the newer movies (any of them) although the new ones are cool for what they are....and Tim Burtons movies are far from perfect.

I'd lean more the original way than these current movies.

I want  a damn Batcave with all the bells and whistles....ie a HUGE dinosaur and the penny



hahahaha