Episode 441: Batman (1989)

·1 hr 13 min·5 clips

The hosts point out that the 1989 Batman kills people by blowing up a factory.

The episode begins with an introduction to 'Batman' (1989) as part of OG Superhero Month, noting its place in the late-80s superhero renaissance. The hosts immediately contrast it with the 1966 'Batman' series and Christopher Nolan's films, highlighting its darker tone. They point out that this Batman kills people, such as by blowing up a factory, which sparks a discussion on the character's evolution from Bill Finger's gritty comics. The conversation shifts to Jack Nicholson's performance as the Joker, with one host noting his career typecast as 'weirdos and crazies' but praising his eccentricity here. They compare Nicholson to other Jokers like Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix. A significant portion critiques Kim Basinger's Vicki Vale, describing her as a damsel in distress with nonsensical motivations, such as stalking Bruce Wayne and lacking self-preservation. The hosts analyze the film's plot, including the Joker's origin as Jack Napier and his ingenious poison scheme using combined consumer products. They praise the use of shadows in cinematography, particularly a scene where Bruce Wayne's eyes appear bat-like. The climax involves the Joker's parade, Batman's bat-plane, and the cathedral fight, where the hosts note Batman indirectly causes the Joker's death. The episode ends with fantasy casting ideas and a preview of upcoming courtroom movie reviews for September.

As heard by us

A lively Batman 89 rewatch about a lethal hero, Joker comparisons, and Smilax's clever poison plot.

Movie Theater Time Machine wraps OG Superhero Month with Batman 89, setting Tim Burton's film beside Batman 66 and the Nolan run while tracking how decisively this version leaves camp behind.

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Why you'd press play

You get Batman with car-mounted guns, a debate over this Joker, and Smilax poisoning threaded through household products.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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