Batman definitely has issues, but that’s what
sets his character apart from other comic-book heroes. Superman has powers
far beyond the capabilities of the mere mortal Bruce Wayne, who moonlights
as the crazed vigilante in a bat suit, but there has never been a blander
hero in all of fiction. Give me crazy anytime. Batman is back on the big
screen with Batman Begins, ending a sorely needed eight-year hiatus, and that is cause to
reevaluate the four earlier films.
Bob Kane created the Batman character for DC Comics in
1939, and it became one of the most popular and longest-running of comic
books. The first attempts to put the character on film came in a pair of
serials from the 1940s, which included one major restriction. Vigilantes
couldn’t be presented as heroes back then, so Batman and Robin became
agents for the FBI. (Well, perhaps “vigilante” would look
better on a résumé today.) Batman was given a major boost in
the 1960s with the spoof TV show and movie spinoff, but this franchise
tarnished the integrity of the character to the point that a serious film
treatment had to wait a few more decades.
Fantasy maestro Tim Burton took on the project and
unleashed his creative energy on Batman (1989), a grand expressionistic epic that is part science
fiction, part gangster film noir, and part psychological character study. This first Batman
movie is a classic; just one other comic-book film approaches its
brilliance. Michael Keaton seemed an unlikely choice for the twisted hero,
but his quirky aloofness was just what the character needed, and Jack
Nicholson, demonstrating psychotic dementia as the Joker, was his perfect
foil. Burton and Keaton reteamed in Batman
Returns (1992), the one film in the genre
that is nearly the equal of the first film. I am still baffled by the
negativity surrounding the sequel. It remained true to the spirit of the
original.
The departure of Burton and Keaton ended the first
series, which was taken over by and damaged by director Joel Schumacher,
starting with Batman Forever (1995). Val Kilmer was a good choice for Batman, but everything
around him was comically over the top. Schumacher stripped the story of its
sense of danger and removed Batman’s soul in the process, then sunk
the series even deeper with Batman & Robin (1997) by turning Batman (George Clooney) into an
ordinary, stable guy who just happens to don a costume for his night job.
The worst aspect of the second series is the introduction of Robin (Chris
O’Donnell), adding a new dimension to the word
“annoying.”
Although Batman Begins appears to be headed back in the right direction, it
remains to be seen whether the new film can ignite a new series. If the
sidekick Robin is promised for any future episodes, be forewarned of
possible doom.
DVDs scheduled for release Tuesday (June 28): The Pacifier, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Overnight, and Gunner Palace.
This article appears in Jun 23-29, 2005.
