Tim Burton's Batman was released 30 years old today

It's been a while since I blogged here... But no perfect time to make a return like TODAY when one of the greatest movies in popculture, comic book, and cinema history was officially released in theaters this day.

In June 23, 1989, Warner Bros. released "Batman" - their first live-action cinematic foray into the Batman movies franchise based on the DC Comics superhero of the same name. Directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton in the titular role as Bruce Wayne/ Batman, this masterpiece ushered in one of the definitive interpretations of the Caped Crusader as we know him - a dark and brooding vigilante who dons a Bat costume and fights criminals at night in the streets and rooftops of his home turf Gotham City. Opposing him is the talented Jack Nicholson as gangster Jack Napier - who turns into the freakish and insane Clown Prince of Crime known as The Joker after a battle leaves him scarred and his entire body completely bleached in white after falling in a vat of chemicals. Supporting performances by Kim Basinger as Vicky Vale, Michael Gough as Alfred, and Pat Hingle as Commissioner Gordon only brought more conviction and energy into this production - and the rest is film history.

Batman (1989) Official Trailer #1 - Tim Burton Superhero Movie Batman 1989 is a timeless classic that exists because of the direction comic book stories such as "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" and "Batman: The Killing Joke" did to bring the character back to his darker roots. This film would serve as the template for future Batfilms - with an immediate sequel following in 1992 with "Batman Returns" by Burton, then two more not so stellar follow-ups in "Batman Forever" and "Batman and Robin" years later by Joel Schumacher. It was not until 2005 when The Bat would see another triumph in the form of "Batman Begins" by director Christopher Nolan - leading to a renaissance of the character because of that reboot and its sequels that make up the equally legendary set called "The Dark Knight Trilogy".

That being said, this is a celebration of Burton's film and even after 30 years - it still holds up as one of the DEFINITIVE Batman works. From the direction and impressive score by Danny Elfman to the perfect casting and even Prince's soundtrack that included the "BatDance", this is a movie fans must watch. HAPPY 30 YEARS TO "BATMAN" and onward as we continue celebrating the Caped Crusader's 80th Anniversary this year!

Batman 1989 celebrates its 25th Anniversary

Jack Nicholson. Michael Keaton. Tim Burton.

Those names are without a doubt cornerstones behind one of the most impactful films to hit and grace cinematic history back in the late 80's... And helped set a precedent for the superhero movie genre alongside Richard Donner's "Superman: The Movie".

That film was "Batman" - released on June 23, 1989 and directed by Burton.

Heavily dark in tone and inspired by the likes of Frank Miller's "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns", "Batman" saw Michael Keaton star in the titular role as Batman/ Bruce Wayne - setting the origin of the character clearly as a vigilante hero who dresses up as a winged avenger to protect his hometown of Gotham City from the same criminal element that took the life of his parents when he was a child. Opposing him was Nicholson's Joker, who before his transformation was a mob guy named Jack Napier, who falls into a vat of chemicals and transforms into the Clown Prince of Crime. Kim Basinger played Batman's love interest in reporter Vicki Vale, and The Joker equally set his crazy sights on her as he terrorized the populace with his insane antics.

Batman (1989) Original Trailer
Before Christopher Nolan made Batman realistic and epic with his acclaimed set of films in "The Dark Knight Trilogy", Burton's Batman was the best thing to happen, and realized the Caped Crusader for Warner Bros. and DC Comics as a serious crimefighter who took the hero back to his Dark and Brooding roots, which were eclipsed back in the 60's because of the popular 1960's Batman series starring Adam West. It was another chapter in Bathistory that would be memorialized and remembered for generations until this very day, and despite nitpicks and difference at the time, is now truly worthy of praise and honor with its cult status and following. The film was followed by a sequel and the Joel Schumacher films, as well as greenlighting what would be 1992's Batman: The Animated Series!

And yes, while Prince may have done the soundtrack, Danny Elfman's awesome score is just too memorable to forget.
Batman Theme
It's a double celebration indeed for Batman this year, as not only does he celebrate his 75th anniversary, he celebrates the 25th year of one of his important movies!

Happy 25 Years to Batman 1989!