After reading Sam Hamm’s testament to the character known as Batman progression over the following years in cinema and television, I can appreciate the audacity of both Burton and the writers for the screenplay, as it was a groundbreaking decision in 1988 to show Americans that Batman is still relevant, and for that matter, prove that he is still salient to the times of the 1980’s. So much was Batman the sign of disgust, the producers of the film called up Warner Brothers about a possibility about buying the Batman ownership rights to do another Batman film and got laughed at, and was eventually sold cheaply to the producers with great difficulty. No one simply wanted to do a film that they couldn’t make money with, and gain respect. Take into consideration that the last Batman film was made in 1966, sporting Caesar Romero in clown makeup (overtop that facial tash’) portraying the Joker with bubble coos and belly bursting cackles and you see my point. Batman was a laudable character at best that had “bat-repellant” to use on sharks and was never a source of any real intimidation to his aggressors, or where they that intimidating to audience members. Now look at Burton’s visage of Batman, which was inspired by the now considered revolutionary work The Dark Knight Returns from Frank Miller.
Comforting is a strong word, and with a little exercising the term can be applied to Batman (1966) as the main audience was primarily suited for children. The imagery was partly inspired by the art pieces of Andy Warhol, whereas Batman (1989) was inspired by a sort of Gothic, Depression-era Art Deco style. Blame the trend in the newly established comic book laws at the time, or the tights sported by Adam West for making the film laughable at times, but really consider what lengths a director has to do to change the characters persona to resemble a darker, grittier and more intimidating Batman for the public (no easy task). Without extraordinary Burton’s vision and the influence of The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller, there’s a slight possibility that there may not be Batman craze anymore folks. Burton revived the iconic character. The revitalization that Batman underwent was a major evolution, not so much of a revolution against the comic books that the character arisen from. Hamm’s story reads at the night of the 1989 premiere in Broadway, his children and wife pointing at folks outside of the taxi flocking to get in line at the cinema. Hamm say’s it was as if the entire city of New York was under siege of the Bat-symbols. T-shirts where everywhere, signaling the beginning of a new age in American culture’s history. Leaving the laughs and blue underwear in the closet, a new Batman of black bullet proof suits and bat-like characteristics became the new signature of Batman from then on; we have Tim Burton, and Frank Miller to thank for that. Spread the word, and spread the love all you Batman fans out there, or else the appreciation doesn’t get heard.
Welcome to KRICKET MOVIES, your trusted blog source for everything on contemporary Movie Culture.
Author
Movie buff, writer, metal head, and lover of the outdoors. Nathan was born and raised in Southern Appalachia and wishes to continue to live tap dancing and writing with intent at the same time. He is currently studying for a Masters of Fine Arts degree from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, N.C.