January 14, 2009

"I want you to tell all your friends about me..."

1989 Movie Batman, Joker
Man, was this really 20 years ago?!

As a kid, when the Keaton Batman movie came out, it was amazing to me. The costume, the Joker, the Batmobile, I had never seen anything like it. I was a huge fan, and the movie really solidified my bat-fandom. I loved going to the mall and seeing all the exotic new merchandise sitting on the shelves.

I haven't seen anything like the amazing hype around that movie - that is until I went to the opening of The Dark Knight this past summer. The Batman shirts were out in full force once again!

With the appearance of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, some would say that the older Keaton movies don't stand up so well, but this movie represents a fun time in my life and still holds a special place for me.

23 comments:

  1. I beg to differ. Sure, the special effects may have come a long way in the past twenty years, but I still love watching Batman for the acting. Keaton will always be my favorite. That guy can *brood*!

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  2. Yeah Marq, you're right about that. Keaton had (and has) a very unique "way" about him...

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  3. I hate to say it, but as far as my favorite Batman goes, I have to say it's a tie between Keaton and Bale for me.

    I agree with you both about Keaton and the brooding.

    Bale kind of adds that eye candy aspect to Bruce Wayne/Batman, and a sense of humour to him, without making a joke or a farce of him or Batman. I also find Bale's action sequences a bit more credible.

    One thing I don't like about Bale's Batman is the exaggerated voice thing. That is annoying.

    I love your work, Dean. It gets me all nostalgic. :)

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  4. I used to love those movies as a kid too. But watching them while older I realized that not only were they too corny and over-the-top, but also the Batman lore is completely wrong (don't even get my started on the sequel). I mean, who kills off the Joker in the first movie? There are elements that are fantastic and Keaton is really great (btw, he only gave up the role due to claustrophobia in the suit) and a fully coked-up Jack Nicholson is always enjoyable. But bear in mind that Tim Burton is not a comic fan and kind of a pretentious jerk. The new Batman series appreciates the comics on a whole other level- the movies were made as films and not just "comic book movies".

    Ok, ok. Sorry. I went on a geek tirade there.

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  5. I was BORN the year this movie came out, but the early Batman movies were a big part of my childhood and I have to admit that I love them just as much as I love the recent two films.
    And man, Keaton had it down. Christian Bale should watch this movie for pointers. Seriously.

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  6. It's cool to hear your guys' experiences of B89, I find it super-interesting actually.

    I hope I haven't made it seem that I don't like that movie, I still really enjoy it and I think it fills an important place in Batman history.

    And wow Danyell, I never knew about the claustrophobia thing...

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  7. I feel Meaton had the best batman, and versus the two jokers, i say its a tie, if even comparable since since versions of the character portray two totally different versions of the Joker and his personality.

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  8. This interpretation of the Keaton Batman is king!! awesome stuff dude! I'm a huge fan of ur blog.

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  9. I totally agree with Dean.
    B89 still holds a special place in my childhood memories, even though I saw it a few years after it came out.

    But I also can't deny that Nolan's franchise is way more loyal to the character's legacy in the comic books.
    I used to think that Keaton and Nicholson were the best.. but, well, Bale and Ledger actually took their place.

    The hype around The Dark Knight was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me.

    Hoooowever, I have to say that Dean's work is truly awesome!

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  10. please, make the cast of "The Big Bang Theory"

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  11. Hi there ! I have found your blog looking for the video of Simpsons parody of Heroes.And I found this excellent blog.I have to say,your work is awesome ! I'll add your blog to my favourites list on the sidebar.I'm looking forward for a Peter Petrelli "simpsonised" haha

    Take care !
    vester

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  12. Very very nice!

    Congratulations from Brazil =D

    Hey, could you draw the cast of Seinfeld? Would be awesome!

    Thanks :D

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  13. Wow...I like this blog...I won't sleep today until I see all the heroes...congratulations. XD

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  14. Man, you are the king, I really admire you !!

    Why dont you try with Dragon Ball characters, would be fun !!

    See you and good luck.

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  15. Hi! I was in high school that year. You HAD to point out that was twenty years ago. I made a bat signal and sewed it to the back of my jean jacket. Yes, my JEAN JACKET. Michael Keaton is the best Batman. Christian Bale is the best Bruce Wayne. Kevin Conroy is the best voice of Batman. And Adam West is the best escapee from Arkham who thinks he's Batman!

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  16. LOL That's awesome about the jean jacket wjm1138!

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  17. please: Joker in Hedge Leadger's version !!!

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  18. First off......HOLY CRAP!!!!!! I love your work!!! Secondly, I know that you did Hiro and Ando from 'Heroes' uhm.....would you consider the rest of them? Awesome job! You rock!!!

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  19. Thank you for sharing your words about batman and growing up. It reminds me of my youth and the time my buddy and I waited 2 hrs to catch the second showing on opening day of the first Keaton batman. We almost made the first showing but it was sold out, so we were first in line for the second! Well worth the wait and the Keaton batmans will always be my favorite as they were an amazing memory of my childhood and probably my best friends I ever had.

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  20. Thanks for sharing that mike, great comment! :)

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  21. great stuff here man! u shud do the Bruce Waynes (Keaton, Bale), Alfreds (Caine, Gough), Love interests e.g. Vicki Vale etc too and maybe Jack Nicholson's Joker b4 he turns and when he takes his trip to the museum.
    again great work mate! keep it up!

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  22. I was born after Batman came out, but it's still the best. Nolan's films add an interesting perspective on the character, but Burton's films are time-tested classics; Keaton and Nicholson ARE Batman and The Joker.

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