Tim Burton rewatch! For only his third feature, Burton hit it big with a record-shattering blockbuster. But does 1989’s Batman hold up?

Here’s what happens: Photojournalist Vicki Vale returns to Gotham City and now has three new men in her life. There’s her whirlwind romance with handsome yet distant billionaire Bruce Wayne. Next, there’s the Joker, a maniac who has the entire city fearing him, and who has taken a dangerous interest in her. And then there’s Batman, a mysterious vigilante waging war against the Joker. Just what did Vicki see when her camera’s flash went off?

Origin story: Bob Kane created Batman for DC Comics in 1939, allegedly inspired by a story about The Shadow a few years earlier. Then Bill Finger took over the comic, turning it into the Batman we all know today.

With the comedic 1960s Batman TV series still fresh in fans’ minds, it took a lot of convincing for 1980s Hollywood to make a dark and gothic version, but it paid off with huge box office.

Outsider theory: Batman is the story of two outsiders. Bruce Wayne is awkward and stammering when meeting others at his own party, and he seems most comfortable sitting alone in the Batcave. His isolation is internal, hidden behind the cape and cowl. Then there’s Jack Napier, frustrated about being on the lower rung in Boss Grissom’s criminal empire. His isolation is external, taking over the entire city with bright colors and a perma-grin.

Reality breaks through: There are conflicting stories as to how and why Prince ended up on the soundtrack, with his songs prominent in the film. Some say the producers insisted on it, while others say Jack Nicholson was a Prince fan and it was his idea. The songs might feel incongruous, and yet it’s hard to imagine the movie without them.

Best bits: Joker: “I’m of a mind to make some mookie!” (I don’t know what this means, either.)

Thoughts on this viewing: One could probably nitpick Batman to death, as the plot is all over the place. The second act’s cat and mouse games between Batman and Joker are especially all over the place. But it doesn’t matter. The movie has so much style and the performances have so much big energy that the audience has no choice but to go along for the ride.

Next: Avon calling.

* * * *

Want more? Check out my ongoing serial, THE SUBTERKNIGHTS, on Kindle Vella. A man searches for his missing sister in a sprawling city full of far-out tech and secret magic. It’s a sci-fi/fantasy hybrid full of action, romance, mystery, and laughs. The first three chapters are FREE! Click here for a list of all my books and serials.