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BATMAN (1989) MOVIE REACTION (COMMENTARY)!! Scene By Scene Full Movie Breakdown | Tim Burton | Joker

2025-08-29 Entertainment
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Re-evaluating Tim Burton’s Batman (1989): A Foundational Reaction

Discover how Tim Burton’s gothic vision in Batman (1989) established modern superhero cinema, as two commentators re-examine its strengths and weaknesses after decades removed. Readers will gain fresh insight into Keaton’s performance and the film’s critical place in the DC timeline.

Short Summary

  • Reconciliation with Nostalgia: Both commentators found the film significantly stronger and more enjoyable on this revisit than their previous viewings years or decades prior.
  • Rich Gotham Worldbuilding: The heightened, theatrical design of Gotham City and the incorporation of film noir elements impressed viewers with their originality.
  • Nicholson’s Dominance: Jack Nicholson’s Joker is acknowledged as a co-lead, boasting significant screen time and defining Nicholson’s version of performance over true transformation.
  • Keaton’s Subtle Bruce Wayne: Michael Keaton successfully blended the aloof playboy Bruce Wayne with the internalized trauma of Batman, making him hard to suspect—a contrast to modern takes.

This commentary explores the foundational impact of Tim Burton's Batman (1989), contrasting it against later adaptations like Nolan’s trilogy and the new DCU direction under James Gunn. Viewers analyze the film’s period atmosphere, its directorial choices, and how it influenced subsequent superhero cinema canon.

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LET'S GET NUTS!! Batman Full Movie Reaction Watch Along: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects Superman (2025) Movie Reaction Commentary: https://youtu.be/zvhETuN_tP0 Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 2 Reaction: https://youtu.be/m8sZ_5Qz_wE - Get your New Customer offer + 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://www.mintmobile.com/REJECTS After James Gunn’s DCU has launched with Superman (2025), we are venturing back into the DC Studios canon with the movie that redefined comic book films—Batman (1989) directed by Tim Burton. This film stars Michael Keaton (Beetlejuice, Birdman) as Bruce Wayne / Batman, Jack Nicholson (The Shining, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) as the Joker, Kim Basinger (L.A. Confidential, 9 ½ Weeks) as Vicki Vale, Robert Wuhl (Arli$$, Good Morning, Vietnam) as Alexander Knox, Pat Hingle (Sudden Impact, The Quick and the Dead) as Commissioner Gordon, Billy Dee Williams (The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi) as Harvey Dent, and Michael Gough (The Age of Innocence) as Alfred Pennyworth. Some of the most iconic Batman (1989) scenes that still trend on YouTube include: “You Ever Dance with the Devil in the Pale Moonlight?”, Joker’s museum rampage, Batman’s dramatic Batmobile reveal, the Joker’s transformation scene, and the epic cathedral finale showdown. Classic quotes like “I’m Batman”, “Never rub another man’s rhubarb”, and of course, “You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?” remain fan favorites that helped define superhero cinema. As we revisit this landmark film, it’s important to place it in the larger live-action Batman timeline: Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), Batman Forever (1995), Batman & Robin (1997), Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021), The Batman (2022), and the upcoming DCU projects like The Brave and the Bold and Batman: Caped Crusader. This commentary explores how Burton’s gothic vision and Keaton’s performance laid the groundwork for everything from Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy to Zack Snyder’s darker DCEU tone, and what it all means now that James Gunn is charting a bold new direction for DC Studios. #Batman1989 #Batman #TheBatman #MichaelKeaton #Joker #TimBurton #DC #DCStudios #SuperheroMovies #MovieReaction #React #Reaction #MovieReview #FirstTimeWatching #Movie #SceneByScene #JokerQuotes #ImBatman #DarkKnight Man Of Steel Reaction: https://youtu.be/vVE8KCrC-Mw Sean Gunn Interview: https://youtu.be/-_w2tIiwzog 0:00 Checking In! 2:42 Batman Reaction 28:52 MINT MOBILE 30:30 Batman Movie Reaction 1:18:34 Closing Thoughts Follow Coy Jandreau: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoyJandreau Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coyjandreau?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coyjandreau/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoyJandreau Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Aparrel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ RR Clips & Shorts Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ReelRejectsClips Follow TheReelRejects On The Socials: IG: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thereelrejects?lang=en TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thereelrejects FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ Music Used In Ad: Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Supervising Producer: https://twitter.com/nerdchronic?lang=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Follow & Listen to Us Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!! - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3XHMwbveiznxSOGxN9XT0M - Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vc3Rhci13YXJzLXRhbGs - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reel-rejects-tv-movie-recaps/id1616339990 - Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Apocalypse-Podcast/B08JJP58FG Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects Follow GREG On INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thegregalba PLAYLISTS: Movie Talk (News, Spoiler Reviews, & Film Rumors!!!): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bIhJVeYWw8fPQ-21NVSb2IOwIiHbVt8 Youtube Video Reactions & Discussions: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bIhJVeYWw_qwcPsN_vOxXC6IVzrOQYG

Top Comments (10)

@The_Phantasm 2025-08-29

The Danny Elfman theme is to Batman what the John Williams theme is to Superman.

386 22 replies
@petalstt45 2025-08-29

Keaton conveyed a mountain of empathy with just a look in this movie. He will always be my favorite Bruce Wayne.❤

194 3 replies
@freakscomeout 2025-08-29

The scene where Vicki and batman are driving through the woods to the bat cave is one of my favorite music cues in cinema. Love how it starts off subtle and rises as they keep driving right as the music crescendos into almost hitting the entrance! Chefs kiss!

118 6 replies
@TomCat777 2025-08-29

Just like Christopher Reeve is Superman, Michael Keaton is Batman

116 5 replies
@BrandonPhilipps-r9b 2025-08-29

Jack did not play himself as Joker, he specifically played someone that enjoyed destroying and mocking everything Jack loved: art, parties, celebrations, hygene products, models, Jack's own face, etc.

93 3 replies
@Brian-qn7fn 2025-08-29

Batman Returns should be next. It is also great.

64
@legionaireb 2025-08-31

The corrupt detective in this film is Eckart, not Bullock. The thing to remember about Bullock is that he's a sleazebag and a slob, but he's still at heart an honest cop.

56 6 replies
@ReelRejects 2025-08-29

Let's Get Nuts W/ That *LIKE* & *SUBSCRIBE* Button 👉 https://www.youtube.com/user/TheReelRejects?sub_confirmation=1 - Get your New Customer offer + 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://www.mintmobile.com/REJECTS - Grab Our *NEW Peacemaker* Inspired Tee https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ - Full Reaction *Watch Along* & MORE For *Royal* Rejects: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects

36 4 replies
@RJsParlour 2025-09-02

Hands down this is still my favorite Batman movie.

34
@redwar77 2025-08-30

Interesting Fact: Neal Adams discussed drawing Batman, saying that when drawing the cape he wanted to show that this was someone who learned how to walk and act with a cape, it was a certain art. He took inspiration from Christopher Lee's portrayal as Dracula, saying that he knew how to walk and act with his cape. Something they carried over into this film when showing how Batman uses his cape and how he does normal things like turning, walking, and being theatrical with it.

24

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