Batman ’89: 6 reasons it’s more comic-accurate than you think

Credit

: Warner Brothers; from

Batman

(1989)

1. Bruce Wayne’s dual persona

The casting of Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman was–and still is–considered unconventional and controversial. After all, the Caped Crusader is supposed to be a square-jawed, 6′ 2″, and all muscle. At 5’10”, with a rounded chin and somewhat slighter build, Keaton didn’t exactly look the part. Also, this was an actor known for his comedic roles in such films as Mr. Mom (1983) and Beetlejuice (1988). No way would anybody believe this guy as Batman. Yet it’s precisely because the audience can’t picture Keaton as Batman is why his casting proved such a stroke of genius.

In the comics, no one even suspects that Bruce Wayne, billionaire playboy, could ever be capable of beating up criminals while dressed like a bat, and Keaton pulls this aspect off brilliantly. Whenever we see Keaton as Bruce on screen, he comes across as charming, amiable, nonchalant, and confident, with a little aire of mystery. What’s more, it doesn’t seem like he’s putting on an act. Also, pay close attention to how Bruce lands a date with Vicki while shutting down Alexander Knox. He doesn’t brag or act like a jerk because he doesn’t need to. That’s how you show Bruce Wayne as a ladies’ man.

And what about Keaton as Batman? The very first time we see him in costume during the rooftop scene, any lingering doubts vanish. Due to the costume’s restrictions, Keaton’s movements are broad, exaggerated, almost inhuman, which, of course, creates the illusion that “The Bat” is a creature of the supernatural. He also speaks very little but, when he does, he sounds legitimately chilling. No need for voice modulators or sounding like he’s gargling rocks; all he needs to do is lower is voice a smidgen, and it’s easy to see why crooks are legitimately terrified of him.

By making these subtle, yet distinctive changes when portraying both Bruce and Batman, you can almost believe Keaton is playing two separate characters. Certainly Christian Bale, Ben Affleck, George Clooney, and even Val Kilmer have been very good cinematic Batmans in their own right. None of them, however, have quite captured the proper balance between Bruce and Batman that Keaton did. It’s why, despite the movie’s flaws, he’s still the definitive cinematic Batman.