Tim Burton Batman Movies have become a key part of the Caped Crusader’s cinematic history, with specific scenes standing out as particularly rewarding to revisit. As iconic as the Dark Knight has become, it only seems natural that many actors have played Batman in live action. However, few can claim to be as inspirational or groundbreaking as Michael Keaton’s iteration of the vigilante hero, first brought to life in Tim Burton’s Batman in 1989 and then again in 1992 for the sequel, Batman Returns.
Over the years, Tim Burton’s Batman movies have proven to stand the test of time, and remain a respected and widely enjoyed chapter in the Caped Crusader’s movie history. Despite a select few elements that now seem marginally dated, there are many scenes in Burton’s Batman movies that are endlessly entertaining even after multiple viewings. Here are the 10 most rewatchable scenes in Tim Burton’s Batman movies.
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10
Jack Napier becomes the Joker
Nicholson’s Joker transformation is truly excellent
An early scene in the 1989s Batman Shows criminal Jack Napier facing the police in a standoff at Gotham’s Ace Chemicals building. It’s a scene that remains enjoyable from start to finish, featuring not only the origins of an iconic villain but also exciting action and eye-catching cinematography. However, what makes this scene so rewatchable goes much deeper than the surface.
This scene is a testament to Burton’s vision. In the span of a single film, he’s able to introduce Keaton’s Batman, depict the origins of the Joker and his rise to the top of Gotham’s criminal underworld, all underpinned by a story with personal stakes and plenty of world-building. The scene depicting the birth of the Joker is something that many comics have struggled to achieve with such satisfying results, and Burton’s movie pulls it off with a simple and entertaining elegance That’s a sight to see.
9
Max Shrek’s Costume Party
Burton deserves more credit for a subtle cinematic trick
Batman Returns Picked up Batman’s story where his predecessor left off, also introducing key characters in the hero’s mythos such as Catwoman and the Penguin. After meeting Catwoman while patrolling the streets as Batman, Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle meet each other at a costume ball hosted by Max Shrek. This scene is very rewatchable, and remains especially notable as an often overlooked example of a visual idea often credited to Christopher Nolan’s. The Dark Knight RisesPublished a whole two decades later.
This scene shows Bruce and Selina as the only two characters at the ball not in costume. It subtly reinforces the idea that they each see their original identity as the mask for their alter-egoSeparate them from the other guests. The excellently written dialogue of the scene and the undeniable chemistry between Keaton and Pfeiffer, only serves to make the scene even more enjoyable.
8
“Let’s get nuts!”
Michael Keaton’s versatility shines through
At the time of his casting, Michael Keaton’s place in the lead of BatmanHis 1989 casting was controversial, as many considered him an odd choice for the role. However, over the years, he has come to be considered one of the best actors to wear the hood and deck, not least because of the nuances of his performance. Few scenes depict this as clearly as the scene in which Batman learns that the Joker was responsible for his parents’ murder.
After being confronted by the Joker in Vicki Vale’s apartment, Keaton’s Bruce Wayne delivers a brief monologue that ends with him antagonizing the villain. During the exchange, the Joker leaves a crucial clue that allows Bruce to assume his identity. The performance delivered by Keaton is outstanding and is packed with subtlety and energy. Considering its importance to the story and the brilliantly acted exchange between characters, it is a very rewatchable scene.
7
Batman vs. The Penguin
The wacky climax of Batman Returns is peak Burton
in many ways, Batman Returns Building on the original movie. Not only does it expand Burton’s world BatmanBut it doubles down on its unique style and tone, with the director’s unique voice ringing loud and clear over every scene. The film’s final showdown between Batman and the Penguin is the embodiment of Burton’s Batman movies, as it captures each and every one of the qualities that makes the two-film arc so entertaining.
This scene has it all: wacky set pieces, Batman’s implausible gadgets, dark humor and gothic visuals. It’s both exciting and emotional, with a lot of comic book action mixed in. All of these combine to make this scene an unforgettable ending to a truly unique Batman moviePerfectly capturing Burton’s directorial voice just as he began to enter his filmmaking prime.
6
Batman and the Joker’s final battle
The Joker’s Last Laugh is a brilliantly put together scene
Throughout both of Burton’s Batman movies, few scenes can be considered as influential to the superhero genre as the climactic battle between Batman and the Joker in 1989. Batman. It shows Keaton’s Dark Knight cornering Nicholson’s Joker on the roof of Gotham Cathedral, with Vicki Vale’s life hanging in the balance. However, it’s not so much the specifics of the scene that make it so rewatchable, but how the general thrust of it influenced the entire genre.
The movie showing the Joker’s death was a major development for many reasons. It really tapped into the darker elements of the Batman comics, and embraced ideas that made the movie fare less kid-friendly than many would have expected. It cemented the high-stakes nature of superhero stories in a way that blazed a trail for all that followed.Making it a fascinating piece of superhero movie history that holds up on every revisit.
5
The introduction of Batman
Burton’s opening scene is so cleverly crafted
Burton’s gothic yet light-hearted tone created the illusion that Michael Keaton was one of the silliest Batman actors, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. In fact, the scene of his cinematic introduction proves otherwise in unforgettable fashion, and it stands out as one of the most rewatchable scenes in both of Burton’s Batman movies. It shows two criminals on a rooftop discussing the mythical figure of Batman, and how they don’t believe he’s real.
This scene is great on so many levels. There’s a heavy touch of dramatic irony when Batman approaches while the Crooks deny his existence, and there’s also dry humor when he confronts them. What’s more, it sets the tone both for Keaton’s version of the character and for Burton’s entire world, as It shows the complex and not entirely heroic side of the character That many iterations shy away from.
4
Bob Kane’s hand-drawn cameo
One of Batman’s creators made a unique appearance
Many scenes in Burton’s Batman movies are rewatchable for their quality or importance alone. However, there are also those that are fun to revisit due to minor details that enrich the overall experience. One such scene occurs in the 1989s BatmanWhen Knox is trying to convince his fellow reporters that Batman is, in fact, real. As a form of mockery, one of them gives him a composite sketch of Batman which turns out to be a cartoon intended to mock Knox’s beliefs.
The doodle of a man-sized bat in a pinstripe suit is a fun visual gag that some consider a nod to the character Man-Bat. However, the fact that The doodle was in fact drawn by none other than Bob Kane – co-creator of Batman – adds a whole new dimension to the scene. Knowing the fleeting moment is actually a visual cameo of sorts from one of the men behind Batman’s creation makes the scene enjoyable on every revisit.
3
The Birth of Catwoman
One of the main differences between Batman And Batman Returns Is that the sequel dares to do more and go much bigger from the back of its predecessor’s success. One scene in particular stands out as an example of the fantastic darkness that Burton injects into his Batman movies, as it depicts in gritty detail the birth of Catwoman. After being caught investigating her boss, Max Shrek, Selina Kyle is cornered by the wealthy executive and thrown from his office window, landing dead on the street below.
The threatening nature of Shrek’s behavior leading up to the murder, and the way in which dozens of stray cats come to nurse Selina back to life, help make the scene unforgettably evil. There is a thread of darkness that runs through the scene that delightfully captures the essence of Burton’s Catwoman. This scene carefully portrays why Catwoman has such a strong thirst for revenge, and also embodies the dark spirit of Burton’s movies.
2
The Joker’s museum scene
The museum sees Nicholson’s Joker at his finest
Perhaps the most memorable scene in both of Burton’s Batman movies sees the Joker enter the Gotham Museum to introduce himself to Vicki Vale. Hoping to impress the reporter, the Joker dances among the bodies of dead visitors to the tune of Prince’s “Partyman”, destroying and defying artifacts as he goes. It is a scene that fully establishes the evil and mischievous nature of Nicholson’s Joker in an unforgettable spectacle.
across the scene, The sense of wackiness and whimsy is as engaging as the danger Vicky finds herself in. All of this is underpinned by a stellar performance from Nicholson who perfectly communicates exactly what makes his take on the Joker work so well in Burton’s world. As such, this scene is perhaps the most rewatchable of Burton’s Batman movies, not least because it perfectly depicts the cinematic vision Burton had for Nicholson’s Joker.
1
Max Shrek’s photo wall
Shreck’s celebrity pals make for excellent Easter eggs
Batman Returns Also features a scene that is incredibly rewatchable, albeit for a different reason Batmans museum scene. A fleeting moment in Burton’s sequel sees Selina Kyle working in Max Schreck’s office, and on the wall behind her are a number of prominently displayed photographs. Closer inspection shows that the pictures are of Christopher Walken as Max Schreck with various celebrities and important figures.
Celebrities featured in the images include Elvis Presley, Sammy Davis Jr., and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Rewatching the scene to get a better look at the fun visual Easter eggs is a rewarding experience, and it only serves as a reminder of Burton’s attention to detail. With so many small celebrity cameos contained within a minor visual easter egg, it’s by far one of the most rewatchable scenes in Burton’s Batman Movies.
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