BATMAN (film 1989)

BATMAN. Tim Burton, dir. USA: Warner, 1989. Script based upon characters created by Bob Kane and appearing in DC Comics. Anton Furst, production designer.

Rationalizing the postmodern setting, one might say that BATMAN takes place in an alternative American society in which the "evolution" of technology, style, and fashion took place at rates different from those of our world. The mise en scène is a hodgepodge that calls attention to itself, putting great visual stress upon buildings, gadgets, and other things only incidental to the plot. Note especially Batman's main protective devices: body armor, the Batmobile, the high-tech Batcave. See also, BATMAN RETURNS.

For discussion and illustration of the architecture, see Film Architecture: From METROPOLIS to BLADE RUNNER pp. 160-168/69.

RDE, initial; finishing, 26May23