Looking Back At Batman. Is It Still Good? - Talking About Tapes

To prepare for Michael Keaton's return to the big screen as Batman we decided to revisit Batman 89. Does it hold up or is it a product of its time? Did it change movies and the Batman brand forever? Does it have the best Batmobile? Speaking of...
Thanks to TV Show Cars for letting us shoot with his Keaton batmobile!
Follow him here: / tvshowcars
Head over to patreon to hear my Batman 89 commentary track with ‪@Pegwarmers‬
/ batman-1989-hack-82667477
Thanks to Justin from ‪@EpicFilmGuys‬ for solving a mystery around this movie. Listen to his podcast: www.epicfilmguys.com/
Follow me and the crew:
Tony - / hackthemovies
Johanna - / stufflikehearts
Crystal - / crystalquin
Casey - / caseythefinalgirl
Joe - / joelascola
Sean - / orourkejsean
Kieran - / kieeeeern
Trisha - / trishasitaly
Frank - / frank_volpe_
Check out our podcast feed:
hackthemovies.com/
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @hackthemovies
Check out our other links:
Facebook: / hackthemovi3s
Instagram: / hack_the_movies
Patreon: / hackthemovies
Shirts: teespring.com/stores/hack-the...
Mailing list: crafty-thinker-634.ck.page/99...
Castzilla vs The Pod Monster: castzillabvsthepodmonster.lib...
Call and leave a voicemail at ‪[phone]
Send us your tapes (or other junk):
Hack the Movies
300 N Main Street # 159
Chalfont, PA 18914
United States
#batman #batman89 #timburton #michaelkeaton #jacknicholson #hackthemovies

[@HackTheMovies]

Head over to patreon to hear my Batman 89 commentary track with @Pegwarmers www.patreon.com/posts/batman-1989-hack-82667477 Thanks to TV Show Cars for letting us shoot with his Keaton batmobile! Follow him here: instagram.com/tvshowcars/ Thanks to Justin from @EpicFilmGuys for solving a mystery around this movie. Listen to his podcast: www.epicfilmguys.com/

[@iam19192]

Liked vid! I enjoy how your or who edits your videos put the actual screenshots from what you guys are talking about. Makes it worth also watching instead of listening all the time.

[@mikematei]

Tony is the real Batman most people don't know that

[@davealaya]

Funny, no one has ever seen you and the Joker in the same room at the same time...

[@changotv5847]

Makes sense as you are the joker

[@Tom_Van_Zandt]

Why TF would you dox him like that?

[@thelivingjed9676]

Started as a barely visible background extra in Dark Knight Rises now we here

[@segaseth]

I mean come on Batman 101.

[@bensneb360]

This is one of the few movies I could put on repeat and watch over and over and over and over and over again and never tire of

[@KT-rq9id]

but...... but Nicholson was too comical!!!! - said every TDK fanboy

[@rubeng370]

Thats me with Spiderman 1

[@Harri927]

I love this movie so much. Batman (1989) is my favorite movie of all time and it still holds up after almost 35 years.

[@LarrySwishamane]

Mine too. Until JP came out. But, anyway… Idk if I’m late or there’s abundance of other films out here simply title “Batman” but when referencing it as “Batman 89” become a thing?

[@doyouevendab77]

@@LarrySwishamane you mean JL?

[@rubeng370]

Thats how I feel about Spiderman

[@User-ge7ni]

@@LarrySwishamaneno it doesn’t

[@wstine79]

I remembers my mom taking me to see Ghostbusters 2, but chose this one at the last minute. Michael Keaton is still greatest Batman, Jack Nicholson as great as Joker, the Batmobile still awesome, and the set still look great. Bob was a great sidekick.

[@torquetheprisoner]

probably thought batman was the better movie and it was by far and going in blind i bet you was hooked when the theam kicked in and seeing the camra fly through the bat symbol was just 🤯

[@kdusel1991]

I think your mom made a good call. Batman 89 is infinitely better than Ghostbusters 2!

[@NelsonStJames]

It's amazing how Bob stole the show with every scene he was in, with just his attitude and deadpan expression.

[@jekw23]

That was a good call. My Nan took me to see The Land Before Time but ended up in the Batman queue. It was miles long and she didn’t realise for ages. Then some teenager behind me told her what line we were in and we switched to the right line (the line with no one in it). I was so close to having seen this in the cinema as an 8 year old. I ever find that teenager he’s getting a slap

[@newsbender]

@@torquetheprisoner Who is "Bob"? Can you be more specific?

[@theflail]

Always nice to see Frank and Crystal!

[@kdusel1991]

I agree! I love the chemistry they have together! They're both really hilarious too!

[@Aragorn7884]

Gotta love the dedication and Tony wears that GD mask the entire time! 🤣

[@HackTheMovies]

I changed it for the second review we did because my head was literally on fire

[@Aragorn7884]

@@HackTheMovies lolz, credit nonetheless.

[@changotv5847]

Dont be such a hot head, Tony.... Get it?!

[@wstine79]

This feels like a Bat-Tailgate party with Bat Tony, Crystal, and Frank. This and Batman Returns what deathly be fun Hack the Movies videos.

[@bunnygrill]

We taped this off of HBO, and I watched it over and over again. I got to see Batman Returns in theaters and then went to McDonald's and got my Catwoman happy meal toy and cup.

[@HeyFella]

I much prefer Batman Returns as a peak aesthetic artifact, but 89 is pretty damn good on its own. This and Donner’s Superman are still some of the best examples of the “genre”. Raimi’s Spider-Man took elements from both and sort of made a brilliant encapsulation of what they were doing and built off of them with its perfect sequel. We need to get over the idea of asking “did it age well” because it’s this very simplistic way of weighing a piece of art based on how it fits in with a set of current standards-which are constantly changing. Everything ought to exist on its own terms. Even regardless of my issue with that whole concept-I would say it’s “aged” well.

[@NelsonStJames]

Thank you for that. I am sick of the idea of art "aging well". That is not the way one looks at art -- that is unless you don't consider cinema art in the same way that you consider painting, sculpture or music art.

[@chyannaturner9110]

I saw this at the theater,had to sit on the floor because it was packed. I was 12 and became hooked!!!! Micheal Keaton is the best Batman hands down! Batman Returns is my all time favorite Batman movie!!!

[@trishasitaly]

This one will be good. That one guy looks like my brother

[@tonyortiz3221]

This is one of my favorite Batman movies and Batman Returns

[@kdusel1991]

I love both this and Returns! I'm hoping Keaton is good in the flash movie!

[@Nicolas.Vincent]

Tony, as critical as I've been of your panelists thus far, you three on the Panel today? Perfecto 🦇 😚👌 I have been waiting for a Panel discussion just like this one. Probably the best ep you've ever filmed! I wanna see you three do Returns together 🙏 I saw a recreation Batmobile on ebay about a decade ago and it sold for over $500,000. When I was a little kid, my dad brought my brother and I to a car show and we got to sit in the original Batmobile from the TV show. Batman was there, and we got a poster signed by him but years later I realized it wasn't Adam West in the suit (I was very little, maybe 4?). He signed my and my brother's names, but Adam West's signature was already pre-printed on the poster. I threw it away 😆 But we did get to sit in the original Batmobile!

[@HackTheMovies]

If you like this line up watch our episodes for The Batman, underrated animated batman movies, and Superman the movie.

[@Jay828__]

"like chewing glass"- my local comic book shop owner when hearing the Keaton casting was announced

[@fairwarning007]

R.I.P Bob 🪦 You were loyal to the very end. _”Bob is love, Bob is life.”_

[@drlight6677]

Silent Bob

[@jamesperkins4632]

Without a doubt, Burton and Keaton found the perfect balance of fantasy and realism needed for a Batman film. Yes it's a fantasy, but with enough realistic takes you could believe it is real. Nicholson's Joker has the perfect blend of comedy and horror. You go from laughing at him to being terrified of him. Plus what other Joker used personal hygiene as part of his plan? taking things we all use everyday and making them deadly was a masterstroke. Keaton changed how we see batman today. Showing a true mental health crisis that others would try and mostly fail to capture, his Wayne is an absent minded, doesn't know what he's doing man who changes into the serious minded always in control Dark Knight who would inspire how the character is shown in the Iconic B:TAS and all future films. And of course, the greatest Batmobile and Batwing of all time. And music from 2 legends: the score by Danny Elfman and funky songs from Prince.

[@jimbowlan5804]

Well technically Keaton was playing 3 roles batman Bruce as the public saw him which is a rich idiot playboy and Bruce in private who’s smart as hell

[@KT-rq9id]

Heath Ledger is good but overrated

[@robertwild9447]

I'm a simple man, I see Frank dressed like Robin in a new Hack the Movies video, I click.

[@kdusel1991]

So do I. I think Frank is even better than Newt! Although I really miss Newt.

[@davealaya]

Wow Tony looks exactly like Batman, it's uncanny

[@changotv5847]

I literally thought Christian Bale had joined Hack the movies for a minute

[@michaelreardon303]

I think it’s his serious, No-Nonsense Demeanor

[@andrewz732]

this is hands down my all-time favorite Batman movie and Michael Keaton will always be my favorite Batman.

[@countorlokdx1]

The one thing I always remembered from the reviews was the Critics were complaining Batman had no personality. Then by Batman Returns, it was promised he would have more personality, and the Critics were like "yeah, but not enough". By the time the Schumacher movies came out, the Critics were like "whoa way to much personality! too Adam West-like". I just ignored the Critics BS and enjoyed. Great episode Tony

[@thefilmeffect6089]

The acting, score, and production design are flawless in this film. This still has the best Batman theme by a country mile. The flaws of the film are all in the script, but it’s still a fantastic movie overall. I love the cold industrial look and feel of this movie too.

[@NinjaRunningWild]

You guys have to do Batman : Mask of the Phantasm. One of the top 3 Batman movies ever.

[@kdusel1991]

As well as Return of The Joker!

[@DjJokerr]

Still the best Batman movie. The best Batman score music. Nicholson the best Joker. Keaton the best Batman & Bruce Wayne. The best Gotham city.

[@kdusel1991]

One of my favorite movies of all time, as well as Batman Returns. If you're interested the Channel Awesome crew did what if script reads for Tim Burton directed versions of Batman Forever and Batman and Robin. Both are excellent!

[@michaelbull4344]

Facts Batman 89 is still one of the best Batman movies of all time aged well like fine wine baby

[@jimbowlan5804]

@kdusel1991 fun fact about batman 89 the ace chemical set was shot on the aliens hive set

[@dustywaynemusic6297]

The best performance of the "Let's get nuts" line was George Costanza

[@2006Mercury]

Batmobile looking sharp tony. Its hard to keep a high-performance machine like that clean.

[@robk.6591]

Michael Keaton was absolutely the right choice for Burton's Batman. He has the acting skills and that understated type of comic delivery that fit Burton's vision perfectly.

[@kdusel1991]

I totally agree! He's literally a perfect batman/bruce wayne!

[@changotv5847]

Agreed!

[@kdusel1991]

@@changotv5847 beaten only slightly by Christian Bale and Robert Pattinson but not by much.

[@user-oz3um2ii7o]

​@@kdusel1991And Ben Affleck

[@kdusel1991]

@@user-oz3um2ii7o I think Affleck is fine. He's a decent stabbier batman. But BVS destroyed any chance of his character being any good.

[@ChuckM0503]

This is my personal favorite Batman movie. Love everything about it. The production design, the suit, the car, the batwing, all the actors. Just a fun movie all around. Sure it has it's flaws, but it's easy to look past them.

[@jimbowlan5804]

I agree with all those things and the fact they used the aliens hive set for the chemical building puts it up there for me

[@wbcwinnipegbeltcollector]

Not much of a fan of comic movies but I'll always remember this being on a Tape my Family taped a wrestling show on Nothing spookier than Vince McMahon yelling What a Manuver while the tape switched over to the jokers face reveal

[@jimbowlan5804]

Reading that was funny as hell

[@_Pauper_]

I had so many movies edited for tv set up just like that haha

[@wbcwinnipegbeltcollector]

@jimbowlan5804 it was either the Hat Removal or the Shadow Facepaint reveal And I think summerslam 95? Maybe 96 definitely wasn't 94 Taker vs Taker as that was a favorite of mine haha

[@_Pauper_]

@@wbcwinnipegbeltcollector I love OSW Review for all those older WWF PPVs

[@user-ez1pn5jy9v]

BatMan 1989 is and will always be the best BatMan movie!W0000000!!! 📼 📼 📼

[@valgallardo9632]

I wish I felt the same but still a classic

[@timvasser9]

I'm excited for this episode!!! I ALWAYS watch BATMAN and BATMAN RETURNS!! Wished things would have worked out where Keaton played Batman in Batman Forever.

[@kdusel1991]

I think the studio wanted it to be more marketable towards kids like me at the time. I grew up with Batman Forever! It was my intro to Batman. I didn't see the burton ones until much later but Forever and these films still hold a special place in my heart.

[@timvasser9]

@@kdusel1991 I was born in 93 so I grew up with all 4 of them lol.

[@theepoch1354]

I AM TIRED OF ALL THE PRINCE SOUND TRACK HATE! It was awesome!

[@Smee319]

Love these guys, but man, i feel old. I saw the first Batman movie in theaters at age 5.

[@allencampbell3350]

There were two X-Wing pilots in this flick. The dad in the beginning of the film was played by Garrick Hagon, who played Biggs in A New Hope.

[@shainewhite2781]

This is one of my favorite movies as a kid! It's my also favorite superhero film!

[@colemandaniel8801]

Love the episode reminds me of my film school days. Tony feels like a guy I would be best friends with. Also, I have a major crush on Crystal.

[@Smansteel]

I remember seeing it in the theater. My dad is a huge Batman fan and this was a big event for us.

[@Nay-kp6uu]

When Joker says "Better make it ten" it pretty much takes exactly 10 minutes in movie run time until the helicopter shows up

[@kamenrangerzeo8251]

Batman 89 will always be a Triumph for me in terms of how Batman is really done for films

[@Anubis.6256]

Please do Batman Returns famous oh-so famously famed Tony!!!

[@Rorschach97]

Batman '89 is one of my favorite Batman movies, I can't wait to see Keaton's Batman in The Flash.

[@dereksmith6033]

I remember being Excited for this Movie & also being even more Excited that PRINCE was Recording Music for this Movie because i was a Huge PRINCE Fan 😃🤘🤘

[@atommiranda8997]

This review makes me wanna watch the movie again.

[@changotv5847]

For some reason its really funny the way Tony has to move his head to Look down at his phone while wearing the mask. Zero flexibility with that thing 😂

[@JamesB-mg9pk]

Gonna need my Batmobile back Tony. I'll let you know where to send it. Great show y'all!

[@SilvaF0X]

"Whats the difference between you and me" "Difference is im not wearing display purpose only mask"

[@mrblueduck]

Saw it in the theater wearing Joker Converse.

[@Bill_198]

Of all the Batman movies from that era this is the one I've seen the least. I'll have to revisit it soon.

[@timmyfitz8032]

Ive been waiting for you guys to do this review

[@apathyminus5925]

Did you know that Batman's name backwards is Namtab? Really makes you think.

[@luvaboy772]

2:26 My first time was in summer of 89 while staying 2 weeks with my aunt in Dothan, Alabama. Her and her best friend took me and her friend's nephew to see it.

[@theflail]

It's pretty good. Could use an Italian or two in the background tho

[@titosanchito6336]

One of my fav memories is my mom taking me to see this at the theater. Had my batman shirt and my batman in my hand lol great times

[@frankvolpe3232]

Those are the best kind of memories!

[@titosanchito6336]

@@frankvolpe3232 yes they are! Priceless!

[@jayonnaise6105]

This review "blows" hehe Now that my severe pun addiction has been satiated, great work everyone! I love this Batman movie so much and you covered quite a few extra bits of trivia I never knew before. I'm on the fence about seeing the new Flash, but Michael Keaton was always my dream casting for Bruce Wayne in a potential live-action Batman Beyond movie. Maybe I'll get a bit of that with him in the Flash, but I'm not expecting too much from it.

[@unclegumbald989]

Frank as Robin is… making me have *feelings* rn 👀

[@tonypoelman5953]

My very first movie I got when I was 1 years old and I still have it on vhs

[@nman2]

Holy shit the Diet Coke and looney tunes ads unlocked a ton of memories I forgot I had

[@cumberbatchpepperpot]

They did a great job marketing this movie, but they definitely missed out on a planters commercial where Batman really wanted to get nuts

[@luvaboy772]

1:40:17 You're right. I tried to show this to a group of kids at my juvenile treatment facility job 6 years ago, we got almost half way thru it and they told me they weren't liking it.

[@Ka_Five]

I also wore out my VHS tape to this and Returns to the point where I will forever associate Loony Toons and Diet Coke with Batman

[@Light-Rock97]

The Batmobile added so much to this episode. I just loved seeing the sunshine move around and change thorough the video. It just looks beautiful outside of that dingy movie. Clean and shinny.

[@davidjames579]

It is stunning to look at. I had the good fortune to stand next to it once.

[@Light-Rock97]

@@davidjames579 Must be trippy to see it live :)

[@tonygucciano6875]

Batman 89 is a great movie. The second one is great too with penguin and the atmosphere. Is Michael Keaton really returning, post Birdman?

[@kdusel1991]

He's returning for the flash movie. I agree with you on both points about batman and batman returns! Both are excellent films!

[@changotv5847]

Yeah hes even in the trailer for the flash movie

[@kdusel1991]

@@changotv5847 I'm cautiously optimistic about the movie, I want it to be good yet I also want DC to finally cut ties with Ezra Miller. They're too much of a liability at this point.

[@arthurhall8238]

i always love when they have "wooder" in films....lol

[@kingkold]

Another banger guys. 🔥

[@BRIANOCONNOR2003]

Batman 89 was a movie that my father saw it in Caribbean Cinemas In Rio Hondo back in 1989

[@Draliseth]

40:15 If I recall correctly, Joker's makeup was rubbing off on his collar, so they put some purple shoe polish/makeup/whatever on the collar to cover it up, only for it to rub off on his neck.

[@sahidurrahman7497]

RIP Michael Gough (Alfred) & Pat Hingle (Gordon)

[@AutoPilate]

I was in high school when this one came out; can confirm the line went around the theater on premiere night.

[@captainmeatsadventures7954]

Batman 89 is my 11 year olds sons favourite Batman movie! Returns is his second

[@avace917]

The Animated Series was actually green lit after Batman 89. It was being worked on while Batman Returns was shot

[@brettparker1296]

I remember reading that Heath Ledgers Joker was supposed to meet the same fate as this Joker, but due to his death, they changed it to what it is now. Don't quote me on it, always thought it was interesting. This was a lot of fun to watch. Huge props to Tony for wearing the mask the entire episode. Also, let get Frank as Robin in a film.🤷‍♂️

[@frankvolpe3232]

I did recently play Bruce Wayne in a short film! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gofZqpahhrN7hcU

[@dreamlandnightmare]

I doubt this is true. The scene wouldn't work if the Joker dies.

[@mr.manpants9460]

I love how Tony points out other peoples flawls, I love the irony.

[@Bill_198]

Is it still ironic when the person pointing out others' flawls are fully aware of and openly acknowledge their own flawls? 🤔

[@mr.manpants9460]

@@Bill_198 I'd say yes, when they don't correct them. And I love Tony, it's just funny.

[@videogamemadness1582]

Tony great video man. Totally agree with a few things you were talking about when it came to the movie. Also you are absolutely right Roadhouse is the best film made. I know because my first and second part of my middle name is named after the two main characters

[@steviegbcool]

Spoke to Michael Biehn (Hicks from Aliens) apparently he had multiple meetings with Tim Burton and the Producers to play Batman as they ere unsure about Burtons choice of Keaton and wanted to persuade Burton to go with Biehn

[@kdusel1991]

I think it's one of the best Batman movies ever made! And Michael Keaton is one of my favorite Dark Knights! He's slightly beaten by Christian Bale and Battinson but not by much. He's in my top 3 for sure.

[@christermyrberg3661]

The second best Batman movie after it's sequel

[@maloperverso8118]

Anyone else Noticed that Jack Nappier didn't Actually "Smile" until He became 'The Joker'.... And then He Smiled like ALL the Time....

[@army103]

I first saw this as a kid at my first drive-in movie - it was part of a double feature along with Honey, I Shrunk The Kids. It was a great night!

[@coldiez1464]

You’re really hitting a stride with the show. Great combinations of perspective and funny dialogue. Don’t let the fame go to your head Tony.

[@SplinkProductions]

I don’t think it was ever more than “good”-but it was fun and different and had a visual appeal that still holds up today.

[@Fixxxer07082]

Saw this when it came out in theaters and immediately loved it! Still an incredible film. Remember the Bat-Mania craze around this very well, too. Ironically, the initial toys from Toy Biz were kinda awful…and Batman (the figure) was incredibly difficult to find initially. 😂🤦🏻‍♂️

[@mr.manpants9460]

This was such a great time period for movies, Batman, Ghostbusters, TMNT and more.....every movie seemed magical! Such a cool time to be a kid.

[@danielcontreras561]

Good job!!

[@liamearly4883]

If I can simp, crystal looking fine as hell.

[@colincurrie2431]

This movie went through several stages of development with Ivan Reitman as director though Joe Dante would later replace him, Bill Murray as Batman, Eddie Murphy as Robin. David Bowie was also sought after for the Joker but passed on the role.

[@GMMXX80]

Actually, Nike didn't want product placement with the bat boots, hats in accurate. Peter Guber really liked Nike and wanted the product placement, because this was always about product placement, but it was totally Peter Guber that had friends but he approached Nike, not vice-versa. Guber thought having Nike in there would be impressive, which really worked well with the additions

[@tthomaselli2]

Where was this filmed at so that the Batmobile from 'Batman Returns' & the mid-1989 'Batman' could be incorporated?...

[@troyleiren]

Yes.

[@shainewhite2781]

Thanks for the video!! See you later!! Stay safe.😊

[@eatsnme]

I'm glad batman could come back to discuss his nostalgia for his performance on what made batman great and steered it in the right direction. Too bad Tony wasn't there to discuss it with him

[@grkpektis]

It makes sense Jack went to a bad surgeon because his options were limited he had to find a surgeon that is corrupt enough not to go to the cops but also won't rat him out to Grissom

[@thebookofduderonomy]

Everyone else: water Frank: whater

[@reinforcedpenisstem]

Good to see Crystal back. She is good value!

[@floydforthought9998]

Still a great movie. I can forgive the inaccuracies to the comics, as other films and video games have nailed it since. I wonder if we’ll get a Prince reference in The Flash. I imagine Barry Allan making a Micheal Jackson reference and Keaton being like “Jackson is cool, but I’m more of a Prince man myself.” Random thought 😂. I think Keaton is the best Batman. Bale is the best Bruce Wayne. I think Patterson is a definite runner up for best Batman. Guess we need to see how the second film turns out.

[@Smee319]

Based on some of your criticisms and vague trivia from the Shadows of the Bat documentary, I highly recommend reading Sam Hamm's first draft. It's a great read and fills in a lot of holes.

[@anthonywaye4738]

Let's get nuts with hack the movies

[@markula_4040]

I still think it's fantastic and continues to be my favorite Batman movie but with more recent ones like the Dark Knight and The Batman, this one's was rep seems to have taken a little bit of a hit. To me it's still the most important. The only superhero movies at the time was Superman and the last 2 were not good, plus most mainstream's view of Batman was the 1960's show with Adam West and the Superfriends cartoon. What Tim Burton and Michael Keaton (and maybe Danny Elfman too) did for the character and superhero movies in general can't be understated even if many people who didn't grow up on it only think it's just ok.

[@kdusel1991]

I grew up with batman forever yet both this movie and Batman Returns are way better than Forever.

[@changotv5847]

Its still my favorite batman movie. I like the others, too but this one is number 1

[@Bob-Savage]

I was 9 when i saw this in theaters. Never before, or since, did the anticipation for a movie get as excited as this one did. I always thought it was funny that Vale and Knox didn’t recognize a billionaire like Bruce Wayne and he had introduce himself - they’re journalists!

[@_Pauper_]

I borrowed the Bruce Wayne suit of armor bit when I had art hanging at a coffee shop. This girl went on and on about how “the artist” did such and such a thing. She was not happy when I gently corrected her. Ah well.

[@colt5189]

Bane to Batman: "Get woke, get your back broke!"

[@Wangan280z]

Man I remember when this came out, i was 4, the mcdonalds hype was serious. Tony, this weekend while the wife was shopping at target i found the 47” Batwing with 12” Keaton figurine for the upcoming Flash deal, then we go to walmart, and i find the Batmobile 3pk that comes with 4” keaton and 4” Flash, but the best part, the Batmobile is proper scale next to the Batwing, looks so freakin badass, you need to get them both if you haven’t already.