5 Things About ‘Batman 1989’ That Made Zero Sense and 5 Things About It That Made Perfect Sense

1989 saw me, as a movie enthusiast, captivated by the gritty, gothic portrayal of Gotham City in Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’. The iconic role of the Caped Crusader was expertly played by none other than Michael Keaton. This cinematic masterpiece blended the rhythm of a crime thriller with the grandiosity of comic book lore, paving the way for future superhero films. Jack Nicholson’s Joker, Kim Basinger’s Vicki Vale, and Danny Elfman’s haunting score etched unforgettable images of these characters in our minds for decades to come.

Revisiting the film ‘Batman’ today reveals that many aspects of its world creation continue to impress. Simultaneously, it brings into focus certain choices which may prompt questions about strategies, timing, and character actions. Here’s a breakdown comparing five elements that didn’t make sense and five that did, neatly contrasted.

Upon rewatching the movie ‘Batman’, it’s apparent that much of its world-building continues to shine bright. Concurrently, it draws attention to some choices which could lead one to ponder about strategies, timing, and character decisions. Here is a comparison of five things that seemed illogical and five that were spot on.

Zero Sense: Alfred brings Vicki to the Batcave

In simpler terms, Alfred leads Vicki Vale into the Batcave, unexpectedly disclosing Bruce Wayne’s hidden identity. The scene lacks any effort to verify her trustworthiness or conceal information from her. This means that Bruce’s long-held secret is given to a reporter without any on-screen precautions being taken.

The movie portrays a step intended to bring Bruce and Vicki together more closely, yet it fails to show any pre-existing strategy, protocol, or safety measure from Alfred. Bruce’s reaction is muted, and the plot progresses without exploring the potential risks associated with this decision that skirts security and confidentiality.

Perfect Sense: The Smilex combination scheme

Joker’s scheme involves tainting particular consumer goods in such a way that only specific mixes lead to poisoning. The movie illustrates this by portraying news reports where anchors cease using cosmetics and hair products to dodge the concoction, which swiftly undermines public trust and sparks citywide fear.

Using this method, we can understand why initial product tests may yield negative results because individual item checks often miss anomalies. The composite rule aligns with the investigation’s rhythm of the plot, provides a plausible advantage for the villain, and validates Gotham’s urgent effort to identify which combinations of items are unsafe to use together.

Zero Sense: The Batwing attack run

Batman skillfully guides the Batwing to fly at street level, unleashing a barrage of fire. Maintaining a steady course, he hovers over the parade. The aircraft’s targeting system zeroes in on the target, ensuring that the Batwing follows a consistent path and stays low, making it easier for Batman to spot the villain who is out in the open with an unobstructed view.

In this rephrased version: The Joker retrieves a long-barreled pistol from his coat and fires as the Batwing is about to land. This swift action causes the aircraft to plummet instantly without any attempt at evasion or defensive maneuvers, transforming what should have been an advantage in technology into a regrettable blunder under the open sky.

Perfect Sense: The origin loop between Batman and Joker

The movie connects Bruce Wayne’s distress with the Joker by revealing Napier (later the Joker) as the one who attacked Wayne in the alley, leading to his transformation. Later, their confrontation at Axis Chemicals results in Napier falling into a vat, becoming the Joker. This circular plot device intertwines hero and villain, allowing the narrative to refer back to it at crucial points through cause and effect.

Through mutual accountability for their origins, the film endows both characters with a profound personal interest in each interaction. This makes climactic scenes like the Cathedral standoff and the Alley flashbacks carry more significance as each conflict transcends Gotham city and delves into the formative event that molded them.

Zero Sense: The serving tray save

During the tense apartment encounter, Joker fires at Bruce Wayne, hitting him in the chest. However, the movie later unveils a dented metal tray concealed beneath Bruce’s shirt, which took the bullet. Crucially, neither the film nor Bruce himself is shown placing it there beforehand or even hinting at its presence during the shooting incident.

In the midst of the action, it’s uncertain how characters are surviving because crucial details about survival mechanisms remain hidden. It isn’t until later that the mystery is resolved when a tray suddenly appears, offering an explanation for what initially seemed like a life or death situation. However, the audience can’t fully understand the sequence of events until after the danger has subsided.

Perfect Sense: Gotham’s corruption and police response

Right from the start, the film indicates that criminal syndicates hold power over city governance in Gotham. Jack Napier serves as enforcer for Carl Grissom, and corruption runs rampant across various levels of authority. Commissioner Gordon and Harvey Dent are depicted struggling against this influence, yet they find themselves lacking in both resources and public faith.

It’s clear that the situation allows for a masked vigilante to function without being immediately shut down right away. Gordon’s careful approach during missions, such as the Axis raid and the parade, demonstrates a department walking a tightrope between quelling a crisis and preserving scarce resources. This setup helps explain their cautious alliance with Batman.

Zero Sense: The cathedral countdown

In about ten minutes, the Joker instructs his pilot to collect him, then compels Vicki Vale to ascend the cathedral’s steps. For quite some time, the characters traverse a lengthy route, confront various hindrances along the way, and eventually reach a bell tower that dominates the cityscape. Remarkably, the helicopter arrives punctually as if no change in timing had occurred.

In simpler terms, the movie portrays the delayed journey as a building tension, yet it never modifies the arrival time or provides a hint for a new schedule. The on-screen depiction of duration and altitude stretches beyond the scheduled timeline. However, the scene concludes with the aircraft arriving precisely when the situation demands it, resolving the time discrepancy.

Perfect Sense: Armor and gadgets that match the threats

Batman’s suit is constructed as a sturdy armor designed to withstand handgun fire by deflecting it and dispersing impact. The cowl, chest plate, and gauntlets are depicted as capable of absorbing impacts, while tools such as the grapnel gun and smoke bombs help him manage distance and visibility in confined areas.

In this style:

The compatibility of vehicles and handheld technology aligns with that strategy. The armored exterior, remote controls, and integrated weaponry in the Batmobile provide Batman versatile ways to navigate hostile environments when entering or exiting. This collection of tools demonstrates his ability to survive intense close-range gunfire and physical combat situations, be it in a factory, museum, or city streets.

Zero Sense: Lethal force during major set pieces

In simpler terms, during the Axis Chemicals incident and street fights, we see Batman employing explosives, weaponized vehicles, and aggressive methods that lead to apparent injuries. The Batmobile lays traps with bombs in the factory scene, while the Batwing shoots near crowd gatherings in a parade.

In the universe of ‘Batman’, the choices portrayed as essential escalations are not delved into with regard to potential alternatives or strategies for managing civilians’ safety during these confrontations. The film presents a version of Batman whose methods put both bystanders and adversaries at risk, without any apparent on-screen guidelines to minimize collateral damage.

Perfect Sense: The Bat Signal and official cooperation

At the conclusion, Gotham City officially displays the Bat-Signal, marking Batman’s presence as an available resource in times of emergency. This public declaration mirrors the alliance suggested during the Smilex crisis and the church incident. Mayor, Commissioner Gordon, and the media are all present for this significant event.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d put it this way: In the heart of the thriller, there’s a covert communication line that safeguards anonymity, steering clear from haphazard meetings. It’s tailor-made for the city’s swift action scenarios, where high-tech gear and imposing presence are crucial. This secret channel subtly solidifies the tentative alliance that unfolds throughout the investigation, giving it a formal structure.

Please share in the comments below your most puzzling experience that left you scratching your head, as well as the most compelling scene from ‘Batman’ that stands out for you.

2025-08-31 19:15