Batman

US (1989): Action/Drama

After a young boy witnesses his parents' murder on the streets of Gotham City, he grows up to become the Batman - a mysterious figure in the eyes of Gotham's citizens - who takes crime-fighting into his own hands. He first emerges out of the shadows when the Joker (Jack Nicholson) appears -- a horribly disfigured individual who is out for revenge on his former employer and generally likes to have a good time -- but the identity of the `bat' is unknown. Perhaps millionaire Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) and photographer Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger) have a good chance of finding out? (Graeme Roy, IMDb)

Thanks to the ambitious vision of director Tim Burton, the blockbuster hit of 1989 delivers the goods despite an occasionally spotty script, giving the caped crusader a thorough overhaul in keeping with the crime fighter's evolution in DC Comics. Triumphant Oscar-winning production design by the late Anton Furst turns Batman into a visual feast, and Burton brilliantly establishes a darkly mythic approach to Batman's legacy. Danny Elfman's now-classic score propels the action with bold, muscular verve. (Amazon.com)

· Best Achievement in Art Direction 1989: Anton Furst - Art Direction, Peter Young - Set Decoration

1 nomination, 1 Award