BATMAN is not an origin tale, but offers the audience a Batman (Michael Keaton) who has only been on the job for only a few weeks (which is strange because Keaton was pushing 40 when he got the role). He is eventually pitted against his arch-nemesis - The Joker (Jack Nicholson). Actually, this IS an origin film as The Joker’s transformation from mafia thug to the Crown Prince of Crime is prominently depicted in BATMAN.

BATMAN’s most significant contribution is helping to wipe away the idea of Batman being a campy, silly charcter (ala the 60's TV program) - and show that the character was "The Dark Knight."

Jett’s grade: B-