B89 ranked among greatest movies of the 1980s

[The Laughing Fish]

The Consequence of Sound website posted a list of the greatest movies of the 1980s, and B89 was ranked #32 - ahead of Videodrome, Brazil, Lethal Weapon, The Karate Kid, Full Metal Jacket and many others.

Here is a nice little summary paying tribute to the film, proving its legacy isn't lost to some people:

While the current superhero craze arguably kicked off in the early 2000s, it's hard to deny Tim Burton's impact on the genre with his grimly Gothic 1989 take on the Caped Crusader. Between Burton's Expressionist aesthetics and unconventional casting choices (Michael Keaton as Batman? Jack Nicholson as the Joker? Arli$$?!), Batman is a comic book tale as off-kilter as any we've seen. And yet it holds strong as a foundational element for the Marvel-shaped mountain Hollywood stands on today.

What Makes It Pop: That Prince soundtrack, so beautifully idiosyncratic yet perversely fitting for Burton's anything-goes Gotham. The film has "Batdance" in it for God's sake, how could we not put it on this list?

https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/07/the-80-greatest-movies-of-the-80s/amp/

I must admit, there are plenty of films on that list that are better than B89, but I'm glad to see it getting some props. As a matter of fact, it's strange to see places around the Internet are suddenly paying tribute to Burton's Batman movies after spending a decade downplaying their importance. Whether or not they're doing this to jump on the 80s nostalgia bandwagon or not, at least they're acknowledging B89's legacy and influence.

But I reckon calling Nicholson's Joker casting unconventional is rewriting history a little. It was well documented producers always wanted him, and I don't remember hearing anything about the fans doubting his ability to perform in the role, unlike the reaction towards the Keaton casting.

[The Joker]

As it should be.

The year 1989 and Tim Burton's Batman is essentially synonymous with each other in my mind. 

[BatmanFurst]

I'm starting to get the sense that people are coming back around on this film. I only say that because I've been seeing more people in support of Keaton's Batman as of late. As for my own rankings of 1980's films, Batman 89 would certainly be in my top 10. It's the one movie I wish I could've seen upon release. Anytime I see these vintage vids of people at the midnight showing in 1989 I immediately get jealous.