Batman! - KL

Tim Burton heavily relies on the use of film noir in Batman.  There are countless elements of film noir that Burton uses to create both the mood and driving forces of the work.  There is a determined, beautiful, scheming woman, a dark and violent, but inescapable city, and a very particular lighting and structural format to set up the movie.  More than that, not only does Burton utilize a conflicted anti-hero, but presents two, very different anti-heroes, with backstories and circumstances that have pushed them to the outskirts of society. 

Both Batman and the Joker are liminal characters but for entirely different reasons.  “I made you?  You made me first.”  Batman is forced into the role based on things that happened to him by Jack Napier as a child, in effect changing his mental state and focus onto one thing, vengeance for his fallen parents.  The Joker on the other hand forces himself into the role by making decisions and being genuinely corrupt and evil.  I believe that it wasn’t until Bruce Wayne heard the Joker say, “Ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?” that he truly made the connection of who murdered his parents.  Although highly debated, in the scene where the Joker falls into the vat of toxic waste, I believe that Batman dropped the Joker and did not slip or lose grip.  Batman caught the Joker to give him the opportunity to repent or say any meaningful last words.  When the Joker didn’t, Batman dropped him and completed the mission he had been so dedicated to his whole life.  Although Batman is viewed as good and wholesome, he does in fact have a dark side. 

This brings up another interesting point, the coloring and vibrancy of each of the anti-heroes.  In most works, the lighter and brighter character is supposed to be good and the dark character is supposed to be bad.  Batman flips this assumption on its head because Batman, the vigilante of justice, is dressed in an all black suit, mask, and car, and is also viewed negatively by the masses and the police.  Black is the color most connected with death and misery.  On the contrary, the Joker’s face is illuminated and he wears a costume that represents both positive traits and Marti Gras.  The Jokers suit is purple (Royalty), green (Hope), and gold (Fortune).