5 Things That Still Don’t Make Sense About Tim Burton’s Batman

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Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns remain popular live-action versions of the DC superhero, even though they aren’t perfect. His 1989 film Batman was groundbreaking, bringing a dark, gothic atmosphere with surprising humor. The success of the first movie led to Batman Returns in 1992, which amplified that unique, quirky darkness. While Burton never finished his planned Batman trilogy, his two films are still celebrated decades later.

Tim Burton’s Batman films captured the essence of many characters well, but they aren’t perfect. Over time, several illogical plot points and choices have become more noticeable. While these issues don’t ruin the movies overall—they’re still excellent—they can be quite frustrating for viewers.

5) The GCPD Should Never Have Relied On Batman

While Batman’s portrayal varies across different films, his uneasy partnership with the Gotham City Police Department, especially Commissioner James Gordon, is a common thread. Usually, Gordon tolerates Batman’s methods as a regrettable but essential way to fight Gotham’s overwhelming crime. However, the relationship between Batman and Gordon doesn’t quite work in Tim Burton’s Batman films.

At the end of Tim Burton’s first Batman film, the Gotham City Police Department reveals the Bat-Signal, signaling their intention to call on Batman for assistance. However, given all the damage Batman caused throughout the movie, this feels like a risky decision by the police. Although it’s a common trope in Batman films, it’s particularly illogical in Burton’s movies, especially considering how many people Keaton’s Batman actually defeated.

4) Why Gotham’s Criminals Bought Into The Joker Gimmick

Jack Nicholson is widely praised for his portrayal of the Joker, but there’s a plot point in his origin story that doesn’t quite make sense. In Batman, we see Jack Napier, a seasoned criminal, fall into a vat of chemicals, which transforms him into the Joker. He quickly builds a team of followers and launches a full-scale attack on Gotham City. Despite Nicholson’s fantastic performance, one aspect of how he becomes the Joker feels illogical.

Before becoming the Joker, Napier was involved in a typical criminal organization. Once he transformed, he quickly took charge, making his followers adopt the Joker’s look and persona. It doesn’t quite make sense why hardened criminals would follow his lead – any one of them could have easily overpowered him and taken control of Gotham’s underworld. This logical inconsistency is a small but persistent flaw in the story, even considering how iconic the Joker is as a Batman villain.

3) Batman’s Casual Attitude To Murder Doesn’t Add Up

Most live-action Batmans have been responsible for deaths, and Michael Keaton’s version is no exception, with at least 17 confirmed kills. Tim Burton’s films didn’t include Batman’s well-known rule against killing, a choice that remains controversial for some viewers. But looking back, Batman’s willingness to kill criminals in those movies is actually quite disturbing.

The murder of Bruce Wayne’s parents when he was young is a central event in the Batman story, and Tim Burton’s film highlights this. However, the movie portrays Bruce as casually killing some of Gotham’s weaker criminals, which feels out of character, especially since it changes the story of who killed his parents to a common criminal. While the film shows Batman as emotionally troubled, it doesn’t quite ring true to have Michael Keaton’s version be a ruthless killer.

2) How The Penguin Became A (Reasonably) Functional Adult

Following Jack Nicholson’s unforgettable portrayal of the Joker in the first Batman film was a huge challenge. In Batman Returns, Danny DeVito played the Penguin, offering a drastically different take on the character. Director Tim Burton envisioned the Penguin as someone born with physical deformities that made him look more bird-like. While DeVito’s performance is considered one of the best villainous roles in a Batman movie, this reimagining also introduces a noticeable inconsistency in the story.

In Batman Returns, Oswald Cobblepot, later known as the Penguin, is abandoned by his wealthy parents due to his unusual appearance. He’s then shown being raised by penguins, and eventually returns to Gotham seeking revenge. However, it’s unlikely someone truly raised by penguins would have such a strong grasp of language and a deep understanding of Gotham’s complex society.

1) How Nobody Uncovered Bruce Wayne’s Secret Earlier

Michael Keaton’s performance as Batman and Bruce Wayne in Tim Burton’s films included many memorable scenes, both when he was in the costume and when he wasn’t. In the 1989 film Batman, Bruce Wayne begins a romance with Vicki Vale, who quickly discovers he’s secretly Batman. Despite being an investigative reporter, how easily she found out his secret felt a bit unbelievable and strained credibility in Burton’s movies.

Keaton’s version of Bruce Wayne showed him as a very unusual and wealthy man. His large collection of weapons and tendency to keep to himself – even though he could be charming when he wanted to be – suggested he was hiding something. It’s hard to believe no one had investigated his life before, especially since Vale figured out his secret so easily. It seems improbable that no one else ever suspected Bruce Wayne was Batman.

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2026-02-07 23:43