Batman: The SilentPete Edit

This was a great, streamlined version of Batman 89. The storytelling in the original version is so weak, so it's hard to do much to change that. The deletion of Jack being the Waynes' killer is great and handled well (with some clever audio editing). Taking out the Vicki romance is a great idea, but it leads to a couple problems. Mostly that it leaves us with fewer Bruce Wayne scenes, which the original version was already lacking. There are also a few instances in the first half of the movie where the cuts between deleted scenes are awkward. There are three Jack/Joker scenes that are scrunched together and don't make a lot of sense timing wise. I also missed the Smilex subplot. But you've gotta make cuts somewhere if you want a shorter movie.

However overall I really enjoyed it. Moving the opening credits was an inspired idea (even though I personally would have cut to black before them instead of fading in, but that's complete nitpicking). The museum scene was MASTERFUL visual and audio editing. You should watch it just for that if you're on the fence. Thanks so much for letting me watch, Silentpete!

I have a weird relationship with this movie. First of all, I grew up with Tim Burton's Batman films. At first I loved them both. Later, I only liked the first one and recently, when I rewatched them in preparation for the extremely mediocre Flash movie, I realized that I prefer the second one because a) it was more "mature" because Burton had the experience with the first and bigger budget, and b) Batman (1989) was just sooo long.

This edit is a testament to how useless was the romance between Bruce and Vicky. Plus, I didn't mind at all the light trimming of some of Joker's over the top silliness and the removal of him being the one that killed Bruce's parents. I didn't miss the removed scenes for a second and if this would be your first viewing of the movie, I guarantee you would never even know that there was a romance between Bruce and Vicky. That's how good this edit is. So, job well done SilentPete!

The reason I removed one point from narrative is because at the beginning at the gala where Knox and Vicky go, Knox nods Vicky to check out Gordon because he is discussing something seemingly important with the police officer, but then we abruptly cut to the scene in the armory room where Vicky and Knox went and Bruce enters and tells them he bought the armor in Japan. I was like, what? but this my only complaint.

For anyone who felt that either Batman was too long or the romance was unnecessary, this is your edit! I assure you this will be your go-to version in the future! I know it will be for me!

Thank you SilentPete for all your hard work and thanks to anyone who read my review!

The original Batman '89 was always a mixed bag for me. On the plus side, I loved the Batsuit and the Batmobile, and Jack Nicholson's Joker was arguably the best villain of the first four Batman movies. On the negative side, I've never liked the Vicki Vale romance and the idea of Jack Napier killing Bruce's parents. This edit takes care of all that, and the result feels like an extended episode of the 90's animated series in the best way. Highly recommended to all Batman fans.

SilentPete's Batman (1989) hits its goal of removing the Vicky Vale romance subplot bs and enhancing the film's pacing. By trimming certain scenes and eliminating specific subplots, SilentPete made a more focused and streamlined Gotham adventure. While some narrative elements may be missed by fans of the original film, this fan edit provides a fresh and engaging alternative viewing experience for those seeking a more streamlined take on Batman's. the subplot involving The Joker infecting house products and people with his toxin. While it contributed to the original film's complexity, its removal here allows for a more focused narrative. The Joker's involvement in chemistry remains a key element, with the reveal of his gas balloons and the street attack saved for the climactic finale.

I enjoyed this edit. The trick about watching an edit like this, where several things have been removed from the film, is paying close attention to what remains and whether it makes logical sense. This edit did a good job of that. There was only one tiny piece of audio that stuck out to me. During the final act, Vicki Vale says out loud, "Joker Smilex Gas" when she notices something seeping out of the giant float balloons. It stuck out to me because any other mentions of "Smilex" were removed from the film. But, that's not really a major quibble, more of a minor one. But what can I say, I'm a details person.
Overall though I think that it's definitely worth a watch, and sets out to accomplish the intention of the edit. The theatrical cut does seem too long to me when I try to watch it now, so it's nice to have a shorter, faster paced version.