Get Off My Lawn, You Little Animals
Tim Burton’s first Batman film was released on June 23, 1989. Before typing this, I confirmed it on Google, but I already knew this date to be accurate.
It’s not because I’m some kind of savant for dates, it’s because the marketing for the film was inescapable in the months leading up to opening day.
Unless you were around for it, you can’t imagine how huge Batman was. In a time before social media, film trailers on Youtube or widespread use of the Internet, Warner Bros. used what is now called “old media” to make sure everyone knew this was the film event of the year.
Toys, t-shirts, posters, you name it… You couldn’t throw a stone without hitting a bat symbol. Black kids were getting it cut into their hair, White kids were trying to get it cut into their hair. Even “Batdance”—a song that could be charitably called one of Prince’s lesser works—was a hit based on its association with the movie.
The Summer of 1989, a season that also brought us Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Ghostbusters II, was undeniably the Summer of Batman.
Today’s generation doesn’t realize how much of an impact Batman had. They’re all hot and bothered about the new Twilight; while that film may, in its first two weeks, outgross what Burton’s made in its entire run, it will never capture the public’s attention the same way. Today’s young adults don’t understand, and probably don’t care.
This used to boggle my mind, and frankly it pissed me off a little bit. Then I put it into this context:
Batman was released over 22 years ago. In 1989, I knew that The Beatles had caused a sensation 25 years before when they played “The Ed Sullivan Show.” I knew, but didn’t particularly care. And some old fart was probably confused and angry about it.
I don’t know what the point of this post is, other than to say that I get it. I don’t understand the appeal of Jersey Shore, the Twilight films look boring and overblown and I don’t recognize most of the artists on the American Music Awards that I’m half-watching right now. I get it. At 35, I’m not truly old, but I’m too old for pop culture.
Rather than being a ranting old bastard about it, I’m going to ignore the new stuff I don’t care for, appreciate the rare new stuff that I do enjoy and spend the rest of the time listening to and watching the music and movies that I do like. You know, ancient stuff like Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam and Nine Inch Nails.
I actually had this shirt. It was awesome.
