Batman and Robin

1997

Starring: George Clooney, Chris O’Donnell, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Uma Thurman, and Alicia Silverstone

Written by: Akiva Goldsman based on characters by Bob Kane

Directed by: Joel Schumaker

Now this is the film that literally killed the franchise and I have no argument against that. Despite it still being financially successful, this is one of the worst superhero movies I have ever seen. It is right up there with Superman IV from almost every angle…except it’s worse.

Gone is any subtletly or any real attempt to make a serious Batman film. In it’s place are one liners galore, a few action sequences that the comics wouldn’t even try (surfing down the air to land on buildings and being able to run a second later), and some more eye candy – Uma Thurman as Posion Ivy and Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl.

The first comlaint I have is George Clooney. Could he have mailed in a performance anymore than this schlock? On paper it sounded interesting at the very least. In practice. Garbage. Anyone who complained about Val Kilmer fell asleep during this one (like I did the first time I watched this). I never thought I’d watch this one again….but my dedication to this review site knows no bounds.

Arnold Schwarzenegger also captures the crown for worst performance of his career channeling his inner Tommy Lee Jones and just all out crapping the bed.

The aformentioned Uma Thurman was hot certainly but my god I didn’t know she could overact this much.

Add into the tale, the horrific rendering of Bane, who in this film looks like the villain who ate Batman rather than who broke him.

The only good thing about the film was the attempt to make the story be about family and how the Batman family needs each other. Only problem? Wrong franchise. Batman and Alfred are the family. Batman should be a solo hero. Robin sometimes works, but only at first and eventually Robin too has to go solo. It’s how it works. Otherwise it becomes way too happy in the cave.

The movie was thankfully forgettable because when I do remember it, I want to puke. But it’s ok, I’ll take the Bat-Credit Card (actually IN the film and buy some cleaning product.)

F

Batman Forever

Starring: Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, and Chris I’Donnell

Written by: Lee Scott-Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler, and Akiva Goldsman based on characters by Bob Kane

Directed by: Joel Schumacher

This was supposed to be the one that ruined the franchise. Schumaker took Burton’s genius and crapped on it. The only problem with the theory is that Batman Forever is a superior film to Batman Returns. True it’s not by a whole lot, but it is a better film.

Usually when I write my reviews, I know the grade I’m going to give it before I write it and the writeup just serves as the reasoning. But I am struggling right now between two grades. Part of me wants to give it a B-, but then I think of all the over the top campiness, such as baseball sound effects thrown in during the Riddler’s destruction of the batcave. Part of me wants to give it a C+, but then I remember Jim Carey’s zany antics that made me enjoy the film immensely.

To begin it is a different tone certainly than Burton’s. It is a bit less gothic and more comic-booky which is not a bad thing. It’s just different. In a way it’s a good thing because it allows the campiness to feel more intended. In a wink wink way, it lets the viewer in on the joke of sorts and allows the film to work in a way that it didn’t for Batman Returns.

Michael Keaton’s departure was probably for the best as his version of the Dark Knight would not have been as appropriate in this film and Val Kilmer does a credible job. His Batman is fairly non-descript and not nearly as interesting as Keaton’s but his Bruce Wayne is far more on target.

Then there are the villains. Again with two villains, it tends to take the focus away from the Dark Knight which is something that the later Batman Begins was able to focus on.

The villains in question are Tommy Lee Jones’ Two-Face and Jim Carrey’s The Riddler.

The difference in the two is as clear as Two-Face himself. Jones is terrible. TERRIBLE. Two-Face is probably one of the most in depth characters in the Batman mythos but Jones just bites as much scenery as he can and in no way do you ever sense that there is anything beneath his surface.

Jim Carrey however is phenomenal as the Riddler. The one criticism I have is that he plays it a bit more like the Joker, an evil psychotic with murderous tendencies. In my mind the Riddler was less homicidal and more playfully evil. BUT Carrey’s charisma wins the day. He is hilarious and over the top and steals the show in every scene he is in.

The introduction of Robin to this mythos was also slightly controversial, but in all honesty it was natural to do so in this film. O’Donnell is fine as the cocky Dick Grayson. The relationship between Robin and Batman is completely rushed and when they do decide to team up at the end it seems completely due to the need of the plot rather than any sort of actual character development.

And of course there is one thing that has to be mentioned. The nippled Bat-suit. Yes it’s stupid. Yes it’s ridiculous. But was it worth all the fuss? Not so much.

Overall, this is not a phenomenal movie by any stretch of the imagination, but I will say that I enjoyed watching it a hell of a lot more than Batman Returns and I don’t tire of this film. So I guess I’ll be generous.

B-

Batman Returns

Starring: Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfieffer, Danny Devito, and Christopher Walken

Written by: Daniel Waters and Sam Hamm based on characters by Bob Kane

Directed by: Tim Burton

If this was Batman returning than he can go back from where he came. When reading interviews with Tim Burton regarding his original Batman and the controversy of casting Michael Keaton as the Dark Knight, he made it a point that some people probably wanted the camp of the 1960s series and this wasn’t going to be anything like that.

So why’d you change your mind Tim? Batman Returns is the bastard hybrid child of the 60s tv series and the 1989 Burton version. It had the look of the ’89 version. Dark and gothic and almost noir.

But the silliness and campiness made it almost feel like a parody of the original.

The one positive was the performances generally. Even with a crappy story and crappy script, Danny Devito shone as the Penguin. Christopher Walken (I admit, he could entertain me just reading the alphabet) was perfectly cast as smug business tycoon Max Schreck. Michelle Pfeiffer is certainly great eye candy. She is a bit overdramatic as Catwoman…but it might be that her origin was just completely ridiculous even by comic book standards.

Selina Kyle is a meek, scared secretary to Max Schreck who stumbles on Max’s evil plans. He pushes her out the window of his highrise and she plummets to her death until she is resuscitated somehow by cats.

What? Ok..

Danny Devito’s is slightly better. A deformed child who is abandoned by his parents (Pee Wee Herman!) and grows up in the sewers somehow…yeah not great but better than Selina.

The film is generally a mess. It all seems to be about getting from one minor action sequence to the next with very little character development.

Much is said about how Joel Schumaker wrecked the franchise but in reality, it was this film that started the downfall. In fact without having watched it again, I believe Batman Forever will be a superior film than this one.

C-

Batman (1989)

Starring: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl, and Jack Palance

Written by: Sam Hamm and Walter Skaaren based on charactes by Bob Kane

Directed by: Tim Burton

In 1989 there really was no other film to compare. It wasn’t a movie, it was a movement. Kids were cutting the batsignal into their hair, graffitti arose of the bat signal. Batman was just plain cool and people were looking for a real Batman film. Adam West need not apply (although he did..)

When you come down and look at the film, the story is not anything shocking or revealing. It was a fairly straight forward tale of how a young Batman meets up with the Joker and does battle.

However there are a few things about the film that take it far above average.

First and most obvious is Jack Nicholson. At the time Jack was the first choice by many to take on the role and here we are years later and it’s still a very iconic role. Even after Heath Ledger delivers an Oscar worthy performance, some would argue that Jack=Joker.

Secondly was the inspired choice of Michael Keaton to play Batman. Keaton? That was my thought when I first heard it. Mr. Mom? But once you get past the physicality of Batman, Keaton just HAS the psychology of the Dark Knight down pat. Batman is supposed to be a tad psychotic. Keaton pulls it off superbly.

Thirdly and the most important was the style. Tim Burton added a lot to this film that made the film a success. The visual style is brilliant. Almost a period piece, almost a direct nod to film noir, the comic book style was highly reminscent of Frank Miller’s Return of the Dark Knight miniseries.

Overall it was a success both commericially and artistically and well worth a spot on your DVD shelf.

B+

ComingSoon.net has the interview

Talk about this in The Dark Knight thread in our forums.

Batman Begins

Starring: Christian Bale, Katie Holmes, Liam Neeson, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Tom Wilkerson, Rutger Hauer, and Ken Watanabe

Written by: Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Given that I’m going to see the Dark Knight tomorrow night, I thought it would be a good time to go revisit Batman Begins. I will eventually go back to all of the older Batman films, but I’ll start here. There was quite a bit of hype over this one, albeit not as much as Dark Knight, but quite a bit and was it deserved? Certainly. While the approach is not going to win over everyone, the methodically paced orgin story for the Caped Crusader was engaging, entertaining and as true to a character as a comic movie could be…save perhaps J Jonah Jameson in the Spidey saga.

I can say that from the get go, what drew me in was the unique starting point of the character. We first see the young Bruce fall into the well that will become so important. Then we jump to a pre-Batman Wayne. Bruce is a dark man looking for a purpose. Honing his skills amongst the prisons and warriors of the east, when he is confronted by a man calling himself Ducard (played skillfully by Liam Neeson in an almost Qui-Gon gone evil sort of way). Bruce is recruited to join the legendary League of Shadows who have a plan to exterminate evil.

It is then we are forced to see Bruce’s fears, and the well known tale of the mugger killing both his parents. In an interesting twist, Jim Gordon is the officer who calms him. But Bruce wants his revenge even as Michael Caine’s charismatic Alfred takes charge of the young man.

Jumping back to the present, we see Bruce trained in multiple forms of martial arts until he is almost in Batman form.

However we also jump back to learn that vengeance was not to be his as he planned. He planned to murder the thug who killed his father but someone beat him to it due to what the thug was planning on ratting out crime boss, Falcone. Instead he drives a wedge between himself and Rachel Dawes, a girl who grew up in Wayne Manor with Bruce before his parents were killed. Played by Katie Holmes, she is the token love interest, but I’m not certain I love her origins.

Bruce confronted Falcone but knew he wasn’t ready to become what he needed to be. Thus his trip to the Far East.

At this point I have to admit it is a bit long winded and that could certainly turn some people off, but it is not an anchor on the film at all. In fact, I enjoyed the rare look into the Batman psyche as the films usually focus more on the villains.

Instead we focus on how Batman does not become a villain. As he trains with the League of Shadows, he runs with them until he is asked to make a hard choice. To kill a murderer and rid the world of his evil. In a test of morality, Bruce refuses, and thus is the difference between true good, and believed good.

He challenges the whole League of Shadows including his friend in order to make good on this morality, and destroys the temple and nearly everyone, but risks his life to save Ducard. Bruce makes his first true step into becoming the man he will be and then returns home.

Upon returning home we are introduced to Dr. Crane, who has been testifying that many of Falcone’s thugs are insane. Bruce was gone for seven years and declared dead, so he doesn’t announce his return. But when he comes back he faces his fears in a literal way by exploring the well and finding the caverns that will become his future crimefighting home. It’s great that we get to see the beginnings of the Cave, again something we don’t usually get to see.

Bruce makes contact with Jim Gordon after a quick scene that shows he is one of the good cops. We are then introduced to Lucius Fox, who worked with Bruce’s father. Played by Morgan Freeman, Fox is quite different from is comic book version. He is recast as Q to Batman’s Bond. And a sarcastic one at that.

After getting all sorts of wonderful toys, Batman is born by taking down Falcone and his thugs on a big shipment of drugs.

It’s a great visual sequence…almost a horror film but he’s a good guy.

The music is also very well scored. It is subtle yet evocative and anthemic.

Crane takes Falcone out using his “special” mask which is his scarecrow gear. He induces him with fear gas.

As the movie develops the pace certainly quickens but unlike a lot of action movies, Batman Begins doesn’t sacrifice story for that action and Batman’s first failure is a great example of that. As Batman gets gassed by Scarecrow, he falls, out for days.

Dawes becomes the typical damsel in distress as she goes to lash out at Crane. Batman has to folllow and with the antitdote created by Lucius Fox, he is able to rescue her just before the cops show up. It turns out that Commissioner Loeb wants the Batman taken out as well.

Gordon, having met the Batman goes into Arkham anyways to find out what he can find out. With help from Gordon, Batman is able to escape the cops and lead them on a merry escape with the Batmobile throughout Gotham.

On his birthday.

Unforunately for Bruce after all this, Henri Ducard shows up and destroys Wayne Manor all to further his plan with Scarecrow to destroy Gotham and rid the world of it’s evil, hoping to rebuild in a purer image.

The final climactic battle is fast and furious and worthy of the epic movie that it became.

Even more important is the battle Batman has with himself. With Alfred’s help he can’t help but almost lose himself in the process. Who is Bruce Wayne? Is he a vigilante looking for personal vengeance, or is he through people like Rachel Dawes able to look past personal satisfaction and into true justice.

It’s very well done.

Batman Begins had the unenviable task of making viewers forget Batman and Robin. And it certainly did. Only the 1989 original Batman could measure up of previous cinematic Caped Crusader movies. And from what I hear Dark Knight is better. I’ll find out soon enough.

A-

The Dark Knight

Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Morgan Freeman.

Written by: Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan, and David S. Goyer

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Review by Jedi Daniel

Wednesday was the premiere of The Dark Knight here in Australia. I booked tickets a week in advance knowing it would be packed. There hasn’t been a movie like this since Star Wars Episode 3 Revenge of the Sith with news crew outside the cinema interviewing awaiting fans.

Batman Begins was one of, if not the best comic book movie I had seen. It’s very rare when a sequel delivers more than the original and thought it may not be topped. However after Wednesdays screening, I was eating my own words. The movie can now be added to a rare list which includes Star Wars Episode 5 The Empire Strikes Back, X-Men 2, Terminator 2: Judgement Day and Aliens.

The Dark Knight not only improved on Batman Begins, but could be the movie of the year.

Right from the opening bank heist scene, the audience knows this will be a darker and tenser movie. Ledgers introduction and performance as the Joker was nothing short of genius. This was the way the character is supposed to be, maniacal; creepy; dark and psycho with nothing to lose.

Harvey Dent, the white knight played by Aaron Eckhart is also fitting in the role as he spirals out of control and becomes Two Face, showing us that even the best are corruptible (He’s basically Batman’s version of Anakin/Darth Vader). Extremely well done makeup here too and I like how each side of his personality was shot.

I think both of these performances were so good that they drowned out Christian Bale’s return as Batman/Bruce Wayne but he was still in fine form. Gary Oldman was fleshed out and had a large role this time around once again showing he’s perfect as Jim Gordon. The same goes with Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman, both playing their characters very well once again. Maggie Gyllenhaal had her moments as Rachel Dawes but then again so did Katie Holmes in Batman Begins. She’s still the weakest main character in the new movies.

The storyline was more complex than Batman Begins. With multiple story threads weaving in and out, it can be difficult to keep up with. Its more character driven this time and not just an action comic book movie like say Iron Man was even though there are some impressive action and chase scenes, explosions and stunts.

The soundtrack by Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard was equally impressive, using parts from the previous score to create new themes. I especially loved the Jokers theme titled ‘Why So Serious?’.

The Dark Knight does have two flaws I think, these being slow in getting going and a tad too long at 152 minutes but besides that, it was perfect. I applaud Christopher Nolan in continuing the realistic approach, using innovative filming techniques (a few scenes were filmed in IMAX) and pushing the limits. Bring on the next Batman movie.

A

SecondView by Paul Talon

Wow.  It’s rare that I come out of a movie speechless, but it took me a bit to gather myself before I could even speak to my wife and sister who saw the flick with me.  If I had to write this review at that moment it would have been just that one word.  Wow.

Luckily for my loyal readers I had a little time.

As I stated in my recent review, I had watched Batman Begins yesterday as a sort of preparation for this one and in doing so rediscovered how much I loved it.

This one blew it away.

It helps that there is no origin story to work through this time around…actually I take it back, from another angle, the whole film *IS* an origin story at least for Harvey “Two Face” Dent.

But the action is superb, bordering on the ridiculous, but staying so damn cool you just don’t care. The score by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, expands on the subtle score of the first film giving it a real cohesiveness.

The acting is also extremely well crafted.  Cameos from William Fichtner, Anthony Michael Hall, and Cillian Murphy in a very cool reprisal of the Scarecrow sprinkled throughout do a good job of supporting the

larger supporting roles.  Michael Caine’s subtle yet charismatic Alfred nearly steals the scenes he is in, Morgan Freeman does a steady job with Lucius Fox, and Eric Roberts is great as smarmy mob boss Sal Marone.

Beyond that to the leading roles.  Gary Oldman is as solid as ever playing the everyday good cop turned commissioner in Jim Gordon.  He brings a real human level to the story about the larger than life gods who do battle for good and evil.  He is our viewpoint in and we cheer him on.

Aaron Eckhart is strong as Gotham’s White Knight who falls into darkness at the end due to the madness created by the Joker.  His fall is probably the weakest link of the film, given how it has to take place rather quickly, but it’s not as quickly as some reviews have made it out to be.  It seems to me that a snap like that should happen quickly.  But he’s powerful and forceful, but believable as an icon.

Christian Bale does get a little bit of the shaft as is usually the case in Batman sequels.  We learn more about newer characters than we do out of Bats, BUT it isn’t nearly as bad as other sequels.  We still get some great quality time getting inside Bruce’s head as he makes tough decisions and tries to save everyone at the expense of losing himself.

Maggie Gyllenhaal is solid as Rachel Dawes.  I can’t get into more detail with her because I do believe the character who is the weakest link of both films.  She does serve her role in both films, but I do believe her fate best for the series.  And this is not a slight on Gyllenhaal at all.  The role itself is just…out of place.  She did a good job with the character she was given.

Of course I save the most anticipated for last.  Heath Ledger.

I was worried.  I went in with all the hype so there was no way he could live up to it.

I was wrong.  He surpassed my expectations by far.  While Jack Nicholson’s Joker was outlandish and stole all his scenes, his Joker was very cartoony…it fit Burton’s Batman well.  Ledger fits this Batman even better.  The dark psychosis of the character was explored here better than in any other source, even the comics…save maybe the Arkham Asylum graphic novel.  It was twisted, zany, unpredictable and just plain beautiful in a horrifying way. His Joker will for years be remembered as iconic as the great villains of film.  Darth Vader.  Hannibal Lecter, Freddy Krueger, The Joker.   I remember when Heath was cast, I was unsure to say the least.  I always had liked Ledger, and had faith in director Christopher Nolan, but it was hard to picture how it was going to be.

Wow.

The film itself is a 2 1/2 hour rollercoaster that twists and turns in so many directions that you don’t know which way you are going, but in the end you’re glad you went there.  In so many ways evil did a number on good, although Batman and Gordon refuse to allow it to win.  Batman sacrificing his reputation and support, in order to do the right thing, makes the possibility of a third Batman even greater.

A truly phenomenal film on all levels, I think it even surpasses Spiderman and Iron Man for the best comic movie of all time.  I can’t wait to see this one again.

A

Warner Bros. Records will release four different versions of the soundtrack; a standard jewel case CD, a 2 LP set of heavy-weight 180 gram vinyl version, a special edition digipack, and a collector’s edition with special artwork to come after release.