Retro Reviews: Batman Anthology (1989-1997)

Introduction:

Third retro review... Well, this will actually be four miniature ones, more on that in a bit. Reminder, a retro review is reviewing a past title as though just released and somewhat subtly including the context of the present (these are no different even though it's four at once). To get a better idea, check out my other two: A Christmas Story and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology, as these films have been collected and released as, includes Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, and Batman & Robin. These films are presented as and were marketed as occurring in the same continuity (plug alert: I will explore this continuity next week). Batman '89 was actually the film I used to explain the retro review concept when telling others about it, because there have literally been nine live action films prominently featuring the character, most straight up Batman films, released since (ten if you count Zack Snyder's Justice League separate from Joss-tice League as I do). I follow the good [G], bad [B] and ugly [U] format for each. Enough intro; let's get to it.

Retro (mini)Reviews: Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1989-1997)

Batman (1989)

[G]: Batman is well cast (despite some objections to Michael Keaton in the titular role who is destined to be a beloved portrayer), has an interesting story, and is driven by a great soundtrack (both from Prince's album and Danny Elfman's score). [B]: Some may be put off by giving Joker a definitive origin complete with name and then intertwining his and Batman's pasts. [U]: Behind the scenes, it has been reported that Robin Williams was used as bait, a terrible way to treat a human being, by Warner Bros. to secure Jack Nicholson's commitment to the Joker role. Recommend: 9 Smylex balloons out of 10 (or more appropriately, 180 out of 200 balloons).

Batman Returns (1992)

[G]: Batman Returns is wonderfully darker, takes advantage of less need for origin story allowing room for the story to breathe and manages to honor the legacy of Batman with a nod to the 1960s series without the campy humor. [B]: While Danny DeVito's Penguin is great, the constant lasciviousness of his character is a bit much, though believable. [U]: This film's dark and less-than-family-friendly tone meeting a McDonald's Happy Meal promotion creates the perfect parent reaction storm: I fear we will never see a third film with Burton at the helm and will see too much lightening up in the future. Recommend: 9.5 umbrellas out of 10.

Batman Forever (1995)

[G]: Potentially unpopular opinion: Val Kilmer's portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman is decent, displaying an understanding of the duality of the character (a theme of the film), and Michael Gough's Alfred Pennyworth is still nearly perfect. [B]: The introduction of a Dick Grayson/Robin presumably right before he would age out of the foster care system and a competition that feels more like one between Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey as actors than rivalry between their characters put the viewer in a scenario to decide which is worse. [U]: The nipples on the Bat-suit (and Robin's) is an extremely distracting design choice, and the gaudy bright colors in nearly every scene are an unwelcome shift from the two previous films' dark palettes. I hope this is not indication of future direction. Cannot recommend: 4 Bat-nips out of 10.

Batman & Robin (1997)

[G]: Mostly, there is a good chance the legacy of this film, like Superman IV, will be "so bad it's good," but there are some actually touching father/son moments between Michael Gough's Alfred and George Clooney's Bruce, if a bit melodramatic. [B]: What must be an attempt to reflect the 1960s series really just creates an extreme in uneven tone. With very one-dimensional villains, it produces an insult to the character of Bane, who is both intelligent and formidable physically in the comics. [U]: The supposedly British Barbara/Batgirl, inexplicably Alfred's niece as opposed to Commissioner Gordon's daughter, speaks with Alicia Silverstone's San Fernando valley girl delivery. Cannot recommend: 3 Bat-credit cards out of 10 (or ironically, Recommend: 6 ice puns out of 10).

Conclusion:

In short, Batman has set the bar high for what a superhero film should be, Batman Returns is a lesson on how to make an even better sequel, Batman Forever is the result of reactive filmmaking, and Batman & Robin is a lesson in how to kill a profitable franchise by presuming too much. It is not to say the good two are perfect or that the bad two have nothing enjoyable, but there is something to be said for maintaining at least director and actor in the titular role over trying to make a quick buck.

Next week...The Burton/Schumacher Bat-Multiverse?

Same Bat-Time!

Same Bat-Blog...!

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