BATMAN & ROBIN (1997)

Featuring: George Clooney; Chris O'Donnell; Arnold Schwartzenegger

Director: Joel Schumacher

Once, while appearing on the BBC's Graham Norton Show, George Clooney told how at some stage he apologized for destroying the Batman franchise. Ironically he was the best of the bunch from that particular era. Whereas neither Michael Keaton nor Val Kilmer convinced as the Dark Knight, George Clooney fitted into the role as if it was created for him. Batman Forever introduced Chris O'Donnell as Robin and in this movie he continues in that role. Then there are Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy and Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl to make things interesting. But the real treat is to watch in this film is Arnold Schwartzenegger as the villainous but simultanious almost pathetic Mr Freeze. As usual Arnie is a real hoot.

Batman and side-kick Robin, assisted by Batgirl, is called upon to save the good people of Gotham when Mr Freeze and Poison Ivy team up in order to destroy the city and at the same time also annihilate everybody in it.

This time around Tim Burton is not involved at all and it shows. It is as if this last film in this particular series lacks the darkness that characterized the previous three. And that is unfortunate. It is exactly that 'darkness' which gave the Batman comics its unique flavor.

Yet, despite that, I still find the movie quite entertaining and rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORAGHEV890Y 

 George Clooney... the only real Batman from the 80's and 90's movie series

BATMAN FOREVER (1995)

Featuring: Val Kilmer; Jim Carrey; Tommy Lee Jones

Director: Joel Schumacher

Of the four Batman movies made during this era (1990's), this one is generally regarded as being the most authentic; most 'comic-like' if you will. That is largely thanks to Jim Carrey's portrayal of The Riddler. Danny DeVito was excellent as Penguin but it is as if Carrey's talent for playing cartoon characters (think of him in the 1994 film The Mask) brings the larger-than-life caricatures from the comic book pages to life. On the other hand if you think Michael Keaton did not fit into the role of Batman, Val Kilmer even less so. Although he is yet another very accomplished actor, Kilmer too simply does not convince as the Dark Knight.

In this episode we meet Harvey Dent, the former lawman gone rogue, now known as Two Face (magnificently played by Tommy Lee Jones) and former scientist, Edward Nigma aka The Riddler (Jim Carrey) who both have a bone to pick with Batman (Val Kilmer). We also get to meet recently orphaned young trapezist, Dick Grayson (Chris O'Donnell) who becomes Batman's partner in fighting crime, Robin, despite the former's objections. But when the two above mentioned villains decide to join forces against the Dark Knight, he soon realizes he needs all the help he can get.

For this film Tim Burton switched to the role of co-producer only while Joel Schumacher took over the direction. By times the plot becomes a little bit flat in that some scenes are needlessly drawn out almost video-game-like but overall remains quite entertaining.

For my collection I also rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suOgRZflPtk

Val Kilmer as Bruce Wayne and...                         Batman

BATMAN RETURNS (1992)

Featuring: Michael Keaton; Danny DeVito; Michelle Pheiffer

Director: Tim Burton

Many felt that Michael Keaton was never right for the role of Batman. Mel Gibson, Pierce Brosnan and Harrison Ford were among those originally considered for the role. But as none of them were able or willing to take it on, it finally went to Keaton. And, although he must be one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood, he simply didn't convince as the Dark Knight; not in the original 1989 film nor in this sequel. On the other hand the role of Penguin fitted Danny DeVito like a glove - a very creepy glove but a perfect fit nonetheless. And, to a certain extent, the same can be said of Michelle Pheiffer as Catwoman.

When a mysterious freak who grew up in the sewers of Gotham City finally decides to reveal himself to the outside world, a corrupt businessman, Max Shreck (eerily portrayed by Christopher Walken) convinces him to run in the election for mayor. In the process the 'penquinman' discovers his real name is Oswald Cobblepot and he was abandoned as a baby by his socialite parents because of his looks. Torn between the desire to be treated as a human being on the one hand and taking revenge on the society he blames for his rejection on the other, he soon is up to no good. Enters Batman in order to save the good people of Gotham from the evil and revengeful Penguin!

Again, you have to be a Tim Burton fan to fully appreciate the nuances of this movie. To my mind this movie as well as it predecessor never quite manage to convey the true essence of the graphic novels it is based on. It is almost like looking at a jigsaw puzzle with a few pieces missing - you don't quite get the full picture. Be that as it may and Tim Burton's quirky direction style aside, this is still a good movie. So, if you are not too concerned about a plot that doesn't neatly comes together in all aspect with no unanswered questions left behind, you are sure to enjoy watching it again (if you've seen it before, that is...)

Due to its close-to-cult status, I award it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlbtLfWvFbo

 Tim Burton in action behind the camera

BATMAN (1989)

Featuring: Michael Keaton; Jack Nicholson; Kim Basinger

Director: Tim Burton

... and speaking of Batman... After the initial failure of the 1966 movie with Adam West and which was based on the popular TV-series he starred in at the time, Tim Burton took another stab at it and came up with this iconic version. Although not one of his best pieces of work this was a huge box office success, mainly due to its star studded cast. But what it is best known for is of course its theme music. Created by Danny Elfman this theme became the anthem so to speak for all Batman films that followed in its wake. Take a listen...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srUXSzau1-A

We are re-introduced to the man called Bruce Wayne (here played by Michael Keaton) as the playboy millionaire by day, menacing crime-fighting bat by night. In this version he has to save Gotham City from the maniacal Joker (terrifically portrayed by Jack Nicholson) who decided to take the city over. Again it follows the familiar story line from the original Bob Kane graphic novel with a small twist here and there.

From an artistic point of view this movie is not particularly good but then it is not particular bad either. The audiences loved it though and in the end that is all that really counts. This basically established the franchise which, as we all know is still thriving to this very day. I hope to look at some of these in the weeks to come.

But for now, I rate this first of the 'new' Batman movies 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F07Mf1kxUKY

 No caption necessary...

BATMAN vs SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE (2016)

Featuring: Ben Affleck; Henry Cavill; Amy Adams; Jesse Eisenberg

Director: Zach Snyder

Marvel started the trend of combining different superheros in one movie with the Avenger series. It seems as if DC Comics is now following suit with Batman vs Superman being the first. The sub-title Dawn Of Justice also suggests that there is more to come along these same lines.

After the devastation caused by the epic battle between Superman and General Zod (Man Of Steel) Bruce Wayne aka Batman (Ben Affleck) is perturbed by the potential danger posed to mankind by this alien called Superman (Henry Cavill). At the same time a senatorial committee is also looking into the real intentions of this super being. And to top is all off, Lex Luthor (now played by a maniacal Jesse Eisenberg), who gets his own nose bent out of shape over both Superman and Batman, sets in motion a scheme that will ultimately pit the two superheros against each other.

If you haven't seen Man Of Steel yet, you might not be able to fully get what is going on in Batman vs Superman. Therefor, it is advisable to watch the former first before you indulge yourself in the latter. Even if you are not quite into the comic-based movie genre (and who isn't these days as it seems to be the only movies worth watching lately) you will find this one interesting, at least.

I give it a well earned 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WWzgGyAH6Y

 Some of the major cast members