Niteshade007
New member
Since the Dark Knight thread was getting a little off the topic of The Dark Knight, I thought I'd start a new thread about ALL the Batman films so that we could discuss it and not take up space on another thread.
I just watched Batman, Batman Returns, and I was watching Batman Forever, but decided to turn it off and wait until I could really focus on it, but I will write my opinions about what I what I saw anyway.
The original Batman I love. I think it is a great film, very enjoyable, but there are a few things that bother me about it. For starters, the setting. They did a great job creating a bleak and ugly looking Gotham City, but they tried (and failed miserably) to make the time setting somewhat ambiguous. For example, when a flashback is shown of Bruce Wayne's parents being killed, it is clearly 30's clothes, yet in the present day, it feels far too 80's. Everything from hair to costume designs. They could have done a much better job, and it's certainly something I think they improved on in Batman Returns. The characters were pretty well written and acted, considering it's an action film. Of course Nicholson's Joker deserves the most praise, but I think that Keaton and Basinger also hold their own on screen with him. I also liked the character Knox, someone who I had forgotten about since the last time I saw the film. I had also forgotten that we were introduced to Harvey Dent! Not played by Tommy Lee Jones, of course, but Billy Dee Williams (here come the Star Wars fans screaming that he was in those movies). It seems interesting to me that they didn't use him in Batman Forever, but after looking up some information about it, it seems like he sort of got the raw end of the deal. Not as raw though as Sean Young. She was cast as Vicki Vale, then broke her collarbone in a scene they subsequently cut. After that, she apparently lobbied very hard for the role of Catwoman, but lost to Michelle Pfieffer. That girl seems to have the biggest list of "almost big" that I have ever seen. She didn't get parts she wanted in at least FOUR major pictures (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Batman, Batman Returns, and Dick Tracy). But getting back to the film, the plot is ok, but there are some things that are just plain ridiculous. Like the Joker tainting cosmetics? What the heck? That sounds so completely absurd. But again I read that nobody was really completely satisfied with the plot, so at least they realize that it isn't amazing. The writing, particularly the dialogue between Bruce Wayne and Vicki Vale, should have been much stronger. The scene where Vicki discovers that Bruce and Batman are one in the same, for example, really lacks any sort...well, anything. I wouldn't blame it on the actors, because listening to their dialogue, you can tell they didn't have a lot to work with. Fortunately this is an action flick, so I suppose I can forgive it.
Overall, I'd say this one gets an 8/10
Batman Returns. Now this is one that I thought was only ok, until this viewing. To start with again, the setting has a much better improvement. It truly find the balance between modern day technology and old time charm. The characters of Bruce and Selina Kyle are very well written, particularly Selina. My favorite scene in the entire series now is the two of them dancing at Schrek's Masquerade Ball. Neither one is wearing a mask, and Selina makes a comment about being tired of wearing a mask, to which Bruce agrees. Then the big reveal. The two repeat some dialogue that Batman and Catwoman shared earlier, and then, as they realize that the person that they are falling for is their enemy, they simply decide to keep dancing. Great dialogue and great acting on both of their parts. I don't think my description did it any justice, but it is definitely one of the finer moments in Superhero filmography, at least in my opinion.
The Penguin I could have done without. He felt almost like a "filler" type character until Catwoman came on screen and commanded it. Also, just a little problem I found with the plot...if you want to resurface and take over a city, why get a toy maker to help you? Just because he's a prominent businessman? I understand he had political sway and that The Penguin had a lot of dirt on him, but still, it's a pretty big gamble. Surely he could have found someone higher up, but I suppose it works for the film. The goons that he has are odd looking, but not distracting. I found them to be just...well, blah. The fact that they didn't display any personality probably helped with that.
Overall, this one probably would get a 7/10 in my opinion. It would have been so much higher if it weren't for the Penguin.
Batman Forever is a film I LOVED when I was little. I thought it was just the greatest thing. Of course, now that I watch it as a 19 year old, I find myself saying "What was I thinking?" It's not that the film is necessarily bad, it's just so...corny. I mean, the start of the film has a manic Two-Face with a security guard hostage as bait for Batman. Batman of course arrives (but not until after he has shared some cheesy dialogue about going through a drive through for dinner), only to find the scantily clad Nicole Kidman as Dr. Chase Merridian. Truly, Kidman has never been sexier, but her dialogue, oh my god! In front of the entire city, including Commissioner Gordon, the man who has asked her to come help them in their investigation, she is seriously coming onto Batman.
But the hit-you-over-the-head-with-a-hammer-I'm-flirting-so-hard is nothing compared to completely annoying over-acting of one Jim Carrey. When I was a kid, I thought his character was hysterical. Now that I'm older, I want to throw something at my TV screen everytime he comes on.
After Robin's parents died, I decided to stop the movie and start over tomorrow, maybe I won't be so hard on the film. I really want to enjoy it, but so far...eh.
I do love the poster though. I think it's probably my favorite of all the Batman Posters.
I just watched Batman, Batman Returns, and I was watching Batman Forever, but decided to turn it off and wait until I could really focus on it, but I will write my opinions about what I what I saw anyway.
The original Batman I love. I think it is a great film, very enjoyable, but there are a few things that bother me about it. For starters, the setting. They did a great job creating a bleak and ugly looking Gotham City, but they tried (and failed miserably) to make the time setting somewhat ambiguous. For example, when a flashback is shown of Bruce Wayne's parents being killed, it is clearly 30's clothes, yet in the present day, it feels far too 80's. Everything from hair to costume designs. They could have done a much better job, and it's certainly something I think they improved on in Batman Returns. The characters were pretty well written and acted, considering it's an action film. Of course Nicholson's Joker deserves the most praise, but I think that Keaton and Basinger also hold their own on screen with him. I also liked the character Knox, someone who I had forgotten about since the last time I saw the film. I had also forgotten that we were introduced to Harvey Dent! Not played by Tommy Lee Jones, of course, but Billy Dee Williams (here come the Star Wars fans screaming that he was in those movies). It seems interesting to me that they didn't use him in Batman Forever, but after looking up some information about it, it seems like he sort of got the raw end of the deal. Not as raw though as Sean Young. She was cast as Vicki Vale, then broke her collarbone in a scene they subsequently cut. After that, she apparently lobbied very hard for the role of Catwoman, but lost to Michelle Pfieffer. That girl seems to have the biggest list of "almost big" that I have ever seen. She didn't get parts she wanted in at least FOUR major pictures (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Batman, Batman Returns, and Dick Tracy). But getting back to the film, the plot is ok, but there are some things that are just plain ridiculous. Like the Joker tainting cosmetics? What the heck? That sounds so completely absurd. But again I read that nobody was really completely satisfied with the plot, so at least they realize that it isn't amazing. The writing, particularly the dialogue between Bruce Wayne and Vicki Vale, should have been much stronger. The scene where Vicki discovers that Bruce and Batman are one in the same, for example, really lacks any sort...well, anything. I wouldn't blame it on the actors, because listening to their dialogue, you can tell they didn't have a lot to work with. Fortunately this is an action flick, so I suppose I can forgive it.
Overall, I'd say this one gets an 8/10
Batman Returns. Now this is one that I thought was only ok, until this viewing. To start with again, the setting has a much better improvement. It truly find the balance between modern day technology and old time charm. The characters of Bruce and Selina Kyle are very well written, particularly Selina. My favorite scene in the entire series now is the two of them dancing at Schrek's Masquerade Ball. Neither one is wearing a mask, and Selina makes a comment about being tired of wearing a mask, to which Bruce agrees. Then the big reveal. The two repeat some dialogue that Batman and Catwoman shared earlier, and then, as they realize that the person that they are falling for is their enemy, they simply decide to keep dancing. Great dialogue and great acting on both of their parts. I don't think my description did it any justice, but it is definitely one of the finer moments in Superhero filmography, at least in my opinion.
The Penguin I could have done without. He felt almost like a "filler" type character until Catwoman came on screen and commanded it. Also, just a little problem I found with the plot...if you want to resurface and take over a city, why get a toy maker to help you? Just because he's a prominent businessman? I understand he had political sway and that The Penguin had a lot of dirt on him, but still, it's a pretty big gamble. Surely he could have found someone higher up, but I suppose it works for the film. The goons that he has are odd looking, but not distracting. I found them to be just...well, blah. The fact that they didn't display any personality probably helped with that.
Overall, this one probably would get a 7/10 in my opinion. It would have been so much higher if it weren't for the Penguin.
Batman Forever is a film I LOVED when I was little. I thought it was just the greatest thing. Of course, now that I watch it as a 19 year old, I find myself saying "What was I thinking?" It's not that the film is necessarily bad, it's just so...corny. I mean, the start of the film has a manic Two-Face with a security guard hostage as bait for Batman. Batman of course arrives (but not until after he has shared some cheesy dialogue about going through a drive through for dinner), only to find the scantily clad Nicole Kidman as Dr. Chase Merridian. Truly, Kidman has never been sexier, but her dialogue, oh my god! In front of the entire city, including Commissioner Gordon, the man who has asked her to come help them in their investigation, she is seriously coming onto Batman.
But the hit-you-over-the-head-with-a-hammer-I'm-flirting-so-hard is nothing compared to completely annoying over-acting of one Jim Carrey. When I was a kid, I thought his character was hysterical. Now that I'm older, I want to throw something at my TV screen everytime he comes on.
After Robin's parents died, I decided to stop the movie and start over tomorrow, maybe I won't be so hard on the film. I really want to enjoy it, but so far...eh.
I do love the poster though. I think it's probably my favorite of all the Batman Posters.
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