But taken as a complete movie quadrilogy? I dunno - Batman feels a little anemic, and incongruent. Each movie is certainly a vision of its respective director, and thus intriguing to analyze for their thematic aims and ambitions. But overall, the Batman films may now be more highly regarded for ushering in the comic book revival in general, rather than for their individual filmic accomplishments. I will say that, with the exception of 1997's absolutely dismal 'Batman & Robin,' the remaining three Batman films - 'Batman,' 'Batman Returns' and 'Batman Forever' - still have their appealing aspects, and elements that hold up as iconic, cinematic comic book moments. That's because the original four 'Batman' films now feel surprisingly dated, and it's rather shocking what time has done to the Dark Knight's '80s and '90s big-screen output. Not that one couldn't be forgiven for forgetting, in the intervening twenty years since 1989's 'Batman,' that it was a huge blockbuster in its day, as well as the comparative success of its three follow-ups.

This is for all you young readers out there, the ones who think the Batman big-screen adventures started with 2005's reboot ' Batman Begins.' Yes, there really was a Batman before Christian Bale (three of 'em in fact), and Batman movies before 'Batman Begins' and ' The Dark Knight' (four of those, not including 1966's ultra-campy ' Batman: The Movie'). Freeze's outrageous arsenal of ice-blasting weapons. New special effects include a wild sky-surfing sequence and Mr. Batman has more than Gotham City to protect: the youthful eagerness of crimefighting comrades Robin (Chris O'Donnell) and Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone) puts them frequently in harm's way. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and venomous Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman). Hang on!īatman & Robin (1997) - George Clooney plays the Dark Knight, facing his deadliest threat yet: cold-hearted Mr. Joel Schumacher directs and Tim Burton co-produces this thrill-ride of a movie that thunders along on Batmobile, Batwing, Batboat, Batsub and bold heroics. Chase Meridian) and Chris O'Donnell (Robin) star in the third formidable film in Warner Bros.' Batman series. And like the first blockbuster, it's a dazzling adventure that leaves you breathless.īatman Forever (1995) - Riddle me this, riddle me that, you'll find adventure on the wings of a bat! Brace for excitement as Val Kilmer (Batman), Tommy Lee Jones (Two-Face), Jim Carrey (The Riddler), Nicole Kidman (Dr. Can Batman (Michael Keaton) battle two formidable foes at once? Especially when one wants to be mayor and the other is romantically attracted to Bruce Wayne? Like the groundbreaking 1989 original, Batman Returns is directed by the wizardly Tim Burton. And Batman is the movie, the all-out spectacular directed by Tim Burton, set to songs by Prince and a music score by Danny Elfman, and an Academy Award(R) winner* for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (Anton Furst and Peter Young).īatman Returns (1992) - Gotham City faces two monstrous criminal menaces: The Penguin (Danny DeVito), bizarre and sinister, and Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer), slinky and mysterious.

Kim Basinger is Vicki Vale, the talented photojournalist desired by both men.

Michael Keaton is the Caped Crusader, who emerged from a childhood trauma to become a masked crimefighter. Overview - Batman (1989) - Jack Nicholson is The Joker, who emerged from a horrible accident as a maniacal criminal.

Batman forever movie 1989