Batman Collection: 4 Film Favorites [4 Discs] [Blu-ray]

I already owned the first two on Blu-Ray. Michael Keaton's first one, "Batman" was an excellent movie for its time, despite the obligatory Tim Burton weirdness and the factual deficiencies (e.g., The Joker did *not* kill Bruce Wayne's parents, etc.), and despite Kim Basinger's incessant screaming. Danny Elfman's film score was excellent, and even Prince contributed to the soundtrack at the insistence of Jack Nicholson ("Joker"). As for Jack Nicholson, there was nothing really special about his performance, even though he got top billing. He just played the same Jack Nicholson you saw in "Witches Of Eastwick", only in whiteface. Burton was far less effective on "Batman Returns", also starring Keaton. The Batman was barely in this movie. Burton's silliness was all over this one, and far too much scene-chewing was devoted to Danny DiVito's (very gross) Penguin and Michelle Pfieffer's Catwoman. On the plus side, Paul Reubens, aka Pee-Wee Herman, another Burton alumni ("Pee-Wee's Big Adventure") has a brief cameo as The Penguin's father. Christopher Walken was completely wasted on this project. It wasn't a very good sequel. Keaton left after this movie out of loyalty to Burton because Warner Bros wanted to change directors for the next Batman film. Burton was replaced by Joel Schumacher as director, and Burton was "promoted" to producer. Thus began the slow death of the franchise. Keaton was replaced by Val Kilmer as Bruce Wayne/Batman in "Batman Forever", and while his performance was, at least, "serviceable", it barely measured up to the films that preceded it. You either like Jim Carrey or you don't, and I don't. Never did. I don't think he's funny, and I suspect that the great Frank Gorshin turned in his grave upon learning that Carrey would portray Gorshin's iconic "Riddler". FAIL. Also, this was the first movie to introduce "Robin" played (to absolutely no benefit at all to the film) by Chris O'Donnell, yet another mistake. Robin was a mistake and O'Donnell as Robin was a mistake. I'm surprised that he still got work after this one. If you haven't seen any movies starring Tommy Lee Jones lately, there may be a nexus between his portrayal of "Two-Face" and now. The Bat-suit was deliberately over-sexualized to the degree that it made some folks uncomfortable. The previous two movies, "Batman Returns" and "Batman Forever", suffered from too many villains, too much time devoted to character development of the villains, and too little Batman. And that was about ego. But the biggest ego trip happened on the next one -- "Batman & Robin" unarguably the laughably worst of the bunch that drove a wooden stake through the heart of the "Batman" film franchise for many years, until Christian Bale revived it and then ruined it again. Where do I start? I won't even try. They received a resounding "Razzie" for this movie, and George Clooney had to go on an apology tour for his portrayal of The Batman. It is the reason why I bought this 4-pack! I LOVE bad movies! I own "Plan 9 From Outer Space", for example, and while almost nothing is as bad as that one, this one's in the Top 10! It's not only the worst Batman flick, it also ranks among the worst movies I've ever seen! So, thank you, Arnold Schwartzenegger/Mr. Freeze (who insisted on top billing [ego] -- the joke's on you!), George Clooney, Chris O'Donnell, Uma Thurman/Poison Ivy (anyone hear from her lately?) and Alicia Silverstone/Batgirl. This film was such a train wreck that I would absolutely recommend it to a friend! I like good movies, too, of course, but I love to laugh at the bad ones. "Batman & Robin" is really *that* bad! Far worse than the bad ones that preceded it, by far! It's so bad that Netflix isn't even running it anymore, which is what compelled this purchase. Thank you for your time.

Box set containing four films from the popular 'Batman' film series. 'Batman' (1989) was the first big screen outing for Bob Kane's caped crusader. The streets of Gotham City are no longer safe for criminals, who are being picked off by a masked vigilante in a rubber suit - dubbed 'Batman' by the press. Reporter Alexander Knox (Robert Wuhl) teams with photographer Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger) in an attempt to discover Batman's true identity - an investigation which leads them to the door of mysterious millioniare Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton). Meanwhile, crime boss Carl Grissom's (Jack Palance) attempt to rid himself of untrustworthy henchman Jack Napier (Jack Nicholson) does not go according to plan, and after emerging physically - and mentally - disfigured from a vat of chemicals, Napier reinvents himself as the psychotic Joker. In 'Batman Returns' (1992), Oswald Cobblepot was abandoned by his parents as a baby. Thirty three years later, bent on revenge, he returns to Gotham City as the Penguin (Danny DeVito). First he begins a warped campaign to become Mayor, helped by millionaire businessman Max Shreck (Christopher Walken); next, he undertakes a mission to murder every first born son in Gotham - a plan which will avenge his own beginnings. Meanwhile, he has two adversaries to contend with: Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer), the embittered ex-secretary of Max Shreck, and, of course, the old caped crusader himself (Keaton). In 'Batman Forever' (1995), former District Attorney Harvey Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) is terrorising Gotham City, when a new villain appears on the scene - the Riddler (Jim Carrey). Together they plot to discover Batman's (Val Kilmer) identity, using a device which can probe the human mind. Meanwhile, the caped crusader has been joined by Robin (Chris O'Donnell), whose trapeze-artist family have recently been slain by Two-Face. 'Finally, in 'Batman and Robin' (1997), Batman (George Clooney) and Robin (O'Donnell) have to stop the vengeful Mr Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) from taking over Gotham City by using his new ice weapon. To make matters worse, the venomous Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman) decides to join forces with Freeze, so making an almost undefeatable double-whammy of a team. Luckily for the caped crusader and his rebellious ward, they can team up with a new tough and courageous new partner - Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone

It has been quite a while since these four Batman movies were released but they have great casts and directors: Batman (1989): Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, directed by Tim Burton 126 min Batman Returns (1992): Michael Keaton, Danny Devito, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, directed by Tim Burton 126 min Batman Forever (1995): Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Chris O'Donnell, directed by Joel Schumacher 122 min Batman and Robin (1997): George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Uma Thurman, Chris O'Donnell, directed by Joel Schumacher 125 min I had standard definition versions of these movies but the Blu-Ray versions are essential if you are going to watch them on a big screen TV. Grab this bargain collection - you won't be sorry!

Let's be honest, the only reason that I got this set was for the first two movies, and on special occasion, the 3rd. The 4th movie (Batman & Robin) is absolutely terrible. I would watch it only on a bet, or if you needed to show someone an example of how awful a blockbuster movie can be. The one saving grace about the last film is the director commentary. It's basically him apologizing on how terrible it is. Anyways, Batman and Batman Returns are great movies. A true testament to Tim Burton's skill and vision. The transfers to Bluray are a bit lackluster, but they DO look much better than the DVD releases. So, if you are trying to get the first two Batman flicks for a good price, look no further. Also, it would be good to add that ALL of the special features from the previously released (more expensive) box set are all here. Check it out if you're a fan.

It needs to be said up front: this is not Christopher Nolan's Batman. Fans of the source material (including classics like The Man Who Laughs) will find the Tim Burton films entertaining, but they are starting to show their age. Watched with the context of their original release times in mind, however, they are the dark comic-book films that Batman fans wanted after all the camp of the 1960's Adam West show. Jack Nicholson shines as the Joker, but please don't compare him to Heath Ledger. Ledger was amazing in the role, but so is Jack. They both portray the character in different ways, and both are equally chilling in their insanity. There's room for both in the supervillain pantheon. Batman Forever is somewhat entertaining, although admittedly more kid-friendly, and Batman & Robin is admittedly pretty bad. Bottom line, this is a collection with great value, and needs to be in every Batfan's lineup.

All four films in this collection are classics, however, their quality vary quite a bit. I actually think the strongest film in this collection is Batman Forever. I know this is probably a controversial opinion but I really feel that Val Kilmer makes a better Bruce Wayne than Micheal Keaton or George Clooney (no surprises on that one). I also really enjoy Jim Carrey's adaptation of the Riddler. Anyway, the entire collection looks and sounds great. However, I did have a factory scratch on my Batman disc that made it skip during one scene. This could have been a fluke on only my copy or a consistent problem like the scratched discs in the Alien Anthology. I haven't researched it.

All four of the first re-make of the Batman franchise. A bit over the top, a bit of over-acting, a bit hooky too. But it's great! This is truly how the Batman from the comics was. I like these more than the Chris Bale versions. In these movies they kept the comic-book characters alive as they should be (for the most part - some is a stretch I'll grant you), but they don't have Joker as a mega master-mind in this series. In the Chris Bale version, they got the Joker planning better and is smarter than Doctor Doom, it's quite disappointing (yes I know Dr. Doom is marvel). So if you want to see some good true Batman, than watch these. Well except for the last one, that one is pretty bad (heh).

If ever there was a trophy for the superhero franchise that started red hot as a supernova but fizzled into an ice age, it has to go to 1980s-90s era Batman (although 70s-80s era Superman is a fill-in for this ignominious award)...In a series with corny dialogue and campy characters, Burton guides Keaton's delivery of a memorable,"I'm Batman!" and Nicholson' cackle stands out in the original, but sequels surrender to Schumacher's feast of nipple and butt closeups, which ride along with absurd lines like Carrey's "Joygasm" and Schwarzenegger's, "FREEZE!"...Might be worth a watch if you've finished watching Daredevil on Netflix.