Quick List: Batman (1989-1997)
AKA: The Burton-Schumacher Universe or The Gough-Hingle Universe
This is one of those quick lists that all Movie-Buffs can do if they are looking for a movie list they can knock out real quick. All Movie-Buffs, especially DC Movie Fans, should complete this one, before they die, but this is also a good starter-list for new Movie-Buffs.
The most recent film on this list was released 25 years ago. A lot has happened since the days of Pat Hingle's Commissioner Gordon and Michael Gough's Alfred Pennyworth. The DCEU has been formed since those days. Many incarnations of Batman and his rogues gallery of villains, have come through the movie screens since then. These films bridged the gap between the early days of Adam West and the 21st century version of the Batman franchise. They are very significant entrees into the creation of today's comic book, superhero film. They do play a crucial role in film history.
My Rating System compared to IMDB
10 IMDB = A+ (MyGrade 9.7 - 10.0) - Perfect
9 IMDB = A, A- (MyGrade 8.9 - 9.6) - Excellent
8 IMDB = B+, B, B- (MyGrade 7.7 - 8.8) - Very Good
7 IMDB = C+, C, C- (MyGrade 6.5 - 7.6) - Strong
6 IMDB = D+, D, D- (MyGrade 5.3 - 6.4) - Fair/Good
5 IMDB = E+, E, E- (MyGrade 4.1 - 5.2) - Worse than a D, Better than an F (E for Effort)
4 IMDB = F (MyGrade 3.1 - 4.0) - Fails, but still recommend seeing these, because you have to see these films to believe them.
1-3 IMDB = UNWATCHABLE (MyGrade) = 1 (0.1 - 1.2), 2 (1.3 - 2.2), 3 (2.3 - 3.0)
Don't waste your time watching these.
This is one of those quick lists that all Movie-Buffs can do if they are looking for a movie list they can knock out real quick. All Movie-Buffs, especially DC Movie Fans, should complete this one, before they die, but this is also a good starter-list for new Movie-Buffs.
The most recent film on this list was released 25 years ago. A lot has happened since the days of Pat Hingle's Commissioner Gordon and Michael Gough's Alfred Pennyworth. The DCEU has been formed since those days. Many incarnations of Batman and his rogues gallery of villains, have come through the movie screens since then. These films bridged the gap between the early days of Adam West and the 21st century version of the Batman franchise. They are very significant entrees into the creation of today's comic book, superhero film. They do play a crucial role in film history.
My Rating System compared to IMDB
10 IMDB = A+ (MyGrade 9.7 - 10.0) - Perfect
9 IMDB = A, A- (MyGrade 8.9 - 9.6) - Excellent
8 IMDB = B+, B, B- (MyGrade 7.7 - 8.8) - Very Good
7 IMDB = C+, C, C- (MyGrade 6.5 - 7.6) - Strong
6 IMDB = D+, D, D- (MyGrade 5.3 - 6.4) - Fair/Good
5 IMDB = E+, E, E- (MyGrade 4.1 - 5.2) - Worse than a D, Better than an F (E for Effort)
4 IMDB = F (MyGrade 3.1 - 4.0) - Fails, but still recommend seeing these, because you have to see these films to believe them.
1-3 IMDB = UNWATCHABLE (MyGrade) = 1 (0.1 - 1.2), 2 (1.3 - 2.2), 3 (2.3 - 3.0)
Don't waste your time watching these.
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- DirectorTim BurtonStarsMichael KeatonJack NicholsonKim BasingerThe Dark Knight of Gotham City begins his war on crime with his first major enemy being Jack Napier, a criminal who becomes the clownishly homicidal Joker.Imagine growing up in the 1980s and being someone, who is a movie buff, comic book collector, pop-culture fan or just, a plain old science fiction movie geek. As Hollywood continued to move forward through the 1980s, they continued to improve upon their craft, by utilizing the state-of-the-art technologies they had at their disposal. With each passing year, special effects got better and better. At the same time, the comic book industry was going through a huge change too, especially over there at DC comics.
The "mature content in comic books" revolution had gathered steam, so much so, that even DC had to start experimenting with content for mature readers. Also, DC had reached a pivotal point in their, now 50 year existence. The longevity of the intellectual properties in the DC universe was looking weak. The writers and artists felt DC's stories had been used up. A change needed to be made and so, the entire DC comic book universe went through a major, history-making, reboot. With that going on, plus the ability now to create new content for mature readers, allowed all the DC characters' stories to attract an even bigger audience. Now, while keeping the OG reader happy, they could now attract new younger readers as well, by using the same characters, with new stories and character development angles. Comic books were living in a new resurrected world, had new popularity and the 1980s would be the springboard to the Hollywood superhero craze we see today.
Now, imagine being that comic book nerd, movie geek person, in the 1980s and wondering when the next adaptation of a DC comic book might happen. The superhero film had experienced a tough time through the decades leading up to the 1980s. From the 1940s to the 1980s, there were tiny moments of comic book movie screen brilliance. Batman, Superman and a then, not-owned by DC yet, Captain Marvel, enjoyed some cool stories, complete with cliff-hangers, in the serials of the 1940s. The Adam West, Batman TV series, had a feature film release in 1966, that perfectly captured the best parts, that made that show great. And, in 1978, Alexander Salkind, finally proved to the world, that a man can fly, in Superman: The Movie (1978). The Richard Donner, Christopher Reeve, classic was a critical success and sat in the top 10 biggest money makers ever, for about a decade. But, like a said before, the road to success was much more rocky then that, because Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987), almost killed the sub-genre, before it could even start.
All of these factors were playing a role in what might happen in the future of superhero movies. The Superman movies had fluttered, but there was talk of Batman. Tim Burton had actually been working on a Superman project, that ended up disappearing into oblivion, when the opportunity arose to tackle the dark knight. Then the most brilliant decision was made when Michael Keaton was cast as Bruce Wayne. The intensity went up even more, when a treasure trove of information started coming out, related to the cast and crew. It was one fantastic artist after another. Names like, Jack Nicholson as the Joker, Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent, directed by Tim Burton and a soundtrack split up between Danny Elfman and Prince, of all people. The excitement for this movie was unreal in early 1989.
Tim Burton did an amazing job assembling this film. It is a groundbreaking film. The art direction is stylized with that Burton beauty. The cast, especially Nicholson, does a stand-up job. It contains all the elements explaining and paying homage to the Batman mythos. It helps capture the 1980s version of Batman. It is the new Batman, who is now known as the dark knight. That does not mean it doesn't have flashes of nostalgic moments, that take you back to the old days or references to the Adam West TV series. There are many references to that part of the character's history, especially in some of the Joker costume ideas. They totally give a shout-out to Caesar Romero.
The story that is spun is a nice, basic, origin story about the caped-crusader. We go through the build-up relating to his entrance to the world of crime-fighting. He attracts the attention of the press and the Gotham police department. While trying to stop crime boss, Jack Napier (Nicholson) and his gang, from burning down a factory, an accident occurs, unleashing the Joker onto the world. A wonderfully, stylized, Hollywood spectacle ensues, as the audience is treated to a Batman verses the Joker story, for the ages.
This movie blew my mind when it first came out in the theaters. It was the greatest thing I had ever seen. At this point in time, it was the greatest, comic book, superhero adaptation ever. It made a boatload of money. It stayed in the top ten, all-time, money-makers, for, at least, a decade. It has held a steady, well-liked, critical response, since its debut 35 years ago. It was part of two different revolutions. First, it was ground-breaking for the evolution of the superhero flick. Second, it changed how people view comics as a whole. It proved to people that comics can be part of literary history too. It gave the superhero the respect they have been looking for, since 1937.
9.0 (A- MyGrade) = 9 IMDB - DirectorTim BurtonStarsMichael KeatonDanny DeVitoMichelle PfeifferWhile Batman deals with a deformed man calling himself the Penguin wreaking havoc across Gotham with the help of a cruel businessman, a female employee of the latter becomes the Catwoman with her own vendetta.With the huge success of the first Batman (1989), Warner Bros decided they had a franchise on their hands and ordered up a sequel. We had returning champs, Tim Burton, Michael Keaton, Michael Gough (as Alfred), Pat Hingle (as Gordon) and even Danny Elfman, all returned. What limited some of the creative content in the first film, was pressure coming from the studio, that impeded Burton's actual vision of the film. Since the first film was a success, financially and critically, the deal for this film gave Burton more space away from the studio, which garnered more creative control and hopefully an even darker, more Burtonesque mood to the film.
This time around, Keaton's Batman has to face the Penguin (Danny DeVito). He also has to contend with a brutally, evil businessman, Max Shreck (Christopher Walken), who tries to kill his secretary, Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer), because she stumbles across secrets of his, which triggers her turning into Catwoman. All this and DeVito's Oswald Cobblepot, runs for Mayor, with an emphasis on corruption. There is some romance between Bruce and Selina, while she tries to figure out how she will kill Max for trying to kill her. Michelle Pfeiffer gives a pretty convincing performance, as she and Burton delve deep into the psychological side of a woman, who died, resurrected as a Catwoman.
I like this film, just a hair, more than the first film. It is my favorite from the Gough-Hingle universe (for lack of a better description for this franchise) and I think it has a lot to do with the added dose of Burton magic. This film has technologically, sweet art direction styles, costumes, set pieces, you name it. Burton's camera catches a colorful array of cinematographic gems, while Danny Elfman's soundtrack increases the mood, as the darkness of Cobblepot's day of reckoning approaches.
9.2 (A- MyGrade) = 9 IMDB - DirectorJoel SchumacherStarsVal KilmerTommy Lee JonesJim CarreyBatman must battle former district attorney Harvey Dent, who is now Two-Face and Edward Nygma, The Riddler with help from an amorous psychologist and a young circus acrobat who becomes his sidekick, Robin.The third Batman film begins very quickly as the caped crusader (Val Kilmer trying his hardest to fill Michael Keaton's shoes), is called in to save the life of a security guard from the clutches of Harvey "Two Face" Dent (Tommy Lee Jones), who is bent on destroying Batman. Batman foils Dent's plans, and enrages Dent even further, so Dent attacks a few more times and during the annual Gotham City Circus, Dent kills the family of a young acrobat, Dick Grayson (Chris O'Donnell giving us a new kind of Robin). Dick decides he wants revenge. and after becoming Bruce Wayne's ward, he discovers Wayne's secret, and decides that the best way to get his revenge is to become Batman's partner.
Meanwhile, an eccentric inventor (Jim Carrey), who has a hatred for Wayne, goes a little crazy with one of his inventions, and becomes the Riddler. He joins forces with Dent and they plot to reveal Batman's true identity. The original Alfred (Michael Gough) and the original Commissioner Gordon (Pat Hingle), from the Tim Burton movies, return for this one, with a new love interest for Wayne, Dr. Chase Meridian (Nicole Kidman).
The film is visually fantastic. The stunts, the action, the colors and the cinematography are all done quite well. Tommy Lee Jones is good, but a little bit over the top. Val Kilmer does the best he can, considering the circumstances, which didn't totally work. Jim Carrey does make a good Riddler. I was never really worried about that. The film does have a good comic book feel to it and it is great to see a Robin who is not a post-comics code goofball. The chemistry between Wayne and Meridian is good, which compensates for the lackluster Batman performance (mostly from script issues, not really Kilmer himself). Michael Gough, again, is a really good Alfred. Jones' Two-Face and O'Donnell's Robin, even-though portrayed well, had a feeling of wastefulness. They were only used to tie up the loose ends in the film, that the main two characters couldn't finish. There is a finality to Two-Face, that is clearly felt, early on, in the film. You also could tell that O'Donnell's Robin had an enjoyable ceiling, that ended with this film.
The bat-mobile design for this film was a joke and I missed the old Burton design, because Burton's mobile looked more like a car. The film didn't really grab your emotions and by the time the credits were done, I had all but forgotten the film. When I left the theater after the first two movies, they were all I could talk about for weeks. It was so bad for this one, that I went back to see it a second time, because I thought I missed something. This film also lacked the comic relief moments that broke up the first two films nicely.
I miss Burton's apocalyptic touch to the Batman mythos, because that gave the film an almost electrical charge, which gripped the audience. New director, Joel Schumacher, played up the Adam West look with a cavalcade of colors and shapes, that, to a point, looked really cool, but was bringing down the energy level for what Batman represents, darkness. We are lucky that Burton hung around as a producer for this film, because in some of the scenes we do see some Burton influenced imagery that saved the film from being a loss. The first two films had an emotion to them. They were pieces of artwork, that Burton put his heart and soul into and it would shine on the screen.
Warner Brothers paid too much attention to the movie-going audience, after Batman Returns (1992), left theaters. They were afraid of Burton's dark, apocalyptical vision of the bat. They tried to bring in too much of the Adam West Batman into this film. We have to remember that, the Adam West Batman is gone and has been replaced with a much darker, more modern, vigilante, in the form of the dark knight. Remember, that Gotham City is supposed to be that gothic place where you will find glimpses of the apocalypse. I will recommend this film, because of the fun, action and the amazing visuals, but in respect to the other two films I think it is the worst of the three to this point.
6.3 (D+ MyGrade) = 6 IMDB - DirectorJoel SchumacherStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerGeorge ClooneyChris O'DonnellBatman and Robin try to keep their relationship together even as they must stop Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy from freezing Gotham City.When your Batman movie begins to look sillier than the classic, Adam West, Batman (1966-1968), TV show, especially after Tim Burton spun his magic, just years before this, then you might have a problem. That is not a dig on that classic version of Batman, that I am suggesting at all. The adventures of Adam West and Burt Ward, was actually a pretty good show in its own unique way. It was however ridiculous and reflected the mood of Batman at the time, as well as, the mood of television audiences in the late 1960s. Look at the list of TV shows that were on at this time. It was a goofy time for entertainment in this, still young, medium called television. We flash to the late 1990s. Batman is a completely different type of character in the comic books. To this point in film adaptations, the case is the same too. We have transitioned from the Caped Crusader to the Dark Knight. Thirty years have gone by.
Enter director Joel Schumacher, who decided to bring back that taste of 1960s flare in his previous Batman film, Batman Forever (1995). I don't really know if it was pressure from baby-boomers, who grew up with the old TV show or lots of fans from the 1960s, but the movement was there. Some were a little bit resistant to Burton's darker version of Batman. They wanted the Batman-guy from their youth. Schumacher himself was 27 years old in 1966, so maybe he was a big fan of the show. Who knows, either way, the decision was made to bring in some of that comedy and satire of the 1960s, for Batman Forever (1995). Well, they used the right amount in that film. It is a good homage to that mood of Batman and should have satisfied those fans. It also kept enough of what represented Team Burton also. Schumacher had a hit on his hands. The film wasn't beat up in the critical arena too bad and it made a lot of money. It satisfied the fans fairly well, but I think the writing was on the wall, because today the Burton films are much more popular, well-respected and talked about. But that was that film.
Schumacher and crew got the greenlight to do the fourth film in the series, Batman and Robin (1997), but this time, Tim Burton was gone (he directed the first two films and produced the third one). Schumacher was let loose. The silliness, goofiness and avoidance of the current incarnation of what Batman had become, was replaced with a 1990s version of Yvonne Craig (Batgirl) and Otto Preminger (Mr. Freeze). It was a bad idea. It completely kills this film. There is a reason why most people don't like this movie. Even George Clooney joked on late night TV or somewhere, that he was worried, that he killed the Batman franchise. Fortunately, 8 years after this film came out, Christopher Nolan released his version of the Dark Knight, in Batman Begins (2005) and all was forgotten.
In what was an obvious remake of the original TV show, Batman and Robin (1997), utilizes the same story seen on the TV show (the popular version of Mr. Freeze in the comics too), in which, Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger), is committing all his crimes, in order to save the life of his beloved wife, who he had cryogenically frozen, while he assembles the necessary components needed to save her. Flanking Mr. Freeze, is our other co-leading bad-guy, or should I say bad-girl, Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman), who uses her powers over plants and her intoxicating poison, that stops men (or Batmen), in their tracks. Along with those two, we are handed a painfully, dreadful version of Bane (Jeep Swenson), in this film. It would be something else that Christopher Nolan would need to correct years later. We also get to see some Bat-surfing (still ridiculous).
I wanted to classify this film as an "Unwatchable" film, but I settled with an "F" (4 Stars). Even though the film is a failure and somewhat of an embarrassment to watch, you still need to see this film, because you have to see it to believe it. Even though the film is a mix of action-paced environments, that are quite colorful, there still are some sloppy moments (see Robin struggling against tentacled vines, that are trying to drown him). The film is worth a watch just to see Arnold Schwarzenegger's, highly-quotable, campy performance as Mr. Freeze. It is actually a delight to see. I don't even want to talk about Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone). It is a hollow character. Be prepared for the Bat-nipples. Be prepared to be shocked and annoyed. Maybe even sad.
3.5 (F MyGrade) = 4 IMDB - DirectorAndy MuschiettiStarsEzra MillerMichael KeatonSasha CalleBarry Allen uses his super speed to change the past, but his attempt to save his family creates a world without super heroes, forcing him to race for his life in order to save the future.In the Flash (2023), we witness the end of the DCEU as we know it. Those films now enter, into film history, as part of the era, that depicted the rise of the comic-book film, in the early part of the 21st century. Now, the next phase of DC's theatrical division moves onto it's next incarnation, in the guise of James Gunn's new DCU, which should launch in 2025. The Flash (2023), ends a 13 film run by the DCEU, that began with the Man of Steel (2013). So, being a Flash film, you already know, that this will be a perfect moment to use the character, most pivotal, in all the stories DC has used during its history, to reboot its brand, either on film or in print. This is a perfect way to segue from the current universe to the next one coming. As seen in the trailers, you also know, that this is a time-traveling film. Barry Allen decides to go back in time and save his mother. It's the quintessential Flash story. We also know this will be another example of a multi-verse film.
So, as this swan song opens up, we also are reminded of the off-screen problems of it's star, Ezra Miller, as Barry Allen, the Flash. Trying to remove that from your mind won't work, because, unfortunately, knowing this, helps enhance his performance. It's an eerie parallel, that is felt in the film, especially since he runs into a younger version of himself, who wouldn't really be considered totally stable, especially by the end of the film. So, removing real-world problems from the equation, the star's performance is not a problem in this film. With that in mind, we move onto the supporting cast. Many characters in the film have to stay top-secret here, but two characters we do know from the trailer is Ben Affleck and returning champion Michael Keaton, as our main Batmen. Barry Allen turns to his Bruce Wayne (Affleck), to get support for his idea, to go change the past. Once Barry gets to the past, it turns out he has entered the wrong universe and while searching for Batman, he finds the Bruce Wayne from the Tim Burton universe, Michael Keaton. Both Batmen do a great job with their performances, but I felt Keaton was held back a little too much. He felt too subtle.
The plot also harkens back to that beginning film, the Man of Steel (2013) and utilizes elements from that film, in order to give us an idea of when this takes place. The day the Kryptonians attacked Earth. This brings back Superman rival, General Zod (Michael Shannon), but gives us a new hero, Supergirl (Sasha Calle). Basically, this boils down to a multi-verse disaster in the making. Forget everything you know, heard or believe, when it comes to the concept of time-travel. This is most evidenced by the shot the writers of the Flash (2023), take, on Marvel's concept of time-travel, as seen in Avengers: Endgame (2019). It is a subtle joke, that speaks volumes. The humor in the film is quite good. It is that infuriating aspect of Ezra Miller's Flash, that is appealing. He was the comedy-relief in the Justice League (2017), much like Paul Rudd was in the MCU's Captain America: Civil War (2016). So, it's not a surprise, that the Flash (2023), has lots of comedy moments.
The Flash (2023), isn't a bad film, but it isn't a great one either. The multi-verse plotline, along with the main plot of Barry attempting to save his mother, coupled with having to world-build another universe in two hours and a plethora of characters roll through, makes for a messy situation, unless you are knowledgeable enough to understand what is going on. Fortunately for me, I have been following DC since the 1970s, so none of that bothered me. It could be confusing for those, who don't know the comics or all the movies from the past that well. The strong point of this film stems from the swan song aspect of it all. Knowing that things will be changing for DC makes this a strong homage to the past ten years of the DCEU. Love them or hate them, whatever the sum total of all 13 parts were for you and for film history, the Flash (2023), is strong enough to entertain and put a decent closing to this era of DC comics theatrical films.
7.2 (C MyGrade) = 7 IMDB