Amazon.com Essentials:
Thanks to the ambitious vision of director Tim Burton, the
blockbuster hit of 1989 delivers the goods despite an occasionally
spotty script, giving the caped crusader a thorough overhaul in
keeping with the crime fighter's evolution in DC Comics. Michael
Keaton strikes just the right mood as the brooding "Dark
Knight" of Gotham City; Kim Basinger plays Gotham's intrepid
reporter Vicki Vale; and Jack Nicholson goes wild as the maniacal and
scene-stealing Joker, who plots a takeover of the city with his lethal
Smilex gas. Triumphant Oscar-winning production design by the late
Anton Furst turns Batman into a visual feast, and Burton
brilliantly establishes a darkly mythic approach to Batman's
legacy. Danny Elfman's now-classic score propels the action with bold,
muscular verve. --Jeff Shannon
Amazon.com video review:
For fans and newcomers, this boxed set holds a great collection, including all four great movies. The first in the series, Batman (1989), and arguably the best of the four movies, exudes the moodiness of the Dark Knight's character. Tim Burton's direction and Michael Keaton's rendition of Batman are an electrifying combo. Together they capture the sinister atmosphere of Gotham City and Batman's darkness. Jack Nicholson as the fiendish Joker and Kim Basinger as the resourceful and gorgeous Vicki Vale lend their charm. Three years later, in 1992, Burton and Keaton reunited for Batman Returns. This time our pointy-eared hero has to combat two villains: Danny DeVito as the disturbed and freaky Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman. In Batman Forever (1995), Joel Schumacher gave his direction to the story with Val Kilmer under the cape. Kilmer keeps the moodiness but adds a little panache to his rendition. His archenemies this time are the Riddler (Jim Carrey) and Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones). Luckily, he enlists the help of the Boy Wonder, Robin (Chris O'Donnell). The final movie in the series, Batman & Robin, is great eye candy, and this time Schumacher returns with George Clooney as the leading man and Chris O'Donnell again as Robin. Together Batman and Robin battle the icy Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger), with a little help from Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone). Delve into the Gotham City world with the Dark Knight to protect you, and don't forget to make lots of popcorn for this Batman marathon. --Samantha Allen Storey
Amazon.com Essentials:
Thanks to the ambitious vision of director Tim Burton, the
blockbuster hit of 1989 delivers the goods despite an occasionally
spotty script, giving the caped crusader a thorough overhaul in
keeping with the crime fighter's evolution in DC Comics. Michael
Keaton strikes just the right mood as the brooding "Dark
Knight" of Gotham City; Kim Basinger plays Gotham's intrepid
reporter Vicki Vale; and Jack Nicholson goes wild as the maniacal and
scene-stealing Joker, who plots a takeover of the city with his lethal
Smilex gas. Triumphant Oscar-winning production design by the late
Anton Furst turns Batman into a visual feast, and Burton
brilliantly establishes a darkly mythic approach to Batman's
legacy. Danny Elfman's now-classic score propels the action with bold,
muscular verve. --Jeff Shannon
