X Men: The Last Stand is a masterpiece compared to this film. While Chris Nolans Batman trilogy is brilliant (and probably the first superhero trilogy to deliver on all three films) theres still a lot to love with Burtons Batman stories. They are dark and twisted and I thought Michael Keaton did a good job of balancing playboy billionaire Bruce Wayne with Batman (it was in the eyes). We also had some great villains in Jack Nicholsons Joker, and the trio of horrors from Batman Returns; Danny DeVitos monstrous Penguin, Michelle Pfeiffers sexy, supernatural Catwoman and Christopher Walkens anti-Bruce Wayne, Max Shreck made the sequel a firm favourite of mine. We were presented with the dark, towering heights of Gotham and the twisted confrontations between Batman and his enemies, his love/hate (literally) relationship with Selina Kyle and my favourite Batmobile on screen. With Tim Burton and Michael Keaton gone, the rot already began to set in with Batman Forever, but at least it was fun and still a little twisted. Its biggest downfall was the casting of Chris ODonnell as Robinsomething that carried through to Batman & Robinpossibly the WORST superhero film of all time. It is so far removed from the Burton era that it felt like a spoof of what had come before. Joel Schumacher obviously decided that the sole purpose of the film was to a) market toys to children and b) emulate the camp 1960s television show. There were some bizarre choices made- nipples on the bat suit being the worst, followed closely bat symbol credit card. But it was the casting choices and treatment of characters that was the most appalling. Arnold Schwarzenegger seemed to be cast as Mr Freeze purely to dole out a series of bad ice puns. Bane was a mindless henchman. (Yes, hes in this film). Uma Thurmans Poison Ivy is completely over the top but probably still carries the best performance after Michael Goughs Alfred. Chris ODonnell continues to be wildly miscast and irritating as Robin. Though even he is beaten in the worst character stakes by Alicia Silverstones Batgirl. George Clooney sees to be embarrassed to be playing Batman. Oh and apparently Elle Macpherson is on screen as Bruce Waynes love interestthough she carries no emotional impact at all compared to Vicki, Selina and even Chase that preceded her. There is nothing good about this film. Quite simply Tim Burton made awesome Batman films (only bettered by Chris Nolan). Joel Schumacher did not.
