a new hope

It gives me more hope that Luke will survive.

sum1

I don't have much hope.

sum1

A month or two back, on this thread, I briefly detoured into the Batman films, because Mark voiced the Joker in the animated versions. These were the live action ones I was talking, though. Having watched and rewatched them, I want to briefly detour back to them.

The first two '80s/'90s Batman films were directed by Tim Burton. As such they were quirky and stylized. The first one (Batman, 1989) doesn't quite gel, in my opinion.

I previously slated Jack Nicholson's Joker (from the first film) due to finding his acting in generally unrelatable. I've since studied his performances in multiple films (The Shining, Chinatown, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, etc) and I can attest that he is indeed a fine, talented actor, whatever about usually playing not the most likeable guys. I'm watching The Departed now. He's brilliant in it. However, I don't think the Joker was one of his best performances, though it's good in some ways. In general I feel that film all around works only so far.

The second film, Batman Returns (1992), is much better made, but it's also painfully Burtonesque. There's only so much I can take of Danny DeVito's Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman. Also, likeable as he is, I don't find Michael Keaton a very convincing Batman. He's too normal. The best Batman, in my opinion, is Ben Affleck's take in Batman Vs Superman, a dark, down-and-out Batman with issues and relatability. Christian Bale is too much of a cold fish to make a good Bruce Wayne.

The third film, Batman Forever (1995), had Val Kilmer as Batman. Fine actor, badly miscast. Annoyingly, it also added Robin (Chris O'Donnell, pretty boy of the era). Jim Carrey was stomach-turning as the Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones wasn't much better as Two Face Harvey Dent. The film reminds me why I really hated Jim Carrey in the '90s.

The fourth film, Batman and Robin (1997), had George Clooney being smug as Batman (what else does George Clooney ever do?). Chris O'Donnell was back as Robin, unfortunately. Arnold Schwarzenegger was entertaining as Mr Freeze and Uma Thurman was unbearable as Poison ivy. Stress on the poison. Thankfully, Alicia Silverstone was also present, doing good work as Batgirl. The film is considered one of the worst ever, but it doesn't strike me as worse than Batman Forever. There's only so much one can take of Jim Carrey's Riddler before the nausea comes on.

The films have some fun. The first two have some style. But they are all surpassed by Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy and by the excellent, underrated Batman vs Superman.

a new hope

I love Tim Burton's style, he managed to make me semi-enjoy a Batman film I think he's my favorite director.

sum1

Figures. He's weird like you.

BehrItAll

Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman is my favorite. I was skeptical of Anne Hathaway, but she surprised me. She was good. But still, she's no Michelle Pfeiffer.

In 1995 I had a Batman Forever poster hanging in my room.

sum1

Hathway was excellent as Catwoman. Pfeiffer bordered on annoying.

Batman Forever? Ouch. That was the one with Jim Carrey. Worst supervillain ever.

a new hope

Worst Catwoman ever was Halle Berry.

sum1

Yeah, that's kind of notorious.

a new hope

I actually went to the cinema to watch that. Waste of money and time.

sum1

a new hope

Back then I still gave DC movies a shot

sum1

Well, Batman vs Superman was great.

a new hope

sum1

You think I care what the public think? They're full of crap. They also elected Trump. You sure you want to go by their opinion?