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The Batman Legacy (Four Film Giftset)

The Batman Legacy (Four Film Giftset)

List Price: $52.98
Your Price: $39.74
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Holy Anatomically Correct Bat-Suits Batman!
Review: I've been a big fan of the Warner Bros. Batman series since I was a little kid, seeing the original in theaters. I felt compelled to buy this box-set because of all of the memories and nostalgia, and the fact that 3 out of the 4 movies are excellent and I wanted to be able to watch them in all of their glory on their best format: DVD. Now, as far as special features go, look elsewhere. Most box-sets usually include a bonus disc with extra stuff on it, but that is not found here. The most you will get for extras on the individual DVD's is production notes and cast & crew bio's. But still, if you are a fan of the movies, you should own this set because all 4 of them look (and sound) absolutely stellar on DVD. It's a nice upgrade from those jurassic era tapes I used to have (I still have the original Batman tape, the one distributed in 1989, Talk about lousy quality!). Each disc comes with both standard and widescreen format, which is a plus. As far as the movies themselves go? Well, we all know what a waste Batman & Robin was. It pretty much killed the series and really, it has no redeeming features, even though it is nice eye candy on DVD. Batman Returns is my personal favorite, it is extremely dark and twisted and all of the actors (Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken) are excellent for their roles. The whole story revolves around tragedy. A lot of people don't like this movie because it is too grimy and gritty, and really, it's not for everyone. For me, it just works. Batman Forever was when Tim Burton stepped out of the director's chair and Joel Schumacher (8mm, Bad Company) took his place. I actually like this film. It's a nice combination between Burton's signature darkness and Schumacher's comic-book-like flair and style. Batman is the original, and although it has it's flaws, it still stands as one of the best super-hero movies ever made. Overall, I would have to say I am pleased with this box-set, aside from the throw-away Batman & Robin and the lack of special features, it satisfies.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Batman and Batman Returns [awesome]... 3-4 [not so awesome]
Review: Well, How can I say this.. I remember back in 1989 when I first saw Batman with Micheal Keaton... it was most probably one of the best Superhero movies ever ....
It was followed by another movie which was almost as good known as Batman Returns, with a cast like Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny Devito and Micheal Keaton what more could we expect but pure perfection... ..:)
The last two, ...Plain and simple they were like kids stories. Another loss was the fact that Tim Burton did not direct them. His dark loomy presence was not felt and they seem to be geared move towards children... the magic was lost.. Final say I recommend this because of the first 2 movies.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: One out of four is what you must settle for....
Review: Batman Forever was the best Batman movie ever made. It was actually a movie that focused on Batman. The film itself was actually a cross between the darker story elements of Tim Burton with the more traditional light hearted aspects thrown in by Joel Schumacher. Actually it works, but only for this one movie.
As for the other three, Batman and Batman Returns were too dark and focused so little on Batman, while Batman and Robin represented too rush film production and lousy casting. Stay with Batman Forever only and ignore the rest.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Batman Legacy
Review: The film version of BATMAN saw director Tim Burton ditch the campy 60s "KAPOW!" action and outrageous villians and go much deeper and darker. Michael Keaton IS Batman, evoking the same troubled character from the DC comics, and of course, Jack Nicholson as The Joker, a great character played brilliantly. Burton, master of the bizzare, was the perfect man to bring the legendary comic book to the screen, and he does it wonderfully. Danny Elfman's excellent score is another added plus, and the action is well done. The look of Gotham City is inventive and fascinating, creating a nuance of comic book-styled-action and dark storytelling.

BATMAN RETURNS is much darker than the first film, yet still satisfying, popcorn-munching fun, with an apt blend of comic book action and trademark Burton weirdness. With Michael Keaton returning as the bat, Danny DeVito as the creepy pengiun and Michelle Pfeiffer as the sexy Catwoman, Batman Returns has everything fans could want. The styilised look of Gotham City is fantastic. Danny Elfman's exciting yet creepy score fits perfectly with the film's tone. The only thing slightly amiss is the plot, but that hardly matters when it's Burton at the helm, and a sharp script and some witty one-liners make up for it's flaws.

BATMAN FOREVER has it's flaws, but it's still a solid entry into the franchise. Val Kilmer takes over the role of Bruce Wayne, and while he's not as good as Michael Keaton, he manages to portray the character well. Joining Kilmer is Chris O'Donnell as Robin, and the bad guys; Tommy Lee Jones as the disfigured "Two Face" and the suitably manic Jim Carrey as the crazed Riddler. There are problems; the action takes over most of the time, leaving little in the way of exposition or plot for that matter. And the vertigo-inducing camera angles and frenetic pacing leaves the audience wanting something perhaps a little more grounded.
And then BATMAN AND ROBIN came along and killed the franchise. One of the worst movies ever made. Joel Schumacher owes me two hours of my life back!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: First 2 movies are amazing...
Review: All things come to an end, good or bad, we all know that. Batman, Batman Returns, and parts of Batman Forever hold up the lackluster star vehicles for Batman & Robin. The first two radiate with powerful storytelling and unerring capacity for mystery and intrigue. Batman Forever changes speed and flips to a comic rendition of Laurel & Hardy while introducing Robin. Some of Tim Burton's handiwork keeps it tolerable. Batman & Robin - well, the only good thing about is Uma Thurman who plays ultra-sexy "Poison Ivy." I do toast a cup to Alfred who's remained a reason to see the last two films.

Robert Eldridge (...)


Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Stay away from this overpriced piece of junk!
Review: One of the greatest tragedies on film is the Batman series; not the story, but the movies themselves. If you must see one, you may be somewhat satasfied by the first. If you see two, you might want to check out Batman Returns. It's okay, but not nearly as good as the first. Batman Forever features Val Kilmer, whom I consider to be THE BEST batman, so you may want to see that film for his performance (be warned though, the film is a STINKER! And, Val Kilmer's performance is hampered by poor dialouge and the cheap Micheal Keaton impersonation that was forced on him). As for Batman and Robin, STAY AWAY FROM IT! ... I find almost all of the villains to be 99.9 % innacurate to their comic book and cartoon show counterparts. And, why the heck do they have to team up the villains, and why in such stupid pairs? The Penguin and Catwoman? Two-Face and the Riddler? MR. FREEZE AND POISON IVY? You get my drift. If you see one, just see the original. It's decent (but there are some odd casting choices, and somewhat shallow story). If you see two, see Batman Returns, however Danny Elfman's score isn't as good, and there are some annoying story decsisions. However, if you want REALLY good batman movies, I suggest the three excellent animated Batman attempts: Mask of the Phantastm, Sub Zero, and Return of the Joker. Each one chronicles a different batman era: When he was a loner, when there was a team, and when he trains the new Batman.

If you're looking for a top notch live action film though, I'm afraid you'll have to wait for Batman: Year One. ...

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The first was awesome, but....
Review: BATMAN, the first film in this collection ROCKED! it was easily one of the better films of 1989 and showed a very gifted jack nicholson as the Joker. tim burton did a wonderful job with the first movie in setting the atitude and feel of the Batman world. the second movie just got too depressing, though very good actors were involved. after that, in Batman Forever and Batman And Robin, the scripts and acting just get simply ridiculous. i wish they never made those last two batman films. they really [are bad]. and if they continue in that direction, you will not see this fan at the theatre for the next film.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The deterioration of a superhero.
Review: Overall, the Batman films were a success. Even as they were each mired in mini-controversy. Upon announcement of the series initial casting of Michael Keaton, theologists of the comics complained. But after the film opened, the complaints were replaced by reluctant satisfaction. Then, the third film was coming out with a different director who carried a lighter vision of the Dark Knight. There was a Bat shuffle as the 4 films had 3 different protagonists, each lighter in tone. But, with them all now in a DVD set and out of the public mind, all things are equal.

BATMAN introduced us to its hero through the rise and fall of THE JOKER, played menacingly by Jack Nicholson. He played the role that all the subsequent villains would be compared. Director Tim Burton (BEETLEJUICE) focused this film on duality, one of the apparent shortcomings of hide in plain sight heroes. The vision was luscious and audiences ate it up.

BATMAN returns followed with Keaton playing love-hate with Catwoman (luscious Michelle Pfeiffer). Their tragic relationship was based on the duality established in the first film. Along the way, they are also fighting a gross super villain, the subterranean PENGUIN (Danny DeVito having a ball). This film increased the darkness and the production values were hypnotizing.

BATMAN FOREVER took a big step off into the abyss as character was abandoned for casting. Jim Carrey seemed to be born to play the RIDDLER but in the end, we are left with a void. Also, falling hard to the background was Tommy Lee Jones as 2-face. Val Kilmer donned the pointy ears in this one and is sufficient for this story alone. His character was toned down to introduce his new sidekick Robin (Chris O'Donnell in top form). The production design replaced dark, creative imagination with color and neon. Audiences groaned, but it still brought in the cash.

BATMAN & ROBIN tried to milk the last bit of interest out of the movie-going public. How can they bring them in? Cast Schwarzenegger as the villain and boy will they be... bored. George Clooney lightens up the dark night even more. Even his suit has gone from black to dark blue. Uma Thurman emerges onscreen as Poison Ivy who is much more tight costume then interesting villain. Watch out for Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl, an extremely questionable choice. And the story ends with a whimper closing out the box set.

The first 2 films are great dark entertainment and the last 2 aims for a much younger audience. The DVDs all have a nice audio transfer but the video transfers vary per episode. The series could use a re-master and something extra outside of the dreaded "Production notes."

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Christmas Gift Pack
Review: These four Batman movies are great. I still think that BATMAN RETURNS is the best. It's the darkest but it gives us a look into what makes Bruce Wyane tick. It also is the best looking with great and effective production design. Danny Elfman's score is also more pensive but does not lose its energy. I also think that BATMAN FOREVER has never been given its due credit. Val Kilmer continues where Michael Keaton left off as much as the script allows him to explore his demons to the film's credit. BATMAN AND ROBIN is pure camp and is much more enjoyable if you look at it in that light. The original BATMAN is a classic. Keaton is Batman thanks to Tim Burton and Elfman's score which is moody yet so dynamic. This is a good collection.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A good trilogy, 3.8/5, or 7.6/10
Review: BATMAN- A instant thriller classic. Just the darkness it needed. Great acting by Jack Nicholson and Micheal Dough. This is the first of the trilogy, where Batman (Micheal Keaton) is at first unknown as good by the law (...)
BATMAN RETURNS-A good if freakish sequel to Batman about an abandoned freak (Danny DeVito) who runs as mayor with help from Max Shrek (great acting from Christopher Walken). (...)10/10, 5/5
BATMAN FOREVER-An actually pretty good film that most people didn't give a chance do to it being a nipple plated, neon-lighted, over special-effects ridden romp. (...). 5/5, 10/10
BATMAN AND ROBIN-Ignore this one. This one just needed a better plot, an erased Bane character, and less campiness. The DVD with the cool production notes and great transfer makes me bump the DVD up to a 6/10 (or a 3/5), but still leaves me no choice but to leave the not-horrible-but-still-pretty-bad latest installment with a 4/10. (...)5/10 (Average between DVD and film, but lets say it's the film that matters), or a 2.5/10
Well, still it's something to buy. 7.6/10


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