Revisiting Schumacher's Batman Films: Unveiling the Unforgiving Realities After 27 Years

27 years after their initial release, it's clear that Joel Schumacher's Batman movies have some harsh realities. Tim Burton's Batman movies were a hit in the late 80s and early 90s, but he didn't make a third film. Instead, Joel Schumacher took over and made Batman Forever in 1995 and Batman & Robin in 1997. Sadly, both films didn't live up to expectations, feeling a bit too silly and losing the magic of the earlier Batman movies.

The superhero genre has changed a lot since Schumacher's Batman movies, so it's no surprise that how people view them has also changed. Watching the movies again after 27 years reveals issues that were there from the start, but also shows how they stack up against all the other Batman movies. With newer, more serious versions of Batman hitting the big screen, Schumacher's movies look different now, with some tough truths coming to light upon rewatching.

Batman Forever Was Close To Being A Good Movie

Schumacher Had Big Plans For His First Batman Movie & It Shows

Batman and Robin stand on a gargoyle in front of the Gotham City skyline in Batman Forever's alternate ending scene - Schumacher Had Big Plans For His First Batman Movie & It Shows - Batman Forever Was Close To Being A Good Movie

Schumacher's first Batman film was definitely the superior of the two he directed. In the years following its release, the director shared some of his original ideas for the story of Batman Forever. Initially, the film was intended to be less cheesy and instead focus on exploring the psychology of Bruce Wayne, the burden of being Batman, and the lingering guilt from the death of his parents. If Schumacher had been able to stick to his original vision for a more thoughtful storyline, Batman Forever would likely have been much more acclaimed.

Merchandise Appears To Have Been More Important To The Studio

Making Good Movies May Have Been An Afterthought

Batgirl, Batman, and Robin with their hands on their waists in a Batman & Robin promotional image. - Making Good Movies May Have Been An Afterthought - Merchandise Appears To Have Been More Important To The Studio

Schumacher's Batman movies have received a lot of criticism, with Batman & Robin being considered the worse of the two. One of the main complaints about the films is that they seem more like long commercials for toys. Both movies showcase a lot of gadgets, Batsuits, and vehicles, which some say were added just to sell merchandise. While it's not confirmed if this was the intention, it definitely feels that way, especially as the style hasn't aged well.

Val Kilmer’s Batman Performance Really Isn’t That Bad

Kilmer's Bruce Wayne Was An Interesting Figure

Close up of Val Kilmer as Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever (1995) - Kilmer's Bruce Wayne Was An Interesting Figure - Val Kilmer’s Batman Performance Really Isn’t That Bad

When looking at Batman Forever with a fresh perspective, it's clear that Val Kilmer's portrayal of Batman deserves more recognition. He effectively portrays the dual nature of Bruce Wayne and Batman, showcasing the inner struggles of the character. Despite the film's mixed reviews, Kilmer's performance stands out as a strong point that often goes unnoticed.

Robin Deserved More Live-Action Opportunities

Schumacher Gave Robin His Only Modern Big-Screen Outing

Chris O'Donnell as Dick Grayson in his Robin mask in Batman Forever - Schumacher Gave Robin His Only Modern Big-Screen Outing - Robin Deserved More Live-Action Opportunities

Chris O’Donnell’s Robin made his big-screen debut in Schumacher’s movies, marking the character’s main appearance in modern cinema. Despite some flaws in O’Donnell’s portrayal of Dick Grayson, the on-screen dynamic between Batman and Robin showed promise. However, the negative reception of Schumacher’s films has led to a lack of Robin in recent live-action movies. Instead, the character has been limited to TV appearances following the release of Batman & Robin.

Adapting Multiple Batman Villains At Once Was A Bad Idea

Schumacher's Movies Have Too Many Antagonists

Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face and Jim Carrey as Riddler looking at a police officer (whose back is to the camera) in Batman Forever - Schumacher's Movies Have Too Many Antagonists - Adapting Multiple Batman Villains At Once Was A Bad Idea

One major flaw in Schumacher's Batman movies is their attempt to include too many characters from the comics all at once. For example, Batman Forever had both Two-Face and the Riddler, while Batman & Robin introduced Batgirl, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, and Bane. By trying to fit so many characters, including several major Batman villains, into one movie, none of them received the focus and development they truly deserved.

Jim Carrey Was Cast As The Wrong Villain

Carrey Would Have Been Better Used In Other Roles

The Riddler sitting on his throne in Batman Forever - Carrey Would Have Been Better Used In Other Roles - Jim Carrey Was Cast As The Wrong Villain

Despite Jim Carrey being a huge star back then, his role in Batman Forever as the Riddler didn't quite fit. His over-the-top energy would have suited the Joker character better. With his unique sense of humor and lean physique, Carrey seemed more fitting for the Joker role. However, since Jack Nicholson had just portrayed the Joker six years prior, Carrey was cast as the Riddler instead. Even to this day, it's evident that Carrey was better suited for the role of the Joker.

Ignoring Burton’s Batman Movies Was Schumacher’s Worst Mistake

Schumacher's Movies Exist In A Continuity Limbo

Michael Keaton with remote-control Batarang in Batman Returns - Schumacher's Movies Exist In A Continuity Limbo - Ignoring Burton’s Batman Movies Was Schumacher’s Worst Mistake

One of the most peculiar aspects of Schumacher's movies is how they fit into a larger franchise. While they are considered sequels to Burton's films, there are notable changes like the recasting of Two-Face and a new look for Gotham. Some familiar characters like Alfred and Commissioner Gordon remain, but there is no real effort to connect to Burton's storyline. This lack of continuity can be confusing, especially in today's era of interconnected cinematic universes and Multiverse storytelling.

Schumacher’s Movies Have Batman All Wrong

Toning Down The Darkness Doesn't Work In Gotham City

Chris O'Donnell as Robin and George Clooney as Batman breathing in Poison Ivy's love scent in Batman & Robin - Toning Down The Darkness Doesn't Work In Gotham City - Schumacher’s Movies Have Batman All Wrong

Schumacher's Batman movies are criticized for misunderstanding the central character. Batman is traditionally portrayed as a dark and serious figure facing dangerous villains in a realistic world. However, Schumacher's films depicted Gotham City in a cheesy and wacky way, reminiscent of older Batman stories. This tonal mismatch with the character's essence is the root of the issues in Schumacher's Batman movies, as it shows a fundamental misunderstanding of who Batman is.

Needless Redesigns Only Hurt Batman Forever And Batman & Robin

Tampering With A Classic Look Hurt The Two-Film Arc

The cast of Batman & Robin: George Clooney, Alicia Silverstone and Chris O'Donnell standing on a rooftop. - Tampering With A Classic Look Hurt The Two-Film Arc - Needless Redesigns Only Hurt Batman Forever And Batman & Robin

One issue with Schumacher’s Batman movies is the constant changes in the heroes' looks and gadgets. This might be due to studio interference and a focus on selling toys. In Batman Forever, Batman’s suit was not too different from Burton’s movies. However, in Batman & Robin, each hero had multiple Batsuits and gadgets, leading to visual inconsistency. This inconsistency is frustrating as it takes away from the iconic design of the character.

Schumacher’s Movies Don’t Deserve To Be Vilified

Joel Schumacher's Batman Movies Have Some Positive Points

Val Kilmer as Batman in a dark Gotham alley in Batman Forever - Joel Schumacher's Batman Movies Have Some Positive Points - Schumacher’s Movies Don’t Deserve To Be Vilified

When you revisit Schumacher's Batman movies, you might be surprised to find that they aren't as bad as they are often made out to be. Yes, they are a bit cheesy and may not sit well with die-hard fans of the Dark Knight. However, what sets them apart is their ability to capture the attention of a younger audience. Despite the lighter tone and cartoon-like visuals, Joel Schumacher's Batman films shouldn't be completely written off just because they deviate from the traditional Batman style.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides a retrospective analysis of Joel Schumacher's Batman movies, highlighting their shortcomings and redeeming qualities. It acknowledges the initial disappointment with the films, attributing it to their divergence from Tim Burton's darker and more psychological approach. However, upon revisiting the movies, the article suggests that they are not entirely without merit.

While Schumacher's focus on merchandise and inclusion of multiple villains are criticized, the article also recognizes the strong performance of Val Kilmer as Batman and the potential for Chris O'Donnell's Robin. It argues that despite the tonal mismatch and needless redesigns, Schumacher's movies have a certain charm that appeals to a younger audience. Ultimately, the article concludes that while they may not be the definitive Batman films, Schumacher's movies deserve some appreciation for their unique and entertaining qualities.