Plot Details: This opinion reveals no details about the movie's plot.

I've reviewed the 4 Batman movies from the 90's individually, but this review is for those that want a rundown of the benefits of buying the box set over getting the movies individually. You get a box, that's all... review's over, go home.
Not really.
First, here's a summary of the movies. Go read the long reviews for more detailed info.


Batman
Great movie. Fine acting by Keaton, and Nicholson gives the best performance of one of the greatest villains from modern fiction. The style is dark with a great mix of comic-book and realism. This remains one of the best super-hero adaptations ever.

Batman Returns
While Penguin is not as great a villain as Joker, this is a great movie as well. Keaton returns which keeps a continuity with the original. Pfeiffer is beautiful and chilling as Catwoman as well as the fittingly ironic love interest Selina Kyle. Walken and his character aren't my favorite, and some of the Penguin's antics are perhaps too fairy-tale oriented which doesn't fit as well here as it might in other Tim Burton films.

Batman Forever
I'm the most conflicted over this one. There is some exciting action and some great lines ("Holy rusted metal, Batman!") Tommy Lee Jones is great, and Chris O'Donnell makes a better Robin than I had expected. However, the redesign (especially the Batmobile) is not that great, and I miss the noir of the first 2. The relationship with Kidman's character feels too much like a Hollywood formula romance (which is not a good thing), I'm not very impressed with Jim Carry's Riddler, and 2 Face's deformity looks too fake. It's worth seeing but not as obvious a purchase decision in my eyes. Maybe you disagree considering it performed well at the box office.

Batman & Robin
This movie has so many problems I hate to try to list them all here. The action is outlandish, Batgirl is a weak character, Batman has gone from loner to leading his own teen team, Schwarzeneggar can't pull off the drama for Mr. Freeze, Bane looks like a blow-up doll... pause whilst I catch my breath. I hated it in the theatre, hated it more the second time (hey it wasn't my money paying for the rental), but didn't think it quite so unbearable on DVD for some reason. I do like Poison Ivy and her plot to turn Batman and Robin against each other. I might think of a few other positive things to say if I dwell, but that's why I wrote a more detailed review. The bottom line is I doubt I would own this movie if not for buying the box set.

The movies as a group feel like a set even individually, much more so than the previous DVD releases. They all use common boarders and title fonts on the covers, widescreen presentation, surround sound, the same basic interface design, and some similar extra features.

Each of the 4 movies has a director's commentary and original trailer on disc 1 and numerous extras on disc 2. A series called Shadows of the Bat looks very in depth at the cultural context of each movie, the history of the characters, how the movies were made in the sense of people coming together, and that sort of thing. It is split into several segments with one or more on each release.

Each movie has another set of features that look at the more technical aspects such as visual design, effects, costumes, music, etc. Each one also has one or more music videos. There are other behind the scenes features, deleted scenes, and other things scattered amongst the different releases (the individual reviews go into the specifics).

The bottom line is even Batman & Robin got impressive treatment in the DVD department. If you are a fan of any of these movies you should be pleased. The question then becomes do you pick and choose or get the whole set?

Price-wise (not taking into account used or clearance deals you may find) if you want to buy just one or two of them maybe you'd be better off getting them alone. If you're even considering getting any 3 of them you might as well get the whole set. Granted it's been a little while since I got mine, but when I priced them the box set was the same price if not cheaper than any 3 of the individual movies combined (I think it actually worked out to be the same cost as 2 and a half individual releases). If getting Batman & Robin will save you money even though you don't really want it, why not get it?

Besides saving money the only real benefit to getting the box set is that the box they come in looks very nice. There are 3 parts to the box: the top and bottom are black with the words "Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997" written on the front and spine, and the middle is reflective silver with the Batman symbol in the center. This is one of the sharpest box designs I've seen. If you're fan enough to want to own all 4 movies you'll definitely like having them in this.

Some box sets offer extra bonus discs and such. One reason I wanted to do this review in addition to the movies is so that you'll know exactly what you're getting if you go for the set. With each movie being a 2-disc release there's really no point in having a 9th disc. So I really wasn't kidding when I said getting the set means you get a box.

I feel like the purchase was well worth it. I own a lot of super-hero and comic book-related movies so these as a full set have been a most welcome addition. I greatly enjoyed having them around to watch and compare to the more recent Batman (review coming soon!), and was very much pleased with the extras offered. The individual movie ratings vary a lot, but for content effort, continuity, and quality of presentation without ignoring the lesser releases, I'm going to go ahead and give the set as a whole a perfect 5*.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12