If like me, you felt that the first two Batman films were cramped by the relentless Gothicisms of Tim Burton's tedious style, you may find this fourth in the series a refreshing change. Burton has been ousted in favour of Joel Schumacher, a chronically underrated director who added a good deal of sophistication to such otherwise mundane vehicles such as The Client, 8mm and the mediocre Batman Forever.
Here he demonstrates his mastery of audience wish-fulfilment, piling on well-executed action sequences with wonderfully wacky visual compositions and some very touching moments which really add new dimensions to the franchise.
The introduction of a new character in Bat-girl is perfectly timed. Silverstone's understated performance of feminine grace and physical strength provide a much needed counterpoint to the machismo of Clooney and O'Donnell. Clooney may not be as strong a Batman as Val Kilmer was in Forever, but he does hold the screen for the most part, proving just why he is so popular among viewers of all ages; he can handle a quip better than most leading men you could name and generates a sizzling chemistry with supermodel Elle Macpherson, stunning in her first screen role.
Certainly this film is not without it's flaws. Schwarzenegger so relishes his occupation of the bad guy role that he threatens to detract from Clooney's heroism, whilst Uma Thurman looks far too attractive to convincingly suggest she could hurt anyone.
But babes and villains have never been the lynchpin of the Batman films; it is always the plot that is the star and it is here that B & R delivers with aplomb. From the opening which deftly pits the protagonist against killer ice hockey players (and neatly establishes the fractious relationship between the titular duo) to the sky-high finale, the overall feeling is of being taken on a roller coaster ride where you have no idea when it will stop and if you will escape with your life.
The generally negative critical reception was undoubtedly due to a certain prejudice on the part of those who felt that the film would not be able to escape from under the shadow of the poorly scripted Forever. This is a vehicle ripe for rediscovery on a VHS system as it may well be in years to come. Perhaps only then will audiences realise just what viewers of the mid nineties were taking for granted.
Here he demonstrates his mastery of audience wish-fulfilment, piling on well-executed action sequences with wonderfully wacky visual compositions and some very touching moments which really add new dimensions to the franchise.
The introduction of a new character in Bat-girl is perfectly timed. Silverstone's understated performance of feminine grace and physical strength provide a much needed counterpoint to the machismo of Clooney and O'Donnell. Clooney may not be as strong a Batman as Val Kilmer was in Forever, but he does hold the screen for the most part, proving just why he is so popular among viewers of all ages; he can handle a quip better than most leading men you could name and generates a sizzling chemistry with supermodel Elle Macpherson, stunning in her first screen role.
Certainly this film is not without it's flaws. Schwarzenegger so relishes his occupation of the bad guy role that he threatens to detract from Clooney's heroism, whilst Uma Thurman looks far too attractive to convincingly suggest she could hurt anyone.
But babes and villains have never been the lynchpin of the Batman films; it is always the plot that is the star and it is here that B & R delivers with aplomb. From the opening which deftly pits the protagonist against killer ice hockey players (and neatly establishes the fractious relationship between the titular duo) to the sky-high finale, the overall feeling is of being taken on a roller coaster ride where you have no idea when it will stop and if you will escape with your life.
The generally negative critical reception was undoubtedly due to a certain prejudice on the part of those who felt that the film would not be able to escape from under the shadow of the poorly scripted Forever. This is a vehicle ripe for rediscovery on a VHS system as it may well be in years to come. Perhaps only then will audiences realise just what viewers of the mid nineties were taking for granted.