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Holy Astringent Plum-Like Fruit, Batman!  What have we got here?!

Warner Bros Home Entertainment delivers the goods with the June 4 release of 1989’s Batman, 1992’s Batman Returns (both directed by Tim Burton), 1995’s Batman Forever, 1997’s Batman & Robin (both directed by Joel Schumacher); all with remastered 4K transfers.  You can imagine how these colors and these sounds, now with STRONG Dolby Atmos soundtracks remixed specifically for home theaters, absolutely POP.  The punches!  The neon!  The mood!  The growl of the Batmobile!  And its all arriving in time for the 80th anniversary of Batman’s first appearance in Detective comics.

Right now, the four films – representing, in my opinion, the BEST cinematic run of Batman films (specifically the Tim Burton films) – are available as separate purchases, so that you can spare yourself of the monstrosity that STILL is Batman & Robin, but they will be available as a four-film collection come September.  What we have here, though, is something special and, thanks to the 4K handling, the films look better than they ever have before. {googleads}

Schumacher might have brought the franchise to an end with his wacked out vision of the series (Bat nipples!), but the comic book colors he used are dynamic and STILL look all kinds of cool in HD.  And, of course, Burton’s use of sleek blues and blacks brings out the brooding hero, giving it a sort of noir-like look and feel and his use of models continues to create all sorts of movie magic memories.  The set design in his two Batman flicks are worthy of continued and constant praise.  To this day, Burton’s two Batman films are my favorites.  Hell, the first two films, starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/The Batman, read as modern day classics of comic book cinema. Batman FOrever

These 4K Ultra HD combo packs feature great new artwork and silvery slipcovers and, as an added bonus, contain remastered blu-ray discs of the films.  So, if you aren’t quite set up for the true 4K experience, then you are still able to enjoy the flicks with NEW transfers and NEW soundtracks that will highlight the shredded muscle of your own sound system, regardless of its limits.  These releases includes a Movies Anywhere digital copy code.

“Batman. The thorn in both our sides. The fly in our ointment . . .” is coming home with you.  This time in 4K!

The breakdown is as follows:

batmanBatman (1989)

Synopsis: The Dark Knight of Gotham City begins his war on crime with his first major enemy being the clownishly homicidal Joker.

  • Audio Commentary: Director Tim Burton.
  • On the Set with Bob Kane
  • Legends of the Dark Knight: The History of Batman
  • Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight
  • Batman: The Heroes
  • Batman: The Villains
  • Beyond Batman
  • Batman: The Complete Robin Storyboard Sequence
  • Music Videos
  • Theatrical Trailer

dvd5

 

batman ReturnsBatman Returns (1992)

Synopsis: When a corrupt businessman and the grotesque Penguin plot to take control of Gotham City, only Batman can stop them, while the Catwoman has her own agenda.

  • Audio Commentary: Director Tim Burton.
  • The Bat, the Cat, and the Penguin
  • Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Pt. 4 - Dark Side of the Knight
  • Batman Returns: The Heroes
  • Batman Returns: The Villains
  • Beyond Batman
  • Music Video: "Face to Face" by Siouxsie and the Banshees.
  • Theatrical Trailer

dvd5

 

batman ForeverBatman Forever (1995)

Synopsis: Batman must battle former district attorney Harvey Dent, who is now Two-Face and Edward Nygma, The Riddler with help from an amorous psychologist and a young circus acrobat who becomes his sidekick, Robin.

  • Audio Commentary: Director Joel Schumacher
  • Riddle Me This? Why is Batman Forever?
  • Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Pt. 5 - Reinventing a Hero
  • Batman Forever: The Heroes
  • Batman Forever: The Villains
  • Beyond Batman
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Music Video: "Kiss From a Rose" by Seal.
  • Theatrical Trailer

3 stars

 

Batman and RobinBatman & Robin (1997)

Synopsis: Batman and Robin try to keep their relationship together even as they must stop Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy from freezing Gotham City.

  • Audio Commentary: Director Joel Schumacher.
  • Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight pt. 6 - Batman Unbound
  • Batman & Robin: The Heroes
  • Batman & Robin: The Villains
  • Beyond Batman
  • Deleted Scene: Alfred's Lost Love
  • Music Videos: "The End is the Beginning is the End" by The Smashing Pumpkins, "Look Into My Eyes" by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and "Foolish Games" by Jewel.
  • Theatrical Trailer

1 star

  Video  5/5 stars
  Audio 5/5 stars
  Extras 5/5 stars

Blu-ray Experience

5/5 stars

Own Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack on June 4. Own the Four Film Collection on September 17.