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The Batman List
Batman - The Movie [1966] [DVD]Batman - The Movie [1966] [DVD]
Buy new: £4.88 / Used from: £2.95
Don't worry, it gets better. This film is a waste. Other than Cesar Romero's terrifying Joker, there is NO reason to watch this or the series from whence it came.
Batman (2 Disc Special Edition) [1989] [DVD]Batman (2 Disc Special Edition) [1989] [DVD]
Buy new: £6.88 / Used from: £3.29
Now we're talking. Admittedly, after watching The Dark Knight this fares badly, but keep an open mind and you'll enjoy this archetypal 80s actioner. The extras on this edition are brill, too.
Batman Returns - Special Edition [DVD] [1992]Batman Returns - Special Edition [DVD] [1992]
Buy new: £5.98 / Used from: £3.50
The first truly great Batman movie, though if you hate Tim Burton films this is him firing on full cylinders. Missing the commentary it lists on the box due to British censoring. Keaton and DeVito!
Batman Forever - Special Edition [DVD] [1995]Batman Forever - Special Edition [DVD] [1995]
Buy new: £5.98 / Used from: £2.84
It had promise: Kilmer, Carrey, Jones and Kidman back when she was the single sexiest thing in the universe, but Jones' Two-Face and the whole film grate after 40 minutes. Good set though, good extras
Batman And Robin - Special Edition [DVD] [1997]Batman And Robin - Special Edition [DVD] [1997]
Buy new: £5.98 / Used from: £4.73
Good DVD for a bona-fide atrocity. Even as Arnie fan I find it hard to watch this bilge (and I like Jingle All The Way). An apologetic commentary makes up for the film being crap.
Batman Begins [Blu-ray] [2005]Batman Begins [Blu-ray] [2005]
Buy new: £8.98 / Used from: £7.60
A great transfer for a film only surpassed by its sequel. Truly breathtaking work; a superhero in real life. Light on extras, but worth the full price anyway. IT'S SO GOOD.
Batman Animated Season 1 - Volume 1 [DVD]Batman Animated Season 1 - Volume 1 [DVD] by Batman
Buy new: £10.98 / Used from: £10.49
Here we go, the REALLY good stuff. This first boxset is maybe the worst of the four, with some weak episodes, but it's still better than everything else. Groundbreaking in animation history.
Batman: The Animated Series, Vol. 2 [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]Batman: The Animated Series, Vol. 2 [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
Buy used from: £10.50
Available in HMV, so no need to import! Definitely the best of the bunch, with 'I Am The Night', 'The Demon's Quest' and 'If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?'. Cartoon ambrosia
Batman: The Animated Series, Vol. 3 [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]Batman: The Animated Series, Vol. 3 [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
Buy used from: £22.39
I could do without the two Batgirl eps, but overall this is more of the same, perfect animation. Two Ra's Al Ghul classics in 'Avatar' and 'Showdown', and another great, 'A Bullet For Bullock'.
Batman: The Animated Series, Vol. 4 [DVD] [2005] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]Batman: The Animated Series, Vol. 4 [DVD] [2005] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
Buy used from: £21.89
Not as popular due to the redesign, though I prefer most of the new looks and the animation is years ahead. Alongside some dreadful episodes sit arguably the best. Violent too, and often MUCH darker.
Batman - Mask Of The Phantasm [DVD] [1993]Batman - Mask Of The Phantasm [DVD] [1993]
Buy new: £3.78 / Used from: £2.29
Hands down better than the four 'main' Batman films listed above. Great villain, top-form Hammil as Joker and a cracking score. For four quid, you really should buy it.
Batman and Mr. Freeze: SubZero [DVD] [1998] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]Batman and Mr. Freeze: SubZero [DVD] [1998] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
Buy used from: £3.13
Feels a bit forced, like an extension of the episode 'Heart Of Ice'. Still, great animation all round and another terrifying performance by Michael Ansara as Freeze. Watchable.
Batman - Mystery Of The Batwoman [DVD] [2003]Batman - Mystery Of The Batwoman [DVD] [2003]
Buy new: £2.98 / Used from: £0.90
Actually quite weak, and hard to watch more than once. That is all.
Batman Beyond: Season 1 [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]Batman Beyond: Season 1 [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
Buy used from: £24.12
My unpopular opinion: Batman Beyond is the best cartoon ever. Being able to see Batman from another perspective is a stroke of genius, and Terry is as, if not more likeable than Bruce as Batman.
Batman Beyond: Season 2 [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]Batman Beyond: Season 2 [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
Buy used from: £20.99
The first season was the best, but this is longer and has more self-contained episodes. In further praise of the show, the design, music and acting are all unparalleled in the world of comic cartoons.
Batman Beyond: Season 3 [DVD] [2006] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]Batman Beyond: Season 3 [DVD] [2006] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
Buy used from: £14.91
Plus, things set in the future are always excellent. This is the weakest series, but still completely essential.
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker [DVD] [2001] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker [DVD] [2001] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
Buy used from: £2.55
After Nolan's efforts, this is the best Batfilm, hands down. Simply put, it couldn't have been handled better. Unsettling, breathtakingly animated and perfect in every other way.
Batman - Gotham Knight [DVD] [2008]Batman - Gotham Knight [DVD] [2008]
Buy new: £5.98 / Used from: £2.00
Though critically acclaimed, this didn't do it for me. I don't the character suits the style of animation, and the different segments don't gel. Nice to see Kevin Conroy back as the voice of the night
The Batman: The Complete Seasons 1-4 [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]The Batman: The Complete Seasons 1-4 [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
Buy used from: £228.40
I'll be brief; I'm not a fan. I can't stand the animation, the art design, the acting or the characterisation. Formulaic and derivative.
The Dark Knight (2 Discs) [DVD] [2008]The Dark Knight (2 Discs) [DVD] [2008]
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £3.40
Go and see it on the big screen while you still can. A thrilling film with perfect casting in Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent.