Gotham City is being ravaged by criminal master minds, and the local police force is either corrupt or unable to control it. The DA is taking a hard line on the crime, but seems unable to do anything about it. Then along comes a masked crusader dressed as a giant bat to lend his efforts to the good side. Bruce Wayne, a millionaire who lives in a secluded mansion, is haunted by the murder of his parents in the Gotham back streets years ealier. Determined to avenge his parents, as well as protect the innocent civillians of the city, Bruce lurks in the shadows, half masked vigilante, half man. Vicky Vale is the reporter on his tale who eventually falls for Bruce, but puts herself in the firing line between the battle against mad man trickster "The Joker" who is dropped into a vat of acid by Batman, and vows to take revenge on him whilst planning a massive heist. This is a dark and brooding adventure that gave new life to the legendary DC hero in Tim Burton's make over. Trading in the classic camp of the tv series for a tougher line in action, Michael Keaton is actually very effective both as the quiet and soft spoken Bruce Wayne and his alter ego. Kim Basinger looks good, but acting has never been her strong point. The show is completely hi-jacked though by the brilliant Jack Nicholson, who is both witty and viscious as The Joker. The set pieces required are all very well placed, and the film looks good from the tremendous score to the gothic outlay of the city.

Batman Forever has Val Kilmer taking over Batman duties, with Joel Schumacher lending his far more colourful vision to the film. Tim Burton's dark gothic vision is but a memory as Jim Carrey's The Ridler and tommy Lee Jones's Two Faced lend mayhem and madness in. There is a variance of beautiful women along for the ride this time as Drew Barrymore has a pointless cameo, and Nicole Kidman pre-acting chops as the lovely psychiatrist Chase Meridian. Once again, the villiains are far more enjoyable than the hero, especially as Val Kilmer is only adequate where Michael Keaton was once brooding and interesting. Introduce Chris O'Donnell this time as Robin, who gets his first feature in the Batman series. Part of a troupe of circus acts, Dick Grayson's parents are killed by the mad Two Faced, himself a former lawyer who was disfigured by a convict he was trying, so Dick becomes an unwilling Batman's sidekick to fight the evil's of the city. Meanwhile The Ridler is concocting a scheme to steal the brainwaves through the tv screens from all of the city's residents. The plot is virtually non existent, the set pieces and colours taking over and lending a campness to proceedings. But how can you not enjoy this carnival ride which throws up mad men, colourful action, and more witty one liners than a night at Jongleurs.