Joel Schumacher had the right idea, but should not have been given final edit. He was Hollywood’s last expressionist. He updated Burton’s inky-black Gotham with the garish colors of 90s comic books. It’s still deep contrast against rough concrete. The low-angle lighting on every enormous statue just happens to be neon.
But the man could not hit the right level of camp. It wasn’t completely silly, like “some days you just can’t get rid of a bomb” Batman. It wasn’t an internally-serious ridiculous reality like The Animated Series. It wanted pathos with Alfred and Mrs. Freeze, while still having… a Bat Credit Card.
Joel Schumacher had the right idea, but should not have been given final edit. He was Hollywood’s last expressionist. He updated Burton’s inky-black Gotham with the garish colors of 90s comic books. It’s still deep contrast against rough concrete. The low-angle lighting on every enormous statue just happens to be neon.
But the man could not hit the right level of camp. It wasn’t completely silly, like “some days you just can’t get rid of a bomb” Batman. It wasn’t an internally-serious ridiculous reality like The Animated Series. It wanted pathos with Alfred and Mrs. Freeze, while still having… a Bat Credit Card.