If I were looking to buy any of the original Batman series on Blu-ray, then I'd quite happily go for the darker Tim Burton titles as standalone releases. However, for only a couple of pounds more you get not only films three and four but also some extensive, fascinating bonus features that justify the purchase.
In particular, the final part of the 'Shadows of the Bat' retrospective that appears on the Batman & Robin disc includes some refreshingly candid interviews. The more colourful Joel Schumacher instalments were a result of studio interference following the comparatively weak box-office performance of Batman Returns. While those who provide the film's financing have a duty to protect their investment, once they start dictating what happens creatively, disaster usually ensues. This documentary is a salutary tale for budding executives everywhere and shows how things can go horribly wrong when they cross the line, bringing a hitherto successful franchise to a halt.
One could argue that Schumacher was not the best director to have taken the series forward, but given a dreadful script that went into character overload and had to shoehorn in as many merchandising opportunities as possible, it's hard to see how he could have succeeded. Thankfully, his future projects, such as
The Phantom of the Opera (2004), were more in keeping with his theatrical sensibilities.
This set includes some fine picture transfers and all the soundtracks are in Dolby TrueHD 5.1. Each film is contained in its own standard Blu-ray keepcase.