This review will be very long. I adore this show with every fibre of my being, and view it to be a piece of animated perfection. I implore people to avoid the disgusting live-action adaptation by director M. Night Shyamalan, as it is a disrespectful sham that mocks everything that the show stood for and mastered.So as for the show itself, where to begin? Well let's start with the story overall.
Avatar tells a complete a perfectly paced epic plot over the course of 61 22 minute episodes. The show contains several unique and beautifully detailed characters among its main cast, all of whom are given consistent and engaging development throughout. From family related guilt and angst, identity dilemmas and the characters constant, overarching and looming quest, the characters are pressed with many trials which actually truly change them over the course of their magnificent journey. Aside from the primary cast, many intriguing and varied side characters appear throughout the adventure. They offer comedic levity, new forms of drama and help to add to the deep mythological and philosophical backbone of the show. All characters are exquisitely written and voice acted, with not a badly portrayed among them.
Next I will cover the show's borderline legendary animation. It is a sight to behold indeed. I believe I am justified in believing that such stellar production values will never again be pared with this level of artistic imagination again, at least not in my lifetime. The scope, creativity and energy of the shows animation is second to no other show, and it's balance of colour is never anything less than sublime. Aside from sweeping and moving visuals, Avatar also offers fast paced and unbelievably well choreographed action scenes (once again, second to none) and well timed slapstick comedy. Not only is the animation stunning, it is also staggeringly versatile.
The show's epic mythos is also very strong, and demands to be deepened and added to (thankfully Korra is doing just that). It takes inspiration from Buddhist, Inuit, Western, Japanese and Korean cultures to deliver it's unique world, as well as many original and creative elements in conjunction with the more recognisable real world concepts. The show manages to weave philosophy and deep moral concepts within its world and characters, creating one of the most fleshed out fantasy worlds of the last several decades.
In conclusion, what can I even say? I love Avatar: TLA more every time I experience it, and it is one of very few shows (or even films) which can provoke a primal emotional response from me each time I see it, without fail. It sends shivers down my spine, and puts a tear to my eye, leaving me totally satisfied and fulfilled each time. My favourite television show, of all time.
Batman, Batman Returns, and Batman Forever were dark and gothic which is the dominant "mood" for the world of Batman, but Batman & Robin was campy because it was more or less a big screen adaptation of the 1960's Batman TV series.
IMO, I believe bad word of mouth is what made this film less of a blockbuster than it's monstrously successful predecessors. People were expecting a dark and gothic film with Batman & Robin but when word got out that it was lighter and more easy going than the other films, people who hadn't seen it thought "Oh, well if it isn't dark like the other movies, it isn't worth seeing." and that's why it wasn't a big time blockbuster. It still made ALOT of money though.
As a long time Batman fan(I've been a fan of the Dark Knight since I was a kid), I realize that Batman evolves from time to time so that he can sustain interest from fans and the general public as well. For many years he can be dark and gothic, as Bob Kane intended him to be, or he can be light and fun. Either way Batman has always been a badass and in Batman & Robin, Joel Schumacher chose to show us the lighter side of the Batman mythos while still staying moderately true to the comics.
The film parallels Batman Forever in many ways. For instance in the beginning, we see the heroes suiting up to confront the latest threat to Gotham City. A big action sequence ensues and then things quiet down and from there on, it's a roller coaster ride of a movie. It follows the same formula as Batman Forever in terms of action and character development.
I saw Batman & Robin on it's opening night during summer 1997 and I loved every minute of it. From the action and adventure to the heartwarming scenes between Alfred and Bruce to the scheming villians it was a great thrill ride. A great film? Well depends. It certainly isn't The Godfather, Star Wars, Citizen Kane, or any other monumental film but it was great in terms of entertainment value.
Anyway, really great comic book film. If people had realized early on before the film's release that it was going to be more of a update of the 60's Batman TV show then I believe it would have been even more of a success than it already was.