MOVIE NEWS – Colin Farrell, best known for his role as Oz Cobb in The Penguin, has voiced his admiration for Joel Schumacher’s often-criticized Batman films, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. While Farrell’s co-star, Cristin Milioti, has expressed her fondness for Batman Returns, he admits that his taste leans toward the eccentricity showcased in Schumacher’s interpretations.

In an interview with Variety, Farrell, alongside his The Penguin castmates, shared his appreciation for Schumacher’s vision of Gotham City and its colorful rogues. He believes that while Tim Burton helped redefine Batman for modern audiences, Schumacher’s contributions were crucial to keeping the character alive during a challenging period for the franchise.

“Joel Schumacher’s Batmans are ridiculous operas that I really enjoy,” Farrell remarked, dismissing the negative reception of the films and emphasizing that Schumacher’s creativity was genuine.

Farrell doesn’t limit his admiration to just Schumacher’s films; he appreciates all iterations of Gotham on screen. He reminisces fondly about Tim Burton’s films, acknowledges the brilliance of Christopher Nolan’s reboots, and recognizes the series’ ability to adapt and evolve through various interpretations.

Why Does Schumacher’s Batman Face Criticism?

It’s baffling that some fans loathe the portrayal of George Clooney skating in a bat-suit complete with rubber nipples, especially given the character’s secure cinematic future under Nolan and Matt Reeves. But for those who experienced Batman Forever and its even more derided sequel Batman & Robin at their release, Schumacher was regarded as a pariah among DC aficionados.

Despite its mixed critical reception, Batman Forever became a box office hit, showcasing Jim Carrey’s portrayal of the Riddler. Yet, Schumacher’s vision crumbled with Batman & Robin, where the campy portrayal of villains like Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze drew harsh criticism. Clooney himself has apologized to fans for his role in the film, acknowledging its mixed legacy.

Source: MovieWeb