Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’ films swoop back to theaters in Dolby Cinema

[Canada]

Source: Variety

Tim Burton‘s iconic “Batman” (1989) and “Batman Returns” (1992) are getting the premium treatment, returning to theaters for a one-night engagement on Aug. 25 exclusively at Dolby Cinema locations.

The remastered versions will play at over 160 Dolby Cinema at AMC Theatres locations across the U.S. This marks the first time both films will be presented in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

The Burton films, starring Michael Keaton as the Caped Crusader, featured memorable villains including Jack Nicholson’s Joker, Danny DeVito’s Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman. Both movies are credited with establishing the darker, more serious tone that would come to define modern superhero cinema.

The enhanced presentation promises to showcase Burton’s gothic vision of Gotham City with unprecedented clarity. Dolby Vision will deliver deeper blacks, sharper contrast and more vivid colors, while Dolby Atmos will create a multi-dimensional sound experience that envelops audiences in everything from the Batwing’s engines to Danny Elfman’s celebrated score.

“I hadn’t watched these films since I made them, and seeing them again with this level of clarity, beauty, color, and sound felt really new and exciting,” Burton said. “Dolby Atmos and Vision brought it all to life in a fresh way.”

The screenings carry particular significance for Dolby’s legacy in cinema. “Batman Returns” made history in 1992 as the first feature film presented in Dolby Digital, the revolutionary audio technology that became synonymous with surround sound in theaters.

“‘Batman’ and ‘Batman Returns’ remain seminal films in the history of the super hero genre,” said Michelle Maddalena, VP of global content and industry relations at Dolby. “The new presentation of these films in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos honors Tim Burton’s bold creativity while showcasing how far audio and image technology have evolved.”

Jeff Goldstein, president of global distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures, added: “Tim Burton’s acclaimed ‘Batman’ films deliver a dark, iconic vision of Gotham City that continues to influence the modern super hero genre today. With their advancements over the past decades, Dolby now transforms these beloved classics into completely new cinematic experiences through Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, delivering unprecedented visual and audio fidelity.”

[Amiibro121]

I remember 89' was shown in dolby cinema all the way back in 2019. Most likely gonna miss this for the same reason I did the first time: the dc's in my area are way too far. Would be really cool to see these despite the controversial audio mix.

[MWF6425]

The original will always be a great film, but I can't stand "Returns".

[DR Herbert West]

The two greatest comic book films.

[Canada]

It blows because we don't have any AMC movie theatres near me. I actually think that we don't have AMC movie theatres in Canada.

[MartinScorsesefan]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

The two greatest comic book films.

Along with Superman:The Movie and Superman II.

[sandman slim]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

The two greatest comic book films.

The Incredibles & The Rocketeer said hi.

Originally Posted by Canada

It blows because we don't have any AMC movie theatres near me. I actually think that we don't have AMC movie theatres in Canada.

Same here. The Malco chain has a complete strangle hold on the entire Memphis area. Nearest AMC is in Nashville, a six hour round trip. Not happening.

[Canada]

Originally Posted by sandman slim

The Incredibles & The Rocketeer said hi.



Same here. The Malco chain has a complete strangle hold on the entire Memphis area. Nearest AMC is in Nashville, a six hour round trip. Not happening.

Six hours, oooch.

[Britnasty]

I will definitely make the 45 minute drive to the nearest AMC with a Dolby Cinema to see Batman Returns on the big screen one more time.

[Kamdan]

Kind of a shame that Burton’s quote confirms that he’s seen and heard the new 4K versions and signed off on them.

[MWF6425]

Originally Posted by sandman slim

The Incredibles & The Rocketeer said hi.

I think I've seen "The Incredibles" maybe 3 times at most - it was funny, but overrated in my opinion. The tone was almost like a parody of the Fantastic Four, but I was truly surprised by Syndrome's identity at the time.

By comparison, "The Rocketeer" is one of my favorites in the whole genre; I've probably seen it close to 100 times in the past 34 years. For me, it's right up there with "The Shadow" and "The Phantom" - unapologetic fun with no need for melodrama or excessive brooding.

Originally Posted by MartinScorsesefan

Along with Superman:The Movie and Superman II.

I will always love Donner's first effort, even though I think some of the more campy moments haven't aged too well. As for the second film, there's segments of both cuts I enjoy, but as a whole neither compare to the first.

[rubystone356]

I am attending the Batman double feature in Colorado. its a bit of a drive from New Mexico. should be fun.

Jacob

[nerdboyrockstar]

Got my tickets for Returns! My favorite Batman movie. Can't wait.

If Beetlejuice is anything to go by, that looked phenomenal in Dolby a few years back.

[hanshotfirst1138]

To all the people going to see this: you rely on a man. A BATman!

[DR Herbert West]

Shame they're not doing all four.

[PhysicalMediaMaestro]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

Shame they're not doing all four.

People liked the two Tim Burton Batman movies better than the two Batman movies that followed. But I think re-releasing them in theaters for just one day is too short of a time window.

[Kamdan]

Originally Posted by nerdboyrockstar

If Beetlejuice is anything to go by, that looked phenomenal in Dolby a few years back.

Beetlejuice hasn’t had radical changes in its color plate as these films have endured in their 4K treatments.

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

Shame they're not doing all four.

Especially how this is the 30th anniversary of Batman Forever.

Originally Posted by PhysicalMediaMaestro

People liked the two Tim Burton Batman movies better than the two Batman movies that followed. But I think re-releasing them in theaters for just one day is too short of a time window.

The only significance I notice is that it’ll be Tim Burton’s birthday.

[BigPudge]

Got my tickets booked.

Last year I saw the 89 Batman along with Forever and Mask of the Phantasm in theaters. Those weren't Dolby and were released over the course of a week I believe.

I had never seen 89 or Phantasm in theaters, so that was a treat... but the real experience came with Forever because as soon as that awesome opening title sequence started, I just reverted to the summer of 95, sitting in the non stadium seating theater watching it! Seeing it again was a genuine theater experience for me.

Can't wait to see Returns on the big screen for the first time. I watch it every Christmas season. And count me as one who appreciates the insane cheesy campiness of Batman & Robin and would love to see that on the big screen again.

[rubystone356]

Originally Posted by Kamdan

Beetlejuice hasn’t had radical changes in its color plate as these films have endured in their 4K treatments.



Especially how this is the 30th anniversary of Batman Forever.



The only significance I notice is that it’ll be Tim Burton’s birthday.

that is the point on why no batman forever and B&R. Its Tim Burton birthday.

I am going to attend in Colorado springs. I am making a road trip out of it. I am coming from New Mexico.

Jacob

[Shane Rollins]

I'm curious as to whether this is the same thing from the 4Ks just playing in theaters, or have they done a different remaster that doesn't completely suck.

While I don't know if it was worse, seeing Batman and Returns on 4K for me was more painful than T2. And T2 is pretty bad.

As for Forever, I'd like to see the original cut at some point. It clearly exists in great quality, so why not release it?

And the only complaints about the MOTP 4K is that it didn't have a remastered Blu-ray, and 1.33 wasn't an option. (Really blows that MOTP has a closer-to-perfect 4K than two of the most successful films in history do, especially in the same franchise.)