Let me preface this by disclaiming that I in no way believe Batman Forever and Batman & Robin to be good films or that they in any way reflect the "true" character of the Baman mythology. Undoubtedly they are ass. However I have become increasingly frustrated by the homophobia inherent in many people's criticism of Shumacher and his films and believe that such comments indicate a juvenile bigotry towards the director's sexuality.
I have read many suspect posts on this forum, mostly the perceived notion that the films' shortcomings are due to them being directed by a gay man, as if a gay director equals a gay batman! I believe that Shumacher's sexuality is conveniently scapegoated as a reason people dislike his approach to Batman, and that the O.T.T theatrical production design of the movies is associated with him being gay by fans.
I contest that there is anything gay about BF and B&R at all and I'll argue the points made by many fans time and again:
1. There is a homosexual subtext to the films - Where? Do Batman and Robin get it on any point in the films? Is Bruce Wayne presented as anything other than heterosexual in his interactions with the films' female characters? One could argue that the approach is camp, but camp does not equate gayness, it equates intended or ironic silliness, certainly not a homoerotic subtext.
2. Gratuitous male ass shots - Curious, nobody mentions the gratuitous female boob and ass shots of the films, of which there are several. Seemingly nobody can handle equal opportunity gratuitous nudity/sexuality. It's symptomatic of the straight male gaze that rules our culture. It's ok for women to be sexualised for male consumption, yet men cannot be sexualised in the same manner without it being unwholesome or gay! You don't see women mock throwing up in their mouths at the sight of batgirl's bat-boobs do you?
3. Bat-Nipples! - If there's anything as overused and cliche as a criticism against the Shumacher films, it's this. Get over it you big babies! Seriously what's the trauma here, don't you have any nipples yourselves?! Are you really that scared by the sight of the human male form? Does Batman rub them at any point in the films?! The only way the bat-nipples connote homoeroticism would be if Chris O'Donnell had started licking on them. Shumacher obviously intended the batsuit to be more representational of the human form, to appear more naturalistic and organic than the previous batsuits, and guess what, that means nipples. Personally I don't think much of the batsuits myself, but whatever the rights and wrongs of it Shumacher wanted them to appear more statuesque. Again that does not equal homoeroticism.
Discuss.
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