Could the film have worked better if

[The Joker]

I have a similar criticism when it comes to Riddler and Two-Face being the same comic relief archetype in BF. I believe BF would've been much better if Two-Face was a serious villain, and was the complete opposite of the much more comical Riddler. We know why the reaction to BR was a response to making Two-Face and Riddler the way they were, but I've no doubt BF would've been better off if only one of the villains were comic relief.

Yeah, agreed.

Two-Face could have easily been portrayed as more the "straight man", as compared to Carrey's Riddler, and the comedic possibilities would still be available if Schumacher wanted to, while already in production, amp up the humor.

[eledoremassis02]

I have a similar criticism when it comes to Riddler and Two-Face being the same comic relief archetype in BF. I believe BF would've been much better if Two-Face was a serious villain, and was the complete opposite of the much more comical Riddler. We know why the reaction to BR was a response to making Two-Face and Riddler the way they were, but I've no doubt BF would've been better off if only one of the villains were comic relief.

Yeah, agreed.

Two-Face could have easily been portrayed as more the "straight man", as compared to Carrey's Riddler, and the comedic possibilities would still be available if Schumacher wanted to, while already in production, amp up the humor.

As of late, I think Shumachers biggest gift and curse was the amount of freedom of expression and laid back atmosphere he gave his actors. Carrey was hired to be Carrey, so that can't be helped, but someone needed to tell Tommy Lee Jones to cool it. Two-Face being the straight man (and holding the darker story line together) would of saved the film from alot of its missgivings.

[The Laughing Fish]

I don't blame Jones. We all know he's more than capable of playing serious roles, he was simply following directions on how to play Two-Face. Schumacher was once quoted saying "if you don't like it, blame the director" in regards to B&R, but when you read into the studio's agenda of making Batman lighter, Schumacher might only deserved to be blamed for being a company man. I don't think making the film toyetic was his idea. The same could be said for making Two-Face a goofy villain.