In 1997, director Joel Schumacher did an effective job of slaughtering the Batman franchise (at least for the next decade) via Batman & Robin. It flopped at the box office, at least when compared to the previous films. You can routinely find it on many “worst movies of all time” lists, and it is certainly considered one of (if not the) worst superhero movie of all time.
I can’t believe this myself, but I’m actually going to attempt to defend this film, to the best of my ability anyway. But before we get into that let’s see if some of the hate is justified:
** Bane was a complete waste of an awesome character. In the comics, he is one of Batman’s most formidable foes, both mentally and physically. In Batman & Robin he is simply an ex-con on steroids. Over a decade later, Christopher Nolan would remedy this with Tom Hardy’s much more cerebral rendition of the character in The Dark Knight Rises.
** Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze is still pretty ridiculous. His version of the villain may be a so-bad-its-good experience but it’s still bad nonetheless. “You’re not sending ME to the COOLER!” The ice puns are slightly humorous but the amusement wears off quickly.
**Alicia Silverstone’s Batgirl is pointless. At the time it probably seemed like a genius move: her star was rising, and it added a heroic female character to the film. In retrospect, the producers must have been “clueless” to include her in the proceedings (see what I did there?). While we’re at it, throw Chris O’Donnell as Robin in this category as well.
The movie is filled with many other cringeworthy moments that I could spend a few thousand words trying to cover, but let’s change gears and look at five reasons you should give Batman & Robin a revisit.
5. George Clooney Is a Great Batman/ Bruce Wayne
That’s right, I said it. Let’s imagine George Clooney was never cast in Batman & Robin. Now, imagine they were trying to cast the upcoming Superman vs. Batman film with an older, experienced caped crusader, who do you think would be at the top of the fantasy casting list?
In the film, Clooney is actually the next logical step for the character. He has evolved. He is calm, cool and seems to finally be in a peaceful place. Plus, he fits the whole millionaire playboy thing perfectly. Too bad the movie sucked and didn’t give him a proper venue to show his Batman acting chops. After watching Clooney in the greatest space film of all time, it was reinforced just how great of an actor he actually is.
4. Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy
It will probably go down in history as one of the hammiest performance of all time, but in its own way it is still a gem.
Uma Thurman exudes sexiness and is exactly what you would imagine a character such a Poison Ivy to be. Still one of the greatest Batman villains of the franchise.
3. The Score
When Joel Schumacher took over the franchise, the director caught a lot of flack for ditching the Danny Elfman music that made the Tim Burton films so iconic. Like Batman Forever, the original score for Batman & Robin was written by Elliot Goldenthal. It sets the tone perfectly.
The soundtrack? Well, the songs weren’t classics like the Prince tracks on the original Batman, but it wasn’t that bad. Overall, the music was just as impressive as its predecessors.
2. It’s Michael Gough’s Last Outing As Alfred
Batman & Robin would be the last time the late Michael Gough would play the trusted butler for Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson.
Alfred’s “dying from a rare disease” storyline was extremely contrived but it struck an emotional chord anyway.
1. You Can Prove You’re Too Cool For School
If you want to be one of those guys that just feels compelled to go against the crowd, here you go. Batman & Robin provides you with the perfect contrarian opportunity. You and your partner want to spend movie night in Gotham City? Forget The Dark Knight or the Tim Burton films, Schumacher is the way to go.
If you’re ever with a group of friends or in an internet forum (if that’s your thing) there are two Batman films that only “cool” people will mention. The first, Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm (probably the greatest Batman movie ever). The second, Batman & Robin. If you can intelligently argue the merit of the film you can immediately boost your nerd cred. The trick is to not come across as pompous as you make your case. Let this article be your guide, or maybe you shouldn’t, I’m not that smart.
How do you feel about the black sheep of the Batman franchise? Sound off in the comments.
READ ALSO: 30 Hottest Woman In Otherwise Lame Comic-Book Movies
Jesse Gumbarge is editor-in-chief at JarvisCity. He’s a fan of old-school horror flicks and starting pointless debates. You can contact him at JesseGumbarge@JarvisCity.com.
More from Jesse: 6 Reasons You Should Rewatch Robocop Tonight | 5 Reasons You Should Rewatch Jason X Tonight | 7 Reasons You Should Rewatch Blankman Tonight
If you have any fondness for Batman 66 there’s no excuse for you not to like this one. Granted it’s not what any of us needed or deserved at that point in Bat-time but it’s what we got.
Yeah, I there are scraps of camp-awesomeness to be plucked from both Schumaker Batman films. There’s a lot to hate as well, but there’s a lot of stuff that I sort of revel in the same way I revel in the garish colors of a carnival sideshow.
I mean… a LOT to hate in both films. A LOT. But there are scraps. Scraps.
Yes, garish is exactly the word I’d use for this film. The last one especially dives headlong into the so bad it’s good (for a laugh) category
My excuse is that it is no longer 1966…
“5. George Clooney Is a Great Batman/ Bruce Wayne”
Wrong. Good Bruce Wayne, terrible Batman.
I beg to differ on the Goldenthal score. He reused part of his Alien3 soundtrack (Wreckage & Rape) in Batman Forever (& I believe in Batman & Robin) the main theme was ok, but the reuse was horrible.
Also I felt Silverstone was the WORST actress of the 90s. I just wanted to take a baseball bat to the sneer face.
Sometimes everybody is right; this movie is just offensively garish and stupid. Its only use is as Rifftrax fodder. At least there is a retroactive justification for its existence, there. Much like the Star Wars Christmas Special, which is one of the most face-meltingly bad things I have ever seen.
And really, neither version of Bane was good. Let’s be honest, Hardy’s “Connery meets Goldmember” accent is nowhere near the original character’s concept, which has been handled much better in games and animation. (disclosure: I didn’t like anything about TDKRises, though Nolan’s 1st two were great) Though I suppose it’s not as egregious as the green, grunting abomination from B&R. I would say however, that Clooney might have done a better job in a more seriously conceived and directed Batman film – I think he sensed on set the direction this Turkey was flying.
Agreed. Nolan misused Bane. In my opinion ruined what the character is all about. If you’re going to do the Knightfall story, do it properly. Don’t half-ass it.
I think I was high enough to actually enjoy seeing this one when it came out even though everyone loves to hate on it. I’m a HUGE, lifelong AHNOLD mark though. #PutYouOnIce
And 1 reason you shouldn’t…. It’s Shite
Theres a few saving graces of this movie:
1. Clooney was good as Bruce Wayne but he went Adam West Campy for Batman. Had he played it darker, would’ve at least beaten Vals batman. But good Bruce.
2. Uma was sexy as hell as Poison Ivy. probably her most attractive role since Jonny B Goode
3. The Rifftrax (as mentioned below) was gold.
4. It serves as an example of how to NOT make a Batman movie.
I like the movie. However, I get embarassed about liking it when they click their heels together and ice skates pop out.
Also, Alicia Silverstone is hot.
To be fair, I do remember Bane being green in the comic books….oh wait. To be fair, I do remember Mr. Freeze being Austrian in the comic books….oh wait. To be fair, I do remember Joel Schumacher making a good movie….oh wait. Yeah, this whole thing pretty much sucked taint cheese.
Look…the problem of the movie is that not offers something new to the caracter….If you already see the movie…in the first 10 minutes you already see all the plot and know exactly how the movie is going to end….That without counting the awful direction,the bad effects and the wrong casting call…
Clooney sucked as both Batman and Bruce Wayne, he is a very stilted actor, tries to be serious but bores you instead, he has one style…a shake of the head and a faint smile.Ta da George Clooney acts!
Um, no just no