Batman and Robin

In theaters NOW

Rating: PG-13

Review Date: 06-21-97

Studio site: Batman and Robin

Stars: George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chris O'Donnell, Uma Thurman, Alicia Silverstone

A new person has taken on the identity of Bruce Wayne/Batman in the latest installment in the Warner Brothers series. George Clooney has taken on the role that was formerly held by both Michael Keaton and Val Kilmer. One thing is for sure, this installment of the series is not the Batman that you've been used to. Our new story has Batman and Robin (still Chris O'Donnell) battling Mr. Freeze a.k.a. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Poison Ivy played by Uma Thurman.

Early on we learn that Mr. Freeze was the result of an industrial accident ant Poison Ivy took shape from a botched murder attempt. Ivy fails to win support for her plan to save "Mother Earth" from Bruce Wayne so she turns to Freeze for help. Freeze meanwhile, is attempting to get the diamonds necessary to complete his master plan. Alfred is dying of the same disease that Freeze's wife had. Alfred's niece played by Alicia Silverstone has come to visit and eventually, after snooping, becomes Batgirl. Whew!!!! Does it seem like that is a little scattered? That's kind of how I felt at the film.

Let's start out by looking at the sets and visuals in the movie. These were great like every Batman franchise to date. There were innovative and fun to look at sets of the Gotham area and typically exciting special effects filled the film. The Batman franchises as well as most big summer film's are never short on the effects, in fact that is one of the aspects that they are known for. But visuals are not the only thing that Batman films have had in the past, they have each featured exciting villains from The Joker to Catwoman, and from Two-Face to The Riddler.

For this film we have Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy to root against. Arnold received top billing in this film for his portrayal of Freeze. Unfortunately the lines for him however were one pun after another, name any crack about cold or freeze and it was spoken in this film. Now this is not what we have come to expect in the Batman franchise, this is considerably closer to what the TV series consisted of, much more of a stupid funny type of atmosphere. Now Uma's portrayal of Poison Ivy is beautiful, I was captivated by her on screen presence and almost felt as if her mystical spells were being cast on me instead of Batman and Robin. Sexy, intelligent, and just the right amount of psychotic Thurman brought Poison Ivy to life. 

For the Good Guys we have Clooney who walks through the typically uneventful Batman character and O'Donnell as the kooky boy wonder. Clooney is okay as Batman in this more comical installment and O'Donnell as well is okay. The thing is that neither of them are spectacular or better than just okay. I don't know if the Batman roles are played unspectacularly or just written that way. I was however taken in by the subplot of Poison Ivy playing Batman and Robin off one another in an attempt to get rid of both of them. Alicia Silverstone plays Alfred's nosey niece who stumbles upon the secret of the batcave and her special suit that Alfred has prepared for her before his illness. Though she is not much more than a bit player, she seems to go through her role similar to the Batman and Robin characters in a not spectacular but competent fashion. 

The film seems contrived, but then again aren't most Batman movies? This installment as mentioned earlier is very much like the TV series in the way it handles itself. If you liked the TV series you will like this film because this film IS the TV series with a much larger budget. But the way they promote the movie, and the way we have come to know the Batman character on the big screen is not at all the way the movie comes off. Overall this is an average effort and one that I would look to be improved upon in the future of the series.

Grade: C+.....(B- if you like the TV series)


Parents Guide: PG-13 rated mainly for violence and sexual innuendo. Parents should not find a whole lot objectionable about this film. There is an underlying theme of family that I believe is meant to be a good message to all of the young kids that they expect to see the film. Many kids may actually get something out of this message of family that is portrayed. 

Comments to: The Common Guy

Go to:
Home Page
Now in Theaters
Now on Video