No one's afraid of the big black bat (Batman & Robin (DVD))

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Batman & Robin (DVD)
Date:	10/04/08 (43 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Vaguely entertaining in places

Disadvantages: Bad casting and acting, over-colouring and very un-Batman

For this 1997 film, Batman & Robin, Joel Schumacher once again takes the helm, although the role of Batman changes hands once again, with the charismatic George Clooney playing the Dark Knight this time.

The Plot

Batman's latest foes are terrorising Gotham City (as per usual), this time in an environmental fashion. Mr Freeze is trying to turn Gotham and the rest of the world into one giant iceberg, while the sultry Poisin ivy wants to make the world greener. Both are accomplished scientists, exacting revenge on the people who have harmed them, their close ones and their beliefs. Batman & Robin must combat these two foes with the help of Batgirl, the alter ego of Barbara Wilson, butler Alfred's niece.

The Cast and Performances

There are some errors here with casting. George Clooney does okay with his role as Batman, but I didn't feel he was suited to a superhero role. He is good as Bruce Wayne, but I could not get used to him as Batman. Chris O'Donnell gives more cheese as Robin, and Alicia Silverstone gives a good enough turn as Batgirl. Villains Mr Freeze and Poison Ivy are played extremely eccentrically by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Uma Thurman repsectively. These are two errors in casting, especially Arnie. He is wooden in performance, and the one-liners from Mr Freeze just made me cringe at the screen. Not a good villain at all.

Michael Gough once again returns as Alfred, and Pat Hingle as Commissioner Gordon, but they give a tired impression of the characters, as if they have had enough. There are supporting roles from Elle MacPherson and Vivica A Fox, but it feels as if they are only there because they are household names.

My Opinion

I was very disappointed at this film. The transition from Batman Returns (1992) to Batman Forever (1995) pushed the limits with changing Batman from the Dark Knight to a near comical, brightly uniformed character fighting crime for no other reason than to fight crime. That disappointed me somewhat, but nothing compared to my feelings on the subsequent changes to this film, Batman & Robin. The colours are dazzlingly bright, and there are fluorescent scenes in abundance. One scene in particular, which actually features some neat choreography for Robin, is in a dimly lit area with fluorescent strip lighting providing the majority of what we can see.

It is just not Batman. The plot is fairly decent, I will give it that, in that Batman is combatting evil foes with the aid of two sidekicks, and in theory, this could have worked. There are elements of the film that are entertaining, but Batman is almost overlooked in the film as the storylines of the villains and the sidekicks are explored.

With some terrible acting from Arnie, and strange direction from one as accomplished as Schumacher, I was left throughly disappointed at the end of the film, so much so that when, 8 years later in 2005, they released Batman Begins, I was dreading watching it. As it turns out, Batman has taken a positive turn in the last film, and hopefully will continue to do so in 2008's release, 'The Dark Knight'. As for Batman & Robin, I am content to forget about it. Despite some entertaining parts, I cannot rate this highly at all.

Conclusion

Even more disappointing than Batman Forever! I see someone has written a review on here rating it at 5 stars out of 5. I am glad someone has enjoyed it. I am unable to rate this any differently than 1 star out of 5.

The DVD is available from amazon.co.uk for £5.98.

This review may also be posted on ciao.co.uk.

Thanks for reading.

Summary: batman & Robin (1997)