Batman & Robin (1997 film)

For the 1949 serial Batman and Robin, see Batman serials.

Batman & Robin, directed by Joel Schumacher, is the fourth installment in the comic book-inspired film series initiated by Tim Burton. Released in 1997, it starred George Clooney in his only appearance as Batman and Chris O'Donnell returning as Robin, and introduced Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone), a niece of Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred (Michael Gough). The villains in this movie are Poison Ivy, played by Uma Thurman, Mr. Freeze, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger (who received top billing for this film), and Bane, played by Jeep Swenson.

Cast

Response

The film was neither a critical nor a financial success. It was mocked for the poor script, over-extending the campy attitude of its predecessor, Batman Forever, the poor casting of other "big-name" stars Uma Thurman and Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the addition of a poorly portrayed Batgirl, played by Alicia Silverstone. In his review of the film, critic Leonard Maltin found that "the 'story' often makes no sense" and that the "action and effects are loud, gargantuan, and ultimately numbing." Michael J. Nelson, in Mike Nelson's Movie Megacheese, says "Batman & Robin is not the worst movie ever. No, indeed. It's the worst thing ever. Yes, it's the single worst thing that we as human beings have ever produced in recorded history." Even director Joel Schumacher has admitted to not being proud of his work, despite any earlier statements to the contrary. On the Internet Movie Database, the film received nearly universal negative user reviews and in an MSN Movies article on superhero movies, the film was ranked as the worst to date.[http://movies.msn.com/movies/superhero3/ In particular, criticism was heaped upon the design of the Batsuit, which, like in the previous film, features nipples, and the closeup shots of the caped crusaders while donning their costumes.

This film is often billed as the worst superhero movie of all time, although some may contend that Catwoman is. Published financial figures indicate that the movie was made on a budget of States dollar|$" target="_blank" >^*125 million , but collected only $107 million domestically — less than any other Batman film — and $131 million abroad. Studios usually expect summer movies — particularly those in a highly successful series — to earn more profit than that, and Warner Brothers temporarily suspended the series after four live-action films.

The film was derisively dubbed Batman on Ice by critics for a scene in which Batman and Robin inexplicably have retractable ice skates in their boots while battling Mr. Freeze's henchmen on an icy floor in the opening sequence.Bond, Jeff. Batman on Ice!. Film Score Monthly. June 27, 1997. Retrieved June 20, 2005.Rainer, Peter. Batman on ice. Dallas Observer. June 19, 1997. Retrieved June 20, 2005. George Clooney was himself severely embarrassed by the film, saying that "I think we might have killed the franchise."

Arnold Schwarzenegger, however, does not regret being in this movie, as he has stated in an interview he never regrets doing a role.

Uma Thurman’s performance in the campy film received mainly mixed reviews, and critics made comparisons between her and actress Mae West. The New York Times wrote about Thurman, “like Mae West, she mixes true femininity with the winking womanliness of a drag queen.”Janet Maslin. New York Times review, Batman and Robin. 20 June 1997. Retrieved 7 February 2006. A similar comparison was made by the Houston Chronicle: “Thurman, to arrive at a ’40s femme fatale, sometimes seems to be doing Mae West by way of Jessica Rabbit.”Jeff Millar. If you like them busy, this “Batman” is for you. Houston Chronicle. 19 June 1997. Retrieved 6 April 2006.

Fans expressed disappointment at the depiction of Bane (played by the late wrestler Jeep Swenson), as a mindless bodyguard for the main villains (as opposed to the calculating and educated genius of the comics).

Characters

Bane - Rather than being the devious, intelligent villain of the comics, he was a mindless thug who served as the sidekick of Poison Ivy, one of the main villains of the film, barely even capable of speech. This depiction of the character was one of many aspects of the film which received harsh criticism from fans and critics alike, with many fans wondering why Bane was even included in the story at all, as they think that the character serves little purpose in the film other than as a muscle-bound henchman.

Batman - In an interview with Barbara Walters, George Clooney claimed that he played Batman "gay." ^*

Batgirl - This Batgirl (Alfred Pennyworth's niece, Barbara Wilson) was similar in many ways to Barbara Gordon, but James Gordon's relatively small role in the films contributed to the differences. This version of the character is widely despised by fans, as it holds no similarity to the source material outside of the name "Batgirl."

Mr. Freeze - In this largely campy interpretation, the character spouts puns related to cold weather and temperatures (e.g., "You’re not sending me to the cooler!", "Let's... kick some ice!"). His tragic origin is the same, however, and he is not without sympathetic qualities, though many fans couldn't stand this version of the character.

Poison Ivy - This incarnation, boasting over-the-top acting from Uma Thruman, strange costumes and even stranger hair styles, is largely considered the worst version of the character, a sentiment in line with the over-all derision poured upon the film from fans and critics alike.

Robin - Robin's costume in Batman and Robin is similar to that of Nightwing (more specifically, his "Renegade" costume), except that it has a cape, nipples, and the emblazoned logo is a deep red instead of blue.

Legacy

The impact of this film was multifold. With the possible exception of Arnold Schwarzenegger, all the principal performers involved lost credibility for some time as serious actors. George Clooney has gone so far as to say that he will refund the money of any fan he meets who paid to see the movie. Joel Schumacher found his already tenuous artistic reputation all but ruined, and Warner Bros. was the focus of much derision for producing the film. Alicia Silverstone, already battered by widespread media circulation about her increased body weight, disappeared from the limelight and earned a reputation as a "has been." However, Uma Thurman's career has since rebounded, thanks to roles in Kill Bill and The Producers.

Fans of the successful animated television series, The Animated Series, voiced suspicions that the direct-to-video feature SubZero (1998) was delayed because of the Schumacher film. They contend that this was due to the fact that the Warner Brothers management knew it was superior to the live-action film and decided to delay it to prevent unfavorable comparisons to a film with greater financial stake. Because of this allegation and the fact that the scenes generally regarded by fans as the best in the film were largely taken from the animated series (the angle of Freeze committing crimes for the sake of saving his wife is straight from Paul Dini and Bruce Timm's show), many Batman fans were convinced that the Animated Series producers should have been responsible for the live action film series.

It has since been argued that the film's dismal failure was, in the long run, a boon for comic book films, as the comedic angle taken to the source material by the makers of the film was so unpopular that other filmmakers would be encouraged to treat the source material with more reverence in their own films. This arguably ended the influence of the 1960s Batman television series' campy tone in favor of Richard Donner's more respectful approach to superheroes as with the first Christopher Reeve Superman movie. This attitude has led to successful and acclaimed film adaptations such as Blade (1998), X-Men (2000), Ghost World (2000), Spider-Man (2002), Road to Perdition (2002), and Batman Begins (2005).

Batman & Robin marked the end of the Tim Burton/Joel Schumacher era of movies. Likely due to the film's poor reception, no more Batman movies were made for nearly eight years. A new Batman franchise was launched in 2005, with Batman Begins, a much darker film which was both critically and financially successful (States dollar|$" target="_blank" >^*366 million worldwide gross as of 09/04/2005), with no continuity to Burton's nor Schumacher's movies. George Clooney obviously did not intervene in the project and was succeeded by the much-younger Christian Bale, who was widely praised for his portrayal of both Bruce Wayne and his alter ego.

On October 18, 2005, Warner Bros. released a new deluxe DVD for the movie with commentary by Schumacher. The commentary has gotten attention for Schumacher's candid comments on how he was forced to put in gadgets for the toy companies to make, his confession that he went too far trying to make the movie kid-friendly, and, at one point, even a flat-out apology for the entire film.

Soundtrack

Despite the overwhelming negative publicity the film got, its soundtrack became very popular and was well received. The soundtrack included songs by R. Kelly, Arkarna, Jewel, Goo Goo Dolls, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and The Smashing Pumpkins, whose song The End is the Beginning is the End rolled over the movie's closing credits. Three songs from the soundtrack became top-ten hits in the United States; Jewel's contribution, a radio-mix version of Foolish Games, as well as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's Look Into My Eyes and R. Kelly's Gotham City.

Track listing

The Smashing Pumpkins - The End Is The Beginning Is The End (5:08)
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - Look Into My Eyes (4:28)
R. Kelly - Gotham City (4:56)
Arkarna - House On Fire (3:24)
R.E.M. - Revolution (3:04)
Jewel - Foolish Games (4:00)
Goo Goo Dolls - Lazy Eye (3:46)
Lauren Christy - Breed (3:05)
Soul Coughing - The Bug (3:09)
Moloko - Fun For Me (5:08)
Me'shell Ndegeocello - Poison Ivy (3:33)
Eric Benét - True To Myself (4:41)
Elliot Goldenthal - A Batman Overture (3:35)
Underworld - Moaner (10:17)
The Smashing Pumpkins - The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning (-62:42)

Trivia

The Batman costume weighed 14.5 lb.
The Batgirl costume weighed 12 lb.
The Robin costume weighed 14 lb.
The Mr. Freeze costume weighed 75 lb.
Patrick Stewart and Anthony Hopkins were considered for the role of Mr. Freeze until Joel Schumacher decided the Mr. Freeze character MUST be big and strong like he was chiseled out of a glacier.
Sylvester Stallone was Joel Schumacher's second choice for the role of Mr. Freeze. Hulk Hogan was Joel Schumacher's third choice to play Mr. Freeze.
A new form of light foam rubber was used to make the superhero costumes. This helped the costumes weigh less than on any other Batman film, but they ripped and tore very easily.
Batgirl had a full-head costume designed for her much like Batman's (complete with pointy ears) in this movie, but it was rejected in favor of letting Alicia Silverstone's hair flow freely (except in one scene where she wears it as a crash helmet). Batgirl action figures designed for the movie reflect the full-head costume, before the toy makers were informed of the change. Toyfare Magazine, in a review of the Batgirl action figure, stated that the wardrobe change came from complaints from Silverstone about the cowl pulling her hair out when removed.
The sign on a club reads "The Head Room" just before the scene in which Alfred's computer likeness talks to Barbara in a manner resembling Max Headroom.
Cast member John Glover also performed the voice of The Riddler in the The Animated Series.
The fictional disease "MacGregor Syndrome" was named after producer Peter MacGregor-Scott.
During the scene where Batman and Robin bid for Poison Ivy, Batman pulls out his credit card. Its expiration date: FOREVER, a reference to Batman Forever (1995).
Dr. Jason Woodrue appeared in DC Comics as another plant themed super-villain, first as a mad scientist and later as Floronic Man.
Dr. Woodrue creates Bane with what he calls his "Super Soldier Serum." This is a reference to the origin of the Marvel Comics character Captain America. Created in the early 1940s (under Marvels' previous incarnation as Timely Comics), Captain America was Steve Rogers, a man too frail to enlist to fight in World War II. He agreed to subject himself to the Super Soldier Serum which heightened every ability and sense to the highest human limits. Of course, as these things go, the doctor who created the formula was promptly killed and Captain America would be the only Super Soldier.
In the comics, the chemical Bane uses to increase his strength is called simply "Venom."
George Clooney injured his lower leg playing basketball during shooting. Because of this, he needed to cut the boot off of the Bat-suit in order to wear a cast. You can tell when his leg was injured from his limping while inside the freeze rocket.
Joel Schumacher first thought that Clooney would make a good Batman after drawing the famous cowl over Clooney's face in an advertisement for From Dusk Till Dawn (1996). Fan reaction to Clooney however, was not as enthusiastic.
In the original theatrical trailer, Mr. Freeze says the line, "Button up, boys. A storm is coming." That line is not present in the final film.
Julia Roberts, Sharon Stone, and Demi Moore were all rumored to be in the running for the part of Poison Ivy before Uma Thurman was cast.
When Batgirl sneaks off to the motorcycle contest, one of the gangs there are dressed like the main characters in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange (1971). At the same time, the background song is Fun for Me, performed by Moloko. Moloko is Nadsat (Milk, in Alex DeLarge and his droogs' language).
In the evidence room at the prison where Mr. Freeze is held and before Bane breaks in, both The Riddler's and Two-Face's outfits can be seen.
Pat Hingle (Commissioner Gordon) and Michael Gough (Alfred Pennyworth) are the only actors to appear in every Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher Batman film from Batman to Batman & Robin.
One of three movies to feature two future United States Governors acting in the same film: Jesse Ventura, elected Governor of Minnesota in 1998, and Schwarzenegger, elected Governor of California in 2003. The other two films were Predator (1987), and The Running Man (1987). All three of these movies featured Ventura and Schwarzenegger.
The computer in Alfred's room is a 20th anniversary Macintosh built by Apple Computer.
In an interview, the cast members were asked what item from filming they would like to take home with them. Schwarzenegger said that he would be taking Mr. Freeze's armor, Thurman said that she wanted Ivy's floral throne, Elle Macpherson said that she just wanted a cap or something with the Batman & Robin logo, and Clooney said he wanted Elle Macpherson.
During shooting, Clooney visited his friends on the set of ER (1994) in full costume.
Superman is mentioned by Batman in his very first line. When Robin observes the Batmobile as it rises up on the hydraulic pedestal, he says, "I want a car! Chicks dig the car!" Batman responds with "This is why Superman works alone." Like in Batman Forever, where Batman says that the travelling circus has moved onto Metropolis, this is a line that mentions something regarding the Superman universe.
First (and so far only) Batman movie that did not have a villain's death explicitly shown on-screen.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was given top billing because Joel Schumacher felt that he was a bigger name than George Clooney.
Filmmaker Kevin Smith referred to the film in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back in which Chasing Amy character Hooper X makes a rebuttal to friend Banky by saying "They took your intellectual property and turned it into one 90-minute long gay joke. It was like watching "Batman & Robin" all over again."
Matt Le Blanc was considered for the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne before George Clooney was cast.
Bruce's love interest did not affect the movie's plot as in the previous films.

Sequel

Originally, a fifth film Batman Triumphant, was to follow Batman & Robin. George Clooney and Chis O'Donnell were signed on to reprise their roles as Batman and Robin respectively. The main antagonist was to be The Scarecrow and Harley Quinn was to appear, seeking revenge for her father's death. Howard Stern was rumored for the role of The Scarecrow and Madonna for the role of Harley Quinn. Jack Nicholson was to reprise his role as The Joker, although ten years on, interestingly enough via a hallucination invoked by The Scarecrow's fear gas. The film was reportedly to adopt a darker tone than its previous entries, with a lesser focus of commercialization and truer to the comics. It was rumored Robin would be murdered in this installment. Triumphant was planned prior to the release of Batman & Robin. The film was slated for release in 1999, but due to the box office failure of Batman & Robin, Warner Brothers decided upon its cancellation.

On DVD

Batman & Robin was given a "bare bones" DVD release when the medium was introduced in 1997-98. However, in 2005, the newest feature film, Batman Begins, caused Warner Bros. to release a two-disc special edition set of all four Burton-Schumacher films in Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997.

Features of the second Schumacher film include:

Digitally Remastered Anamorphic Widescreen Transfer
English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Track
English DTS 5.1 Surround Track
French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Track
English, French, and Spanish Subtitles (feature film only)
Audio Commentary with Director Joel Schumacher
Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Part 6: Batman Unbound
Additional Scene: Alfred's Lost Love
Beyond Batman Documentary Gallery Including:
- Bigger, Bolder, Brighter: The Production Design of Batman & Robin
- Maximum Overdrive: The Vehicles of Batman & Robin
- Dressed to Thrill: The Costumes of Batman & Robin
- Frozen Freaks and Femme Fatales: the Makeup of Batman & Robin
- Freeze Frame: The Visual Effects of Batman & Robin
"The End is the Beginning is the End" Music Video by The Smashing Pumpkins
"Foolish Games" Music Video by Jewel
"Gotham City" Music Video by R. Kelly
"Look Into My Eyes" Music Video by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
The Heroes and The Villains Profile Galleries
Batman & Robin Theatrical Trailer

References

External links

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