Famously, or perhaps infamously, Batman and Robin ended the original Batman series of films and killed off the comic book genre for a period of time. Many fans hated the direction that director Joel Schumacher took with the franchise, turning away from the dark, stylistic tone of the Burton helmed films in favor of a more camp and kid-friendly tone.
That being said, just because the film was mauled by critics and almost universally hated by fans, does not mean that there is no redemption at all for the movie. Like The Room, is Batman and Robin a ‘so bad it’s good’ classic? This article will give 5 reasons why Batman and Robin is a masterpiece and five why it is truly awful.
Masterpiece: Mr. Freeze
While Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze isn’t 100% comic accurate, it is certainly a memorable and hysterical portrayal of the iconic comic book villain. While the movie sticks with the fairly recent origin story of Mr. Freeze invented by Batman: The Animated Series, it still differed in certain respects.
The most notable difference in the movie version of Mr. Freeze is the villain’s insistence on dropping ice/snow/freeze related puns at every possible opportunity.
Truly Awful: Batmobile Design
The batmobile designs throughout the late 80s and 90s were generally solid. The Burton batmobile is arguably the best design of all time, even if it did need a grappling hook to turn a corner. Similarly, while the Batman Forever batmobile isn’t the best, it is still a decent design.
The Batman and Robin batmobile, however, is just terrible. While the batwings at the rear end of the vehicle are cool and the engine is memorable, the fact that it is an open-topped car is just insane.
Masterpiece: Alfred
Michael Gough’s Alfred was truly one of the best on-screen portrayals of Bruce Wayne’s loyal butler. Serving as the butler from Batman 1989 through to Batman and Robin, Michael Gough’s Alfred was one of the few aspects of the films that remained consistently good.
Additionally, the character was even given more screen time in Batman and Robin due to the plot revolving around the heroes trying to find a cure for Alfred’s disease.
Truly Awful: Bane
While Mr. Freeze’s characterization in the movie is masterful due to how bad it is, Bane’s characterization is bad to the extent that it is just dull. In the comics, Bane is a master tactician and hand to hand specialist who masterminds a plan to take down Batman, breaking the Bat’s spine in the process.
However, in Batman and Robin, the villain is simply a criminal in a BDSM mask who has been injected with performance-enhancing drugs. All Bane does in the movie is growl and look menacing, which makes him a deeply disappointing villain.
Masterpiece: Poison Ivy
Where the movie excels is its camp and over the top performances. Mr. Freeze’s character is closely matched in this regard by Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy. What makes her character so memorable is the difference between Thurman’s portrayal of Pamela Isley and Poison Ivy. Prior to the accident, Isley is a quiet yet angry character who wants to be recognized for her achievements.
After the accident, Poison Ivy is a confident character who uses her new powers and sexuality to get revenge. Much like Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy has her own plant-based puns, but the character is close to the comic book version, just with a little more camp thrown in.
Truly Awful: Whiny Robin
Robin’s introduction to the Batman films in the 90s certainly helped ruin the reputation of the character, with Christopher Nolan promising to never include the character in his own movies. This disdain for the movie Robin was largely due to the direction he was given by the filmmakers.
Throughout both Batman Forever and Batman and Robin, Robin is a whiny and childish character who always seems to be arguing with Batman. While this may work in one film, it is irritating to see in two films
Masterpiece: Gotham’s Style
The Batman films of the 90s and late 80s truly named the style of Gotham. While it is a cliche, it is true that Gotham was a character itself in those 20th Century films. Whether it be Burton’s dark and gothic Gotham or Schumacher’s stylized Gotham.
The ‘feel’ of Gotham hasn’t quite been captured since these movies. Both the Dark Knight Trilogy and the DCEU have made Gotham just another city, rather than a comic book style city.
Truly Awful: Bat Nipples
This had to make the list. Adding the bat nipples to the Batsuit was such a strange decision, but artistically and for the characters. It raises the strange question of why Batman would insist on having nipples on both his own and Robin’s crimefighting gear.
While it is certainly a memorable and unique aspect of the film, it is also one of the worst sins ever committed by a director of a Batman movie. While the DCEU properties may have a bad reputation, at least they didn’t put nipples on their costumes.
Masterpiece: George Clooney As Bruce Wayne
George Clooney was actually really good as Bruce Wayne. He played the part of a rich business owner extremely well and even in private conversations with Robin, Alfred, and Batgirl, he was still very believable as the owner of Wayne Enterprises.
One of the main difficulties in playing Batman is nailing the two aspects of Batman’s personality and George Clooney certainly portrays Bruce Wayne excellently.
Truly Awful: George Clooney As Batman
That being said, while George Clooney may have been an excellent Bruce Wayne, he was not an excellent Batman by any stretch of the imagination. When in the cape and cowl, George Clooney essentially played the same character as when he was Bruce Wayne, which was a huge error.
Although, this could be placing too much blame on Clooney. He is clearly a talented actor, so there was almost certainly an issue with film in general that influenced his portrayal of the Dark Knight.
