Batman and Robin Review by Larry McGillicuddy Copyright Larry McGillicuddy 1997
*** (out of 4) Directed by Joel Schumacher Starring George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzeneggar, Chris O' Donnell, Uma Thurman, Alicia Silverstone, Michael Gough
This 4th installment of the immensely popular movie series is not as good as the original, but far better than both of the sequels. It boasts great FX, good chemistry between the leads, and two outstanding villains. I don;t understand why people are proclaiming it to be so horrible. I admit that it's not very intelligent, but it is more visually impressive then the overrated 5th Element, and we don't have to suffer through Chris Tucker's performance in that movie.
The film gets started right away with an exciting opening sequence (at last, no drawn out, lengthy introductions to the villains) where Batman and Robin try to stop Mr. Freeze from stealing a valuable diamond. Right off the bat (no pun intended) Clooney shows he is a far more interesting Batman than the dull, miscast Val Kilmer was. He's no Michael Keaton, but he acquits himself nicely.
Later we learn that Mr. Freeze is a doctor who was trying to revive his wife, and accidentally froze himself. There are some great shots of Freeze looking sadly at his wife. Arnold is an underrated actor, and he pulls these scenes off.
Uma Thurman is even better as Poison Ivy, a botanist who is angry at the destruction humans cause to the earth. This is keeping in with the Batman villain introduction, but it is far less lengthy and annoying as The Penguin or Catwoman in Batman Returns. Uma has a great deal of fun with the role, and deliciously overplays every scene.
Once again, Gotham city is a wondrous creation. The visuals are even better than in the other films, and many of the set pieces are fun and exciting. The chemistry between Clooney and O' Donnell is very impressive for two actors who have never worked together before. Alicia Silverstone, as Batgirl doesn't match up well to the other performers, but she really isn't given much to work with, except for a fun fight scene with Poison Ivy. People like Elle MacPherson and Vivica A. Fox have roles so small, inconsequential, and dull that they shouldve been left on the cutting room floor.
I'm not going to try and convince you Batman and Robin is a great, or even good movie. But it's not nearly as bad as most of my peers are making it out to be. It's a good piece of eye candy; exciting, fun, and over before you realize how dumb it is.
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