I have a confession, a deep, dark secret that I've never told a single soul. The truth is, I love Joel Schumacher's Batman & Robin. I hope before I'm lynched, I have a chance to explain myself. Maybe I'll even convert you.
The Batman film franchise had always been successful. That is until 1997, however, when Schumacher's second Batman film effectively killed the the franchise. Batman & Robin, Schumacher's sequel to Batman Forever was in every respect a failure. It's tone made it seem like less a film and more a toy commercial. It's box office performance was less than stellar. It's performances and characterizations were one dimensional and completely laughable.
But for all its faults, I continue to watch and enjoy this film. In fact, it's the film's flaws that I love so much. The action in the film is bloated, cartoonish and for the most part makes no sense but I love the boldness. I'm not saying that the film is good, but it is damn entertaining. It's hard to watch George Clooney in a Batman costume slide down a frozen dinosaur and then magically extend ice skates to fight an evil hockey team and not smile at the impossible absurdity. I can't imagine who wouldn't pay to see that.
And the Bat suit nipples, I laugh so hard every time I see them my sides hurt.
If you approach this film as a serious film, and it goes without saying that Batman can make a damn good film, then you're going to be disappointed. Do what I do. Approach this film as a comedy. It's the only logical choice. When you do that, everything you might hate about the movie becomes everything you love about it. Arnold Schwarzenegger seems like inspired casting as Mr. Freeze. Every ice pun is becomes a great punchline. Uma Thurman was meant to be sexy as Poison Ivy, but we all knew that didn't work out. Instead of sulking about how that , laugh at how hard she's trying and failing. If you can't laugh at the Bat-charge card, then you're really missing out. Watch this movie with a couple of friends (and maybe a couple of drinks) and I guarantee a good time.
Really, the only thing I don't like about this film is the director's apology that I posted above. I don't like to hear filmmakers apologize for their work. It is inevitable that a filmmaker fail. Even the greatest filmmakers fail. I would just prefer for them to stand behind their work and be proud that they at least tried. This is especially the case with Batman & Robin. Schumacher wanted to make an entertaining film. And if you've got the right mindset, then Batman & Robin is exactly that.
hmmm i have to agree but was it marketed and/or meant to be a serious film?
ReplyDeleteWell, I doubt it was ever meant to be serious. I feel like Schumacher intended the film to be cartoon-like. I also think the studio probably had a hand in pushing the tone of the film in a lighter more kid friendly direction. I think that perhaps the studio underestimated the number of serious, adult Batman fans.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty easy when it comes to critique. I like to give things the benefit of the doubt in every case and because of that I was able to enjoy it as much as most loathe it. And out of all four pre-Nolan movies B&R is the one I constantly go back to. But while Joel Schumacher did have a number of design choices that fell flat I think Warner Bros were the real villains. I think if they just let him work the film could have been better instead of putting pressure on him to make it more marketable and child-friendly. There could have been more story, more development. There are a few good elements in the movie (Poison Ivy for me) but they are diamonds in the rough as it were.
ReplyDeleteLike it or not though. Batman & Robin is part of the legacy now. For better or worse.
You and I share a lot of the same thoughts when it comes to Batman & Robin. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who stills gives this one a watch.
ReplyDelete