The Batman & Robin appreciation thread

[palitoy]

I remember seeing a scene between Clooney and his love interest on TV that was eventually cut from the film itself. It was probably a good thing because the dialogue was pretty bad and the woman really couldn't act. Just checked it was Elle Macphereson.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Good scene. I like that and the bedside scene where Bruce says he loves him. You know what's interesting about this installment? Clooney spends probably the least amount of time as Bruce Wayne than any other actor. Yes he's in many scenes, but they are very brief with minimal exchange. He's mostly in costume throughout the film. Clooney said they actually had a number of scenes with him reflecting on his parents demise. It would be interesting to see how those played out.

The Alfred subplot is nicely handled by Gough and Clooney, but it unfortunately doesn't fit with the rest of the film's campy tone. The movie is too far overboard otherwise. Almost like taking a scene from Steel Magnoilas and throwing into Airplane.

There's a huge chunk of Batman Forever on the cutting room floor somewhere as well. Seal's "Kiss from a Rose" video and various trading cards, magazines, etc. show Val Kilmer ineracting with a giant, Rick Baker-created bat. I think this was meant to go in the scene where Bruce flashes back to his father's journal and his origins. Instead you get a LONG close-up of Kilmer's eye for some mad reason. You see a bit of the bat when Riddler reads Bruce's mind.

Chris

[Gorn Captain]

I can't help it, I liked Arnie as Mr. Freeze, and his costume, and his silly lines. I'd buy a decent figure of his Freeze, no question about it.
Clooney didn't work as Batman, that I'll agree to (and so does George)...

My favorite Batman movie of that era remains Batman Forever, it is just on that thin line between Gothic Burton and OTT/Kitsch Schumacher. It's the one Jim Carrey "crazy man" role I can enjoy...
I never really got into the Burton Batman films, though I did feel Keaton did well in the part...

[palitoy]

Schumacher said on the DVD (somewhat apologetic) commentary that he was pressed to make the film kid-friendly & "toyetic" (his term--is that a word? ).

it's not a dictionary word but it's an industry term, basically he made the property as easy to merchandise as possible by adding new characters, vehicles and multiple outfit changes.

It's why Batman gets a new Batmobile in B&R and Forever. It's likely why the Superman outfit will get altered for the next movie.

[MIB41]

Good scene. I like that and the bedside scene where Bruce says he loves him. You know what's interesting about this installment? Clooney spends probably the least amount of time as Bruce Wayne than any other actor. Yes he's in many scenes, but they are very brief with minimal exchange. He's mostly in costume throughout the film. Clooney said they actually had a number of scenes with him reflecting on his parents demise. It would be interesting to see how those played out.

[PNGwynne]

It's just my taste-- I like Wallach & esp. Sanders. Preminger is stiff and bland, but he has the best look.

I said I guess to be polite only becuase I always felt Eli's freeze was the worst on the show and hadn't seen his epeisodes for a while having watched them over the weekend I no longer guess Arnold might have been better - he wasn't

[Operation:Mego]

[jds1911a1]

Wha!? That's just crazy talk!

Seriously, though, I loathe B&R, which is bizarre I guess because I love the TV show so much. Nothing in it worked for me--not the "story", casting, art direction or costumes.

I do see how it could be perceived as a '66 redux, but for me it lacked homor and style--it crossed that fine line between camp & kitsch.

And gods, Batgirl was awful.

I said I guess to be polite only becuase I always felt Eli's freeze was the worst on the show and hadn't seen his epeisodes for a while having watched them over the weekend I no longer guess Arnold might have been better - he wasn't

[PNGwynne]

Yay! I have the mental faculties of a toddler! That explains all the toys.

lol That's great, D.

Schumacher said on the DVD (somewhat apologetic) commentary that he was pressed to make the film kid-friendly & "toyetic" (his term--is that a word? ).

Yes, I do own B&R on DVD (but not SIII).

Btw, glad to see you back, Tom.

[MIB41]

Yay! I have the mental faculties of a toddler! That explains all the toys.

Omigod. I about wet myself. But hey, at least we're staying on the toddler theme, right? Honestly Dwayne when I see your artwork, it's easy to look at this film and see why you have so much love for it. Those bright colors and beautiful lighting are exactly the type of style you give so many of your subjects. It's magical and I love it. Don't ever lose that inner child. Pure gold there.

That's the sole reason I can no longer smash this movie, my kid liked it. I remember when I bought it for him i thought "am I really doing this?" but he got a lot of joy out of it.

He's moved on to the Bale movies now and we amuse each other with terrible Mr Freeze impersonations, "Ice to see you".

Same here Brian. My older kids love the Nolan films, but B&R retains a warm (and respected) place in their hearts. I like to think of fond memories as a source to shore up good will when bad times fall upon us. So they serve as a vital role down the road. Both my collection and reflections on "better days" have certainly helped counter balance the rough spots for myself when I'm having to wear different hats for others in a crisis. Definitely a tool to maintain your bearings.

Well said Tom. Just like we thought Adam West's adventures were completely straight and serious as kids, our kids and grandkids take B&R just as seriously. My son was freaked out by Nicholson's Joker and DeVito's Penguin, so 66, Forever and B&R were the Bat-films of choice for him growing up. Like Brian's son, he quickly moved onto the Nolan films, which he of course now prefers. But my daughter still enjoys the occasional dip into Schumacher madness.

Chris

Exactly Chris. Sometimes the untainted views of youth carries it's own wisdom through innocence that those jaded with experience can no longer detect.

[palitoy]

Yay! I have the mental faculties of a toddler! That explains all the toys.

I spent all last weekend watching Japanese kid's shows, basically it was teletubbies with fighting. I for one, am not casting aspersion on anybody's mental capacity for liking what they like.

[enyawd72]

Yay! I have the mental faculties of a toddler! That explains all the toys.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Well said Tom. Just like we thought Adam West's adventures were completely straight and serious as kids, our kids and grandkids take B&R just as seriously. My son was freaked out by Nicholson's Joker and DeVito's Penguin, so 66, Forever and B&R were the Bat-films of choice for him growing up. Like Brian's son, he quickly moved onto the Nolan films, which he of course now prefers. But my daughter still enjoys the occasional dip into Schumacher madness.

Chris

[palitoy]

So these days, I accept the film on it's own terms. Watching it now brings a smile to my face, because I understand I hold someone in my lap who is so happy when he watches it.

That's the sole reason I can no longer smash this movie, my kid liked it. I remember when I bought it for him i thought "am I really doing this?" but he got a lot of joy out of it.

He's moved on to the Bale movies now and we amuse each other with terrible Mr Freeze impersonations, "Ice to see you".

[huedell]

It is (as Chris said), "dumb"---I know that's a subjective word---but, it is THICK with stupid puns and one-dimensional gags. I understand enjoying a movie because it's "fun"---and I'll even put this on every so often to see if I can enjoy it more, but I'm always left with the same feeling. Absolutely nothing redeemable in it as far as dialogue or plot, and that doesn't sit well with me, especially when paired up with a life threatening disease foisted on Alfred. PLUS, even if they would've kept the same exact writing style, I still think they should've amped up Comm Gordon's role, and brought in Batgirl as the Comm's daughter.