The Dark Knight Rises Legacy: Do The Original Batman Films Still Hold Up?
Batman & Robin (1997)
Oh, but if Batman Forever was bad, then Batman & Robin is an atrocity onto the whole of the comic-book film genre. Actually, Ill take that one back- in reality, it is a disgrace to the entire film industry. Ive seen some poor flicks this year (never again will I subject myself to Wanderlust or Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance), but this final entry in the classic Batman franchise seals the nail in the coffin. If Chris ODonnells Robin wasnt already enough in his introductory appearance, then here the actor takes the irritance we feel towards his character to new heights here. Goaded on by the trickster Poison Ivy, the Boy Wonder begins to question his loyalties to Batman and the Wayne legacy, leading to countless pointless arguments between the Dynamic Duo which merely serve to distract from the dire main plot of Mr Freezes bizarre attempts to freeze Gotham City. Theres a large cast of well-known stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Uma Thurman, George Clooney, Alicia Silverstone and even Smallvilles own John Glover, but I will be impressed if anyone can justify to me that any of them get the screen time or writing they deserve in their roles. Silverstones Batgirl in particular feels like a major afterthought and Thurman does little but antagonise Batman and Robin further while moving forward key story points such as Freezes wife becoming close to death. Quite why the writers chose to throw in a sub-plot of Alfred succumbing to a fatal illness in this overly long flick is beyond me, too. At the climax, it really distracts from what should have been a truly epic final confrontation, and thus what turns out to be a dull and uninspiring affair. Its just one of countless scratches this film has on its Bat-nippled bonnet, showing just how weak it actually turns out to be. Batman & Robin has its moments, yet they are so far and few inbetween the dire campness of it all that they fail to stop it being one of the worst films I have ever seen. Oh, and I forgot to mention- Banes in there toolets just say I hope that Tom Hardy can do a far better job.rating: 1
What did you think of the four original Batman films? Do any of them stand out as memorable comic-book films for you, or even best Batman Begins and The Dark Knight? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!