So we now face the 1997 ‘Batman and Robin’. Again directed by Joel Schumacher with the script by Akiva Goldman (who had also written Batman Forever).

For role of Batman, Val Kilmer decided to not reprise the role of Batman, and in stepped George Clooney. Clooney at this point was still in ER however had begun to move into movies with One Fine Day and The Peacemaker (both of which I really like).

For the villains, Mr Freeze was played by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Poison Ivy was played by Uma Thurman.   The film also introduces the role of Batgirl, whose real identity is Barbara Wilson (the niece of Alfred), who was played by Alicia Silverstone.

Beyond those facts, I will try and remain brief.

This film is ludicrous. It offers nothing other than exaggerated performances, a barely coherent storyline and sets that appear to have only been constructed to spend money. Everything is in the extreme and lacks credibility, meaning and point.

Clooney achieves a remarkable performance is being both a terrible batman, and a terrible Bruce Wayne. He spends a large part of the film bickering with O’Donnell as the characters of Batman and Robin work through some ‘relationship issues’ and the role of Batgirl seems more about adding the character rather than for any logical reason.

You should avoid this film at all costs. Even though it met with profit, it led to the cancellation of a planed follow up Batman Triumphant.

“I always apologize for Batman & Robin” – George Clooney 2015

1/10