Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

The fourth of the 90’s Batman movies is Batman & Robin, by far my least favorite of the series. Oddly watching it on DVD again after all these years it wasn’t as bad as I remembered it, probably because I knew what to expect this time, but it still mostly stinks. Listening to the commentary by director Joel confirms what I had thought: they were trying so hard to market this movie in every way possible that they killed it.

George Clooney as Batman wasn’t a bad choice. I think he himself does a good enough job, though nobody has been as good as Keaton. He plays the tension with Robin and the tenderness with Alfred well. He sells the role about as good as an actor in this position could. He at least gets better one liners “This is why Superman works alone” than Val’s “Chicks love the car” lines. I’ve heard some people gripe about him, but I don’t see him as part of the problem with the movie.

Likewise Chris O’Donell (Robin who, like in the previous movie, is more like Nightwing than the Boy Wonder which is a positive thing) and the other returning players. They all do well enough with a weak story and bad lines. I also think Uma as Poison Ivy is a good choice. She has the beauty and the ability to play the role to make the character great. Her plot of dividing the Dynamic Duo is pretty good.

That’s where the praise ends. Well, not quite. I did enjoy John Glover’s performance, but that was only a few minutes. That’s it. Arnold as Mr Freeze was a bad choice. For one, Freeze has never been, in my experience, an imposing figure. The suit makes him powerful, but he’s not someone that takes someone with Arnold’s physique to sell it. In addition they tried to make him a dramatic character. I love Predator, Running Man, and other Arnold movies, but he is not one for subtle dramatic acting. He does not sell the facial expressions at all.

Alicia as Batgirl is bad in so many ways. I’m not a big fan of hers so name recognition doesn’t matter. Maybe some people got excited about her in the movie, but no one that I know. The whole character is poorly done, I don’t think even the likes of Michelle Pfeiffer could have saved it. Let’s think about the Dynamic Duo. Batman is unnaturally obsessed because of a traumatic experience and has been training to fight crime for his entire life. Robin is understandably obsessed because of a traumatic experience and has been training as a professional acrobat for most if not all of his life. Maybe he isn’t to Batman’s level as a crime fighter, but he’s far from an ordinary guy. Batgirl is a prep school girl who likes the danger of racing bikes. Yeah, kind of pales in comparison doesn’t it? She has no formal training of any kind, no real reason to want to be a super hero, and no resources to becoming such other than a dying uncle.

Alfred gives in to her being Batgirl far too easily for one thing. He accepted Robin because it was the only way to keep him from doing something regretful. I could see him getting Batman to consider training Batgirl, but to send her into the midst of such a battle without question is not in keeping with his character. Not to mention she violates his trust shortly before being entrusted with even more. If she can’t be trusted why trust her?

Bane, wow, how bad is Bane? In the comic lore he is the one that broke Batman’s back. He was cunning and developed Venom to give him a physical edge. In the movie he’s a dumb hunk of muscle – I mean really dumb, barely human even. When I first saw him I didn’t think his body was real. It is, although it’s painted up to the point that it looks like a suit. Arnold might have made a great Bane if they’d have let him have more personality. As it is he’s barely memorable.

The action is way overdone. Sure, being a super-hero movie it needs some dynamic action, but air surfing on doors from the upper atmosphere? Come on. I guess that fits in with everything else being so overblown. I do like the new Batmobile more than the one in #3. Wait, what was that? Yep a positive comment, didn’t think I’d see any more of those… oh but wait, the Batmobile is still not as great as the Keaton version.

This is not a movie to get excited about. For many people it’s not even watchable. While it does have a few good points they are greatly overshadowed by the bad.

Content:
There’s a little language, mostly cartoonish violence, and some mild sensuality.

DVD:
Despite the movie performing poorly the 2 disc DVD is in keeping with the others in the set. I doubt any other movie this notoriously bad has gotten a DVD treatment as nice as this one.

Yet again the boarder, font, and colors form a continuity with the design of the first movies’ covers. Unfortunately, like the first, there is no insert which also means no chapter list.

The menus are also similar in design though with images specific to this movie. The menus aren’t very creative, but aren’t boring at least.

Presentation is better than the movie probably deserves. Anamorphic widescreen with Dolby & DTS 5.1 surround sound. You have to put up with a bad movie but not, at least, with bad A/V quality.

EXTRAS:
Disc 1 contains an original trailer and a commentary by Joel. The best thing about the commentary is that Joel does not attempt to defend and justify his work. He recognizes the movie was a failure and bucks up to it admirably. He even goes so far as to apologize. He gets a pat on the back for doing this commentary and being honest about it.

Disc 2 is full of extras in keeping with the previous 3 movies and rounds out the collection nicely.

The Shadows of the Bat series wraps up. This time it deals a lot with the over-hyping of the movie and how that strangled the production.
This one has its own set of technical behind the scenes clips. They deal with the design, the new Batmobile and other vehicles, costumes, make-up, and effects. There is a play all option for the group.

The character profiles are back, and once again the ones that were in the last movie are recreated to be unique. They look at the way the characters were interpreted this go around. There is a play all option for the group. They include Batman, Robin, Batgirl, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, and Bane.

One deleted scene this time. It’s a short scene that looks at Alfred’s life.

There are a whopping 4 music videos this time. I’m not terribly fond of any of them, but I’m sure many people disagree since at least one or two did well on the radio.
"First is The End Is the Beginning Is the End" by Smashing Pumpkins. There are some interesting visuals with it.
Next is "Look Into My Eyes" by Bone Thugs N Harmony. The video carries a story that has nothing to do with Batman and features few Batman images.
"Gotham City" by R Kelly does a better job with working in the Batman visuals. I never liked the song, though, too mellow I guess.
Finally is "Foolish Games" by Jewel. The song and video have nothing at all to do with Batman. It seems too mellow to belong with a super hero action movie.

Final Thoughts:
To buy or not to buy? Is it really worth a purchase? If you’re getting the previous 3 movies I say you might as well get them all – have the full set. If you think you might do that you might want to check out my review of the Batman box set. I highly doubt there are going to be too many people that want to own this movie on it’s own merits. The movie is most definitely below average, but the strength of the 2-disc DVD and the rest of the set will bring it up a notch. 3* all together.

Recommended: No

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: None of the Above
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12