Batman & Robin (1997) Retrospective / Review 

Originally published in 2014, had to be re-edited due to a copyright claim from INgrooves which blocked the review worldwide. I had to, unfortunately, cut out the end trailer which has had a number of claims over the years and this recent one the claimant wouldn't budge so it had to be removed.

I honestly can't call this a "bad" movie. If you have fun watching it, well it did it's job.

Mr. Freeze is Criminally Underrated. I Wish they’d make a Movie with him as the Villain Again but Taken Seriously

I thought this movie wasn't as bad as people make it out to be, it had a few really good scenes here and there. The problem was too much studio interference and them not letting Joel Schumacher go all the way with his original vision just like in Batman Forever with the deleted scenes

What killed the dinosaurs ? The ice age !!! Oh dear

That little trailer at the beginning actually made the movie look good. It's amazing what could be accomplished with good editing.

RU-vid is such a bastard when it comes to anything that's copyrighted.

Irony: Parents complained about Batman Returns being too dark for their kids and wanted a lighter Batman movie. Then, those same parents had to put up with their kids begging them for Batman toys.

I was 9 yrs old when I saw this movie in theaters n loved it. I was a kid though

I like this guys reviews. He is totally objective and doesn't go on the same ole fanboy rants like others do

Everyone make fun of Arnold in that, but I think he did pretty well, how can you deliver those lines without sounding like a moron. He did as well as anyone could

Really George Clooney? This movie is George Clooney playing George Clooney as Batman. Chris O'Donnell did well as Robin and Ahrnold did well as Freeze.

By God Oliver Harper can make a trailer of any movie and make it look epic.

That musical score is fookin MAJESTIC

So, the way I took the Superman "joke" at 6:50 was, although Clooney's delivery is OFF by a LONG shot, Batman was referring to Robin annoyingly demanding a car of his own. That's why Superman works alone, so he doesn't have to deal with a bratty sidekick demanding things.

Patrick Stewart went on to play Professor X. And Anthony Hopkins went on to play Odin. Interesting.

At age 22 I saw this in cinema on release in 1997, though like you Olie, I had huge fears going into it and it turned out to be the horror I suspected. 15 minutes in I knew this was the death of the current Batman series. I wanted to.leave early but stayed to perve at Alicia Silverstone's ass in leather 😂😂😂😁

So why is there so much Batman "fans" that don't know that the comics of the sixties were _exactly_ like the Adam West show... making this movie pretty damn comic accurate. Not saying it's a great movie, but "fans" that hate it for "not being accurate" are just ignorant of the comics history. Also, this is still the only Batman film where Batman doesn't kill anyone. BTW, Nolans films are the _least_ accurate adaptations, despite their quality. That's coming from someone who's been reading comics for 30 years... "realism" is never what I read comics for... and _that's_ how you can spot actual comic readers, we don't give 2 shits about realism.

Uma Thurman is fantastic in the film, and the sub-plot of Alfred being sick is very touching and it gives the wonderful Michael Gough more screen time. Apart from that it's garbage, but those two good qualities make it watchable.

I know people hate batman & robin and rightfully so. However for me I have a soft spot for it maybe it’s tied to some nostalgia probably is. Also Uma Thurman was great for ivy one of my many childhood crushes good times.

I now refer to this final Schumacher Batman entry as "Batman: Live!!! Six Flags Magic Mountain" since it basically feels like a musical or theme park live show.

I love this movie and Batman forever. They are just so bad they're so good and every once in awhile you NEED those kinds of movies. And the colors, man, the colors. Has anyone seen my friend, Jon?

I grew up with this film, I’ve been watching it my whole life and I honestly love it. It’s hilarious, it’s how I’m gonna watch Batman with my kids (if I ever have kids), and i love it more knowing all that went on BTS I’m already familiar with it, but your retro/reviews are top fucking notch, Harper

Remember, the creator of Batman watched this film before his passing.... This was the last Batman film he saw....

Glad to watch this one again :)

It from a dark Tim Burton world into a weird version of the Adam West batman.....I still watch it.....don't know why.....

A BAT-CREDIT CARD???

I don't think Clooney was just playing "Clooney", I think he was playing "Clooney who doesn't give a shit" throughout most of the film. (except in the scenes with Alfred) =)

I distinctly remember waking up the day this came out and picking up the newspaper and reading the atrocious reviews for it. I was 21 and in college at the time. It really was that bad tho.

This is a great sequel to the 1966 television show. Period.

Thanks for re-uploading this video

One of my fave parts of these videos is your ability to even make the most...questionable films come off as competent. Alfred Gough was amazing as always and Elliot Goldenthal's theme is always a win. Clooney was a decent Bruce Wayne, but why he didn't even try to do a Bat voice is upsetting.

I feel my eyes glazing over during the plot synopsis.

This movie had a great soundtrack ngl

this is a great review. and what i came to realise while watching it is how stunning this movie still is visually despite all of its other flaws. it really is an example of craftsmanship of its time, with some cgi being mixed with optical and practical effects. if only they went with a less cheasy, more mature approach with everything else...

R.I.P Joel Schumacher 1939-2020

I cant believe how good your intros are. The choice of dialogue mixed with your choice of music in addition to the timing of it all is simply phenomenal. You even made this terrible movie look good. Bravo!

My Favourite so bad it's good flim

EVERYBODY SAY "FREEZE"! ARUGHHHHHHH

I’ve never really noticed until now, how good the soundtrack is. Shame the film was terrible though

Robins dialog: Nah, nah, nah, wah wah, wah, nag, nag, nag.

I come back to watch the trailer edited at the beginning, one of my favorite alfred quotes about Batman

Oh, man. The dreaded Batman and Robin. I actually saw this in the theater when I was 14. I remember thinking it was a joke, and I was a huge comic book reader even at that age. At the time, I thought I was getting too old for comics, but time has proven that not to be the case, lol. I love comics and comic films, just not bad ones

"I think it was cool that Arnold played Freeze" I see what you did there.

Am I the only one here who thinks Elliot Goldenthal's work is massively underrated ? The score to Batman & Robin is superb and less frenetic than Batman Forever's and in my mind almost as memorable as Elfman's work on the series. Just pick a Batman comics from the 60's and switch on the soundtrack. You'll thank me for it. I hope it will get a proper release one day !

Love these in-depth retrospectives!

Bash the toys all you'd like, anyone who's interested, but the tie in promotions were fantastic. I still have my collection of four glass mugs from McDonald's for this movie and they still look spectacular. EDIT: Never mind. The glasses are for _Batman Forever._

this movie is CAMP !! i think that the vision was missed lol.. it's supposed to be ridiculous and over the top and funny! i've watched this batman movie more than any of the other ones because it's so distinct and fun

Fun Fact:The Smashing Pumpkin song "The Beginning of the End is the Beginning" was in the teaser trailer for Snyder's Watchmen. Which debuted with The Dark Knight. Coming full circle.

See how Joel Schumacher apologized to fans for making a mess of a movie & not attack them... now that's a real director... take note Rian idiot Johnson!

That's unfortunate...I absolutely love your end trailers. They are the perfect cap to the videos.

Clooney and Schwarznegger casting ruined this movie for me, better if they had delayed it until they refined the script and brought Kilmer back onboard after he finished The Saint. Val Kilmer = Batman Chris O'Donnell = RObin Patrick Stewart = Mr Freeze Taking cues from the Sub Zero movie

I don't think dark and gritty would've necessarily lead to a better film but I think it would make a more fan pleasing one.

Oliver, I cannot believe they made you re-edit your first review. Sounds like busy work to me. I actually saw this movie when I was young and didn't hate it! Thank you for this review, I loved it, and I love your picture at the beginning looking badass and dreamy :)

What I like about your re uploads is the different thumbnails.

Val Kilmer went right with The a Saint. Oliver, please do a retrospective on that!

I don't care what anyone says, i loved Forever and B&R. I found them entertaining. Maybe that's because i was 7 when they came out. But still!

Could you please do a retrospective of the star wars prequels?

Im waiting for The Dark Knight and Rises.

I love your work Oliver, it is a shame that copyright ruins quality content such as this on RU-vid.

Too many villains equals failure. Spider-Man 3, The Amazing Spider-Man 2,

Totally agreed on the Alfred scenes with Clooney both great actors with decent writing. I think that if they went all the way with a tragic story for both Mr Freeze and Alfred the movie will be better

I loathed Batman and Robin upon release, but over the years I've learned to appreciate it as a great bad movie, and as long as I don't connect it with the Burton Batman movies it's a lot of fun. I'll watch it any day over The Dark Knight Rises. Sure B & R is a 90 minute toy advert, but at least it's never boring.

I honestly don't think this movie is as bad as people say it is. I don't think it's a good movie and I don't care about this movie but I think people over exaggerated how bad this movie was

A great excuse to watch it again!

My Number 1 guilty pleasure and could watch every week 😂🤣😂

It's why Superman works alone, because he has Lois Lane

11:18 R. Kelly... oh dear

Arnold's most cheese one-liners ever the entire film. Shook my head nearly 10 minutes worth

Funny as a kid, I watched the hell out of this movie along with Batman Forever. It even introduced me to the character as a whole, and I've come to learn and accept that Schumacher's Batman feels more comical with some understanding to it, with Burton putting up a more darker tone but still finds some understanding. Needless to say as I grew up, I began to understand the critics bashing at this movie and it's completely valid. At one point, I sided with them too. But in the end, I only say my critics, and then put them away and accept them for what they are. But if I'm telling the truth... I don't think I'll ever hate this movie. I don't have to like it or not, but I can't hate it. It would just hurt my childhood, and I can't go through with it. So regardless of it's flaws and wrongs, I've accepted it for what it is. An imperfect, full of flaws, and a messy movie that is Batman & Robin.

Batman and Robin (1997) is one of the panned film ever. I agree with everyone who hates this flick. Mostly due to the performances and child-like nature of this film. Similar to Battlefield Earth and this film they both bombed so hard at the box office. At least, Batman Forever and Batman Returns was better than this 1997’s film. Thanks to the failure of this film, we got Christopher Nolan to reboot this series starting with 2005’s Batman Begins, 2008’s The Dark Knight, and 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises. And, re-rebooted with Zack Synder’s Batman with Ben Affleck in the role from Batman V Superman (2016) and Justice League (2017/ZS2021). Surprisingly, it was re-re-rebooted with Robert Pattinson in the role in this recent film. I do agree of letting the toy merchants being heavily involved with the project. I think, similar faith happened with 2017’s Power Rangers film from LionsGates. I think, if the Director focused on his vision instead of focusing on the toy’s vision of being like a cheap toy movie. No offense in anyway.

In all honesty, I would watch Batman & Robin a million times before I ever watched BvS, Suicide Squad, or Justice League again. At least B&R is entertainingly bad. At least it knows what it wants to be. At least it actually has colour. Most of the DCEU is a directionless, colourless, boring eyesore.

"This isn't a movie!" "It's an incredibly impressive (stage play)!

Finally someone sheds light on the annoying colorful batman toys that came out around these early Batman movies. I JUST WANTED A REGULAR ASS BLACK SUIT BATMAN lmao!

This came out while I was in Basic Training. I’m a huge Batman fan. When I finally was finished with BMT and technical training, I bought the VHS of this immediately....boy I was so disappointed haha has. God this movie sucked lol.

This movie wasn’t that bad. It was good for what it was, a fun, campy, superhero film with really good actors. Uma as Ivy 😍

" Hi freeeze !! I am BATMAN ! "😈😎

Audience: -"This is the worst Batman ever!" Zack Snyder: -"Hold my beer."

although this is a reupload- i'm still gonna rewatch this retrospective :^)

The set design and costumes was absolutely ludicrous for this movie. They took what everyone hated about Batman Forever and doubled down on it. Over the top hammy acting and stupidly unrealistic set pieces that were too comic book for a movie adaptation. Then they did away with the serious darker side of Batman Forever that was it's saving grace. It's amazing how often this happens. People make a sequel to a movie and have ZERO clue what made the first one appealing. Batman and Robin is almost like a check list of what not to do in a super hero movie.

Is every line of Arnold's in this an ice pun?

Parents always have to ruin good movies because they're too dark what do you expect that's what the theme of Batman is

Copyright claim? They should have PAID you for taking the time to review this turd.

This movie has stood the test of time...in the same way Plan 9 has.

A lot of this score (and by default the score to Batman Forever) is IDENTICAL to the same composer's score of Demolition Man.

I love this stuff.

It’s entertaining in a non conventional way!

Holy shit. Imagine if that was the trailer.

Who would you cast today as Mr Freeze and Poison Ivy? My choice would be Bryan Cranston as Mr Freeze and Jessica Chastain as Poison Ivy. That would be excellent casting.

The most frustrating part of rewatching all of these films as an adult? Realizing that this movie was better than Returns. Not trying to be contrarian or edgy, but the story actually has a structure and the characters have motivations. Returns is basically a series of vignettes with nothing in the way of connective tissue and is an absolute slog to read through.

"(Alfred) is a butler, not an engineer and designer". Yeah, no, he actually is. Comic Alfred really is capable of everything. (yes, I know this is a re-upload, but bares mentioning)

Batman & Robin is deserving of its infamous reputation as one of the worst superhero films (and maybe even films) ever made. BUT, it is most definitely a fascinatingly bad movie.

In fact I don't think it was trying to be like the 60's Batman at all, it was more of a comedy with the villains since they were portrayed as Joker knock offs.

Maybe if Terry Gillian made it.... Think about it, it looks just like Brazil.

Anyone who complained about Jennifer Lawerence's performance in the last couple of X-Men films, need to be forced to watch Alicia Silverstone's scenes from this movie on a 90 minute loop. She LOOKED terrible, and her dialogue was terrible, and her performance was terrible.

Patrick Stewart could have actually worked as a darker take on Mr. Freeze. Sadly WB had no idea of doing a great Batman film

Oliver I love your reviews! This was our #1 choice for our Bad Movie Club.

I loved Mr,. Freeze's costume because it looked really great. Although the rest of the film was stupidly bad. Bad writing, bad casting, and all around bad ideas. Yes, I liked the idea of bringing in Bane, but Bane needed his own film. Arnie was not needed for this role.

If this movie didn’t happen, Christopher Nolan’s Trilogy would never have happened.

Do a retrospective and review on james Cameron's titanic please