Batman & Robin

*This article is about the 1997 film, for the 1949 serial, see Batman and Robin.*

## General Information

### Next Film

* *Batman Unchained* (never produced)
* *Batman: DarKnight* (never produced)
* "Batman Begins" (different franchise)

"*Strength now. Courage always. Family above all.*"
—The film's trailer**[src]**

***Batman & Robin*** is the fourth and final installment in the comic book-inspired film series initiated by Tim Burton and the second directed by Joel Schumacher. Released in 1997, it starred George Clooney replacing Val Kilmer as Batman with Chris O'Donnell returning as Robin and introduced Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone), a niece of Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Gough).

The film's antagonists included Mr. Freeze, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Poison Ivy, played by Uma Thurman, as well as Bane, played by Jeep Swenson.

## Plot synopsis

New troubles have arisen in Gotham City. First, there's a new supercriminal in town: Mr. Freeze, a former doctor who wields a Freezing Gun and wears a Life-sustaining Cryogenic Suit, causing him to be cold in look and feeling who plans to freeze Gotham until he gets the money needed to finish finding the cure for a mysterious disease that has stricken Nora, his beloved wife.

Second, Poison Ivy, a part-woman, part-plant villainess with luscious lips full of venom has arrived in Gotham with her hulking bodyguard, Bane, with plans to team up with Freeze and prepare the way for genetically enhanced plants. Third, Ivy has caused a rift between the partnership of the Dark Knight and the Boy Wonder. And finally, Alfred, Batman's trusted butler, has developed the same disease that Freeze's wife has. It is in this time of need that a new partner, Batgirl, steps forward to help the two rid their city of evil once more.

### Freeze

The film begins with Batman and Robin leaving the Batcave. Batman receives a call from James Gordon that a new villain named Mr. Freeze is wrecking havoc at the Gotham Museum. Multiple security open fire on him, but he freezes them with his freeze gun. His minions hold down an another security guard who is turned into ice. Just then, Batman and Robin arrive at the museum and try to stop Mr. Freeze from attempting to steal a valuable diamond. Meanwhile, Mr. Freeze tells his minions to wipe out the heroes. Batman and Robin's boots turn into ice skates and the heroes play a game of ice hockey. Upon getting the diamond, Mr. Freeze uses his freeze canyon to turn a dinosaur sculpture into ice before collapsing. He then then blasts off in his rocket. Batman tries to defeat the villain while Robin uses suction cups to stick on the rocket's walls. Mr. Freeze traps Batman by using his freeze gun and escapes the rocket. Robin uses his laser to rescue Batman as the heroes blow up the rocket with a bomb. The heroes retrieve the diamond as Mr. Freeze freezes a section of Gotham City's structures. Batman and Robin chase the villain in the blizzard, going through some vault doors. Mr. Freeze uses his freeze gun to freeze Robin and takes the diamond with him. Batman then uses Robin's laser to thaw him out.

In South America, Dr. Pamela Isley is working under Dr. Jason Woodrue, experimenting with the Venom drug. She then witnesses Woodrue use the formula to turn Antonio Diego, a diminutive serial convict, into a hulking monstrosity dubbed "Bane". Woodrue and Isley argue over the use of the drug and Woodrue "kills" her by pushing her backwards into a bench of various steroids and toxins.

Her remains then seemingly melt into the ground. Shortly afterwards, she rises from the wreckage and transforms into the beautiful and seductive Poison Ivy in front of Woodrue, before killing him with a poisonous kiss. Ivy discovers that Woodrue was funded by Wayne Enterprises, so she takes Bane with her to Gotham City in order for him to act as her personal bodyguard while she attempts to use her plants to take over Gotham. Meanwhile, Alfred's niece, Barbara Wilson, makes a surprise visit and is invited by Bruce Wayne to stay at Wayne Manor until she goes back to school.

Elsewhere, it is revealed that Mr. Freeze's wife was stricken with a mysterious disease, MacGregor's Syndrome, which he is trying to find a cure for. Alfred also becomes ill with the first stage of MacGregor's Syndrome and appears to be dying from the disease.

### Nature

Wayne Enterprises presents a new telescope to the Gotham Observatory at a press conference, but is interrupted by Isley. She proposes a project that could help the environment, but Bruce declines her offer, as it would kill millions of people.

That night, a charity event is held by Wayne Enterprises (to lure Freeze out) with special guests, Batman and Robin. Ivy decides to use her abilities to seduce them. Freeze crashes the party and attempts to steal a diamond from the event. However, he is captured and sent to a chamber prison in Arkham Asylum, but escapes with the help of Ivy and Bane.

Batman and Robin begin to have crime fighting relationship problems because of the presence of Ivy's seductive ability with Robin. Ivy is then able to contact Robin once more, using a modified Batsignal, but fails to seduce him. Robin becomes trapped, but rescued by Batman. Meanwhile, Batgirl arrives and fights Ivy, eventually beating her by trapping her in her own plants. In the meantime, while Freeze and Bane flee, Batgirl reveals that she is Barbara and knows the location of the Batcave.

### Lines Drawn

Batman, Robin and Batgirl decide to go after Freeze and Bane together. By the time they get to the observatory where Freeze and Bane are, Gotham is completely frozen. Robin and Batgirl confront Bane and defeat him after they manage to pull out Bane's main Venom supply tube, causing him massive withdrawal and returning him back to his original state.

Meanwhile Batman and Freeze begin to fight each other, with Batman winning in a cliffhanger battle: Freeze tries to kill Batman by destroying the telescope platform but only succeeds in crushing the weakened Bane. Batgirl and Robin unfreeze Gotham and Batman shows Freeze a recording of Ivy revealing that she killed Nora, during her fight with Batgirl.

### Batman & Robin

Freeze learns that Ivy has betrayed him over the death of his wife. Ivy blamed Batman for Nora's death, but she informs Batgirl that it was her idea. Freeze is angered by the betrayal and is informed by Batman that his wife is not dead: she is restored in cryogenic slumber and will be moved to Arkham waiting for him to finish his research. Batman proceeds to ask Freeze for the cure he has created for the first stage of MacGregor's Syndrome. He claims that anyone can take a life and that was not power, but to be able to preserve life was true power, power Freeze once had as a doctor. Freeze atones for his misunderstanding by giving him the experimental medicine he had developed.

Later, a depressed and disheveled Poison Ivy is shown imprisoned in the cold beam in Arkham when Freeze walks in and announces he will make her life a living hell of winter for trying to kill his wife and deceiving him. Alfred is given Freeze's cure and eventually healed and everyone agrees to let Barbara stay at the mansion as Alfred replies that they are going to need a bigger cave. Like *Batman Forever*, the film ends with the image of the Bat-Signal and Batman, Robin and Batgirl appearing as if running from the signal itself towards the camera.

## Cast

* Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze/Dr. Victor Fries
* George Clooney as Batman/Bruce Wayne
* Chris O'Donnell as Robin/Richard "Dick" Grayson
* Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy/Dr. Pamela Isley
* Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl/Barbara Wilson
* Michael Gough as Alfred Pennyworth
* Pat Hingle as Commissioner James Gordon
* Elle Macpherson as Julie Madison
* John Glover as Dr. Jason Woodrue
* Vivica A. Fox as Ms. B. Haven
* Vendela K. Thommessen as Nora Fries
* Elizabeth Sanders as Gossip Gerty
* Jeep Swenson as Bane
* Michael Reid McKay as Antonio Diego

## Crew

* Joel Schumacher - Director
* Peter MacDonald \_ 2nd Unit Director
* Akiva Goldsman - Writer
* Peter MacGregor-Scott - Producer
* William M. Elvin - Co-Producer (line producer)
* Elliot Goldenthal - Music Score
* Stephen Goldblatt - Cinematographer
* Barbara Ling - Production Designer
* Dennis Virkler and Mark Stevens - Editors
* Ingrid Ferrin and Robert Turturice - Costume Designers
* Mali Finn - Casting
* Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan - Executive Producers (film rights holders)

## Appearances

### Individuals

* Batman/Bruce Wayne
* Mr. Freeze/Dr. Victor Fries
* Robin/Richard "Dick" Grayson
* Poison Ivy/Dr. Pamela Isley
* Batgirl/Barbara Wilson
* Bane/Antonio Diego
* Alfred Pennyworth
* Commissioner James Gordon
* Dr. Jason Woodrue
* Julie Madison
* Gossip Gerty
* Nora Fries
* Frosty
* Ms. B. Haven
* Golum Gang Leader
* Spike
* Boy Biker
* Banker
* M.C. of Flower Ball
* Eye Patched Arkham Guard
* Greevey
* Senator Patrick Leahy
* Margaret "Peg" Wilson
* Barbara Wilson's Father
* Wilfred Pennyworth
* Maharajah of Miranjapore
* Superman (Mentioned Only)

### Organizations

* Snowy Cones Thugs
* Golums
* "Un-United Nations"

### Vehicles

* Batmobile
* Bathammer
* Batskiff
* Batcycle
* Redbird
* Freezemobile
* Studebaker Champion's (Police Cars)

### Technology

* Batsignal
* Mr. Freeze's Cryo-Suit
* Bat Heat Ray Gun

### Weapons

* Batarang
* Freeze Gun
* Batbomb

### Locations

* Gotham City
* Batcave
* Wayne Manor
* Arkham Asylum
* Snowy Cones Ice Cream Factory
* Turkish Bath House
* Botanical Gardens
* Gotham Museum of Art
* Gotham Observatory
* Gilgamesh Wing
* Gotham University
* Oxford University
* Miranjapore

### Events

* Flower Ball
* Motorcycle Tunnel Run

### Miscellaneous

* MacGregor's Syndrome
* *Good Morning Gotham*
* Venom
* Super-Soldiers
* Heart of Isis
* Nemo Gum
* Simulator
* Poison Ivy's Animal-Plant Hybrids
* South American Rattlesnake
* Bat-Credit Card
* Riddler's Costume
* Two-Face's Costume
* Scarface (possibly, see The Ventriloquist.)

## Merchandise Gallery

Soundtrack compilationNovelizationComic Adaptation*Batman & Robin: The Making of the Movie*Video GameAudio Drama
## Production

### Development

After the success of the previous film, the sequel was fast tracked into production. Akiva Goldsman returned to write the screenplay. Conceptual illustrator Tim Burgard claims that when he started the script had still not been changed to reflect the casting Schwarzenegger as Freeze. Patrick Stewart was their first choice and his dialog was written in faux Shakespearean.

### Casting

It was decided that Batman would be recast, after Val Kilmer came into conflict with Schumacher during the filming of *Forever.* George Clooney was selected to replace Kilmer, an industry insider claimed the director as “thrilled” because he “always wants the newest, hottest person.” Schumacher was quoted saying “Wait till you see him in leather” in March of 1996.

## Promotion

Originally Alex Ross was approached by Schumacher directly to create original poster art. Ross was skeptical about being able to keep his originals, and his lawyer was unable to secure a deal that would satisfy his desire for residuals, including any possible future use. Mark Stutzman was chosen to create painted promotional art for the film instead. The theatrical one-sheet posters ended up being based on Herb Ritts wardrobe photography much like the previous film. The ad agency that created the final one-sheets is unknown.

### Music Videos

Despite the overwhelming negative publicity the film received, its soundtrack became very popular and was well received. The soundtrack included songs by R. Kelly, Arkarna, Jewel, Goo Goo Dolls, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, as well as The Smashing Pumpkins, whose song "The End is the Beginning is the End" rolled over the movie's closing credits. Three songs from the soundtrack became top-ten hits in the United States: Jewel's contribution, a radio-mix version of "Foolish Games", as well as Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's "Look Into My Eyes" and R. Kelly's "Gotham City". There was never an official release of Elliot Goldenthal's score to the film, aside from the brief suite on the song album, but bootleg copies are in fairly wide circulation.

### Press Tour

On the BBC show *Fully Booked*, presenter Sarah Vandenbergh interviewed Schumacher prior to the release of the film in June 1997 and asked if a sequel would be possible. Schumacher said, "If the audience likes this one, if they want another Batman, then yes we will do another Batman. I would be very interested". This was never to be due to the response from critics and the fans of this film.

## Reception

### Box Office Performance

The movie grossed about $238,207,122 worldwide, making up less than 191% of its $125,000,000 budget.

### Critical analysis

Although the film did moderately well at the box office, it was near universally panned by critics, audiences, and fans. It was mocked for the poor script, as well as over-extending the campy attitude (comprised of smirky one-liners, blatantly ludicrous stunts, as well as ultra loud sound effects) of its predecessor, *Batman Forever*. Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 10% rotten rating. On Metacritic, it holds a 28/100 meaning “generally unfavorable reviews”.

In his review of the film, critic Leonard Maltin found that "the 'story' often makes no sense" and that the "action and effects are loud, gargantuan, and ultimately numbing" however he gave the film 2 1/2 out of 4 stars. Author Mark S. Reinhart added by saying "The combination of *Batman & Robin*Template:'s terrible script, ridiculous costuming, garish sets, uninspired direction, etc. made the film into the appalling dump heap that it is." Michael J. Nelson, in *Mike Nelson's Movie Megacheese*, says "*Batman & Robin* is not the worst movie ever. No, indeed. It's the worst thing ever. Yes, it's the single worst thing that we as human beings have ever produced in recorded history."

Even Director Joel Schumacher has admitted to not being proud of his work, despite any earlier statements to the contrary. Not only did Schumacher criticize the movie, but so did *Batman & Robin* executive producer Michael Uslan, who said "In my estimation - you're not making movies, you're making two hour infomercials for toys. And that's sad. Because, if a filmmaker is allowed to just go out and make a great film, I believe you will sell toys anyway." It is often jokingly referred to as the *Rocky V* of *Batman* films. Nonetheless defended Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman saying: *"If you don't like the film, blame the director."*

On the Internet Movie Database, the film received nearly universal negative user reviews, as well as in an MSN Movies article on superhero movies, the film was ranked as the worst to date. The film was considered the 88th best (out of 94) comic book movie made by Rotten Tomatoes in 2007. In particular, criticism was heaped upon the design of the Batsuit, which, like in the previous film, features nipples, as well as the closeup shots of the caped crusaders while donning their costumes.

Published financial figures indicate that the movie was made on a budget of $125 million. *Batman & Robin* opened at #1 at the box office, as well as had an opening weekend of $42 million, which were two of its very few successes. However, over time, its popularity slipped, (possibly when put in competition with *The Lost World: Jurassic Park*, another summer film, which became a huge financial success) and the film collected only $107 million domestically — less than any other Batman film — and $131 million abroad. Studios usually expect summer movies — particularly those in a highly successful series — to earn more profit than that and Warner Brothers canceled the series after four live-action films.

The film was derisively dubbed *Batman on Ice* by critics for a scene in which Batman and Robin inexplicably have retractable ice skates in their boots while battling Mr. Freeze's henchmen on an icy floor in the opening sequence. In context, it would make sense for them to bring "skate boots" to a battle with Mr. Freeze. George Clooney was himself severely embarrassed by the film, saying, "I think we might have killed the franchise."

The infamous "Bat Credit Card" scene, where Batman, in bidding war for a date with Poison Ivy against Robin, whips out a credit card emblazoned with his logo, was especially panned as a huge insult to the character. It became quite famous to Internet users in 2008 when, during a full review of the film, film reviewer Doug Walker (a.k.a., "the Nostalgia Critic") went into a loud, long tirade over this scene that's become a staple of the character's show.

On the contrary, Uma Thurman’s performance in the film received mainly universal critical and fan acclaim, as most people regarded her as the only reason as to watch this movie. Her performance as Poison Ivy remains to be one of her best and memorable performances of all time. *The New York Times* wrote about Thurman in a positive review: "like Mae West, she mixes true femininity with the winking womanliness of a drag queen." A similar positive comparison was made by the *Houston Chronicle*: "Thurman, to arrive at a ’40s femme fatale, sometimes seems to be doing Mae West by way of Jessica Rabbit." In addition, the *San Francisco Chronicle* points out, "Poison Ivy is the film's best creation. She's a a radical environmentalist who gets bitten by snakes and buried in vines only to rise up, gorgeous and redheaded, like Botticelli's Venus. Like America's original femme fatale, Beatrice in Hawthorne's 'Rappaccini's Daughter', Ivy has a poisonous kiss. Like Dietrich in 'Blonde Venus', she shows up at a ritzy affair in a gorilla suit". It can be surmised that similarly to Catwoman in *Batman Returns*, Pamela Isley allowed her ideal personification of strong femininity to be displayed, after her "resurrection" as Poison Ivy.

### Awards and Nominations

The film was nominated for eleven Golden Raspberry Awards, including one for Worst Picture. However, due to some stiff competition, it only managed to take home the award for "Worst Supporting Actress" (Alicia Silverstone). However, Alicia Silverstone also took home the award for Favorite Movie Actress at the 1998 ceremony for the Kids' Choice Awards. The end credits song "The End Is the Beginning Is the End" won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance, but was also nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Original Song.

## Legacy

After the negative reaction for the film, Warner Bros. cancelled plans for a fifth *Batman* film titled *Batman Unchained* (sometimes referred to as *Batman Triumphant*). After a number of failed continuations, including a live-action version of *Batman Beyond*, the studio finally decided to reboot the franchise, eventually leading Christopher Nolan's critically and commercially successful *Dark Knight Trilogy*. Subsequent superhero films also avoided emulating *Batman & Robin*Template:'s campier tones, due to how poorly received it was. The DCAU film *Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero*, which was due to be released shortly after the film, was delayed to the following year due to concerns that the film's reception would affect its sales.

*Batman & Robin* is widely considered both one of the worst films of all-time and, by some, the very worst of the superhero genre. It has also been ridiculed by both creators in the comic book industry and fans alike, including mocking references in other *Batman* media. Zack Snyder, who would later create another live-action adaptation of Batman, parodied the costumes in his film adaptation of *Watchmen*, most notably with Ozymandias'.

Fan theories and arguments have also been made to disassociate both *Batman & Robin* and its predecessor, *Batman Forever*, from their preceding *Batman* films (*Batman* and *Batman Returns*). These include claiming that they either took place in different continuities or that Schumacher's films were in-universe movies about Batman. In 2015, Joe Quinones and Kate Leth proposed a *Batman '89* series, following in the vein of the *Batman '66* comic series. The series would have ignored events after *Batman Returns* and offered reinterpretations of Robin, Batgirl and Poison Ivy. However, the pitch was rejected by DC Editors.

However, in 2021, DC and AT&T announced it had commissioned a reinterpretation of the series, with Quinones working with the *Batman* film writer Sam Hamm on the project. Though this was done to coincide with the return of Michael Keaton's Batman in Andy Muschietti's *Flash* film, many interpreted this as the companies retconning both Schumacher films out of the "Burtonverse".

## Home Video

*Batman & Robin* was released on VHS and Laserdisc in October 1997. *Batman & Robin* was given a "bare bones" DVD release in 1997. The main menu featured background music while the only extra feature was a synopsis of the film. However, in 2005, the newest feature film, *Batman Begins*, caused Warner Bros. to release a two-disc special edition set of all four Burton-Schumacher films in *Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997*. The commentary has gotten attention for Schumacher's candid comments on how he was forced to put in gadgets for the toy companies to make, his confession that he went too far trying to make the movie more kid-friendly than the previous films.

## Deleted Scenes

* There is one scene where Alfred tells Bruce and Dick about his relationship with Margaret Clark, Barbara Wilson's mother. Due to this scene being cut, her identity and name being Alfred's laptop password that Barbara guesses is confusing to the audience.
* There are publicity stills which show Bruce Wayne in a tuxedo talking to Pamela Isley in the final reception scene. The theatrical cut however omits this encounter. After Bruce smells the pheromones the sequence is extended and Bruce flirts with Pamela openly which infuriates Julie who leaves him. Later Bruce confesses to Alfred that he was inexplicably fixated with Pamela. Bruce and Alfred research the archives of the employees in Wayne Enterprises and find out that Pamela's research field involved pheromones. Bruce then scans a photo of Poison Ivy from a security video camera in the Flower Ball and compares it digitally with the photo of Pamela Isley from her personal file. After the computer makes a perfect match Bruce realizes Pamela's secret identity. The entire subplot was deleted and the revelation is made through photos from the airport.

## Trivia

* Despite the film being called "Batman & Robin" the Robin in this film heavily resembles the then current costume for Nightwing, the alter-ego Dick Grayson used after retiring as the Boy Wonder. In the script, Dick proclaims that Nightwing as his new identity after Batman jokingly asks what his new name for the evening will be.
* This is the first (and only one) of the four *Batman* movies in the Burton/Schumacher series in which neither main antagonist is killed: In *Batman*, The Joker falls to his death. In *Batman Returns*, The Penguin slowly dies of his severe injuries after falling into the toxic water of his lair. In *Batman Forever*, Two-Face falls into a deep pit. In this movie, the only villain who dies is Jason Woodrue. Poison Ivy is committed to Arkham Asylum and Mr. Freeze turns good and goes to Arkham Asylum with his cryogenically frozen wife to finish his research, spending the rest of his time there as Poison Ivy's cell mate, making her life a living hell. Bane was presumed dead after accidentally being crushed by Mr. Freeze, but his death remains ambiguous.
* In the scene where Batman pulls his credit card out, it says "Batman" and the expiration date has the word "Forever". If the two words are put together, it will say *Batman Forever*, which is the previous movie.
* Dr. Jason Woodrue is played by John Glover, who is more popularly known as Lionel Luthor in *Smallville* and the Riddler on *Batman: The Animated Series*.
* Just like in the previous movie, at the end, the heroes are shown running in front of the Batsignal.
* Superman's is mentioned by Batman in his first line of dialogue at the start of the movie, a nod to Tim Burton's Superman that was currently in development.
* Footage from the Rankin-Bass film *The Year Without a Santa Claus* can be seen in Mr. Freeze's hideout.
* When Bane steals Mr. Freeze's Suit from the supply room in Arkham Asylum, the Riddler's question-mark fashioned costume worn in *Batman Forever* can be seen in the background along with Two-Face's half-suit. Notably in the same scene, a puppet resembling the Ventriloquist's scarred dummy Scarface can be glimpsed behind Two-Face's costume.
* One of the bikers calls another Spud, possibly a reference to *The Dark Knight Returns*.
* Several bikers are wearing outfits similar to Alex DeLarge from *A Clockwork Orange*, graffiti of the character Shaggy Rogers (of *Scooby-Doo* fame) can be seen on one side of a canal. Both properties are owned by WB.
* This movie was released in 1997, the same year *The New Batman Adventures* first aired.

## References

1. ↑ Exclusive: Artist Tim Burgard Tells What it Was Like Working on BATMAN & ROBIN
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Template:Cite news Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "tight" defined multiple times with different content
3. ↑ THE ALEX ROSS INTERVIEW, PART TWO: Batman & Robin, Silver Surfer, X-Men, and more!

## Links

* Official site (archived)
* *Batman & Robin* at WarnerBros.com
* *Batman & Robin* at DCComics.com