Superhero Rewind: Batman and Robin Review

[@zoomerjack5435]

The only good thing that came out of this atrocity is that is that if this movie was successful, we wouldn't have Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy, and then we would be having worse and worse Batman movies.

[@gamingwildlife]

It's like trying to give "My little pony" a lightsaber to appeal to boys. I can tell this was before the "brony" craze.

[@LaBoricua2591]

When I was a little kid, I loved this movie and watched it all the time. I thought that Poison Ivy was really pretty and wanted to dress up like her for Halloween. My cousins and I used to play like we were in the movie. It wasn't until I got older that I realized how bad it actually is.

[@goldenretriever6440]

LaBoricua2591 Well I'm nostalgic to the movies Over The Hedge and Shark Tale and those movies are considered garbage

[@funkymonk255]

Gotta feel bad for Joel Schumacher, none of this was his fault really it was all Warner Brothers pushing the lightheartedness

[@benmiller3252]

He did try to go back to the dark routes of the first two batman films

[@roberttreacy8271]

Even though I didn’t like Batman & Robin, I think Schumacher got too much flack for how it turned out.

[@JoeChillton]

Rip Joel Schumacher, more should be like him. We forgive you fully. With classics like Flatliners, Lost Boys, Phone Booth, and Falling Down, he's had a hell of a career.

[@BlakouttheMM]

Can't forget 8MM. Critics missed the boat on that film in a big way.

[@tthomaselli2]

10:06-10:16.; Perfect!... If this movie were taken seriously & massively altered, that would be a perfect example of one of the many things about Mr. Freeze's character that I wish was explored/explained & shown to us in the theatre.

[@professor_peculiar619]

At least Schumacher doesn't try to bullshit anyone he Just says it's his fault and you have to give him some credit for that

[@EricLukacsTHEDCLEGOUNIVERSE]

well at least Schumaker apologized

[@MisterGenesis64AK]

+Eric Lukacs That's not good enough... This movie tho

[@EricLukacsTHEDCLEGOUNIVERSE]

yeah but its been like 15 years since it came out, come on can't we all get over it, and the studio wanted Joel to create a campy batman so any director would have done a terrible job

[@EricLukacsTHEDCLEGOUNIVERSE]

***** nobody knows that better than me

[@EricLukacsTHEDCLEGOUNIVERSE]

see for yourself

[@pyromania1018]

He has nothing to apologize for - it's the studio's fault, not his. He didn't write the script either. WB wanted a giant toy commercial, and its execs stuck their noses where they didn't belong repeatedly. Even if Schumacher left the project, the final product would have been exactly the same, because WB would not have allowed the director any creative freedom. He's listed as the director, but that was pretty much a rubber stamp for WB Studios.

[@ElegantButlerSeb]

What did we hate the most? Three words: Bat. Credit. Card.

[@TheDerekneseEmporer]

+S Michaelis No for me it's Bane.

[@ElegantButlerSeb]

TheDerekneseEmporer We've got to have a Bane vs Bane deathmatch.

[@pyromania1018]

Batman is rich, and has a knack for being crazy-prepared. Is it really outside the realm of possibility that he would create a bank account under a pseudonym in case his main assets were frozen?

[@rxtsec1]

Assets, lol for people who understand

[@astrostar49]

Whenever I'm having a bad day, I come and watch this review and I get a laugh and feel better. Good job on your reviews Captain Logan. Keep up the good work.

[@mrkb47]

I loved the format of this review and the "now that we've just watched the entire movie together" thing was hilarious.

[@Sylumdota]

"that's like giving a my little pony a light-saber, and trying to appeal to boys". If only he had known how wrong he was going to be.

[@pyromania1018]

FINALLY! A review that DOESN'T crucify Schumacher for things that were beyond his control and, in a number of cases, things he was not the least bit involved in. Also, to all you folks who criticize the Bat Credit Card, I'll paraphrase Channel Awesome's Spoony: Batman is rich. He's also got a knack for being prepared for practically anything - he makes a habit of preparing for even the craziest of events or circumstances. He's studied every kind of religion and myth, mastered every martial art, every language, etc. Thus, the idea that he would create an additional bank account under a pseudonym so that he could have some money on the side in case his main assets were frozen is not outside the realm of possibility. So, with all that in mind, in what way is it stupid or ridiculous for him to have a Bat Credit Card.

[@mikeysdee4476]

That line from Alfred would've fit perfectly in the context of The Dark Knight.

[@ShadesAtKnight]

I'm glad you mentioned Michael Gough's performance. He was a consistantly good Alfred in these films despite some of his horrid lines like "I'll cancel the pizzas!" at the begining of this film. I'm also glad that someone else in the world thinks Catwoman is worse than this :) This was a really entertaining review. Looking at those commercials at the begining, reminds me of the fact that I had almost all of the toys when the film came out. Ahhh, memories...

[@srawadernam2367]

i gave this a thumbs up for the opening alone

[@Geekvolution]

@SPLATTERTOWNVIDZ I won't be doing Batman again for at least another month-- and I haven't done Begins yet! Too early yet to do Origins, but I promise I'll get to it down the line. -Captain Logan

[@jw8395]

As bad as this movie is, I find it entertaining at the very least. I actually found myself laughing from time to time, and there was rarely an instance where I felt bored. It even had two things that were genuinely good: 1. Alfred. Michael Gough's performance was fine, he wasn't given any stupid dialogue to say, and I felt genuine concern for his dilemma. 2. Poison Ivy. Sure, she's campy, but Uma Thurman does capture the character well enough with what she has, Overall, I actually don't mind watching it every now and then, which is a lot more than I can say for "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice". That movie was wholly terrible and utterly boring. Fuck that movie. As for Joel Schumacher, the poor man has nothing to apologize for. He was commissioned to make the movie, and had he refused, WB would have just gotten someone else to direct the film, and the results would have been exactly the same. Schumacher does not deserve the criticism he gets for directing this movie, and I really wish people would just get off his back. If anyone owes an apology to Batman fans and casual movie-goers for making this film, it's the execs at WB for all their unnecessary meddling.

[@Xehanort10]

Uma Thurman was a shit Poison Ivy. Ivy's supposed to be hot and she's supposed to use a combination of her looks, sex appeal and her plant pheromones to seduce and control men. But Uma Thurman Ivy is ugly as shit so would only be able to use the pheromones to seduce and control men because she hasn't got looks or sex appeal.

[@CAST13L]

Just like my thoughts on Joel's. Thank you.

[@Benjamino-lt8dh]

Nooooooo I love Batman V Superman ):

[@robertharding2092]

This movie is so bad that this review kept freezing up.

[@TheNobodysChild]

Icy what you did there

[@austinreid7607]

Chill out on the ice puns.

[@jakevader93]

Austin Little Cool puns guys...

[@tylerhamilton3842]

@@jakevader93 Yeah it's not COOL

[@tthomaselli2]

There was another ice line that Mr. Freeze said that you forgot to mention, I suppose: At the beginning of the movie in the museum, Mr. Freeze says "I'm afraid that my condition has left me cold to your pleas of your mercy!".

[@Dagenspear]

There's a very direct theme in the movie about accepting help and learning that you can't always just depend on yourself and do things on your own. Bruce's desire to do that is reflected with Mr. Freeze in the movie it seems even. Barbara's backstory in this isn't hackneyed. Her parents are killed in a car crash in the comics. The odds of Alfred and Nora having the same disease are no different than Batman accidentally turning the man who murdered his parents into his archenemy. Batman learns to not to do things on his own. Bruce found peace with himself in Batman Forever. It would be character regression for him to be a brooding loner who doesn't like working with others again. God bless you! God bless everyone!

[@RayRoss925]

Another awesome review Cap. ''Batman & Robin'' is a prime example of studio controlled film. If Joel Schumacher actually had some good control on this film, it would have been a lot more decent. Its Akiva Goldman who is mainly responsible for how bad the film was, campy Adam West Batman is the only Batman he knows about. Like you, I accept Mr. Schumacher apology, as the director he accepts full responsibility, that I respect.

[@bloodrosereaper2099]

the only scene were I felt something beyond absolute annoyance from Mr Freeze, was the prison scene where he makes a model of his wife out of an icicle and clock parts. that was both sad and beautiful to me. every other scene... i wanted him to go down so badly.

[@jorgezarco9269]

There was a Batman & Robin video game on the failed 1997 Tiger Game Com.

[@Vader47000]

I also like the scene where Batman asks Robin to trust him. "Friend ... Partner ... Brother." This is a direct callback to Forever, and a reverse of Dick urging Bruce to let him be his partner. "Not just a friend ... a partner."

[@Geekvolution]

@CoolioVids101 LOL Yeah... it either hadn't achieved that popularity when I put this review up, or I just wasn't aware of it. -CL

[@connorhall08]

RIP Michael Gough. You will never be forgotten.

[@NS-ms5eg]

Loved the start of the video. Toy commercials followed by: “ Now that we’ve just watched the entire movie together, onto the review.”

[@KIRA-EL]

Funny thing about that My little pony appealing to boys comment.....

[@AngusStewart01]

+Kira Lawlet Is it does aparently they have their own fanbase called bronies i met one of them a few years back in summer school went to sameelmentary school as me im a comic,movie live action tv show geek but i do have a freind whos bronie so guys do like my little pony.

[@KIRA-EL]

TechNOGeek Reviewz Take a good look at my profile pic :)

[@Geck0GC]

Have it's mare-do-well (I have no clue how your actually meant spell it XD)

[@EclipseHedgehog]

well I enjoyed this movie when I was little (about 6 years), saw this in theaters and had nothing to complain. saw it again when I was older (14) and thought "eh, its a kids film" this reviewer is right, it is a toy commercial.

[@sfrazeur]

Before Batman and Robin was released QVC had a 3 hour special selling dozens of items.

[@robertpolanco1973]

If the real fault behind "Batman & Robin" was the screenplay. Akiva Goldsman should have apologized for writing the film's awful script just like the way Joel Schumacher did for having directed the movie.

[@channeln7355]

This is spot on. Explains everything to why it was the way it was. You sir earn a subscription!

[@Angyali]

I collected every single episode of Superhero Rewind, even if I didn't agree with some othe ratings he's given to certain movies.

[@farbodpirouz9458]

I think Clooney would make a decent Batman if not for the shitty directing

[@ChattinBoxingWYB]

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.

[@tthomaselli2]

During the 'Stems & buds' scene at Mr. Freeze's hide-out with Robin & Batman, they were referencing marijuana, right?; I remember reading/hearing something about that scene on the internet, a long time ago because at first, I never caught on to it & according to the web-site I was reading on, when Robin & Batman brought that up, that's, in fact what it was that they were referencing.

[@GreenJellyHD]

Pixar actually seems to manage to make movies that can appeal to not only kids but adults too.

[@BRONZALiVE]

This film is one of my favourite comedies of all time

[@albee1000]

Great review, and it points out something that I never see anyone else mention - that they essentially used the story beats from 'Forever' like a recycled coffee filter. Also, agreed - Michael Gough could bring dignity to anything.

[@Angyali]

The 2 commercial at the beginning are very funny. Can never get tired of these reviews.

[@HoustonSoto]

Thank you for mentioning Gough's performance, I feel so bad that he finally got a chance to be the wise friend and mentor to Bruce that he is in the comics in such an awful film. Gough in this is very similar to Caine in the current Bat films, its such a wastes portrayal. Spot on review as always!

[@ztyran]

I myself am in the "Catwoman was worse" camp for one simple reason, at least this movie gave us what it promised. The title says Batman and Robin, and that's what we got. Catwoman, we didn't even get that.

[@musiclover_kb4913]

Zarus Tyran Halle Berry's Catwoman was the first movie I saw Catwoman in when I was 10, and again at 14 or 15, and I thought it was good. In fact, I wasn't even aware that the movie was universally hated until a couple years ago.

[@ztyran]

Kobe Busia :shrugs: Well one person's meat is another person's poison I guess. I believe in not holding against someone that they like something you don't. So more power to you.

[@gonk4509]

Kobe Busia That happened to me, but with Batman and Robin.

[@irg19]

I love this movie...it's such a guilty pleasure. Batman Forever is my favorite Batman movie though.

[@jokertdk]

Awesome review, Cap! And I agree with pretty much everything you said in this review. The film is indeed weak, but Gough's performance as a dying Alfred does bring something positive into the movie. I personally never bothered with the toys since I was 14 or 15 at the time, but the soundtrack was good.

[@MrExplodinGuy]

This review and your X-Men 3 review perfectly echo the feelings I have for these horrible movies. You just earned a new subscriber. I would score B&R higher than X3 though. Only slightly.

[@gor9027]

It's obviously a badly made movie, but at least it's so bad it can be enjoyable on that level. Unfortunately, there are a number of superhero movies made these days that are just flat out mediocre or run of the mill. In the end, this movie at least to more faithful seriously written comic book adaptations & Nolan's Batman series so something good came from this movie.

[@ViralAgent1]

I would equate this movie with jiggling keys in front of a toddler for two hours interspersed with scenes from The Great Gatsby.

[@Angyali]

"Camp equals money." I can very well imagine that this was going on in the heads of the stuidobosses.

[@theunbeknown4356]

we do not talk about that sin

[@nicholastosoni707]

"The whole thing feels like it was made by a bunch of kids playing with their toys." I kind of like "Batman and Robin" a little more in this light! My own enjoyment of it comes from its ability to help me think "cold" thoughts on intolerable summer days. As for the ice puns, I'm thoroughly convinced that they could work perfectly with Michael Ansara's (or Clancy Brown's, or Maurice LaMarche's) voice...Just tweak the delivery a little to give it a slight glint of sadism, and it could work.

[@jakerose20]

"Thats not really possible thats like giving a my little pony a light saber and trying to make that appeal to boys" In retrospective thats really funny

[@sproy1]

Hey Cap, I was at my parents' house for Thanksgiving a few weeks ago, and I was explaining this movie to them. My mother said that the whole "camp + sex" combo made sense to her because she always thought the movie was supposed to be a love letter to fans of the Adam West show. Said fans were adults now, so the sex puns seemed appropriate. Well, we know that this wasn't Schumacher's intention, but do you think the film would've worked in this manner if that WERE his goal?

[@fandomcultures]

The opening made me laugh

[@Just-Eric]

One of my favorite quotes about this movie from Schumacher is "If you love a movie there are 100's of people that you can thank for making it the movie you love. If you hate a movie blame the director that's what their name is there for. And I take full responsibility for this movie."

[@biomicRX]

@ShadesAtKnight Sorry, I messed up :( . The song is Cold by Crossfade. Hope I helped (Don't worry I double checked this time :P )

[@tthomaselli2]

3:28-3:44.; What song is that?...

[@KevinKess]

@Geekvolution I have to really give you credit for this review. This is thought-provoking. Honestly, I look at "Batman and Robin" as a lesson in what can happen when a major film studio gets too much control over a film (especially when it's a film based on an established franchise) and no one bothers to question the executives. Have you read the book based on this film? It's actually decent (to me, at least) and maybe it's me, but I think THAT would've been a better script ...somewhat.

[@clownprince88]

I enjoyed this deconstruction of Batman and Robin, it's difficult to find a review of the film that doesn't have someone simply bashing it to shreds, as if we didn't already know it's the height of cheese and one of the biggest comic book hero misfires ever made . I think you got it right with regards to the tone and how certain aspects would have resonated more effectively if it wasn't for the campiness . This is still a terrific looking film visually

[@starsiegeplayer]

I think that you have a good point: comic relief when done right makes a dramatic film feel more real.

[@therealmanos]

This wasn't a review, it was art.

[@princessnahema]

wow times have changes. this guy apologized, but now it's "toxic fans", "racist/sexist fans".

[@ChocolateisIsNice]

You're so right! Schumacher even apoligised! Pople just need to stop hating on this film & forgive & forget!

[@dukinhower]

NEON ARMOR BATMAN was my favorite toy! Still have it buried somewhere today

[@Ashwgun]

I hated everything Schumaker did, Forever was bad, and this movie was even worse. Thank y ou for tredging up these feelings of remorse. My biggest complaint is George Clooney could of been a descent bruce/batman. Not a great one, but with the script he had, there was no way for it to happen. I love your review, brilliantly said Captain!

[@CubanPete1990]

Well this Batman movie call'ed Batman and Robin was so bad that it was like a toy commercial like Christopher reeve in Superman 4 The Quest for Peace was bad at the same time that it was like a TV movie!

[@sulti1274]

"what happened to the dinosaurs, the ice age". that line cracked me up

[@misterjepaxe]

Just noticed the music during the 'ice puns' is the same that you used during the many faces of the Green Goblin in the Spider Man review. Where is that from?

[@TMC1982Part2]

@Vader47000 It's too bad that [SPOILER]Penguin is killed off at the end of "Returns".[SPOILER] Danny DeVito was also in "Man on the Moon" w/ Jim Carrey AKA the Riddler and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", "Hoffa", & "Mars Attacks" w/ Jack Nicholson AKA the Joker (who was in the movie "Wolf" w/ Michelle Pfeiffer AKA Catwoman).

[@Geekvolution]

@Barbaryotaku It isn't that the movie was over-merchandised,it's that the toy company actually designed all the vehicles and costumes, and that it feels like a toy commercial, rather than a story that has merchandise. The actors talk a lot in the special features about it feeling like a toy commecial. You're right that good kids movies have something for aduts, but you can't be this dumbed down and have somthing *good* for adults, which iswhy I hated that it resorts to bad sex puns. -C Logan

[@Geekvolution]

Thanks! And yep, planning that one down the line. -CL

[@BradleyJuby]

For him and the WB executives, death by exile!

[@DeepEye1994]

Logan, That "I'll help you grab your rocks" was intend for the diamonds...

[@stitch99]

I watched this a while ago and got to thinking about the theme you attempted to find. You're completely right in that Batman doesn't learn anything about mastering death. This, probably coincidentally, sets up for Birds of Prey. Joker finds out Batman's identity, orders the death of Selina Kyle, and shoots Barbara through the spine. Because of all of this, Batman retires and slinks back into the shadows. He realizes that he can't control death and stops trying. It's his tragic flaw.

[@jstephenj]

Do you think that how this is film perceived now, and how it will be in the future has alot to do with what decade they were born in?I know we're now at a point where it's okay to praise the Adam West Batman series, but I remember a time where trying to point out its merits would get you lynched after the Tim Burton film. Lot of kids born after 2000 enjoy the Star Wars prequels. You think this film will one day achieve Plan 9 From Outer Space praise at some point in the future?

[@DecentExposureMedia]

Oh snap! I had that orange and black batman toy when i was a kid!

[@Angyali]

1989: B-man: PRETTY GOOD. 1992: B-man returns: ALMOST GOOD. 1995: B-man Forever: LAUGHABLE TRASH! 1997: Batgirl and Robin: METEORIC MONSTRASITY! 2005: EXCELLENT! 2008: COLOSSAL! 2012: GIGANTIC!

[@ShadesAtKnight]

By the way, may I ask what the song was at the begining?

[@prphd555]

You found the connection to Batman Forever? (You forgot the Green clothes & Red hair) I found the connection to Batman Returns: Ice Villain Sex Appeal Villainess resurrected after death by boss Fighting amongst the two sympathetic villains. Another lesser used villain with less dimensions. The intro music had a nice COLD touch to it. Alfred's story arc seemed like he should wear a suit, not Barb. Mike Gough agreeing to have a robot Alfred in the movie undid everything he chose in the movie.

[@potsiiscool]

Really an awesome review! you manage to go with the general idea without looking like you are jumping into the bandwagon...

[@tjtoonz]

whats the song in the beginnning?

[@LukeZwarteVacht]

The intro cracked me up!

[@TheLawliet10]

A retraining order from the Batman franchise. He did good work on Phantom of the Opera.

[@TMC1982Part2]

"Batman Returns" suffered from Tim Burton getting too much creative control. On the other hand, "Batman & Robin" suffered from Warner Bros. seemingly having more influence than the filmmakers.

[@shittybullshit]

explains why I loved it so much seeing it in the cinema at age 5 :)

[@douayang8976]

What killed it for me is when Batman and Robin were on the stage of Diamond show. WHAT THE HELL..! I'm like "Batman and Robin should be in the balcony... or in the shadows... over seeing everything...! Not on the stage...!" The darkness of Batman was gone... that's what pissed me off.

[@gamestation2690]

I don't remember if I mentioned it before in the comments, but what's crazy is that Akiva Goldsman would late win an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for "A Beautiful Mind." That's a real 180 in his career, isn't it?

[@mrkb47]

You've got a point, Cap. at least this one sorta kinda still existed in a real universe.

[@tthomaselli2]

0:28/3:30-3:44.; Song information, please?

[@rjparkhill9503]

would you do The Green Hornet (i know not REALLY a superhero movie but still) and in a few months would you do The Amazing Spider-Man?

[@Bwkjam]

He's like standing over batman yelling come on buddy you gotta live and he even slaps batman at one point then at the end batman stands up and the batman begins music plays.

[@tthomaselli2]

0:28.; What song was this, again?

[@alexander3062]

the song fits so well, lol. even the director of this said sorry for how awful it was, of course when this came out i was a little kid and got the mr.freeze toy was all into it! lol.

[@Barbaryotaku]

@Geekvolution that's fair enough. I am more forgiving as I grew up on things like He-man and Transformers. Those shows were made to sell the toys, but I loved the shows all the same.

[@jadedrakerider]

Hey Captain Logan! Any chance you'll be reviewing the top-notch Batman Subzero?

[@ShadesAtKnight]

@Robizdamanwitdaplan Haha, thats cool man. I was just like "ahhh, is there is a different version of So Cold I'm unaware of?" lol. Thanks for the help!

[@UnderdogMovies616]

He gave the first Burton film a generally positive review with a 3.5 (nowadays reranked a 3 rating) which is not only considerably higher than what he ranked RETURNS but the highest of any of the original four. He ranked RETURNS the way he did because he didn't think it made any sense. I like the movie and I even think that's kind of a valid complaint.

[@Vader47000]

Another interesting aspect to the way Barbara discovers the secret ... check out the sequence. She hacks the disc and discovers the secret. Then we cut to the Batcave and Bruce and Dick have their conversation about trust. Then they leave, and then Barbara is seen checking out the Batcave. So, did she wait for Bruce and Dick to leave? Or did it just take her that long to figure out how to find the Batcave. Lucky Dick and Bruce were gone by then.

[@theRealPlaidRabbit]

In my day, two-thirds at least of all Saturday morning cartoons were out-and-out toy commercials-- or else commercials for breakfast cereals which were themselves advertisements for toys. Or the cereal would be a commercial for the advertisements for the toys which were there to market the cartoon...

[@badagupta]

hey Logen when are you going review the dark knight

[@Vader47000]

As for Schumacher "refusing to make another one," well, I always heard (and he talks about it on the DVD) that he was all set to bring Clooney and O'Donnell back to make Batman Triumphant, with Scarecrow as the villain, and he wanted to bring back a darker tone. But when B&R tanked Warner basically fired him and ended up scrapping the franchise for 8 years. So not exactly refusing to make another one. I think Schumacher was entrenched with his vision of Batman