Batman & Robin: Who's Really to Blame?

[El Caballero]

Okay, so yesterday I watched Batman & Robin out of sheer boredom (honestly, I don't think how I brought myself to do it), and I watched the "Making of..." featurette. Through the entire video, I couldn't help feel but bad and sorry for Joel Schumacher. He seemed very apologetic and kept reiterating the fact that he felt pressured by WB execs and the regular movie-goers to make the film more accessible. My favorite part though was when he said "if there are any out of you watching this who went in with high expectations after Batman Forever...I just want to aplogize". Hearing this made me not only realize that maybe the failure of Batman & Robin was not all his fault, but he's really not as bad as people (fans especially) are making him out to be. In all fairness, I do think that Joel Shcumacher had many valid reasons for the failure of B & R, but being the bigger man, he accepted full responsibilty and that in itself makes him a man (more or less ; )

It also seems that alot of the other cast members were also aware of what they were doing, but seeing as how they were only doing their jobs, there was no real way for them to prevent the abomination that is now Batman & Robin.

My argument probably doesn't make any sense or merit, but I just want to hear all of your thoughts on who really is to blame for the failure of the movie...

 

[SHADOWBAT69]

Well. I can honestly say that my view on the whole B&R thing did change a bit after watching the extras. WB did "direct" Schumacher on which way to go in this movie. However, it was his "vision". I believe that both were to blame in the fact that they were not really connected to the fanbase and was not listening to what people wanted. I view this as a revisit to the 60's era Batman, just updated.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

Warner Bros NEVER told Schumacher to include...

...a script that is just puns.
...a homoerotic subtext.
...endless flashing neon lights.
...nipples.

Warner Bros wanted..

...a family-friendly film.
...a movie to sell action figures.
...superstar actors.

All superhero movie directors have to put up with these three demands.

 

[CConn]

All superhero movie directors have to put up with these three demands.

Batman Begins and Superman Returns didn't.

 

[Superwoman Prime]

It has become a traditional cliche to call 'Batman & Robin' a terrible movie. In all honesty, I believe the movie had some great parts in it. And what's everyone's complaint with Alicia Sylverstone/Batgirl? I thought she look kind of seductive in that suit; and she was a good actor, for the most part.

George Clooney is the only one to blame for messing with the Batman character in the movie. If Joel had made him wipe that dumbass little smile off of his face, the movie probably would have been 30% better.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

Batman Begins and Superman Returns didn't.

Yes they did.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

It has become a traditional cliche to call 'Batman & Robin' a terrible movie. In all honesty, I believe the movie had some great parts in it. And what's everyone's complaint with Alicia Sylverstone/Batgirl? I thought she look kind of seductive in that suit; and she was a good actor, for the most part.

If she is a good actress, she's not showing it in B&R. She doesn't come off even remotely heroic, tough or intelligent. She looks great in publicity shots but not in the movie.

George Clooney is the only one to blame for messing with the Batman character in the movie. If Joel had made him wipe that dumbass little smile off of his face, the movie probably would have been 30% better.

Batman was not the Dark Knight in this movie. Clooney could not have played it any other way. Clooney was hired, and paid, and directed to play Batman as a sometimes-grinning superhero, and that's what he did.

 

[Superwoman Prime]

Batman was not the Dark Knight in this movie. Clooney could not have played it any other way. Clooney was hired, and paid, and directed to play Batman as a sometimes-grinning superhero, and that's what he did.

I'm not so sure I agree that Clooney couldn't have played it different. Much responsibility does fall on the actors themselves; they have to be mature enough to decide what they need to do and convey in certain scenes. Cloony, IMO, could have done it, he just didn't.

 

[SHADOWBAT69]

Clooney played the Batman/Bruce Wayne that was written for this movie. Which was a more friendly, accessable character. The Batman from the mid 50's to mid 60's. Clooney played that part perfectly. A dark, brooding Batman and tormented, secluded Bruce Wayne would not have worked in this film.

 

[BatScot]

Schumacher.

 

[wootbaby]

everyone

line em up and shoot em all

 

[CConn]

Yes they did.

Then WB now sucks at making demands.

 

[ReptileOrion]

Warner Bros NEVER told Schumacher to include...

...a script that is just puns.
...a homoerotic subtext.
...endless flashing neon lights.
...nipples.

Warner Bros wanted..

...a family-friendly film.
...a movie to sell action figures.
...superstar actors.

All superhero movie directors have to put up with these three demands.

I totally agree with you. I also find it hard to believe that Joel Schumacher who claimed to be such a huge fan of Batman Year One (director's commentary) would include certain elements into the films Batman Forever and Batman and Robin. I remember going to the movie theatre to see Batman back in 1989. I was 8 years old and still remember a lot about that viewing experience. Families went out in droves to see that film. I wasn't freaked out by it or concerned about the violence. The only thing that semi freaked me out was the creepy smile on that reporter's face after the effect of Smilex. My point is that Burton was able to make a decent interpretation of the Batman character on film and still bring families in to watch the film.

 

[Catman]

Joel Schumacher is to blame, dude. WB may have made demands but if Schumacher didn't agree with them he could have walked out. No one put a gun to his head and said, "direct this movie!" Besides WB didn't ask for a crappy script and neon city.

 

[ReptileOrion]

In the special features of the DVD the crew kept mentioning about the short lay over between films. The reality is that even if they had another year the movie still would have been horrible. The film could have been better if they kept the tone of Batman Forever. Batman Forever was light but it still had some darker elements. I guess Val Kilmer made the right decision by filming the Saint insteading of B&R.

 

[XCharlieX]

The film could have been better if they kept the tone of Batman Forever. Batman Forever was light but it still had some darker elements.

I think if he kept walking that line he wouldve gotten away with as much nonsense as he did for longer. Batman Forever was far more viewable than 4 since it had a little story about batman at least and was more coherent so i guess it would pass for a good cartoon. The writing skill felt like that of the animated series crossed with the 60s tv show, which is definitely not my favorite blend for a batman adaptation to film.

 

[batmaluco]

Robin.

 

[Bat Attack]

Joel Schumacher

 

[El Payaso]

McGregor Syndrome

 

[Bat Attack]

Schumacherinitis. lol

 

[Batty Belfry]

There are just so many things wrong with this movie that it's just too campy for me. Mr. Freeze escaping on his Wile E. Coyote Acme rocket....Goldsman's script....bat-skates, bat-credit card....Batman smiling all the time, etc....Chris O'Donnel whining.... Poison Ivy, etc...

I felt like I was watching a cartoon!

 

[XCharlieX]

There are just so many things wrong with this movie that it's just too campy for me. Mr. Freeze escaping on his Wile E. Coyote Acme rocket....Goldsman's script....bat-skates, bat-credit card....Batman smiling all the time, etc....Chris O'Donnel whining.... Poison Ivy, etc...

I felt like I was watching a cartoon!

What killed my experience as a kid at least expecting a watchable cartoony film was the atrocious amount of characters and stupid plot points that confused me right up till the end where i walked out ofthe theater trying to figure out what that mess was about. I still have no clue 9 yrs later. It was like a spoof of batman forever lol... ouch.

 

[Bat Attack]

Mr. Freezes rocket looked like a gigantic *****.

 

[I Am The Knight]

There's so much wrong with this movie, but both parties (the studio and Shumacher, who some people have deemed the ''Antichrist of Filmmaking'' after this movie) are to blame. I mean, he had to frickin' apologize for God's sake......

 

[Batty Belfry]

Mr. Freezes rocket looked like a gigantic *****.

LOL!

Can't forget the rubberized nipples and the gratuitous bat-a$$ shot.