This is my Fan Review on SHH
----------------------------
I've been a firm rival against Joel Schumacher's 1997 sequel, 'Batman and Robin' for quite awhile now, but as bad as it is, it still isn't that bad.
Now think about this before you start throwing up your arms in disgust. With multiple Bat-films, two things are obvious: We're going to rank them against each other, and 'Batman and Robin' will be ranked lowest. I don't agree nor disagree with that notion. I still believe Batman and Robin to be the most poor of the four previous Batman films.
But there were good merits, as impossible as it may seem. The cinematography is beautiful, considering both the subject matter (the screenplay, not the Batman character persay) and what the director hoped to achieve. And after watching the "Batman Unbound" documentary, you'll come to understand that it wasn't Schumacher and Goldsman's fault. It was the fault of greedy Warners execs.
Next, acting. Most notibly from Michael Gough and his Alfred Pennyworth. A superb actor, he and Pat Hingle saw their characters of Alfred and Commissioner Gordon, respectively, through. But Gough's performance as an ailing Alfred consoling Bruce was brilliant.
Alfred: There is no defeat in death, Master Bruce. Victory comes in defending what we know is right while we still live.
Don't deny how well crafted that line is. True, for every solid Alfred line, there's a dozen of Arnold's Ice Puns, but what works does.
The biggest defense I can give this film is a simple fact. Everyone has an interpretation of Batman. From Schumacher, to Burton; from me, to you. We most certainly don't have to like what we see in Schumacher's vision, but we can at least respect its existence. We have no right to diminish anyone's take on Batman, no matter what. Doing so is juvenile.
As I said before, I still consider Batman and Robin to be the least favorite of the Batman films. But it's still a part of the mythology of the character. It shows future generations what not to do with the character, and that though it was poor, we wouldn't have Batman Begins if it weren't for Schumacher.
Bottom Line: You don't have to like Batman and Robin, but respect and acknowledge that it's there.
After all, how bad could it really be, since we're still talking about it?
------------------------
Batman and Robin - 4/10
CFE