Pop Culture | Movies | 90s

13 Reasons Batman & Robin Is The Worst Movie Of 1997

<div><p>The year is 1997. <em>Titanic</em> will soon become the highest-grossing film of all time (until <em>Avatar</em> unseats it decades later), <em>Pokémon</em> is soon to premiere in Japan and start a worldwide phenomenon, and <em>South Park </em>began its crude and historic run on TV that has yet to end.</p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://legacy.throwbacks.com/content/images/2017/06/south_park_still_h_2016.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center">We were still so innocent...</figcaption></figure></div><p></p><div align="center" data-freestar-ad="__336x280 __789x280" id="throwbacks_articles_incontent _1"> </div><p></p><p>Director Joel Schumacher was asked by Warner Bros. Studios to return for the followup to 1995's largely successful <em>Batman Forever</em>, and was given an even bigger budget to work with. However, with the increased budget came increased meddling from the studio, and the result, <em>Batman &amp; Robin,</em> will live on in infamy forever. Here are just some of the things that make this movie awful.</p><h3>1) Geroge Clooney as Batman</h3><div><figure><amp-img src="https://legacy.throwbacks.com/content/images/2017/06/george-clooney-as-batman-bruce-wayne-in-batman.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></figure></div><p>While Val Kilmer's performance as the Caped Crusader in <em>Batman Forever</em> was just kind of dull, Clooney tries his best with the material he's given. Unfortunately, that material is mostly cheesy one-liners and ridiculous exposition, making his Batman one of the worst in history.</p><p>Fun fact: Once shooting wrapped up, Clooney is reported to have quipped "I think we just killed the franchise."</p><h3>2) Chris O'Donnell as Robin</h3><div><figure><amp-img src="https://legacy.throwbacks.com/content/images/2017/06/vG2QdlT.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></figure></div><p>Returning from <em>Batman Forever</em>, Chris O'Donnell's Robin quickly becomes one of the most annoying sidekicks in film history. Nearly every bit of his dialogue involves him whining to Batman about how he's just as capable a hero as his mentor, and the result is a character as underplayed as he is insufferable.</p><p>Fun fact: O'Donnell said of the movie "On <em>Batman Forever</em>, I felt like I was making a movie. The second time, I felt like I was making a kid's toy commercial."</p><h3>3) Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze</h3><div><figure><amp-anim src="https://legacy.throwbacks.com/content/images/2017/06/UbEAbGk.gif" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-anim></figure></div><p>Here's where we get into "so bad it's hilarious" territory. One of the biggest movie stars of the 80s and 90s takes one of the most nuanced and intellectual Batman villains and turns him into an over-the-top madman who speaks only in one-liners. I'm not even mad.</p><p>Fun fact: Schwarzenegger says 27 "ice" puns throughout the entire movie.</p><p></p><div align="center" data-freestar-ad="__336x280 __789x280" id="throwbacks_articles_video"> </div><p></p><h3>4) Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy</h3><div><figure><amp-img src="https://legacy.throwbacks.com/content/images/2017/06/tumblr_li90lo9vbZ1qdsmoho1_500-1438286167-gif-quality-.8&amp;height=317&amp;width=500.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></figure></div><p>If every one of Mr. Freeze's lines is an "ice" pun, then every one of Poison Ivy's is a sexual innuendo. It's legitimately hard to tell which one of them chews the scenery more, but Poison Ivy's wardrobe and sets are definitely the most ridiculous.</p><p>Fun fact: Uma Thurman apparently beat out Julia Roberts, Sharon Stone, and Demi Moore for the role. I suspect those three all saw the movie and realized they'd dodged a bullet.</p><h3>5) The treatment of Alicia Silverstone</h3><div><figure><amp-img src="https://legacy.throwbacks.com/content/images/2017/06/2316627-batmanan08.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></figure></div><p>While Silverstone's performance as Batgirl in the movie is just as bad as the others, the treatment the teenage actress received while filming was even worse. Most of her scenes were cut due to her suit needing to be refitted thanks to a few pounds of weight gain, and she was slammed by the press for being "too fat to fit into her costume."</p><h3>6) Bane</h3><div><figure><amp-img src="https://legacy.throwbacks.com/content/images/2017/06/10-bane-batman-and-robin-1-w1200-h630.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></figure></div><p>One of Batman's deadliest and most intelligent foes from the comics is turned into a hulking, destructive moron who only speaks in growls. This portrayal was so infamous that people even remained skeptical when Tom Hardy took on the role in <em>The Dark Knight Rises</em> 15 years later.</p><h3>Head to the next page to see even more terrible moments from this terrible movie!</h3><p></p><p></p><h3>7) The Bat Credit Card</h3><div><figure><amp-img src="https://legacy.throwbacks.com/content/images/2017/06/latest-cb-20100920130513.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></figure></div><p>Look at it. Just look at it. This was in the script. Someone approved this.</p><h3>8) It killed off two franchises</h3><div><figure><amp-img src="https://legacy.throwbacks.com/content/images/2017/06/1365074993479999778.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></figure></div><p>Schumacher had plans for a fifth Batman movie in this universe, <em>Batman Unchained</em>, and Tim Burton was in talks to direct a new Superman film, which would feature Nicolas Cage as Superman and an appearance by George Clooney as Batman. Both plans were scrapped when <em>Batman &amp; Robin </em>bombed at the box office.</p><h3>9) The sets</h3><div><figure><amp-img src="https://legacy.throwbacks.com/content/images/2017/06/bnrj.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></figure></div><p>Production designer Barbara Ling described her vision of Gotham City as "neon-ridden Tokyo and the Machine Age. Gotham is like a World's Fair on ecstasy." This somehow explains a lot about why the movie looks as weird and fake as it does.</p><p></p><div align="center" data-freestar-ad="__336x280 __789x280" id="throwbacks_articles_incontent_2"> </div><p></p><h3>10) It would be the last Batman movie for his creator</h3><div><figure><amp-img src="https://legacy.throwbacks.com/content/images/2017/06/Kane01.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></figure></div><p>Batman co-creator Bob Kane was a consultant on all of Warner Bros.' Batman movies, and this one was no exception. Unfortunately, he would pass away shortly after the film's release, meaning it'd be the last interpretation of the character he'd ever see. We're not saying the film killed him, but would anyone be surprised?</p><h3>11) Bat-nipples</h3><div><figure><amp-img src="https://legacy.throwbacks.com/content/images/2017/06/ec2c01b0b71bd4a59b76dfc6c516d8bd-why-the-nipple-suits-in-batman-robin-were-actually-brilliant.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></figure></div><p>The Batsuit has Bat-nipples on it. You will never unsee it.</p><h3>12) Joel Schumacher</h3><div><figure><amp-img src="https://legacy.throwbacks.com/content/images/2017/06/joel-schumacher-batman.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></figure></div><p>The director is reported to have sat atop a crane and, before each take, would use a megaphone to yell "Remember everyone, this is a cartoon!" The actors have since commented that it "set the tone for the entire film." </p><h3>13) Pretty much everything else</h3><div><figure><amp-anim src="https://legacy.throwbacks.com/content/images/2017/06/anigif_enhanced-buzz-30209-1389137941-0.gif" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-anim></figure></div><p>Good lord this movie is a trainwreck.</p><p><strong>What do you think?</strong></p><p></p><amp-apester-media height="390" data-apester-media-id="59356f0b80639da10ef57af3"></amp-apester-media><p></p></div>

More Throwbacks

Movies

Macaulay Culkin Clears Up Some Confusion About The 'Home Alone' Recreation

When that amazing new Google Assistant ad dropped yesterday starring Macaulay Culkin recreating all of the iconic scenes from the 1990 classic Home Alone, People absolutely lost their minds. But here's the thing, you watch it once and you're like, "Oh wow, that's hilarious!" But if you watch it a second time, you'll see that they really went all out to recreate it shot for shot. Honestly, it's almost creepy how well they did. Whether he's jumping on the bed:20th Century Fox / YouTube - GoogleUsing his aftershave:20th Century Fox / YouTube - GoogleTrimming the tree:20th Century Fox / YouTube

Movies

Macaulay Culkin Is Back As Kevin From 'Home Alone' And It's Actually Amazing

It's Christmas time, and you know what that means! It's time to watch a family abandon their son in their home and not even call anyone to go take care of him while he fends off burglars and makes an enormous mess of their house! That's right, every year we all gather around the TV and watch Home Alone for the millionth time, enjoying the hilarious antics that young Kevin McCallister gets into. Macaulay Culkin's portrayal of the character is what made the movie work, well, that and the fact that the 'Wet Bandits' were pretty funny. Culkin made a

Movies

A Behind-The-Scenes Look At The New Aladdin Is Here And At Least One Of Our Wishes Was Granted

We've been waiting patiently, okay mostly patiently, since Disney announced that Aladdin was being remade. The cartoon remains one of the most iconic movies of all time, and the fact that they were going to try and bring it to life with real humans instead of the animated versions was kind of concerning. We saw the first trailer a while ago, but the only character we actually saw up close was Aladdin himself. We didn't see how the Genie looked, or Jasmine, or any of the other characters. But now, Entertainment Weekly has given us all the first look at

Movies

The First Look Of The New Sonic Movie Is Here And People Just Spilled Their Rings

We've seen these video game movies come and we've seen them go, but how often have they actually succeeded? Not a lot, right? Well, whether it's the best idea or not, the powers that be have decided to bring one of the most iconic video game characters to the big screen once again. Sonic the Hedgehog has his very own movie coming out next November with Ben Schwartz voicing him, but now that the first poster is here, everyone is talking. Now, the thing is, the poster that everyone has seen isn't even a real look at the design. It's

Movies

'Mrs. Doubtfire' Cast Reunited To Discuss The 25th Anniversary And Robin Williams

The cast of Mrs. Doubtfire reunited and we were all so excited to see what that meant. Now we finally know why they were back together again. With nothing really happening for the last month, we kind of just thought it was maybe a nice dinner. But nope! It turns out it was actually a big interview to discuss the anniversary, the legacy, and of course Robin Williams. The interview is a good 35 minutes of reminiscing and sharing memories that all make us remember the iconic comedy as the treasure it truly is. Pierce Brosnan, Matthew Lawrence, Lisa Jakub,

Movies

Tim Allen Reveals The Original Plan For 'The Santa Clause' Was Way Too Dark For Disney

We've all seen The Santa Clause at least a dozen times, right? It's a Christmas classic and ever since it was released, it has become a staple in our holiday movie schedule. There's something about the movie that manages to keep that Christmas feeling without being way too over the top or corny. I mean, sure, Tim Allen literally becomes Santa, but somehow it all feels like that's totally plausible. The sequels may not have the same realistic feeling, but the original remains iconic. However, Allen just revealed that the original plan for the movie was a lot darker than