Posted by Boris888 on 17th January 2002 10:01 PM:

Batman & Robin

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Feature: 1997
Video: 1.78:1 (16:9 enhanced)
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Rated PG, Running Time 120mins

George Clooney takes the helm in the final Batman flick to date. And I doubt he’d be very proud of this one. The basic flaw of this movie is the absolutely awful script and the actors’ subsequent struggle with their delivery. Attempts have been made to remain creative but there is little to hold up something so terribly thin and cringe-worthy. After its subsequent flop in the cinemas, many wished Mr.Freeze had frozen time just after the third installment was released as this one isn’t a patch on any of them.

This time Batman must battle Mr.Freeze, played by Arnie himself, as well as Uma Thurman as the sultry Poison Ivy. Somehow Mr.Freeze wants to freeze the whole world and if that seems a little far-fetched (even for a Batman movie) then you’d better not watch the rest. Again, Chris O’Donnell is useless as Robin and Alicia Silverstone is incredibly sexy but hardly remarkable as Batgirl, the newest introduction to try and liven up the franchise. Sadly, this one is really poor considering the creative possibilities in making a Batman flick. Franchises are meant to be money in the bank for studios and directors but something seriously wrong has gone on behind the scenes for this one. The movie borrows everything that had almost gone astray in the third film and totally taken awful to a new level.

I reiterate my recommendation of watching the films in order because by the time you reach this one you’ll probably be asleep anyway. Actually, just watch Batman twice.

[color="#808080"][size=3]Video[/color][/size]

Even though the whole film is only on a single-layer disc, the transfer isn’t bad at all. Presented in 1.78:1 and 16:9 enhanced, the visuals are extremely sharp and black levels are pretty stunning. The comic book origins of the film are done justice by the vibrant colours which look pretty darn good for a pretty poor film. Shame that.

[color="#808080"][size=3]Soundtrack[/color][/size]

The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix sounds pretty good, with the use of surrounds and the subwoofer making the action all the more effective. Action sequences sound great and the dialogue is always good on the ear. The musical score is again nothing compared to the work of Danny Elfman but is serviceable nonetheless.

[color="#808080"][size=3]Extras[/color][/size]

Not much again on this one. Only lengthy production notes and cast & crew biographies. Don’t think many people will be crying out for a special edition for this one.

[color="#808080"][size=3]And The Survey Says...[/size][/color]

A poor film on a decent looking DVD. The visuals try their best to lift this one somewhere near entertainment but the poor script, direction and acting drag this one down a long, long way. No extras to speak of again, although for this one it’s not so much of a big deal.

As a box set the four films do get a bit of a boost, purely because of the value of buying them all together. There is no doubting Batman’s appeal. Even a flop like Batman & Robin managed to attract an audience so you can imagine what sort of box office takings a modern version would acquire. Sadly there has been no effort to remaster the discs or fill them with extras so price is the only major selling point. We are left with nothing more than a cardboard case to place around the four films that have been selling individually for quite some time. That said, I think Batman fans will get value for the price tag as the first three films are certainly enjoyable. You can either wait for a Special Edition to come (maybe for a long time) or grab yourself this Batman Legacy Box Set as the best version available at the present time.

[color="#808080"][size=3]Purchase This DVD[/size][/color]
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