 
General Screening : July 17 | Released by Warner
Brothers
Behind The
Scenes :
TOP | Behind The Scenes | Quotable
Quips | The Review
 |
Joel Schumacher returns for the second time to direct this fourth installment
of the Batman series. This time we are introduced to a new Batman, ER's
Dr. Doug Ross, George Clooney, another new partner, Batgirl, Clueless'
Alicia Silverstone, two new villains - the icy cold, Dr. Victor Fries/Dr.
Freeze and flower power femme fatale, Dr. Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy, a new
batcave, batmobile and Robin's Redbird and a whole lot of other batty gadgets. |
The Story :
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Scenes | The Story | Quotable Quips | The
Review
 |
Gotham City is never short of twisted people. I mean, what do you have
to say to a society where glamour ceremonies are hosted by a gossip gal
who goes by the name of Gossip Gerty. What about their superheroes? A male
adult in a rubber costume who thinks he is a bat and another male adolescent
who runs around with him. Together they call themselves Batman (Clooney)
and Robin (O'Donnell) respectively. And their headquarters is a "cave". |
Twisted?
You ain't seen nothing yet! Meet Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy.
 |
Mr. Freeze (Schwarzenegger) is formerly Dr. Victor Fries, a brilliant
molecular biologist. A freak accident befell him as he tried to cryogenically
preserve his ailing wife Nora (supermodel Vendela). Now he is Mr. Freeze
who lives in a sub-zero suit that requires diamonds to keep him chilled.
He is on a rampage for diamonds and also money to finish his experiments
to save his frozen wife. But his plans are short-lived when he is caught
by Batman and put into the Arkham Asylum (yes, the very same one The Riddler
is in). |
 |
This is where Poison Ivy comes in. Dr. Pamela Isley is a botanist who
gets too nosy for her own good. When she was caught spying on her fellow
scientist in his hideous experiment, he decides to off her. But good girl
doesn't die so easily. Because of her love for the flora and fauna, Dr.
Isley is transformed to femme fatale... Poison Ivy. She comes to Gotham
(together with her bodyguard Bane), rescues Mr. Freeze and goes into partnership
with him to conquer Gotham and then the world. |
He will freeze the world and she will grow her special plant species which
will be able to protect themselves (the plant bites!), for Poison Ivy sees
herself as Mother Nature.
With these two (three plus Bane), twisted nemesis running around Gotham,
it's a job for Batman and Robin. And in this PC world, in comes Batgirl
(Silverstone) to assist the dynamic duo in making Gotham a peaceful place
again... until the next Batman installment, that is.
But there is also trouble in paradise when Bruce Wayne's ever loyal
and loving butler, Alfred (Gough) is ill and dying. And only one man can
save him... and it is not Batman.
Quotable Quips
:
TOP | Behind The
Scenes | The Story | Quotable Quips | The
Review
"That's why Superman works
alone"
* Batman to Robin when the latter fought with
him on who is supposed to drive the Batmobile. |
"Do try to bring this one back
in one piece, sir"
* Alfred, the butler, getting all protective
on the new Batmobile. |
"You just can't stand it. Maybe
she wants me NOT you"
* Robin to Batman on who Poison Ivy desires. |
" Tonight even hell freezes
over"
* Mr. Freeze on his ambitious plan. |
"Chicks like you give us (women)
a bad name"
* Batgirl to Poison Ivy before their showdown. |
"So many people to kill, so
little time"
* Poison Ivy commenting on her social calendar. |
"The plants have replaced my
blood with aloe, my skin with chlorophyll and my lips with venom"
* Poison Ivy explaining what she is made up of. |
The Review :
TOP | Behind The
Scenes | The Story | Quotable
Quips | The Review
 |
First of all, I must say that I am a fan of the Batman series. So,
of course I had been waiting in anticipation for this fourth installment.
With so much hype and big names, Batman & Robin does disappoint a little.
Let's recount the good things first. The costumes are great. Mr. Freeze
looks very futuristic and Poison Ivy's garb is something to ponder on.
Compliments must be given to the make-up team for making Schwarzenegger
look so icy cold and Thurman oh-so-hot in her fiery red hair, luscious
double coloured lipstick (very kissable!) and beautifully manicured nails! |
Of all the four Batman movies, this one has got to be the most colourful
one (remember the very dark Gotham in the first Batman?), all thanks to
Poison Ivy and her love for plants and bright stuff!
Another good thing is some members of the cast have extra lines... one
prominent one is Michael Gough, who is the longest cast member in the Batman
movies. His role as Alfred the butler gets more spotlight in this move
than the usual "Yes Master", "The Batsignal Master" in the previous shows.
This installment of Batman also see a less dark and more humorous bunch
of people in Gotham. From Batman to Commissioner Gordon, lines are funnier
and the people look less tortured here than they were in the first three
series.
 |
I'm rather disappointed at Uma Thurman's portrayal of Poison Ivy. Maybe
I had expected too much. Although seductive and alluring, Uma's version
of Poison Ivy does not come out as a villain... more like the SPG in Bangsar
who keeps relying on other guys to fend for her. At some points in the
movie, I can't help but make comparison between Poison Ivy and Nanny Fine.
Too obsessed with the way they look and how they faithfully live by the
adage " If you have it, flaunt it". |
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