Even when not technically brilliant, I still expect my superhero movies to at least be good fun. Even the super-daft Supergirl managed to get that much right. Batman & Robin, though, is quite possibly the least-enjoyable super-flick ever made: and yes, I have seen Catwoman. From the moment the dialogue opens with Robin (Chris ODonnell) telling Batman I want a car chicks dig the car, until the stupendously ridiculous resolution, this flick is the filmic equivalent of a rollercoaster ride through a blocked sewer.
This fourth Bat-flick since Tim Burtons stylish 1989 Batman bears such little resemblance to Burtons carefully-considered project that its a struggle to even classify it as part of the same franchise. Joel Schumacher whos 1995 attempt Batman Forever was also crap but at least watchable drives a steamroller through Bat-lore with this gaudy, camp, overly-theatrical, diabolically-written cave-full of what can only be described as guano.
With previous lead man Val Kilmer unable to take part due to his commitment to starring in The Saint, stepping into the Dark Knights nipple-inclusive costume this time is George Clooney. And, in fairness, The Cloonster isnt the worst choice imaginable but he was always going to be fighting an uphill battle in a Gotham City where it seems practically everyone has now got a secret identity. The place is clogged up with sidekick Robin, pun-making baddie Mr Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger), the garden-loving Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman) and afterthought ally Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone). With all of that lot battling more for screentime than anything to do with good or evil, Batface himself no longer seems like anything special.
Of course, the Batman logo will always be able to attract the big stars (as Christopher Nolans name-dropping 2005 instalment proves) – but it would have been nice if this one had spent as much time getting its direction and screenplay right as it did courting the A-listers.