Batman and Robin ★½ 1997 (PG-13) Includes lots of flash but, as usual, not much substance in this fourth adventure, which features a less angst-ridden caped crusader in the charming persona of Clooney. O'Donnell, who apparently knows a good gig when he's got one, returns as Robin. They must battle evil industrialist, Mr. Freeze (an impressively costumed Schwarzenegger), and his partner-with-the-deady-kiss (but what a way to go!), Poison Ivy (Thurman), who have plans to freeze Gotham City. Our heroes have some additional help in the person of Batgirl (Silverstone), who's now butler Alfred's (Gough) niece (she was Commissioner Gordon's daughter in the comics). Story's simplified but the secondary characters still get lost in the crowd. Director Schumacher's already agreed to helm a fifth film, but don't hold your breath since he succeeded in doing the impossible: killing the franchise. 125m/C VHS, DVD. George Clooney, Chris O'Donnell, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Uma Thurman, Alicia Silverstone, Michael Gough, Pat Hingle, John Glover, Elle Macpherson, Vivica A. Fox, Vendela Thommessen, Jeep Swenson;
Director:
Joel Schumacher;
Writer:
Joel Schumacher, Akiva Goldsman;
Writer:
Stephen Goldblatt;
Cameo:
Elliot Goldenthal. Golden Raspberries '97: Worst Support. Actress (Silverstone).
