Den of Geek: Batman Movies Ranked From Worst to Best

https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/batman-movies-ranked-from-worst-to-best/

12. Batman & Robin (1997)

Although Batman & Robin has its fans and defenders (this writer included, honestly), there’s no denying that the movie was a misstep for Warner Bros. back in ’97. With this pun-riddled, truly unfunny, very questionably cast, and toy-obsessed installment, director Joel Schumacher and writer Akiva Goldsman almost achieved what Batman villains could only dream about: killing off the Caped Crusader for good. It almost happened when the director and writer made Bats the butt of the joke, complete with a Bat-credit card and those nipples (which still are nowhere near as offensive as some modern directors’ takes on the character). George Clooney’s phoned-in turn as the Dark Knight is nothing to write home about either.

But if you were six years old when this movie came out, you were showing up for the zany action sequences that make little sense but feature wild gadgets (Bat-skates!), Arnold Schwarzenegger chewing up and spitting out every scene as the dad-joke obsessed Mr. Freeze, and Schumacher’s vision of Gotham City. In fact, the latter has withstood the test of time with its streets bathed in neon and giant Olympian statues with arms big enough to fit a Batmobile car chase. This version of the city is pure colorful spectacle and architectural excess. It’s just too bad the rest of the movie can’t support Schumacher’s keen eye for aesthetics. – John Saavedra