Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a project, only to discover that everyone hates it. That's exactly what happened with "Batman & Robin," and Chris O'Donnell, who played Robin, has opened up about how tough it was to face that reality. The 1997 film, known for its over-the-top campiness, is often cited as the worst Batman movie ever made, even freezing the franchise for a while. But here's where it gets controversial – some argue that its very camp is what makes it a cult classic!
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, O'Donnell and co-star Alicia Silverstone (Batgirl) discussed the film's rocky reception. O'Donnell revealed that the negative feedback didn't truly hit them until they were deep into the press tour. He described the experience as realizing the movie was "going sideways." The sheer amount of hatred directed at the film was overwhelming. O'Donnell recounted director Joel Schumacher's heartbreak, saying Schumacher essentially gave up, completely bummed out by the response.
It wasn't just O'Donnell who felt the sting. Silverstone also acknowledged the initial dislike, saying that people didn’t seem to like it when it came out. However, she pointed out that the movie has since found an audience, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, who appreciate its campy nature. And this is the part most people miss: while critically panned, "Batman & Robin" inadvertently became a celebration of camp and over-the-top theatrics for a dedicated group of fans.
Despite the initial backlash, O'Donnell maintains a positive outlook. He considers himself lucky to have been part of the project, emphasizing that it was a fun experience. He acknowledges that some projects succeed, while others don't, and accepts "Batman & Robin" for what it is.
Since the days of "Batman & Robin," the Caped Crusader has seen numerous iterations. Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, starring Christian Bale, brought a darker, grittier tone to the character. Ben Affleck later took on the mantle in the DCEU, appearing in four films. Currently, Robert Pattinson embodies Batman in Matt Reeves' "The Batman," with a sequel in development. Reeves has teased that the sequel's villain will be someone who has never really been done in a movie before, adding another layer of anticipation. Colin Farrell, who plays the Penguin, has read the script and was deeply moved, praising the film's ability to work on multiple levels, providing both entertainment and a psychological exploration of Bruce Wayne and Batman.
But let's get back to the elephant in the room: Is "Batman & Robin" really as bad as its reputation suggests? Or is it a misunderstood, campy masterpiece that deserves a second look? What are your thoughts? Sound off in the comments below! Do you think the movie's camp value makes up for its flaws, or is it truly the worst Batman film ever? We want to know!
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Favorite Movies: Alien, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Braveheart, The Bridge on the River Kwai, City of God, Cloud Atlas, Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Edge, The Fifth Element, Galaxy Quest, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Godfather Parts I & II, Goodfellas, The Good the Bad and the Ugly, Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Magnificent Seven, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, The Prestige, Prisoners, Psycho, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Rear Window, The Shining, Sorcerer, The Talented Mr. Ripley, There Will be Blood, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Zodiac
Likes: Drawing, cooking, watching movies, trying and failing to come up with more items for my likes list.
