‘Batman’ Thrills, Chills Leave Some Moviegoers Cold

There’s at least one thing to be said for the fourth film in the Batman franchise, according to Justine Alm, 11, of Rancho Santa Margarita. “In this one, every minute you have an explosion, for sure.”

Other than that, she and many other kids were disappointed after sitting quietly through a loud movie that tried hard to give them thrills, chills and laughs. “I thought it would be a lot better,” said Justine, who, after waiting past midnight on opening night, got to see the movie on the Irvine Spectrum’s Imax screen. “It was too serious. And some of the parts were so obvious!”

How many jokes like “Hey, Freeze, it’s time to turn up the heat” can a kid be expected to take without zoning out completely?

She preferred the villains in previous Batman films, still liked Michael Keaton (Batman in the first two films) best and thought Alicia Silverstone, who played Batgirl, was much better in “Clueless.”

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On the other hand, Robert Guarnieri, 13, of Lake Havasu argued that the suave and low-key Clooney was the best Batman yet. “He had a better attitude than the rest,” he said. Keaton was “too flashy” and Val Kilmer (Batman in the third movie) was “too arrogant.”

Overall, though, he said this version was the first one he didn’t like. “It didn’t have a very good plot.”

It may be hard to follow, but there is a plot involving a scientist turned freeze-happy madman (Schwarzenegger), his cryogenically frozen wife, an environmentalist who wants animal-plants to take over the world (Thurman), a venom-enhanced super soldier, big diamonds, a rocket, computers and lots of fancy cars and car chases around the mythical Gotham.

A more accessible family-values subplot leavens the dark and wild comic book mayhem. The teenage orphan Robin, who lives with Batman and their manservant Alfred in Wayne Manor, is struggling to grow up in the shadow of the Caped Crusader. He wants his own bat signal in the sky. He’s tired of Batman trying to protect him from danger. He’s as susceptible as Batman to Poison Ivy’s “love dust” and, under its spell, thinks they are rivals for her dubious affections.

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Frustrated with Robin’s adolescent opposition (“It’s always your way or the highway”), Batman cracks down like a middle-aged parent (“My house; my rules”) and gets advice from Alfred (“You must learn to trust him. That is the nature of family”). On top of his parenting trials, Batman must also cope with his feelings for Alfred, who falls victim to the rare McGregor’s Disease.

Jackson Willis, a 5-year-old visiting from Norcross, Ga., said his favorite part was when Batman and Robin “became a team.”

“They were not arguing. Friends don’t really argue,” he explained sagely.

But only a few kids showed interest in the family relationships. Those who had a good time mostly enjoyed watching a superhero without super powers vanquish evil with fun cars, heat lasers, ropes and pulleys, his wits and, when all else fails, prayer.

The anatomically correct bat suits and Poison Ivy’s seductive maneuvers may be sexy and vampish, but the overall tone remains friendly and fun.

Batman and Robin no longer need to rescue damsels in distress. In fact, Alfred’s niece Barbara (Silverstone) rescues them after becoming Batgirl. But no matter. For many kids, Batman is still the real thing.

Outside the theater, Chris Stoehr, promoting his photo studio while dressed in a bat suit, cape and mask, said, “One little girl wouldn’t let go of my leg. She kept saying, ‘You’re my hero.’ ”