Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997) may have been divisive, but they still featured a lot of beautifully poetic lines of dialogue that are worth celebrating. Schumacher’s Batman movies brought a lighter, campier tone to the Caped Crusader’s cinematic adventures, following Tim Burton’s darker interpretations. These DC films have gained a cult following over the years for their over-the-top style, colorful visuals, and memorable quotations. Within their playful absurdity, these movies offered some surprisingly poignant and witty moments.
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Schumacher’s Batman Forever and Batman & Robin marked a departure from the gothic sensibilities of Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns. Embracing a more comic book-inspired, neon aesthetic, these films leaned into humor, exaggerated characters, and dazzling set pieces. While often criticized for their campiness, Schumacher’s movies reflect a lighter side of the Dark Knight that hadn’t been seen in the DCU timeline in decades. Their dialogue, blending humor with moments of genuine reflection, remains a defining aspect of Schumacher’s take on the Batman mythos.
10 “Secrets Are A Virtual Prerequisite In This House. Don’t You Think So?”
Alfred To Robin In Batman & Robin
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This line is delivered after Batman and Robin meet Alfred’s niece, Barbara Wilson, who has made a surprise appearance at Wayne Manor in Batman & Robin. Surprised that Alfred had never mentioned her, Robin questions if Alfred had been keeping secrets as they give Barbara a tour of the grounds. Alfred, with his signature wit, responds, “Secrets are a virtual prerequisite in this house. Don’t you think so?”
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This clever line flips the dynamic between Alfred and the heroes. Usually, Alfred is the keeper of Batman’s secrets, aiding Bruce Wayne and Dick Greyson’s double life. Here, it’s revealed that even the seemingly open and honest Alfred has his own secrets. The line captures Alfred’s dry humor and his ability to keep the Bat-Family grounded while subtly reminding them that everyone has layers of complexity. It’s a perfect example of Alfred’s subtly cheeky sense of humor, gently poking fun at Bruce and Dick.
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9 “Young Men With A Mind For Revenge Need Little Encouragement. They Need Guidance. You, Above All, Should Know The Consequences Of The Life You Choose.”
Alfred To Batman In Batman Forever
After Robin surprises Batman and saves him from Two-Face in Batman Forever, the pair return to the Batcave, where they argue. Batman insists that Robin isn’t prepared to join him as his sidekick, and even criticizes Alfred for encouraging him. Alfred responds unphased, reminding him that he was once a man with a mind for revenge, and that Bruce should be helping Dick rather than shutting him out.
This line is quintessential Alfred wisdom. In one sentence, he reminds Bruce of his own journey fueled by revenge and underscores his responsibility to guide Robin. It cuts through Bruce’s doubts and his self-righteous pomposity, highlighting Alfred’s role as a moral compass. It is also an early example of Alfred pushing Bruce to grow as a mentor and partner, helping him to evolve into the leader of a Bat-Family.
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8 “Someone Tell The Fat Lady She’s On In Five.”
Riddler In the Batcave In Batman Forever
At the end of the Batman Forever scene in which Riddler gleefully destroys the Batcave with duck bombs, Riddler culminates by throwing a whole bag of the bombs into the driver’s seat of the Batmobile. As he does so, Riddler screams to himself, “Someone tell the fat lady she’s on in five.” As he flees, the Batmobile explodes in an inferno that consumes the whole Batcave.
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A reference to the adage “it ain’t over ‘till the fat lady sings,” this quote encapsulates the manic energy of Jim Carrey’s Riddler, balancing humor and menace. While much of his dialogue leans toward the absurd, this particular line feels like a fitting crescendo to his destructive antics. It’s one of the rare moments where the character’s campiness doesn’t overwhelm the scene and doesn’t feel too over the top in retrospect.
7 “Well, I Can Respect Your Opinion. Sadly, I’m Not Good At Rejection. I’m Afraid You’ll Have To Die!”
Dr. Woodrue To Poison Ivy In Batman & Robin
Before Pamela Isley is transformed into Poison Ivy in Batman & Robin, she confronts her boss, Dr. Jason Woodrue. Pamela is upset that he is taking her research to make a supersoldier serum that would create Bane. Enraged, she threatens to expose him and ruin his career. He replies, “Well, I can respect your opinion. Sadly, I’m not good at rejection. I’m afraid you’ll have to die!”
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This is a delightfully over the top exclamation, and arguably the most sinister moment of the entire movie. Woodrue’s performance in this scene is better than any of the Poison Ivy or Mr Freeze scenes in Batman & Robin. Though it’s ridiculous and silly, it’s in perfect doses – neatly encapsulating Woodrue’s cartoonishly evil personality. While Batman & Robin is often criticized for its over-the-top performances, this moment strikes the right balance between camp and menace, setting the stage for Ivy’s transformation.
6 “We’re Going To Need A Bigger Cave.”
Alfred To The Bat-Family In Batman & Robin
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At the very end of Batman & Robin, Alfred makes a full recovery from the disease that prompted his niece’s arrival. The heroes reflect on their teamwork in defeating Poison Ivy and Mr Freeze, recognizing that Batman needed the help of both Robin and Batgirl. This prompts them to welcome Batgirl onto the team and the three shake hands. Alfred smiles to the newfound Bat-Family, saying “We’re going to need a bigger cave.”
This line was a fun and silly way to end the divisive sequel, giving Alfred a nice sign-off to the movies – of which he’s the only consistent main cast member. The quotation itself is a fun reference to Jaws and teases the emergence of a cinematic Bat-Family. Unfortunately, further movies in the franchise centered on the Bat-Family characters never came to fruition, but this hopeful note was a satisfying end to an unpopular movie.
5 “Broken Wings Mend In Time. One Day Robin Will Fly Again. I Promise.”
Alfred To Robin In Batman Forever
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In Batman Forever, Robin explains to Alfred why his parents nicknamed him Robin. He tells the story about saving his sister’s life during a trapeze performance, and why he then used the bird to decorate his motorcycle helmet. Frustrated at himself over his family’s death at the hands of Two-Face, Dick laments, “some hero I turned out to be.”
Alfred affirms that he is indeed a hero, and after Dick asks him to destroy his uniform, cheerily responds, “Broken wings mend in time. One day Robin will fly again. I promise.” This is another perfect piece of Alfred’s advice, reassuring the fledgling hero with warmth and paternalism. It’s a very poetically written line that reflects Alfred’s sophistication and care. In a movie plagued by over-the-top action and dialogue, Alfred’s line shines as a beautiful bastion of hope.
4 “That’s Not Awfully PC. What About Batperson, Or Batwoman?”
Batman To Batgirl In Batman & Robin
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After Batgirl defeats Poison Ivy in Batman & Robin, she meets the dynamic duo and introduces herself. She proudly calls herself Batgirl, to which Batman responds that it isn’t a very politically correct name. Batman suggests instead Batperson or Batwoman, prompting Barbara to laugh and reveal her true identity. It’s a funny line and a surprising precursor to the discourses around making comic book cannon more in-line with contemporary values.
Though played for laughs in Batman & Robin, this became a more pertinent issue in later superhero media. Older comic books sometimes depicted female characters in misogynistic ways. Some female characters were infantilized, oversexualized, or even both. Modern comic books and their cinematic adaptations have sought to counter this, partly by changing the “girl” suffix to “woman” for certain heroes who really should have outgrown the “girl” moniker. It’s fun to rewatch Batman & Robin and see this being foreshadowed in a movie that is so often maligned.
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3 “Master Dick Follows The Same Star As You But Gets There By His Own Course. You Must Learn To Trust Him, For That Is The Nature Of Family.”
Alfred To Bruce Wayne In Batman & Robin
After a less than successful mission in Batman & Robin, Bruce Wayne discusses Robin with Alfred. Bruce laments, “Well, he’s over-eager. He’s impulsive. I can’t trust him not to get hurt.” Alfred points out that trust isn’t one of Bruce Wayne’s strongest traits. Alfred calls Bruce a “novice in the ways of family,” saying “Master Dick follows the same star as you but gets there by his own course. You must learn to trust him, for that is the nature of family.”
This is yet another piece of sage advice from Alfred, proving his impressive insight into Bruce Wayne and the wider Bat-Family. Alfred earnestly tries to bridge the gap between the eponymous heroes as differing perspectives seed resentment between them. Alfred encourages Bruce to grow and accept the notion of family – and more importantly, learn to trust those around him to help him achieve his goals.
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2 “Holey Rusted Metal, Batman!”
Robin To Batman In Batman Forever
When Batman and Robin arrive at Riddler’s lair during the climax of Batman Forever, they climb out of the water onto a metallic island. Robin inspects the environment and exclaims, “Holey rusted metal, Batman!” This confuses Batman, so Robin clarifies that he’s talking about the rusted metal they are standing on, and how it is full of holes.
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This clunky sounding Batman & Robin quotation is actually a thrilling Easter egg. The line is a brilliant spoof of Burt Ward’s iconic “Holy… Batman!” exclamations from the 1960s Batman series. Including the variation on the classic catchphrase allowed Schumacher to allude to Ward’s performance with a jokey play on words, before returning to his rendition of the Batman universe. It was a fun way to celebrate that Robin had finally returned to the silver screen, honoring the character’s most famous depiction.
1 “You See, I’m Both Bruce Wayne And Batman, Not Because I Have To Be, Now, Because I Choose To Be.”
Batman To Riddler In Batman Forever
In the climax of Batman Forever, Riddler kidnaps Robin and Batman’s love-interest, Chase Meridian. The Riddler offers Batman a diabolical choice, saving either his love or his partner, at the cost of letting the other die. Batman, however, saves both and defeats Riddler. When Riddler asks why he cannot kill Batman, Batman replies, “You see, I’m both Bruce Wayne and Batman, not because I have to be, now, because I choose to be.”
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This quotation is a powerful affirmation of Bruce Wayne’s identity. Throughout Batman Forever, Bruce Wayne is torn between his is torn between his human identity and his superhero persona. At this moment, Batman reconciles this, proudly declaring that he is both – and because he chooses to be both. It’s the most powerful piece of dialogue from both Schumacher’s Batman movies, and proves that these dismissed entrants in Batman movies history have much more depth than previously presumed.
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6.4/10 Batman Forever PG-13ActionAdventureCrimeFantasySuperhero
After Tim Burton’s plans for a third Batman film fell through, director Joel Schumacher took over the franchise with 1995’s Batman Forever. Replacing Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer stars as Bruce Wayne opposite to Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones, who play The Riddler and Two-Face, respectively. Batman Forever also marks the first time Robin appears on the big screen since Burt Ward reprised his Boy Wonder role in 1966’s Batman: The Movie.
Director Joel Schumacher Release Date June 9, 1995 Studio(s) PolyGram Pictures , Tim Burton Productions Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Bob Kane , Lee Batchler , Janet Scott Batchler , Akiva Goldsman Cast Jim Carrey , Nicole Kidman , Tommy Lee Jones , Drew Barrymore , Chris O’Donnell , Val Kilmer , Pat Hingle , Michael Gough , Debi Mazar Runtime 117 Minutes prequel(s) Batman , Batman Returns Budget $100 Million Expand
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4.7/10 Batman and Robin pg-13ActionThriller Sci-Fi
Following the events of Batman Forever, Batman & Robin is the fourth entry into Warner Bros.’s original Batman film franchise. Batman (George Clooney) and his sidekick Robin (Chris O’Donnell) team up with Barbara Wilson (Alicia Silverstone) to thwart the evil plans of Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman). With Barbara assuming the mantle of Batgirl, the three heroes fight to save Gotham from two of Batman’s greatest enemies.
Director Joel Schumacher Release Date June 20, 1997 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers George Clooney , Akiva Goldsman Cast George Clooney , Arnold Schwarzenegger , Chris O’Donnell , Uma Thurman Runtime 2h 5m prequel(s) Batman , Batman Returns Budget 125 million Expand
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