Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero
By Brian Costello,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Animated '90s Batman tale has cartoon violence, peril.
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Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero
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Based on 1 parent review
Great movie good for kids who like Batman
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What's the Story?
In BATMAN & MR. FREEZE: SUBZERO hen a submarine accidentally destroys his Arctic hideout and destroys the case in which he has kept his sick wife Nora cryogenically frozen, Mr. Freeze (Michael Ansara) returns to Gotham City to find a way to save Nora's life. He seeks out Dr. Gregory Belson, his former colleague who is now desperate for money, to find a solution. Belson says that the only way to save Nora is through an organ transplant. The problem is that Nora's blood type is too rare. Mr. Freeze tells Belson to find someone, even if it's a living donor who will be killed by the transplant, with the rare blood type, and promises him much-needed funds if he does so. The only person whose name comes up as having the same blood type is Barbara Gordon, aka Batgirl. Freeze kidnaps Batgirl and takes her to an abandoned oil rig with Belson. Her boyfriend Robin (Loren Lester), aka Dick Grayson, tries to get to the bottom of this, with Batman's (Kevin Conroy) help. As Batgirl valiantly fights back against Freeze and Belson, Batman and Robin must find a way to figure out where she has been kidnapped, and to find a way to save her while showing true heroism and finding another way to save Nora.
Is It Any Good?
Unlike so many other noir animated features, this movie manages to deliver a straightforward story with appeal for kids and adults alike. Whereas many of these feature-length movies presenting "darker" versions of the characters rely too heavily on complicated and overly layered stories that only comic book superfans could possibly understand, or else go in the opposite direction and make up for a lack of story with seemingly endless violence, Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero puts the faith in characters and story to be entertaining on its own without resorting to such gimmickry.
The result is a fast-paced and action-packed movie that can be enjoyed for its own sake, or for the sake of those who have already been fans of Batman: The Animated Series. When there is violence, there's a logic to it that comes out of what's happening in the story. There's something at stake for each of the main characters. The acting is comic book-dramatic without being campy or cliched. All in all, a fun view for fans and nonfans alike.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Batman. How has Batman been represented throughout the decades? How are the characterizations similar and different? What do you think about the version of Batman in Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero?
Was the violence in the movie necessary for the story, or did it feel forced to make the story more interesting?
Superheroes like Batman, Robin, and Batgirl have remained popular for decades now. Why do you think there is such a timeless appeal for these characters?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: March 17, 1998
- Cast: Kevin Conroy, Michael Ansara, Loren Lester
- Director: Boyd Kirkland
- Studio: Warner Bros. Animation
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Run time: 70 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
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