Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero

Did You Know?

• Trailers for the film were narrated by Tony Jay.
• The film was originally slated for release on July 15, 1997, with cross-promotion from Planet Hollywood and Six Flags Theme Parks.
• The film was included in the 2018 Blu-ray release of Batman The Complete Animated Series box set.

Plot

Victor Fries has settled in an Arctic cave with his adopted Inuit son Koonak and two polar bears, while his wife Nora remains in cryogenic stasis. A research submarine breaks through the cave floor, shattering Nora's chamber and causing her condition to worsen. Freezing the submarine crew, Fries returns to Gotham City and enlists Dr. Gregory Belson to find a cure. Belson determines Nora needs an organ transplant but has a rare blood type with no suitable donors. Fries insists on using a live donor even if it means killing someone, bribing Belson with gold. Learning that Barbara Gordon (Batgirl) is a perfect match, Fries kidnaps her during a date with Dick Grayson (Robin). Barbara is taken to an abandoned oil platform, where she is falsely told she is needed for a blood transfusion. Batman and Robin investigate, tracking Belson through his broker Dean Arbagast and deducing the organ transplant plan from a supply list. They head to the rig in the Batwing as Barbara escapes with Koonak's help. Batman and Robin confront Fries and Belson; Belson accidentally starts a fire by shooting fuel tanks. Fries traps the heroes and orders the operation, but Belson pushes Fries under debris and tries to flee, only to be crushed and killed by a falling helipad.

Production

Completed in 1997 as a tie-in to Joel Schumacher's Batman & Robin, the film's release was delayed to 1998 after that film's poor reception. Boyd Kirkland and Randy Rogel, both veterans of Batman: The Animated Series, produced and wrote the film. Series developer Bruce Timm, not involved with the film, stated he would not have revived Nora from cryonic stasis; learning of her revival forced him to abandon adapting Glen Murakami's story 'White Christmas' for the episode 'Holiday Knights'. The New Batman Adventures episode 'Cold Comfort' later addressed the film's events. It was the last Batman direct-to-video film to use cel animation.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, 92% of 12 critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 6.6/10. TV Guide found it more enjoyable and less campy than Schumacher's live-action Batman films, noting it offered entertainment for both children and adults. DVD Talk described it as a solid adventure resembling an extended episode of Batman: The Animated Series, praising Mr. Freeze but criticizing the simplistic plotting and scripting.

Sequel

Following the film's success, Warner Bros. greenlit Batman: Arkham, with Boyd Kirkland attached to write and direct. It would have pitted Batman and Robin against Arkham Asylum escapees and introduced a new love interest for Batman, planned to be voiced by Angie Harmon. The main Batman: The Animated Series cast was attached. The film was canceled in favor of Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, while the name Batman: Arkham later became a successful video game series. The fourth and final film of the original DCAU run, Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman, was released in 2003.