She has a mind for science and a bod for sin.
Dr. Pamela Isley had been doing important scientific research (funded by Wayne Enterprises) in a South American lab working towards her ultimate goal of protecting plant life from “the thoughtless ravages of man.” If only the demented Dr. Jason Woodrue hadn’t stolen her toxins for his own nefarious work. A fateful confrontation with the evil Woodrue leads to Ivy’s presumed death—but the supposedly lethal combination of toxins Woodrue doused her with only serves to bring her back stronger and better than ever. Goodbye, Dr. Isley, hello, Poison Ivy.
Batman’s Rogues Gallery is legendary among comic book fans, and Poison Ivy has long resided in the top tier. Near mint copies of her first appearance, in Batman 181 (June 1966), go for $7,000–$10,000, and some even higher grade copies are going for upwards of $50,000! I’ve owned a copy for nearly forty years now, and while it’s definitely not a high grade copy, you best bet I’m happy to own it. Over the years, the eco-villainess has made numerous appearances in countless media productions, from animated to live action. Her first appearance in live action, however, was just over thirty years after she debuted in comics, when Uma Thurman slid her luxuriously long into the green tights and heels to bring Ivy to life in Batman & Robin (1997).
I’ve always wished that Ivy had made it onto the delightfully campy 1960s Batman television series. The show and the character debuted in the same year, but they definitely had time to introduce her in the final two seasons. That’s why Uma’s portrayal in Batman & Robin works so well for me—she seems to know she’s in the cinematic equivalent of the campfest Batman ‘66. Joel Schumacher’s film was largely reviled for its camp leanings in 1997, when “camp” was not just a misunderstood word but a dirty one in certain circles (see: similar reception for Showgirls in 1995).
That’s a shame because, while Batman & Robin is certainly not a good movie, it sure as hell is an entertaining one. And, for my money, no one in it is more entertaining than Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy (although Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze comes close). Watching Uma, sexy tongue placed firmly in cheek, deliver her cheesy lines and seductively slink around is pure joy to watch. She and Arnold deliver the sort of groan-worthy puns that wouldve been right at home on the old TV show. Not only that, but they do so with great gusto.
A direct line can be drawn from Batman ‘66 villains like Julie Newmar’s Catwoman to Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy in Batman & Robin. Like Newmar’s feline fatale, Thurman is deliciously sexy and clearly having a grand time playing the flame-haired bad girl. She also looks absurdly hot in Ivy’s leaf-covered green bathing suit—an outfit that Uma fills out very nicely. See?
Yowza.
So, while Batman & Robin is regarded as a cinematic failure of epic proportions, Uma Thurman’s exquisite performance as Poison Ivy is anything but a failure. I certainly don’t watch for George Clooney’s bland Batman, but I sure as hell do watch for Uma’s bad girl magnificence.
The Starfire Lounge 
She is the only reason to watch that awful movie!
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