Review of Batman Forever (1995) by Dan L — 05 Jul 2018

Gone is the dark-fantasy vibe of the first two Batman movies directed by Tim Burton, and now comes a neon-lit, glow-in-the-dark mishmash of colors! In other words, the era of Joel Schumacher! We also have a change of cast; Val Kilmer stars for his first and last time as Bruce Wayne, Batman, and joining him is Chris O'Donnell as Dick Grayson. Joining them is our lord and savior Nicole Kidman, cast as Doctor Chase Meridian. As for the villains, comedy king Jim Carrey is the Riddler, and Tommy Lee Jones is Two-Face.

What do I think of Batman Forever . . . I'm not going to say this is the worst movie ever made. No, there are far worse movies than this, even DC movies. However, it doesn't change the fact that Forever is a massive step down in quality compared to the first two Batman movies of the time. The plot is sporadic and unbalanced(is Edward Nygma's masterplan ever utilized? The first half sets up Ed hypnotizing all of Gotham with his machines, and then . . . it just becomes a plot to kill Batman). The action is nothing special to speak of. The bright flashing colors of a newly decorated Gotham City doesn't help the eyes at all. And as for the acting . . . did Joel Schumacher tell everyone to camp it up intentionally?

Maybe he did. I wouldn't doubt it.

Seriously, everyone from the "chicks dig cars" Batman to moaning-while-rubbing-hands-down-the-Batsuit Chase Meridian to the really awfully campy reporter is not at all amusing. And as for the Riddler and Two-Face, they're the campiest of them all. Chris O'Donnell's Robin took my liking at first. He seemed to be the only one of the cast who showed actual emotion, I'll admit. But halfway through the movie, he became cocky and arrogant, unreasonably angsty. I would say Michael Gough's Alfred Pennyworth is the only character who isn't downgraded, but that really isn't speaking much.

For a children's movie which actually does feel like a campy movie with a severely underdone script, there are certainly a lot of sexual innuendos that'll go over kids' heads. I don't know why they put them in Batman Forever, and I don't wanna know. This third installment of the Batman franchise left a bad taste in my mouth.