Review of Batman Forever (1995) by John W — 02 May 2016

In my opinion, this is one of the more underrated comic book movies out there. Now it's not something I'd argue is a misunderstood masterpiece or anything, but I think people, in spite of its initial popularity, are becoming way too hard on it.

It's a toss-up between this and Burton's first film for which I prefer of the Pre-Nolan Batman films. Batman '89 is probably a more consistent movie with some less obvious flaws and has a visual style I prefer. That being said I do think Forever has a better story in spite of the studio cutting out some important stuff. The film whilst made with a mandate to be more commercially accessible still feels like it has its heart in the right place.

I'd argue that in a narrative sense it enhances the previous two for me in a way since it seems to retroactively create a character arc for Bruce. With Batman 89 chronicling the character's rise, Returns showcasing his fall, and Forever presenting his redemption. If the films had maintained a consistent style and had more connective tissues between them than it would have been better and a good.

In some ways it feels like a prototype Marvel Film to me. In that it does all in its power to appeal to the widest audience possible, in stark contrast to its direct predecessor, but still tries to give at least a little extra.