Quite possibly the worst comic book movie of all time, easily the worst Batman film so far. Filled with butchered, hammy versions of classic villains. A stupid plot that makes no sense, too many butt and boob shots of Batman, basically a walking toy commercial. The film that would be remembered as Joel Schumacher screwing up Batman in our minds forever, the film filled with flat acting and a poor excuse of a Robin. The film that pulled Batman down to the bottom, what's worse is that he had a nipple suit.
THAT film, is Batman and Robin. The 1997 sequel to the film I'm going to talk about today. I think in all of the rightful anger directed towards Joel Schumacher for ruining Batman and giving us what might possibly be the all time worst comic book movie. Sometimes we as fanboys tend to forget that Joel Schumacher made a perfectly watchable and enjoyable Batman flick before he took the franchise to comic book hell. Batman Forever was Schumacher's first stab at the Batman franchise, and frankly it is not as bad as people make it out to be. I think the image of the horrendous sequel ruins this movie in our minds. I am here today to shed a little light on why I actually really liked it and thought it made for some good, fun entertainment featuring my favorite superhero. I'd beg of you to please remember that this is for the most part, an opinion piece. Don't forget that as you are reading if, and please, please do not butcher me at the end. Batman Forever was in many ways, an apology. An apology to kids and parents everywhere, for ruining Batman's image in their minds. Batman Returns was the film's predecessor, and although that was a fantastic movie too it wasn't well received by audiences. Especially by all the kids who bought into the extensive toy campaign. Batman Returns left hundreds of children crying after seeing how dark, gruesome and scary the movie was. Warner Brothers, then decided to give director Tim Burton the boot. And hire a director that would make it up to the kids and parents and make more money. That man was Joel Schumacher...I really like what Joel Schumacher attempted to accomplish in mixing light and dark. I found it to be dark, serious and dramatic in the places where it needed to be while also being bright, fun and campy where it needed to be. Much unlike it's sequel which turned out to be an unnecessary camp fest.
The primary reason I really like this movie is the casting. One of the many disappointments of the film Batman Forever was the replacement of the beloved Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne also known (by night) as Batman. Personally I actually was a big fan of Michael Keaton's famous portrayal of Batman. Even though Batman himself was the weakest point of both of the previous films, Micheal Keaton still gave his all and delivered one of the best comic book movie performances of all time. So yes, Val Kilmer replacing him is a definite disappointment. But even so, I have always liked Val Kilmer as an actor and truthfully I actually felt he played this role quite well. Of course he's still no Michael Keaton, not even a Christian Bale but he's decent in his own goofy way. As far as the acting goes, I thought Kilmer did an excellent job with what he was given. But outside of that, this version of the Batsuit is flat out terrible and that alone is one of the film's greatest flaws. While I dig the darker shade of black it tried to go for, I don't like the boobies they added on to the chest of the suit. If it was a girl, I woulda loved it. But on a guy? Gross.... Another great pro to this movie in my opinion is the villains. While they were not GREAT necessarily, and not as good as previous and future Batman movie villains but I did like them a lot for what they are. Jim Carrey for one thing, is an outstanding actor. The dude is a pure whack job and he excels most at playing himself. In Batman Forever, Jim Carrey gives an excellent performance as the Riddler. He plays himself, but he himself is the epitome of whack job. Which is exactly what he needed to be in this case. Jim Carrey's Riddler is gloriously insane, beautifully wacky and weird and the guy acts like he just doesn't give a frick. I also enjoyed seeing Tommy Lee Jones' over the top antics as the villainous Two-Face. Tommy Lee Jones is an excellent actor, and even though he receives hate for this role I actually liked it a lot. He feels like he should've been playing The Joker, he acts like The Joker, in fact they should've just had him be The Joker and make the movie a reboot. But even so, Tommy Lee Jones' doesn't feel like Two-Face at all. He feels like the Joker to me, I loved his performance. His over the top campiness was just wonderful, like Dafoe's Green Goblin. Of course in some films campiness is detrimental but not here. Two-Face is one of the best parts of this movie.
The casting of Chris O'Donnell as Robin isn't bad, but he could've been way better. Michael Gough has always been great as Alfred Pennyworth. But where the movie shines the absolute brightest, is in the casting of Nicole Kidman as Chase Meridian. The psychologist who inadvertently falls in love with both Bruce Wayne and Batman at the same time. Nicole Kidman's character is wonderful, and arguably the best thing about this film. But outside of the casting, the slightly larger focus on Batman's character makes this movie more watchable. The difference between Joel Schumacher's first take on the character, and Tim Burton's previous two is this. Tim Burton's films focused mainly on the villains, Burton himself stated that he kept the focus off of Batman and put the majority of the focus on to the antagonists of the stories. Burton claimed it as an artistic choice because personally he viewed Batman as less interesting than his villains. He believed that Batman himself is rather uninteresting, what Burton did was artistic. He flipped the tables a little bit, he made Batman the "villain" of the story whilst making The Joker, Catwoman and The Penguin the "heroes" of the story. I think he did a really good job and should be commended, as all three of those villains were excellent characters as well as great adaptations. Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfieffer and Danny DeVito. It doesn't get better than having those as your classic Batman villains. But even so, many Batman fans were somewhat disappointed. Because Batman IS the most interesting character in fiction. At least in my humble opinion that is. Batman Forever was quite different and it was good for a change to put the greater focus on the character of Batman himself. Think about it, Batman, Batman Returns and The Dark Knight are EXCELLENT movies and among my favorites. But they aren't necessarily great Batman movies...if that makes any sense at all. All three of those films are fantastic but also in all three of them the character of Batman himself is greatly diminished and is the weakest part of the films. But thank God, there is another side to that coin. On the other end of things Batman Begins purely as a film is as good as if not better than all three of those. But it puts the biggest focus on the character of Batman himself. Which is why for me personally it is my favorite Batman movie as well as my favorite comic book movie of all time. Then there is another section, which is where we'll find The Dark Knight Rises as well as Batman Forever. Films that on a technical level may not be AS good as the rest, but are still pretty good on their own. They also are great Batman movies but not necessarily great movies. The Dark Knight Rises has issues as a film, but as a Batman film is excellent. Sure there are plot holes but the Batman element of it is great. It's all about his character like the first Nolan Batman film. Batman Forever is a film in that vein. While it may not be quite as excellent as Batman Begins or The Dark Knight Rises. But Batman Forever differs vastly from it's two predecessors in the way that it actually has a major role for the character of Batman. It actually looks (at least a little bit) into his character and shows us why he is who he is and why he must always be who he is. Now read that again, and let it sink in. It looks at flashbacks into Bruce's past and how he became the man and the hero he is. He sees the parallel of his own experience with that of Dick Grayson. How Bruce saw his both of his parents die before his eyes. And how that drove him to become who he is today. He sees what Dick Grayson could potentially have in the future, he could have sadness or he could have greatness. Which is why Bruce attempts to help young Grayson in every way he can. I like how the movie is looking into Batman's character and is explaining why he must continue in his life of crime fighting. Why he must carry on....Forever. While this may not be excellent, or as great as most of the other Batman films. But personally I found it rather moving.
Moving on, I found the score by Eliot Goldenthal to be really awesome and fun although the previous one by Danny Elfman is still superior. I thought the score helped the general tone of the movie like I said before. It was dark and melancholy when it needed to be, but fun and campy when it fit the scenes. The cinematography was excellent and I loved the flashy visuals. The movie was different than every other Batman film, it seemed vibrant, it felt fun, kid-oriented but still can appeal to adults. I still would not call the movie great, but I would call it good. The action in my opinion was a strong point...my favorite is the opening fight scene against Two-Face thugs. The car chase was pretty awesome too... So, in the end. Batman Forever isn't what I'd call GREAT. It isn't even close to being perfect and it does have a lot of issues, especially the suit for Batman. It is filled with flaws but as a whole I recognize it as a flawed but still fun and exciting popcorn film featuring my favorite hero and two of my favorite villains. So, when you think of Batman Forever....
Forget this... And remember this...
Lol, I just had to. Please, this article is intended to be relatively light hearted. Remember it is an OPINION piece, so do not tear me apart for this!! Thanks for reading, if you dislike or like this film, express your view in the comments. But please, do be civil about it!