Batman Forever (C+ or 2/4 stars)
In 1989 & 1992, Tim Burton brought the Batman movie franchise to life with an imperfect, but dark, creepy, & fun vision. Now, Joel Schumacher is taking a stab with the 3rd film in this franchise, 'Batman Forever', & I am not overly wild about the direction it has gone to. The Caped Crusader (now Val Kilmer) is faced with 2 more baddies: former District Attorney Harvey "Two-Face" Dent (Tommy Lee Jones) & The Riddler (Jim Carrey). The Riddler (really Dr. Edward Nygma), is a brilliant scientist/inventor working in Bruce Wayne's electronic factory. When he invents a device that sends TV waves into the brains of Gotham City's citizens to drain them of their information, he then experiments with it on himself ... and he goes mad.
Now, he's out to control Gotham City & humiliate his former boss, Bruce Wayne, by making him forget his other identity. For this, he joins up with the aforementioned Two-Face, who has his own goal: kill Batman. Why? Because Two-Face incorrectly believes that Batman caused a courtroom accident which led to his disfigurement. All the while, Bruce is falling for yet another blonde (from his other films). This time 'round, it's Dr. Chase Meridian (Nicole Kidman), an abnormal psychologist who specializes in split personalities (something afflicting nearly every character). Aside from all of this, Batman finds a sidekick - circus acrobat, Dick Grayson (Chris O'Donnell) - to help fight crime & avenge his family's death (at the hands of Two-Face). With help from Dick (his Robin) & Chase Meridian, Batman hopes to make sense of his parents' senseless deaths (from when he was a child), as well as defeat The Riddler & Two-Face for good.
Just because this version of Batman is shorter, brighter, more colorful, & faster-paced does not mean that it's an improvement over the previously darker
versions. Not at all. While I didn't actively dislike 'Batman Forever', I can't say that it's a particularly good motion picture. There are a plethora of changes: 1) Val Kilmer for Michael Keaton - some will like that, some won't; but at least the exploration Batman, as a character, is more prevalent this time. 2) Robin is introduced (O'Donnell) - I didn't really care. 3) A new director - I want my cooky Tim Burton back! 4) A new musical composer - sorry, you can't get much better than Danny Elfman. 5) The tone of the film - give me a nice blend of humor & menace, not a neon/cotton candy explosion of color (sets, costumes, make-up).
That's not to say everything is bad, however. There is some decent action within the film. The cinematography (use of the camera) is stellar. The sets/costumes - while too-wild with color - are unique enough. I welcome the return of Bruce's reliable butler, as played by Michael Gough. I got a kick out of Jim Carrey with his zany, over-the-top Riddler. It helps that he's in the film as much as he is. Tommy Lee Jones is manic in his portrayal as Two-Face; and that was fun. And though she's no Michelle Pfeiffer, I enjoyed Aussie Nicole Kidman as the blonde love interest, here. She's smart & alluring - can't go wrong with that.
But when I mentioned earlier that this isn't a particularly good motion picture, it's because the execution that simply doesn't cut it. In other words, the feeling you get when you know you're watching a smooth, confident movie is somewhat missing here. Parts of the film are frenetic (needlessly busy & over-plotted). And yet, there's also a hollowness at the core of the plot. Now, there are entertaining spurts, for sure. Many viewers will ooh & aah at the goofball characterizations, rainbow-colored art direction, crackling noise display, & visual effects extravaganza. But I just think it all comes across with a cheap & garish comic book feel. 'Batman Forever' is mildly diverting. Adequate. But give me Tim Burton's dark, demented look & feel over Schumacher's toy store variety, any day.
Now, he's out to control Gotham City & humiliate his former boss, Bruce Wayne, by making him forget his other identity. For this, he joins up with the aforementioned Two-Face, who has his own goal: kill Batman. Why? Because Two-Face incorrectly believes that Batman caused a courtroom accident which led to his disfigurement. All the while, Bruce is falling for yet another blonde (from his other films). This time 'round, it's Dr. Chase Meridian (Nicole Kidman), an abnormal psychologist who specializes in split personalities (something afflicting nearly every character). Aside from all of this, Batman finds a sidekick - circus acrobat, Dick Grayson (Chris O'Donnell) - to help fight crime & avenge his family's death (at the hands of Two-Face). With help from Dick (his Robin) & Chase Meridian, Batman hopes to make sense of his parents' senseless deaths (from when he was a child), as well as defeat The Riddler & Two-Face for good.
Just because this version of Batman is shorter, brighter, more colorful, & faster-paced does not mean that it's an improvement over the previously darker
versions. Not at all. While I didn't actively dislike 'Batman Forever', I can't say that it's a particularly good motion picture. There are a plethora of changes: 1) Val Kilmer for Michael Keaton - some will like that, some won't; but at least the exploration Batman, as a character, is more prevalent this time. 2) Robin is introduced (O'Donnell) - I didn't really care. 3) A new director - I want my cooky Tim Burton back! 4) A new musical composer - sorry, you can't get much better than Danny Elfman. 5) The tone of the film - give me a nice blend of humor & menace, not a neon/cotton candy explosion of color (sets, costumes, make-up).
That's not to say everything is bad, however. There is some decent action within the film. The cinematography (use of the camera) is stellar. The sets/costumes - while too-wild with color - are unique enough. I welcome the return of Bruce's reliable butler, as played by Michael Gough. I got a kick out of Jim Carrey with his zany, over-the-top Riddler. It helps that he's in the film as much as he is. Tommy Lee Jones is manic in his portrayal as Two-Face; and that was fun. And though she's no Michelle Pfeiffer, I enjoyed Aussie Nicole Kidman as the blonde love interest, here. She's smart & alluring - can't go wrong with that.
But when I mentioned earlier that this isn't a particularly good motion picture, it's because the execution that simply doesn't cut it. In other words, the feeling you get when you know you're watching a smooth, confident movie is somewhat missing here. Parts of the film are frenetic (needlessly busy & over-plotted). And yet, there's also a hollowness at the core of the plot. Now, there are entertaining spurts, for sure. Many viewers will ooh & aah at the goofball characterizations, rainbow-colored art direction, crackling noise display, & visual effects extravaganza. But I just think it all comes across with a cheap & garish comic book feel. 'Batman Forever' is mildly diverting. Adequate. But give me Tim Burton's dark, demented look & feel over Schumacher's toy store variety, any day.