Batman Forever? Not for long, actually! (Batman Forever (DVD))

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Batman Forever (DVD)
Date:	10/04/08 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Entertaining

Disadvantages: Un-Batman-like. Farcical plot.

Batman Forever (1995) This installment of the Batman films is a stark contrast to the previous two. A different combination of director and lead actor, and a colour change for the 'Dark' Knight led to this film not receiving such great reviews.

The Plot

Gotham City's new threat comes from a couple of maniacs hell bent on destruction and revenge. 'Two-Face' is a former D.A. Harvey Dent, wrongly mad at Batman for his disfiguration. The Riddler is a scientist spurned by his employer Bruce Wayne. Together, they plan to unleash a device capable of stealing brain matter from all of Gotham, including Batman, in the hope of finding out his true identity. Only Batman can stop their plans of domination, but he needs help, and finds it in the hands of Dick Grayson, an orphaned acrobat who is also hell bent on revenge.

The Cast and Performances

Val Kilmer takes over from Michael Keaton as Batman. he is not as good as Keaton, and does not portray the Darkl Knight in a dark and moody way as writer Bob Kane intended. His portrayal of Batman's true identity Bruce Wayne is impressive, though. Tommy Lee Jones gives a solid peformance as Two-Face, but the character is a little over-exaggerated for my liking. Nicole Kidman provides the love interest as Dr Chase Meridian, but even she is flat and does not give the role anything memorable. Chris O'Donnell gives a cheesy performance as Dick Grayson, who dons a crime fighting suit and becomes Batman's sidekick Robin. The cheesiness is typical of O'Donnell's roles, and you cannot fault him for that.

Michael Gough returns as Alfred, and Pat Hingle as Commissioner Gordon, and these are the only two reminders of how good the first two films were, but they are not the best in the film. That honour goes to the ever-hyperactive Jim Carrey as the Riddler. He gives an outstanding turn as the maddened scientist who leaves riddles at the scenes of crimes to test Batman.

My Opinion

Director Joel Schumacher is normally on the money when it comes to controlling a film, but here he has got it all wrong. Batman is a dark and moody hero, one who relies on strength, agility, fear and science to overcome his foes. The director has brightened up the film by giving the hero a lighter costume and by employing psychodelic colouring in the majority of the costumes. Bright purple on Two-Face and near-fluorescent green on the Riddler, with a comical plot as opposed to a serious one, does not do this franchise justice.

There are positives to be taken from the film. It is entertaining, I'll give it that. Were I to know nothing about Batman, and was watching it for the first time, these criticisms may not hold place with me at all. The farcical nature of the plot to read people's minds, though, is too much. If the plot was more believable, and if the costumes and acting were darker, as is the true nature of Batman, I believe I would have enjoyed this film more.

Still, if I want to watch a film with some quirky one-liners and some feel-good hero elements, this will do. I cannot rate it highly because it does not come near to the previous two Batman films, but it is entertaining to a certain degree.

Conclusion

Disappointing Batman film. Unnecessary change from the mould.

I rate this film at 3 stars out of 5.

The DVD is available from amazon.co.uk for £5.98.

This review may also be posted on ciao.co.uk.

Thanks for reading.

Summary: Batman Forever (1995)