Batman Forever? Not at this rate (Batman Forever (DVD))

Member Name: bilbob20

Product:	Batman Forever (DVD)
Date:	10/04/08 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: More colourful than its previous entry's and better than subsequent entries

Disadvantages: A weaker cast and an unfavourable use of colours

Abandoning the darker vision created by Tim Burton, Joel Schumacher takes over the Batman series, and brings with him a host of new villains as well as a new actor in the lead role.

Batman finds himself in a spot of trouble when the maniacal Riddler teams up with a District Attorney who has vowed revenge after an accident in court left him partially disfigured. Both villains have their own calling card. Two Faced (formerly known as Harvey Dent) flips his coin when facing a dilemma, whilst The Riddler creates a labyrinth of trouble using clever riddle's that Batman has to solve.

Meanwhile, both Batman and his alter-ego Bruce Wayne become involved with a young circus performer who has also vowed revenge after his entire family are killed. Bruce, at first, resolves that he will never have a side kick, but soon relents and finds himself with a new sidekick - Robin. Throw into the mix damsel in distress Chase Meridian, and you've got a brand new Batman adventure, complete with his famous sidekick, a couple of colourful baddies and a new love interest for eternal bachelor Bruce Wayne.

Whilst Forever isn't a terrible film, its such a new direction from the previous film that its hard to stomach. Whereas Batman and Returns wallowed in its shadowy darkness, Forever is a camped up scream. If you like the tv series of the 60's rather than the dark mysterious comic, then you'll probably have seen this as a Batman in the right direction. But for me, it was the beginning of the end.

Val Kilmer looks out of his depth here. Pouting and leering his way through a role that requires more subtlety, he looks like he's attending a fancy dress party. The Batsuit has a slight change in design, but he still looks out of place. Chris O'Donnell is far more enjoyable as he trapezes his way into the film, and dons the Robin costume for the first time.

Nicole Kidman is alright, but doesn't really serve much purpose. Vicky Vale was a convincing love interest, whilst Selina Kyle was a formiddable foe. Chase is an attractive diversion, but pales by comparison. Tommy Lee Jones would never have been able to carry off a villain in the first two films, but his colourful turn in this film is enjoyable enough and fits in with his surroundings. I'm sorry to say that, despite my dislike of him in general, Jim Carrey upstages the whole sorry lot of them. He minces and grimaces his way through a part that is witty and well played. He's a one trick pony, but an admirable enough villain in this setting.

The only carry overs from the previous films are the ever reliable Michael Gough (looking suitably embarrassed probably) and Pat Hingle (finally looking at home with the rest of the over-compensating).

Schumacher really does drain the life out of a franchise that started off excellently, but still manages to turn out something that is vaguely enjoyable. His cast give it their all, despite being the poor man's alternative to Keaton, Nicholson, Pfeiffer and co. The action sequences are often deftly done, but there are times where they look staged and unconvincing.

Like the rest of the material, Elliot Goldenthal's rendition of the excellent original score has been replaced by a glaring and overblown alternative that abandons the subtle and dramatic flare of the original.

The only thing that Batman Forever really has in its favour is that its more colourful than the first two films, and certainly better than the next installment Batman And Robin. There's not really much more to say, except that its at least watchable.

Summary: Batman gets a sidekick. Thats half the battle and half the quality of previous films.