Batman Forever: an overlooked Batman movie, or the worst of the lot?
Two of our writers go head to head…
This article originally appeared onDen of Geek UK.
By Rob Leane
Batman Foreveris a different sort of superhero film.
But, it has to be said it did a pretty good job at fulfilling that mission statement.
From within the constraints of various eye-catching costumes, Carrey channels a sense of gleefulness into the film.
His riddles are silly and simple to guess, admittedly, but his charm endures throughout.
always raises a smile.
This may be a B-movie take on Batman, but Carrey is very much in on the joke.
Carreys Riddler epitomizes whatBatman Foreveris all about: fun, at all costs.
And the finished film had it, in spades, right from the start.
This, as a family-friendly cinematic spectacle, is enjoyable stuff.
Another thing the film needed was a character for kids to side with.
A cipher they could project themselves onto.
Enter Dick Grayson, and the Robin origin story that Schumacher weaves into the plot.
Chris ODonnell plays Dick as a grumpy teenager who is unhappily adopted by Bruce Wayne after his parents death.
And, youve got to admit, holy rusted metal, Batman!
is a ruddy brilliant gag.
Val Kilmer succeeded in this task, lightening up Gothams Dark Knight in ways that Keaton never did.
But what Schumacher installed at the heart of the franchise instead of Burtons vision has its own merits.
This may not be the Batman film that adult fans wanted, but its one that kids loved.
I can say that because I was four years old at the time.
It was a great entry-level superhero introduction for kids, and I enjoy re-watching it to this day.
Burton it aint, but that doesnt mean its irredeemably rubbish.
But what I wasnt expecting was for the ambition to be so low.
The problems, for me, withBatman Foreverare multiple.
Its biggest crime: it fails as a piece of entertainment.
Batman had become boring.
Schumacher had one of the biggest box office stars of the 90s, Jim Carrey, as The Riddler.
He had Tommy Lee Jones, also at the height of his acting powers, as Harvey Two Face.
At the time, I wasnt a Batman comics addict, so I could cope with those changes.
But as I sat watching the movie, everything seemed to be missing.
The opening sequences, of a safe landing back exactly where it had to go, felt plain daft.
Schumacher lets his villains bumble in from the nearest pantomime, none of them registering.
Batman Forevers failures are numerous.
Even Chris ODonnell would surely admit his Robin is not his careers best work.
Hed clearly seen a rough cut.
At least withBatman & Robinwe got some really superb production design, and better YouTube mash-ups.
To this day,Batman Foreverlooks and feels like the corporate boardroom comic book movie it clearly is.
Lots of big stars!
But it sells toys and tickets and stuff!
I cant find an interesting creative risk in it.
I take no pleasure in realising its as undercooked and vacuous as it always was.
A line a zillion times better than a single piece of dialogue that made it to the final script.
After all, who can forget its zingers?
Or what about when Batman brings the house down with Its the car, right?
Chicks love the car?
Then theres the bit where Kilmers Batman cracks Ill get drive through.
You do that, Val.
Get one of those Happy Meals, then just keep driving.
Might be wise to put in a warning call to Clooney if that car phone is working….
