Batman Forever «««
PG-13, 122m. 1995
Cast & Credits: Val Kilmer (Batman/Bruce Wayne), Jim Carrey (Edward Nygma/The Riddler), Tommy Lee Jones (Harvey Dent/Two-Face), Chris O’Donnell (Robin/Dick Grayson), Nicole Kidman (Dr. Chase Meridian), Michael Gough (Alfred Pennyworth), Pat Hingle (Commissioner James Gordon). Screenplay by Lee Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler and Akiva Goldsman. Directed by Joel Schumacher.
When I reviewed Batman Returns in 1992, I ended my column saying if there is a third installment to this successful franchise, executives at Warner Brothers might want to consider making a sequel that doesn’t have as many dark and ominous overtones as the first two.
Batman Forever gave me the impression that maybe those executives really did gather in a boardroom shortly after the second one premiered and said, “When we shoot the next one, we’re going to have to do something a little more on the lighter side in the adventures of the Dark Knight Detective.”
To quote the phrase, “Ask and you shall receive,” Batman Forever delivers to an extent, just what I asked for. Not only does this installment have a new face, Val Kilmer, who stepped in after Michael Keaton dropped out due to his character being overshadowed by the villains in the previous two, but the Dark Knight actually wants to settle down with someone. This time it is Dr. Chase Meridian, played with an alluring sexual charm by Nicole Kidman.
The film is more of a comic variation of the campy television series from the 1960s. If there are any problems with this third installment, it is with some of the lines the Dark Knight speaks that I know he would never say in the monthly issues published by DC Comics.
When Alfred (Michael Gough) offers Batman some dinner before he goes to battle Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) in the movie’s opening sequence, the Dark Knight says in a deep monotone voice, “I’ll get drive-thru.” The line is probably something Adam West’s version would have said in the television series but the way Kilmer handles the dialogue here is awkward at times. Perhaps it is his inability to be comically funny. At least he doesn’t have that brooding, depressed presence Keaton often projected in the previous ones.
Then there are the endless car chases between the hero and the villains that often run into dead ends on the streets of Gotham City. The most clever action sequence doesn’t happen until the climax where the Dynamic Duo battle the Riddler and Two-Face on water playing a real life version of the game, Battleship.
The plot has techno-nerd Edward Nygma (Jim Carrey) devising a way to see into people’s minds (even a dog’s) by using virtual reality. After Wayne turns down Nygma’s business proposition, he becomes the Riddler and joins forces with Two-Face to destroy both Wayne and Batman. Along the way, the self-made millionaire takes on a protégé (Chris O'Donnell); an acrobat named Dick Grayson whose family was killed by Two-Face in a circus accident.
New director Joel Schumacher pays a lot of attention to plot detail such as exploring just what drove Bruce Wayne to become Batman. That is, however, another one of the film’s weaknesses. The idea of Wayne’s personality was dealt with in the first one. There is not much difference here. At least Kilmer manages to crack a smile underneath the leather clad, pointy eared bat costume as when Kidman’s Dr. Meridian; who throughout the film is infatuated with the caped crusader, finally admits that she is love with Wayne.
What’s always attracted moviegoers to the series are the villains and the actors and actresses who play them. Carrey’s Riddler and Jones’ Two-Face make a more comical duo than Danny Devito’s Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman in the second feature and both overact brilliantly. In one scene, the duo fight like children as Two-Face grapples with the Riddler over his “box.”
Carrey’s character is like a devious child surrounded by computer gadgets who relies on some sort of fantasy machine; usually found at state fairs, that answers his questions on what he should call himself. Inside the macabre unit is a clown dressed in green attire and adorned with large black question marks.
Although Jones has fewer lines, he seems to have almost as much fun as Carrey and is reminiscent of Jack Nicholson’s Joker who cackles maniacally and keeps failing at his attempts to kill Batman.
“The Bat’s refusal to die, to extinguish himself, is driving us both insane,” Two-Face says speaking on behalf of both his dual personalities.
O’Donnell’s Robin is far from the skinny, wimpy version people saw in the TV series. But he still says things even Batman can’t quite understand like “Holy rusted metal.”
Batman Forever is not without its problems. But it is, almost as good as the original, much better than the second, and is that boosted shot of adrenaline this series was desperately needing.
©6/16/95
PG-13, 122m. 1995
Cast & Credits: Val Kilmer (Batman/Bruce Wayne), Jim Carrey (Edward Nygma/The Riddler), Tommy Lee Jones (Harvey Dent/Two-Face), Chris O’Donnell (Robin/Dick Grayson), Nicole Kidman (Dr. Chase Meridian), Michael Gough (Alfred Pennyworth), Pat Hingle (Commissioner James Gordon). Screenplay by Lee Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler and Akiva Goldsman. Directed by Joel Schumacher.
Batman Forever gave me the impression that maybe those executives really did gather in a boardroom shortly after the second one premiered and said, “When we shoot the next one, we’re going to have to do something a little more on the lighter side in the adventures of the Dark Knight Detective.”
To quote the phrase, “Ask and you shall receive,” Batman Forever delivers to an extent, just what I asked for. Not only does this installment have a new face, Val Kilmer, who stepped in after Michael Keaton dropped out due to his character being overshadowed by the villains in the previous two, but the Dark Knight actually wants to settle down with someone. This time it is Dr. Chase Meridian, played with an alluring sexual charm by Nicole Kidman.
The film is more of a comic variation of the campy television series from the 1960s. If there are any problems with this third installment, it is with some of the lines the Dark Knight speaks that I know he would never say in the monthly issues published by DC Comics.
When Alfred (Michael Gough) offers Batman some dinner before he goes to battle Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) in the movie’s opening sequence, the Dark Knight says in a deep monotone voice, “I’ll get drive-thru.” The line is probably something Adam West’s version would have said in the television series but the way Kilmer handles the dialogue here is awkward at times. Perhaps it is his inability to be comically funny. At least he doesn’t have that brooding, depressed presence Keaton often projected in the previous ones.
Then there are the endless car chases between the hero and the villains that often run into dead ends on the streets of Gotham City. The most clever action sequence doesn’t happen until the climax where the Dynamic Duo battle the Riddler and Two-Face on water playing a real life version of the game, Battleship.
The plot has techno-nerd Edward Nygma (Jim Carrey) devising a way to see into people’s minds (even a dog’s) by using virtual reality. After Wayne turns down Nygma’s business proposition, he becomes the Riddler and joins forces with Two-Face to destroy both Wayne and Batman. Along the way, the self-made millionaire takes on a protégé (Chris O'Donnell); an acrobat named Dick Grayson whose family was killed by Two-Face in a circus accident.
New director Joel Schumacher pays a lot of attention to plot detail such as exploring just what drove Bruce Wayne to become Batman. That is, however, another one of the film’s weaknesses. The idea of Wayne’s personality was dealt with in the first one. There is not much difference here. At least Kilmer manages to crack a smile underneath the leather clad, pointy eared bat costume as when Kidman’s Dr. Meridian; who throughout the film is infatuated with the caped crusader, finally admits that she is love with Wayne.
What’s always attracted moviegoers to the series are the villains and the actors and actresses who play them. Carrey’s Riddler and Jones’ Two-Face make a more comical duo than Danny Devito’s Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman in the second feature and both overact brilliantly. In one scene, the duo fight like children as Two-Face grapples with the Riddler over his “box.”
Carrey’s character is like a devious child surrounded by computer gadgets who relies on some sort of fantasy machine; usually found at state fairs, that answers his questions on what he should call himself. Inside the macabre unit is a clown dressed in green attire and adorned with large black question marks.
Although Jones has fewer lines, he seems to have almost as much fun as Carrey and is reminiscent of Jack Nicholson’s Joker who cackles maniacally and keeps failing at his attempts to kill Batman.
“The Bat’s refusal to die, to extinguish himself, is driving us both insane,” Two-Face says speaking on behalf of both his dual personalities.
O’Donnell’s Robin is far from the skinny, wimpy version people saw in the TV series. But he still says things even Batman can’t quite understand like “Holy rusted metal.”
Batman Forever is not without its problems. But it is, almost as good as the original, much better than the second, and is that boosted shot of adrenaline this series was desperately needing.
©6/16/95
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