Title: Batman Forever
Year: 1995
Director: Joel Shumacher
Country: US
Language: English
Sandwiched between the Tim Burton era of Batman (!989-1992) and the Christopher Nolan era of Batman (2005-2012) Batman Forever (1995). and to some extent Batman & Robin (1997), belong in a comic book movie void that is not viewed favorably with either fandom. I was the perfect age for Batman Forever however; I was too young for the more gothic Batman Returns (1992) & by the time Batman Begins (2005) was released I felt too old to enjoy superhero movies.
Batman (Val Kilmer) , and eventually Robin (Chris O'Donnell) have to stop Two Face (Tommy Lee Jones) and the Riddler (Jim Carrey) from taking over Gotham.
Batman Forever has a cookie cutter story that is neither impressive nor offensive. It's the Hollywood 90's superhero story designed to be entertaining in a "turn your brain off & guzzle down popcorn" kind of way. It is fairly visually impressive (relative to superhero flicks at the time) & its set pieces are more appealing to me than the CGI filled scenes of the MCU.
Nicole Kidman is an intoxicating love interest. I can see why Val Kilmer's Batman would be entranced by her. It's far more believable than Maggie Gyllenhaal in Dark Knight (2008). The villains are not very well rounded, but I must admit I was entertained by Jim Carrey's Riddler. The costume Jim Carrey had to wear, in addition to his wacky mannerisms, made this Riddler a very memorable character. Kilmer does a great job at showing a more vulnerable caped crusader.
Batman Forever is an easy watch that ought to make a few moviegoers nostalgic for their quirky childhoods. Despite its weak script, the film proves to be a stylish and efficient flick that is deserving of a rewatch.
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