Batman Forever (1995)

2 1/2 Stars (out of 4)

A Riddle in the Middle

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

For the third film in the Batman series Joel Schumacher takes over the direction and Val Kilmer takes over the Bruce Wayne/Batman character. He lacks the deep-seated derangement that Michael Keaton had in the two Tim Burton films, but Kilmer still fills the boots nicely. Batman Forever throws in a dull Robin (Chris O'Donnell), but Nicole Kidman's love interest Chase Meridian isn't as disposable as she could have been. While the previous film Batman Returns had too many villains and unwisely shifted its balance of power to a third party (Max Schreck, played by Christopher Walken), Batman Forever moves in a slightly more appealing direction. Poor Tommy Lee Jones, as Two-Face, seems to get scooped up in Jim Carrey's whirlwind, not knowing which way to turn. He ends up playing a hammy second fiddle. (In Batman, Billy Dee Williams appears as Harvey Dent, the DA who would eventually become Two-Face.) On the other hand, Carrey is probably the casting coup of the entire series. He's so much more alive than poor old Nicholson's Joker was. The film ultimately lacks genuine suspense, and Schumacher unwisely moves the film back towards the camp of the 1960s television series. Batman is sometimes known in the comic books as a great detective; someday it would be nice to see a flat-out mystery full of quiet thrills and shadowy corners instead of the usual explosive thrill ride. But until then Batman Forever offers a pretty good fix for Batman junkies.

DVD Details: In 2005, to coincide with the DVD release of Batman Begins, Warner Home Video re-released the previous four Batman films in double-disc Special Editions, and in a box set. The Batman Forever disc comes with remastered picture and sound, additional scenesand a new Joel Schumacher commentary track. The bonus disc comeswith a bunch of featurettes, character profile galleries, and a musicvideo for Seal's "Kiss from a Rose."