 A really good watch, if not as dark as the previous films |
| Review Date: September 30, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Vanessa, Scotland, UK |
Okay okay,. everyone agrees that Tim Burton is the master of the Gothic, when it comes to films. Just look at some of the films he has done and that's proof enough. And everyone knows that Joel Schumacher isn't, plain and simple, neither does he have the impressive back-catalogue that Sir Burton has. (the only other film I have viewed by Schumacher is "The Lost Boys", which is actually a very good film. But it was the 80s, come on.)
However, that does not deter this film from being a fantastic one. I like the way he mouled Gotham into a really cool, bright-coloured and still dark and gothic city, with amazing glowing clothes and buildings. It seems like a real party city, one you'd definitely want to swing by.
In my opinion, Val Kilmer is a far better Batman than Micheal Keaton. To be Batman, you have to have the Bruce Wayne lips, as they are the only things you can really see with the mask on. And sure, Micheal Keaton had those. But take the mask off, and he just wasn't CONVINCING as Bruce Wayne. Not at all. However, Val Kilmer portrays Bruce Wayne perfectly; smooth and suave, and gorgeously serious. And then, as he steps into the suit, he is instantly the strong, tough Batman that we know and love. George Clooney was horrifying in this role, and I haven't yet seen Christian Bale's performance, but Val Kilmer is the winner, hands-down.
The two bad guys in this outing are Two-Face (played by a demented Tommy Lee Jones) and The Riddler (played by an absolutely amazingly freaky Jim Carrey). It is extremely unusual seeing Tommy Lee Jones in a role like this. I have no idea why he took it, but I'm glad he did, as he shows Harvey Dent's split-personality monster man with a certain flair. Plus he looks fantastic in that costume.
But Jim Carrey. Just wow. He is the most entertaining baddie I have ever seen in any movie, and that is a fact. His portrayal of Edward Nygma and his alter-ego is so hilariously silly and disturbing all at the same time, you sometimes wonder if he could possibly be two different people in the one body! He is an absolute joy to watch.
Nicole Kidman is suitably sexy as Chase Meridian, and does a good job as the girl. There's is nothing oustanding about her performance, but she is enjoyable to watch.
And Chris O'Donnell is extremely likeable in his role as the young cheeky orphan Dick Grayson, who becomes Robin, Batman's side-kick. The circus scene is one of the most dramatic and tragic scenes in the film, and is amazing to watch.
Plus, the songs in the credits are absolutely AMAZING. Two of my favourite songs of all-time now, "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" by U2 and "Kiss From A Rose" by Seal are two gorgeously authentic songs. Amazing.
This film is absolutely fantastic. I seriously recommend it, it is in my opinion the best one. |
Guilty pleasure, a lot of fun, truly a comic book hero...
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| Review Date: March 29, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Isabelle, Burbank, CA USA |
Yes, I know, loving this movie isn't a popular opinion, but I'm going to go against the grain and speak out for this guilty pleasure of mine, particularly after seeing the 2-disc special edition dvd recently...
Batman Forever and its' very different tone from the first two, Tim Burton-driven films, was made to appeal to a far wider audience than those very dark films, while keeping the spirit of the Batman mythos intact. I believe the film accomplished this. There were plenty of bright lights, new bat-gizmos and bat-gadgets, exciting action-fight scenes, and even a young, edgy, heart-throb in Chris O'Donnell's Robin to appeal to kids without worrying their parents too much, and at the same time, Batman/Bruce Wayne's tortured psyche, duality and isolation was presented respectfully. Batman's darkness was still there, just shown more subltely, less graphically, yet no less tragically because we don't actually SEE people dying horribly left and right.
The story had substance and was a worthy addition to the Batman mythos. Backstories not previously touched upon were explored to my satisfaction, and the added deleted scenes in this version of the dvd flesh things out even further and make me wish that time restrictions on theatrical releases weren't quite so stringent.
Bob Kane, the creator of the Batman comic character, has said that of all the actors who have played Batman over the years, he thought blond Val Kilmer was the best and I agree. Kilmer is statuesque and stoic in the cowl and cape, using his eyes and lips to formidable effectiveness; his jaw and mouth are strong and perfectly suited for the confines of the costume. He moved well in it, even doing some of his own martial arts (such as in the opening sequence, at the bank). The stuntmen, when they took over for him, were well matched to his body type, effective and visually exciting. And Kilmer's Bruce Wayne is suave, debonair, totally believable as the lonely billionare turned Dark Knight, comfortable with his wealth but still compassionate and aware of others' plight, just as Bob Kane intended this character.
Also, I want to put to rest the insistance of some reviewers here that several of the actors involved with the project didn't want to be. That is nonsense; no one forced them to do the movie, and Kilmer very much wanted to do the sequel, Batman and Robin, but was under contractual obligation to do the movie The Saint. (This fact documented on IMBD). He may have driven the director to distraction with his attention to minute detail and insistance on getting everything just so, but there was no bad blood between them and Schumaker still maintains that he respects Kilmer as an actor and performer. Kilmer took the role seriously (as he does everything) and doesn't need to make any apologies for his performance. How I wish they could have worked something out so that Kilmer could have reprised the role again, rather than bringing in the forever-smirking, abominable Clooney...
My favorite character always, Alfred, was back, played by the delightful Michael Gough, who can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned. And everyone else is well-cast too.
Director Joel Schumaker offers interesting commentary in this dvd, and made a comment at the very beginning which I wish all the fans up in arms over the nipples in the costumes would take to heart: "Those people need to get out more." He also makes another point about whose codpiece is bigger...let's not take things so seriously, hmm?
Overall, this extended version and extras are well worth the higher price for anyone who enjoyed the movie or likes to know what goes on while making a film. Great extras, including shorts on costuming, scoring, special effects, stunts, and the actors/character, added to the overall positive experience. This is a lighter but no less legitimate incarnation of these characters.
Highly recommeded.
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Great Movie, but would be better it they kept Micheal Keaton
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| Review Date: December 9, 2003 |
| Reviewer: B. Miller, Costa Mesa, CA United States |
| Riddle me this, Riddle me that, whay should you buy a movie about a big black bat? Well, this is why I think you should buy, listen to me if you try. The Batman series is a good thrill but Batman Forever will give you a great fill. Better put on some traction, because this movie has wall to wall action. |
'60s BATMAN Re-interpreted for the '90s
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| Review Date: May 14, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Kenneth Sohl, Tennessee |
A lot of Bat-fans give this movie flack for being a throw-back to the campy Adam West TV show, but a movie shouldn't be judged for what it isn't, but how well it achieves what it is trying to do. And this one delivers.
First thing noticed is the fast-paced directing, with quick, action-oriented editing that reminds one of the early Bond films. The action is relentless, and the movie is never boring. It reminds me of Guy Hamilton's short-cut plot developments in "Force 10 from Navarone".
At the same time, the viewer will notice that Gotham is no longer mono-chromatic, but a bright, vibrant city with expansive, monolithic architecture that disturbingly dwarfs the inhabitants, much like Stalin's Russian architecture in the '50s. Yet, the lights tend to highlight the shadows. The dizzying, elevated roadways and balconies are spectacular and a little frightening at the same time, like the landscape of a claustrophobic dream.
One instantly notes that Danny Elfman's great score is no longer used. However, the new soundtrack does just as well for this fresh take on Batman, with surrealistic, disonant notes and a Wagnerian grandeur. Supporting the great sets and costumes, it makes for a terrific, "Wizard of Oz" type experience.
And objectively speaking, the character development, depth and interaction are far better than in the previous 2 outings. There's quite a bit going on here and the cast does a great job of making it all seem believable in spite of the outlandish goings ons.
If you gotta pay homage to the goofier '50s and '60s comics, this is the way to do it. Obviously, some would rather that such developments were kept out of the movies, but it is hard to ignore how the Batman comics had been for a quarter of a century. And I really can't think of a gritty, "realistic" way to introduce a silly character like Robin.
That being said, one problem with this movie is the inclusion of 2-Face. In the '60s, this character never made an appearance in comics or TV as it was felt that he was too grim for the campy, child-friendly dreck that the Dark Knight had become by then. Yet, this movie used him as just another zany villain like the Riddler, and any true fan would find this treatment of this most tragic of Batman villains unforgiveable. I almost docked this movie one star for this, but I've left it to counter some of the unfair bashing it gets by fanboys simply for reminding them of a period in Batman's history that most would rather forget. And Carrey's Riddler was disturbingly, aggressively bizarre. In fact, his performance was almost as good as Frank Gorshin's from the TV show, the only villain from the old series to actually project a sense of sneering, sardonic menace.
My fav Batman movie is "Dark Knight"(great representation of the best modern comics), 2nd is "Batman" with Keaton(atmospheric take on original, film noir '30s comics), and this one reviewed is my 3rd favorite(for successfully balancing the darker aspects of the modern comics while paying homage to the camp years). You see, I don't demand that they make the same movie over and over again. I'm capable of opening my mind and enjoying the different versions for the various kinds of experiences they offer. Those that don't do the same are missing out on a treat.
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The best film in the series
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| Review Date: June 7, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Robert A. Raymond, West Hartford, CT |
| After Michael Keaton, Val is the only otheractor that I consider when I hear Batman. Kilmer is the best at all of the action sequences in the film. Kilmer like Keaton, can also handle the role of Bruce Wayne without a hitch. I also like the villans in the movie. I think Tommy lee Jones and Jim Carey handled their roles flawlessly. |
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