Batman Forever (1995)
Director: Joel Schumacher
Starring: Val Kilmer, Jim Carrey, Tommy Lee Jones, Nicole Kidman, Chris O’Donnell, Michael Gough
Primary genre: Superhero
Nominated for: Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Sound Editing
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Joel Schumacher’s “Batman Forever” does not get the credit it deserves. Coming after one of the best (if not the best) “Batman” films (“Batman Returns“ (1992)) and predating the worst (Schumacher’s own “Batman and Robin” (1997)), it is easy to see why most people forget about it.
The definition of a Hollywood blockbuster, it bears expensive production values, stellar special effects, lots of star power and a totally bonkers script that moves the proceedings at a hectic pace. Yet, you can’t help but sense that all of these elements are style over substance. With Warner Bros pressuring for this new iteration of Batman to be funnier, lighter and more hip (and thus hopefully more commercially successful), “Forever” in its current form, does not extend beyond the status of a cinematic firework.
Reports that Schumacher shot and completed a more brooding drama that explores psychological duality are true but it is unknown whether Warner Bros will ever release it. There are shades of this interesting theme in several brief sequences where characters openly discuss their alter-egos and hidden agendas but they do not have the in-depth exploration to be meaningful condemning the film context wise to banality as elements are introduced but go nowhere excluding the Riddler’s arc.
Like one of its main villains, “Batman Forever” feels like two movies fighting each other for equal screentime. Its sinister undertones far from being kid friendly (e.g., death of Robin’s family, Enygma’s obsession with Bruce Wayne) are at odds with the camp/funny moments and clunky execution in certain areas. While there are some appealing aspects to watch (e.g., the destruction of the Bat Cave is a highlight), others are downright embarrassing. Schumacher directs several action sequences, but the execution is hollow and somewhat clunky, underwhelmed by a script that does not know how to naturally progress an action scene. You would think that with all the muscle and brain power which the villainous duo possess, their climatic endgame would involve more swift and brutal action besides a banal game of choice.
Technically speaking though, Schumacher’s take on Gotham city is quite different from Tim Burton’s almost monochromatic German Expressionism palette. Stephen Goldblatt’s (Oscar nominated) cinematography brings alive the gorgeous production design (Nygma’s and the Riddler’s lair are a work of art) by Oscar winner Barbara Ling (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood“ (2019)) which ranges from colorful and neon infused art deco to grandiose gothic inspired architecture, even if it sometimes overwhelms the senses; the costume design especially for the Riddler’s outfits and the more mobile Bat suit is superb too and the sound design is exceptional bringing front and center the bombastically memorable but simplified score of Elliot Goldenthal, who had a tough job of crafting a new theme after Danny Eflman’s fantastic work.
Val Kilmer makes for a fine Bruce Wayne/Batman but in a bigger degree than Keaton before him, he does not have much to do. Expanding the team by adding a now dated 90s Robin (that bloody earing is very distracting) breaks the monotony of the previous films but Chris O’Donnell comes across as a cry baby more than a crime fighting sidekick. As for the new love interest, Nicole Kidman is stunning to look at but even with her characterization as a criminal psychiatrist, she is been treated as an one dimensional sex driven(!) damsel in distress.
But a Batman film is always interesting as the villains and after three great and iconic performances so far by Nicholson, de Vito and Pfeiffer, the results here are a mixed bag. While Tommy Lee Jones’ Two Face attempts to outdo his co-star Jim Carrey by delivering an annoying and pedestrian performance that feels wholly inappropriate for such a character, Jim Carrey as Edward Nygma/Riddler steals the show every time he is on screen with thunderous energy, witty one liners and pitch perfect comic timing. Sporting glorious question marked green spandex and a red hairdo, Carrey is having a blast, outperforming the more dramatic based cast members and brings a human layer to his villain especially in the earlier scenes.
“Batman Forever” tries too hard to be serious. Its efforts to insert grave (yet minimalistic) psychological elements come into stark contrast with its comic (and campy) book execution. The cast is pretty good despite not having much material to work with but this is Jim Carrey’s show who gives one hell of a performance. The money can be seen through the film’s visual splendor but its soul is nowhere to be found. While it is not a cinematic travesty that most remember, it can be viewed as a moderate disappointment considering the amount of talent and money involved.
Entertaining but tonally uneven
+Val Kilmer is a good Batman/Bruce Wayne
+Great cast with Carrey on fire
+Gorgeous cinematography
+Thunderous sound design
+Interesting psychological themes
+Phenomenal and costume production design
-…that might be too much sometimes
-Clunky action scenes
-Blunt love interest
-Robin comes more whiney than heroic
-Lee Jones’ embarrassing performance as Two Face
-Lack of depth
-Tonally uneven