The first two Batman films, helmed by director Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as the Batman, were moderately entertaining. As many objections as those films could possibly raise, they were better than Schumaker's first installment, "Batman Forever", in just about every thinkable way. Yes, Michael Keaton is in no wise the ideal Batman/Bruce Wayne, and yes, the overall darker theme doesn't always clash with the moments of humor the films attempted, but neither film was so tonally inconsistent, inconsistently melodramatic, or melodramatically ridiculous as "Batman Forever".
One thing I should give it credit for is being funnier than either of Burton's films; in fact, it wasn't until I saw that it was nowhere credited for being a comedy that I realized the humorous moments weren't intended to be amusing. No, I didn't laugh whenever Riddler said something like "Big Kahuni", but rather during Batman's banter with Dr. Chase Meridian, a psychologist who has an obsession over our caped crusader. "I haven't had much luck with women," Batman confesses, to which she responds, "Maybe you just haven't met the right one," to which Batman responds...well, he doesn't respond, because all of a sudden she's leaning in for a kiss, and Batman's face is practically screaming, "Oh, yeah, baby!", completely forgetting to be the mysterious vigilante more modern interpretations have led us to expect from him.
Val Kilmer is the new Bruce Wayne/Batman, after Michael Keaton wisely dropped out, realizing that Schumaker's interpretation was...problematic. Although Kilmer is more believable as a butt-kicking vigilante, his performance lacks any emotion or volume and he speaks his lines as if reading them from the script, resulting in a near-monotone Bruce Wayne. As for the rest of the portrayals, multiple objections can be raised for each, except for perhaps Nicole Kidman as Dr. Meridian, who did her best with the nonsensical characterization provided to her by the screenwriters.
Tommy Lee Jones is a major letdown, especially after all of the films he's been in ("The Fugitive", for example) that have set our expectations high. He portrays Two-Face, once known as Harvey Dent, who was a district attorney until a crime boss threw acid on half his face, splitting his personality in two; though the only half we really ever see is the demented, maniacal side who jumps up and down and claps his hands like a five-year-old at Christmas whenever something explodes. Of all the characters, Two-Face is the most irritating, and overall inconsistent, giving us no insight as to his motivations. I have a feeling that if the Two-Face of the film were to be asked why he wanted Batman dead, the answer would be, "I don't know, that's a good question," and perhaps he would have abandoned his mission altogether; I would've even been slightly more satisfied if the film just answered that question with a, "Because I want him dead," but instead Two-Face is immediately inserted into the film as a villain, no legitimate explanation provided. There is also the fact that his character seems reused from Nicholson's Joker, only made worse.
Then there's the Riddler, the second villain, hardly developed any better. At the beginning of the film he's a scientist, conveniently named Edward Nygma, who is inventing a new way to view television and is fully invested in his undertaking, but his project is turned down by his idol and employer, Bruce Wayne. "You were supposed to understand," Nygma weeps as Bruce walks away. "I'll make you understand." And from then on he's a completely melodramatic, giggling, totally insane...well, simply Jim Carrey-esque villain whose apparently trying to make Bruce understand, so he teams up with Two-Face, and they wreak havoc, and...ultimately achieve nothing, but who cares, they never were trying to achieve anything, or anything remarkable, in the first place, so in a sense the succeeded in the end, even with Batman prevailing! Yippee! Everyone's a winner! Oops, I almost forgot the newcomer superhero vigilante sidekick, Robin! Now I almost wish I wouldn't have remembered him. Although his presence in the movie may not be as degrading as the others', Robin is once again an example of bad acting (Chris O'Donnell delivers his lines with unconvincing emotions, similar to actors in soap operas) and clichéd, empty characterization. He's the recycled rebel/smart-alek super-talented apprentice...which I guess is what Robin has been for a while, but "holey rusted metal" it's getting old.
Among the other problems are the disastrous script-writing, and dialogue that tries way too hard, making it largely laughable. When the film tries for sentimentality, in the form of Bruce's tormented past and resurfacing repressed memories, it ultimately falls flat and only manages to enhance the disconnect the viewer feels from the film. "Batman Forever" is a muddled, confusing, inconsistent mess that showcases decent cinematography and visual aspects, but lacks considerably in the essentials. At least it made me laugh! Official Score: 47.4/100 (2/4)
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