Batman Forever (1995)

Followed by: Batman & Robin (1997)

	Directed by: Joel Schumacher	COUNTRY USA Genre Superhero NORWEGIAN TITLE Batman Forever RUNNING TIME 117 minutes
	Produced by: Tim Burton Peter MacGregor-Scott
	Written by: Lee Batchler Janet Scott Batchler Akiva Goldsman

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Batman / Bruce Wayne	Val Klimer
Two-Face / Harvey Dent	Tommy Lee Jones	½
Riddler / Edward Nygma	Jim Carrey
Dr. Chase Meridian	Nicole Kidman	½
Robin / Dick Grayson	Chris O’Donnell	½
Alfred Pennyworth	Michael Gough	-
James Gordon	Pat Hingle	-
Sugar	Drew Barrymore	-

Review

Joel Schumacher picks up the baton from Tim Burton and creates a more cheerful and cartoonish Batman, with antagonists so overdone that Jim Carrey almost doesn't seem out of place. The result is essentially a children's movie in which Gotham is made even giddier than in the comics. In Schumacher's vision, both the heroes and villains of this world are not only larger than life, but also a little raunchy. His aesthetics are rather accomplished, however, and the picture delivers equal doses of special effects and moral messaging in typical superhero fashion – without revolutionising neither the genre nor the Batman franchise. Narrative highlights include a charming romance between Batman and Dr. Meridian, and the story of how Batman and Robin joined forces. The latter is played by Chris O'Donnell (Scent of A Woman), who is well-cast but underutilised. There's also an interesting existential discussion on Batman's nature, which almost allows Val Kilmer come alive in the title role. But ultimately, you get the sense that whatever Schumacher does, he's content with scratching the surface and never really delves into the material.