Batman Forever: Review By Vamp

This was an OK Batman movie. One of my favorites when I was a child before I began to read any of the comics. However, even after I read the comics, I liked this movie. It's one of those movies that when you like it it just kind of sticks with you.

The visuals in this movie were kind of cool. I liked the new look to Gotham, cynical and dark, yet sort of happy with it, like the city just sort of moved on. I also like the glow in the dark look of the street thugs that Robin meets up with when he takes the Batmobile for a joy ride. It's kinda neat and punkish.

The director of this movie, Joel Schumacher, also did Batman & Robin, and though his new look to the movies was great I do not believe it was as cool lookig as Tim Burton's was. It was a little too fun, if you know what I mean, whereas Tim Burton's looked like it should have, dark and disturbing, like it was overrun with crime. However, the result was nonetheless alright.

Val Kilmer steps into the role of Bruce Wayne and Batman in place of Michael Keaton, which was an alright choice. He looked a little like the Bruce Wayne from the comics, but I don't think they should have replaced Michael Keaton, they should have waited until he was finished with the movie he was working on, or just not done the movie, I don't like when they keep a character, but change the actor. However, I think Val Kilmer's performance was quite satisfactory. He was serious enough to play Batman, yet airy when playing Bruce Wayne, but I've seen him in too many funny roles, like Top Secret or Real Genius.

Tommy Lee Jones steps into the role of Harvey Dent and Two-Face. I think Tommy Lee Jones was great as Two-Face, he is very convincing as a Madman, much practice from his role in Under Siege. The only problem I had with this character was that Harvey Dent was black in the first one, and I am not racist, but you can't be black, and then be white the next movie. I liked the look of Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face as well it was really neat.

Jim Carrey is Dr. Edward Nygma, the sociopathic and maniacal Riddler. Jim Carrey has had much practice in the realm of crazy, psychotic, and funny characters, like his character in The Mask or in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and he was hilarious in this one. My one problem was that I don't remember The Riddler having bright orange hair, and in the comics he wasn't such a goof off. However this adaptation was quite hilarious to watch nonetheless.

Nicole Kidman also joins the cast of this movie as Dr. Chase Meriddian, a psychiatrist who falls in love with Batman, and then Bruce Wayne. The problem with Nicole Kidman is that I'm not that big of a fan of hers. I also think that in this movie she tended to overact, but the result was alright nonetheless.

Chris O'Donnell Steps into the role of the sidekick Robin. In my opinion Robin was a character that this series needed to ease into. I mean I'm sure he was bound to come into the series sometime, but I think this was too soon, and they needed to pick someone who was a lot younger. Someone who also was not a pretty boy. I think personally that Batman was doing great by himself and did not need the sidekick. I have never been fond of the character of Robin, but his story was heartrenching nonetheless.

The story of this movie is one that only a Batman movie could be. When Edward Nygma gets rejected by Bruce Wayne for his invention, he goes insane, and turns to Two-Face to help him mass market his invention in turn for helping him get Batman. Robin meanwhile, is originally an acrobat with his family for the circus, but when Two-Face parades into the event with a giant bomb, the Gracins banned together to get rid of it, but everyone except for Robin were killed. He immediately looks for an excuse to get at Two-Face, and finds one in his new guardian Bruce Wayne who he discovers is Batman. He becomes the winged sidekick, and together they defeat Two-Face and The Riddler. Chase Meriddian, meanwhile falls in love with Batman, and then Bruce Wayne, and Bruce Wayne must strive to keep his secret from her. The story all in all was fast-paced and action packed, but the scenes with Chase Meriddian and Bruce Wayne seemed to be a little drawn out and long, but nonetheless it was a great plotline.

All in all this is another great addition into the Batman series, and an excellent addition to your Batman collection as well!!!!!