Most average movie Somehow it turned out that recently I turn my reviews towards the Bat, so I still decided to write for this film.
Batman Forever is probably the only classic movie (by classic I mean the fact that it’s part of an old series of film adaptations led by Burton and Schumacher), which I’ve only watched twice (a second time – against my will). I can say that I have had enough, and, most likely, I will want to see it again very soon. There are many reasons for this.
The plot, in general, suits me, but it is still not perfect and has a couple of disadvantages. First, it's not clear how Two-Face, former prosecutor Harvey Dent, has so many friends in the underworld who agreed to be on his team and tolerate his instability. A big flaw for me. Secondly, I think that a character like Robin only spoils the film, and not only because he is terribly, by the way, played, I just think that it is an extra load. As far as I've noticed, each new part crosses out the old one, starting with this movie. And the reason for this is that Wayne claims, as far as I can remember, that Dr. Meridian is his first love. With how many movies — so many versions of the murder of the parents of the main millionaire picture. That’s it, but maybe I forgot something.
A word about the director. Perhaps the only thing that pleases Schumacher, although much changed, but still tried not so far away from the cult “Batman” Burton. Of course, the new director could not help but add his twists to the picture, but these very tricks here are still less than in the subsequent picture.
Oh, I don't like special effects. And when there are many more... And when they're not there yet... In general, in this aspect, the film, to put it mildly, I did not like it, as the eye gets tired of it literally after 20 minutes.
From the music, in fact, only the title theme remains. A big (first, but not the last), in my opinion, Schumacher’s mistake is that the composer was changed in the film, since Danny Elfman is a master of writing music that creates a fabulous atmosphere, which, in my opinion, is just necessary in comic books.
A few words about the atmosphere of the film. This is not Burton’s gloomy fairy tale, this is not a colorful extravaganza (in the worst sense of the word), into which the third part grew in the subsequent “masterpiece”, these are not overstated “dramas”. Nolana. This is a real circus, I would even say a farce, which is not combined with the plot. At the same time, I absolutely did not like the fact that this “Batman” was too much action, and almost lost the original meaning, there was only a picture that, I think, will not please everyone.
Separately, I want to highlight the scenery. Personally, I am very annoyed by the presence of statues, reaching simply to the point of indecency. The film is full of different figures, even the circus, or rather the circus room did not leave the field of view of fans of this delight. I think it's stupid. I also want to note the new design of the Batmobile (which, for me personally, is part of the scenery) was very mocked by the windwind located on the roof, I wonder what guided the creators, the sailboat?
And of course the actors.
For starters, Val Kilmer. I don’t see him as a character at all. "Sweet Boy" who doesn't really care how he's loved, as Batman or as Bruce Wayne. Not too worried about his parents, because on his face it clearly says “I don’t care, they told me to read and I read.” In general, I can say that Kilmer in my Batman rating is second from the end. This is perhaps the second huge mistake of Joel Schumacher, he replaced literally everything perfect for Batman-Wayne Michael Keaton.
Chris O'Donnell. I don’t think he can play at all. Only spoils the already not very good impression of the film. I don’t know what principle they chose.
Well, it came close to the villains.
Tommy Lee Jones. I may have thought it was disgusting. He didn’t even think about his character. His play is simply frank, and by the way, absolutely unsuccessful, copies the manner of playing the Joker Jack Nicholson. I think it must be very humiliating to say the least for a pretty decent actor like Jones. So I can safely say that Two-Face, as such, was not in the picture. It seems to me that if Schumacher had given this role to Billy Dee Williams (already promised to him earlier), the picture would have been at least slightly better.
Jim Carrey. Well, I can tell you, I didn't see Edward Nygma in the picture either. Rather Jim Carrey, or there, Ace Venturu, at best, Mask. There is nothing new about Kerry. Brutal facial expressions, which, as usual, distorts any feeling, wild compressions (flapping hands, frisky “pa” feet under the ceiling). I think anyone who's seen Kerry will know what I'm trying to say. Maybe that’s all right, but in my mind, Mystery Man must be different. I think there were only two things I liked about Carrey’s game: the very beginning (I remember thinking, ‘Oh, Carrey’s finally going to do something new!’) and the scene in a psychiatric hospital.
Nicole Kidman. In this film it seemed to me a design, in another way and not to say. In the film, the image is “a girl who loves bad guys, but in the end chooses the good ones.” Nothing new either for the movie or for the actress, rather working out the fee.
Still, perhaps, only annoyed with the image of Drew Barrymore, you can even say, “got” before the end of the film.
And, of course, the best part. Pat Hingle is a small role as usual, but brings something truly Batman-like, which is certainly pleasing. And, of course, no Batman movie will go away without mentioning Alfred, especially when he is played by a talented actor like Michael Gough. There is no other such butler (confirmed by Kane’s performance in the last two films).
In general, a fairly average film, both for Batmeniana and in general for cinema. It is nothing remarkable, but it does not make you turn away from the screen in a fit of rage. More precisely, it does not cause almost any feelings, but if you want to learn more about Batman - I think it is still worth watching it at leisure.
6 out of 10
Original