BATMAN FOREVER

US, 1995, 121 minutes, Colour.
Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Chris O' Donnell, Drew Barrymore, Michael Gough.
Directed by Joel Schumacher.

Batman Forever is full of (loud) special effects. But it has a lot more going for it. While Tim Burton's two films were very dark, portraits of mad evil in the mayhem of the modern city (which looked darkly Gothic as well) and kept Michael Keaton's Batman somewhat subdued and in the background, Joel Schumacher's Batman is up front.

Val Kilmer is a very good choice for a Batman and Bruce Wayne who are centre of the film (and have plenty of action). But the villains are also well portrayed: Tommy Lee Jones quite manic as the acid disfigured Two Face and Jim Carrey (in his fourth film in 12 months) does his comic turns to good effect.
He offers a more subtle performance than expected.

Nicole Kidman is striking as a psychologist obsessed with Batman and Chris O' Donnell makes Robin quite credible. All the principal cast are given plenty to do. There is more light, even sunlight, than in the previous films and, to that extent, is much more viewer-friendly. While it is designed to be the biggest blockbuster to date, it has a lot of entertainment value and a little more thought.

1.The success of the film? Around the world? Its style, its connection with the previous films? The nature of its appeal?

2.The new Gotham City? Set design? Lighting - and more light than the previous films? Bruce Wayne's mansion? The factories? The settings for the confrontations? Darkness? Special effects, stunt work? The musical score?

3.The title, its tone, Batman as an icon - forever?

4.The introduction to Batman and his confrontation with Two Face? Two Face's appearance, madness, on the skyscraper? His victim and the threats? His fear? The confrontation with Batman, Batman and his ingenuity? Two Face and the courts? His history - disfigurement, appearance, capitalising on the theme of the two-faced character, double character? His history, plans?

5.The contrast with E.N.Y.G.M.A? Jim Carrey as the made scientist? Petulant and ambitious? Confrontation with the manager, the experiment with the brain waves, his victimising the manager and destroying him? His vindictive reaction to the refusal to develop his experiments? The encounter with Bruce Wayne and wanting financial support? The manager's death - and the reaction of the experts? His work at home, plans, his work with the computer? His selection of names, deciding on the Riddler? His sending riddles to Batman? His success with his inventions, draining the brain power of people's brain waves? His taking over of the company, his wealth? His threats to Bruce Wayne? His ingenuity and plan and deal with Two Face? The arrival at the party and the style? His wisecracks? The collapse of his plans, the confrontation with Batman? The destruction of his equipment? Jim Carrey and his popularity, his style as the Riddler, verbal, visual, mimicry? Going over the top?

6.Bruce Wayne - and Val Kilmer substituting for Michael Keaton? A more outgoing Batman, stronger? A stronger presence in the film? With Alfred, in the Bat Cave, with the Bat Car - and the boat? His seemingly impassive style of speech, emotionless reaction? The confrontation with Two Face and his ingenuity, winning? The memory of his parents? The encounter with Dr Chase Meridian, the discussions, flirtation? Going to her office, discussions? His hopes, her using the Bat Call? His rebuking her? Discussions with the Chief, with the Mayor? The disasters and his intervention? The party, E.N.Y.G.M.A. and Two Face?

7.The character of Chase, age, training, psychologist, style? Her work in interpreting criminal mentalities? With the Chief? The attraction to Batman, the attraction to Bruce Wayne? Flirtation? The discussion about masks? Going to the circus with Bruce Wayne? Using the Bat Call when she should not have? The dates? Her being captured, the need for rescue? The discovery of the truth, fighting on Batman's side?

8.The visit to the circus, the skills? Two Face and the threats, the bomb? The family trying to save people from the bomb threat? Their deaths? Robin and his work in the circus? Being helped by Bruce Wayne, his negative reaction? His friendship with Alfred - and being cheeky towards him, his name? His wanting to leave, Bruce Wayne showing him the bikes? With the bikes, the confrontation with the thugs? The boat? Driving the car - and the rescue? His discovery of the truth, the origins of Robin - the decision about his name, costume? His working with Batman - and the final images?

9.The confrontations and the build-up to them, the darkness, the water, Chase Meridian needing to be rescued, the mayhem? Each villain using particular skills? Batman winning? The whiz-bang saving of Chase at the end? Restoring order to Gotham City?

10.The final freeze-frame - and the icon ending? The popularity of Batman, law and order, justice - and his anonymity?

11.The blend of the serious, the funny? Entertainment? Less dark and poetic than the previous films?