Batman Forever (1995)

Followed by: Batman & Robin (1997)

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 don't seem out of place. The result is essentially a children's movie in which Gotham is made giddier than in the comics. In Schumacher's vision, both the heroes and the 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 special effects and morals in typical superhero fashion – without revolutionizing neither the genre or the Batman franchise. Some narrative highlights: A charming romance between Batman and Dr. Meridian, and the story of Batman and Robin joined forces. The latter is played by Chris O'Donnell (Scent of A Woman) and is well-cast but underutilized. There's also an interesting existential discussion on Batman's nature, which almost lets Val Kilmer come alive in the title role. But ultimately you get the feeling that whatever Schumacher does, he's always content with scratching the surface, and never really delves into the material.