Batman Forever Movie Rewatch Review

Yes, Batman Forever is still dumb, nonsensical, ostentatious, and a bit boring at times, but...

Hot damn! The movie is a visual treat in both cinematography (particularly the movements of the actors within frames) and production design. The music by Elliot Goldenthal, while nowhere near as good as Danny Elfman's scores, is enjoyable in its cartoony throwback styles, as well.

Plus - there's some really smart writing and bits (such as exploring Batman's psychology), inbetween all the various homages to 60s Batman and general weak points of the movie.

Not to mention the performances! Sure, Val Kilmer's a weak Bruce Wayne (his take is a rather flat traumatized one), but a pretty good Batman. The supporting cast is, for better or worse, 1- or 2-dimensional, and though both villains channel the Joker (via Robin Williams?), they're a pleasure to watch (I really love Tommy Lee Jones in this, even if its a flawed characterization). Also, hot damn! Dr. Chase Meridian.

And I'll say this - while fairly clearly teased, it's arguably a missed opportunity to explore Nigma's obsessive homoerotic tendencies towards Batman. They probably handled things as well as they could for 1995, but Forever presents some interesting themes and ideas that are only lightly touched upon. At the very least, it made for some great bits having Nigma chase Bruce (Nigma's party is a great example of this).

As a kid, I loved the film, so there's a good nostalgia factor for reciting the lines and enjoying the various scenes; and while as an adult I'm not as entertained, I can definitely appreciate a number of the strengths it has going for it.

Takeaway: Dumb but fun, and very enjoyable in some parts while more trashy in others.

Batman: Eternal thoughts

Enjoyed the first portion (volume 1), but it became less compelling as it went on. Reminded me of Hush, Knightfall and No Man's Land, but as a rehash. Characters were rather one dimensional, mostly marquee villains (Scarecrow, Bane, Clayface, Freeze, et al) and Batman himself, otherwise compete flips on characters (Catwoman). Julia P may have been the best handled character, along with Bard; I'm going back and forth on Harper Rowe (interesting character, but a little too manic pixie dream girl? The design/hair is probably my gripe, along with her adept fighting prowess - even if she slipped up early it was obvious she'd learn shortly). Arcs seemed to end too abruptly or disappear and show up sporadically.

Another main gripe is it would have been great to see more pathos for Batman, rather than him just being angry all the time. There may be interesting psychology and storytelling that Batman "devolves" to anger, but it didn't do it for me.

Also, trying to avoid spoiler, but the ending undermined itself. It was building towards something so nice, then the rug was swept from underneath.

Scott Snyder has been writing Batman for awhile, but what's his general reputation?