The Bar

Starring: Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Chris O’Donnell & Drew Barrymore

Director: Joel Schumacher

Writer(s): Bob Kane & Lee Batchler

Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Rating: PG-13

Official Bar Score: 

Batman Forever is an Academy Award-nominated 1995 superhero film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman. It is the third film in the Batman film franchise and the first one directed by Joel Schumacher, who replaced Tim Burton, the director of the first two films in the franchise, Batman and Batman Returns. It is also the first and only film in the franchise to star Val Kilmer as Batman, who replaced Michael Keaton from the first two films. The film also marked the series debut of Robin. The film’s cast included Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Chris O’Donnell, Nicole Kidman, Drew Barrymore and Debi Mazar. However, Michael Gough and Pat Hingle, who featured in the first two films, returned to reprise the respective characters Alfred and Commissioner James Gordon in this film.

The film served as a major departure from its predecessor Batman Returns, whose dark tone was rejected in favor of a lighter tone designed to appeal to younger audiences. This included dramatic changes to the cast, design, and Danny Elfman’s score, whose themes were not carried into this film. Batman Forever was commercially successful at the box office. However, it received mixed reviews from critics.

Batman is up against two of Gotham City’s most colorful criminals, the Riddler (a role tailor-made for funny man Jim Carrey) and the diabolical Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones), who join forces to conquer Gotham’s population with a brain-draining device. Nicole Kidman plays the seductive psychologist who wants to know what makes Batman tick.

I feel that this is the best film in the series, the characters were very well casted and each top notch actor/actress really became their part. Val Kilmer is bar none the best Batman ever, especially his portrayal of millionaire Bruce Wayne, he looked the part and his very suave ways proved to be perfect as the altered ego superhero. Plus the bad guys were a lot more comical and interesting than before. Granted the Joker is by far Batman’s most maniacal enemy, I liked seeing “The Riddler” who couldn’t of been played by any one other than Jim Carrey, he was very funny and witty and really gave the bat a run for his money. Harvey Dent, a.k.a. Two Face a very violent and careless villain with two very different sides to him, with the flip of a coin he decides the fate of anyone who crosses his path. Also a great performance.

I also loved the bat suit and the bat mobile in this one ithey were way more stylish than the two films before it and they were able to do so much more with them. This film I can honestly say only had one flaw, Robin, they did the best they could at trying to not make him so homo erotic, but come on it is the boy wonder. Like Winston I do like the fact that he had a circus background, hence the outfit and acrobatic ways, and he was a little stand offish towards Batman, but Chris O’donnell is gay. If I was going to cast him for any role in a film I guess Robin would be perfect.

This film has a lot going for it and doesn’t have a dull moment. It looks fantastic, and it is very well made. I think that a lot of people didn’t like it because of its comic book nature of the film, being that it was very bright with loud colors and super comical, but it is a film based on a comic book people. The story is great as well and batman gets to battle with two classic villains as he trys to yet again save gotham city. How could you not like this film?

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