Batman Forever
Batman Forever (1995), directed by Joel Schumacher, marked a sharp departure from Tim Burton’s darker vision, trading gothic atmosphere for neon colors, campy humor, and over-the-top performances. Val Kilmer steps in as Batman, but his performance is overshadowed by Jim Carrey’s hyperactive Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones’ painfully forced Two-Face. The film tries to balance character development with loud spectacle, but ends up feeling more like a toy commercial than a serious superhero film.
The first part of the film introduces Batman’s struggle to balance his dual life with his relationship to Chase Meridian, while Robin’s origin story begins to take shape. The middle section quickly spirals into cartoonish excess, as Carrey and Jones chew scenery to the point of parody. While there are attempts to explore Bruce Wayne’s psychology, these moments are drowned out by a barrage of glowing sets, exaggerated performances, and clunky dialogue.
Overall, Batman Forever is a misfire that loses sight of what makes Batman compelling. While it has occasional flashes of fun and remains watchable as a product of its time, its garish tone, weak storytelling, and lack of focus leave it closer to self-parody than a true Batman story. It’s remembered more for its camp and excess than for any genuine strengths, setting the stage for an even greater disaster to come.