Batman Forever (1995)

All Critics (58) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (24) | Rotten (34) | DVD (18)

By now, Jim Carrey is doing sarcastic takes on his own sarcasm, and there's something funny and a little scary in that.

July 6, 2010 Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Top Critic

Joel Schumacher submits to the Wagnerian bombast with an overly busy surface, and the script by Lee and Janet Scott Batchler and Akiva Goldsman basically runs through the formula as if it's a checklist.

April 16, 2007 Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

As for Kilmer, he gamely steps into the dual Batman/Wayne role but can't get much traction, finding, as Michael Keaton had, that beyond a stern jaw there's not much to be done with it, since the suit does most of the work.

April 16, 2007 Full Review

Brian Lowry

Variety

Top Critic

The second sequel to Tim Burton's 1989 blockbuster makes its predecessors appear models of subtlety and coherence.

January 26, 2006 Full Review

Time Out

Top Critic

The film recovers from that initial confusion to get stronger as it goes along, and to shape up as a free-form playground for its various masquerading stars.

May 20, 2003 Full Review

Janet Maslin

New York Times

Top Critic

Batman Forever is in and out but wins in the end by staying true to its unbridled comic spirit.

May 12, 2001

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Top Critic

As for Two-Face, my favorite Batman baddie on the printed page, Tommy Lee Jones makes a complete mockery of the character with a broad performance that's difficult to stomach.

October 4, 2012 Full Review

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

The gulf between the dark universe Burton's film set up and the tremendously silly camp world that [Batman Forever was] hunting for was too great to hybridise the two.

July 19, 2012 Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

Batman is transformed in to Flesh Gordon with a phallic bat mobile, Bat nipples and sexual chemistry with his young ward...

July 3, 2012 Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

A flashy movie that's more like a video game.

January 1, 2011 Full Review

Ed Grant

Common Sense Media

Under Joel Schumacher's helm, this third chapter is disappointing--despite a new Batman (the vain Val Kilmer), new femme, new villains and characters, new costumes and even new Batmobile.

August 10, 2010 Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Die-hard Batman fans will be even more disappointed with this than they were with Burton's version.

July 16, 2010 Full Review | Comments (3)

Film4

Hasn't aged very well.

July 16, 2010 Full Review

Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

This is a film not designed to be the best piece of pop art it can possibly be, but calculated to draw the widest possible demographics in order to please WB's merchandising partners.

March 10, 2009 Full Review

Steve Biodrowski

Cinefantastique

Batman Forever is louder and gaudier than Burton's films, so be prepared.

March 2, 2009 Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

Boring and near-unwatchable; its title sums it up with cruel accuracy.

July 23, 2007 Full Review | Comments (9)

Rob Gonsalves

eFilmCritic.com

See website for more details.

June 18, 2007 Full Review | Comment (1)

Rory L. Aronsky

Screen It!

Mildly diverting, brainless fun that feels like a long trailer for a better film.

April 16, 2007 Full Review

TV Guide's Movie Guide

The film ultimately lacks genuine suspense, and Schumacher unwisely moves the film back towards the camp of the 1960s television series.

October 20, 2005 Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Takes two giant steps backward.

July 5, 2005 Full Review

Jason Zingale

Bullz-Eye.com

Kilmer's appeal in the role may be partially due to the fact that his actual public persona resembles Bruce Wayne more closely than that of any other Bat-thespian.

June 27, 2005 Full Review | Comment (1)

Luke Y. Thompson

LYTRules.com

The fatuousness of that title sums up Schumacher's approach. The director allows his few scrupulous choices to be overwhelmed by garish vaudeville.

January 20, 2005

Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews

• 1. Riddler/Edward Nygma: Your entrance was good, his was better. The difference, showmanship.
  – Submitted by Matthew D (2 months ago)
• 1. Assistant: Can I fix you a sandwich for your drive, sir?
  2. Batman / Bruce Wayne: I'll take drive-thru.
  – Submitted by Mike R (6 months ago)
• 1. Riddler/Edward Nygma: Surf's up, big kahuna!
  – Submitted by David G (10 months ago)
• 1. Batman / Bruce Wayne: I see without seeing, to me, darkness is as clear as daylight, what am I?
  2. Riddler/Edward Nygma: Please. You're as blind as a bat.
  3. Batman / Bruce Wayne: Exactly!
  – Submitted by Matthew D (11 months ago)
• 1. Batman / Bruce Wayne: I'm Bruce Wayne and Batman, not because I have to, it because I choose to, I choose to be Batman Forever.
  – Submitted by Baurushan J (11 months ago)
• 1. Alfred Pennyworth: I'm sorry to bother you sir. I have some rather distressing news about Master Dick.
  2. Batman / Bruce Wayne: Is he alright?
  3. Alfred Pennyworth: I'm afraid Master Dick has gone traveling. Actually, he took the car.
  4. Batman / Bruce Wayne: He boosted the Jag?
  5. Alfred Pennyworth: Not the Jaguar. The other car.
  6. Batman / Bruce Wayne: The Bentley?
  7. Alfred Pennyworth: No sir...the other car.
  – Submitted by John P (11 months ago)

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