Batman Forever ★★★ 1995 (PG-13) Holy franchise, Batman! Third-time actioner considerably lightens up Tim Burton's dark vision for a more family-oriented Caped Crusader (now played by Kilmer, who fills out lip requirement nicely). The Boy Wonder also makes a first-time appearance in the bulked-up form of O'Donnell, a street-smart Robin with revenge on his mind. Naturally, the villains still steal the show in the personas of maniacal Carrey (the Riddler) and the sartorially splendid Jones as Harvey "Two-Face" Dent. Rounding out this charismatic cast is Kidman's slinky psychologist Chase Meridian, who's eager to find the man inside the bat (and who can blame her). Lots of splashy toys for the boys and aweinspiring sets to show you where the money went. A Gotham City gas that did $53 million at it's opening weekend boxoffice—breaking the "Jurassic Park" record, testimony to the power of aggressive marketing. 121m/C VHS, DVD. Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Chris O'Donnell, Nicole Kidman, Drew Barrymore, Debi Mazar, Michael Gough, Pat Hingle, Jon Favreau, George Wallace, Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Ed Begley Jr., Rene Auberjonois, Joe Grifasi, Jessica Tuck, Kimberly Scott;
Director:
Joel Schumacher;
Writer:
Janet Scott Batchler, Akiva Goldsman, Lee Batchler;
Writer:
Stephen Goldblatt;
Cameo:
Elliot Goldenthal. Blockbuster '96: Action Actress, T. (Kidman).
