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Batman Forever
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
Yes, director Joel Schumacher took the "Batman" series and sent it crashing, but after watching "Batman Forever" once more, it does (unlike "Batman and Robin") have some positive aspects. In other words, it's not a great film, but it's not a total wreck, either. There is certainly a scene stealer though - Jim Carrey takes every scene he's in away with him with a seriously twisted and funny performance.
We all know the story by know; the caped crusader(Val Kilmer this time around) sets off to deal with not only one, but two bad guys - Harvey Two-Face(Tommy Lee Jones, overacting) and The Riddler(Carrey at his best). This time, he also picks up a sidekick(the awful Chris O'Donnell) who eventually becomes Robin. Both the villians team up against the duo, and off the film goes.
The film looks very good, with bright, poppy colors and towering production design, but Val Kilmer really isn't successful in the lead role. Batman is usually a pretty serious guy, but Kilmer plays it a little too serious - if it wasn't for Carrey, this film would be a pretty dull affair. O'Donnell is lame as usual, not much of an explanation needed there. Nicole Kidman is on-hand as a love interest for both Batman and alter-ego Bruce Wayne, but doesn't recieve a whole lot to do.
Overall, "Batman Forever" does offer a couple of hours of moderately entertaining action fare. Nothing more, nothing less. If anything, see it for Carrey's great supporting turn as the Riddler.
The DVD
VIDEO: The transfer by Warner Brothers is pretty stunning work, especially for one of the earlier works that they've done. Sharpness is excellent throughout, and detail is very strong even in the darker scenes. Colors are beautiful, looking bold and rich, looking well-saturated and never showing any signs of problems. Black level is strong and flesh tones are natural, as well.
This really is Warner Brothers at their very best; aside from the slightest trace of artifacts once or twice, this is a picture completely clear and free any flaws whatsoever; the result is a very smooth, clean picture that looks almost "film-like" in nature. Excellent work. A pan&scan version is available on the flip side.
SOUND: "Batman Forever" not only looks great, but it sounds fantastic; this is a wonderfully agressive and enveloping sound mix that offers some solid bass and frequent surround use. The Danny Elfman score sounds dynamic, smooth and nicely integrated into the overall audio. Dialogue remains clear and natural. Good work from sound designer Lance Brown("Three Kings", "Batman and Robin").
MENUS:: Basic film-themed menus with images from the movie; no animation, but easily navigated.
EXTRAS: Again, this being an early title from Warner Brothers, there isn't anything beyond production notes, cast/crew bios and "recommendations", but no trailers.
Final Thoughts: Very good audio and video quality, but other than that, there's no major extras, which is unfortunate.
Yes, director Joel Schumacher took the "Batman" series and sent it crashing, but after watching "Batman Forever" once more, it does (unlike "Batman and Robin") have some positive aspects. In other words, it's not a great film, but it's not a total wreck, either. There is certainly a scene stealer though - Jim Carrey takes every scene he's in away with him with a seriously twisted and funny performance.
We all know the story by know; the caped crusader(Val Kilmer this time around) sets off to deal with not only one, but two bad guys - Harvey Two-Face(Tommy Lee Jones, overacting) and The Riddler(Carrey at his best). This time, he also picks up a sidekick(the awful Chris O'Donnell) who eventually becomes Robin. Both the villians team up against the duo, and off the film goes.
The film looks very good, with bright, poppy colors and towering production design, but Val Kilmer really isn't successful in the lead role. Batman is usually a pretty serious guy, but Kilmer plays it a little too serious - if it wasn't for Carrey, this film would be a pretty dull affair. O'Donnell is lame as usual, not much of an explanation needed there. Nicole Kidman is on-hand as a love interest for both Batman and alter-ego Bruce Wayne, but doesn't recieve a whole lot to do.
Overall, "Batman Forever" does offer a couple of hours of moderately entertaining action fare. Nothing more, nothing less. If anything, see it for Carrey's great supporting turn as the Riddler.
The DVD
VIDEO: The transfer by Warner Brothers is pretty stunning work, especially for one of the earlier works that they've done. Sharpness is excellent throughout, and detail is very strong even in the darker scenes. Colors are beautiful, looking bold and rich, looking well-saturated and never showing any signs of problems. Black level is strong and flesh tones are natural, as well.
This really is Warner Brothers at their very best; aside from the slightest trace of artifacts once or twice, this is a picture completely clear and free any flaws whatsoever; the result is a very smooth, clean picture that looks almost "film-like" in nature. Excellent work. A pan&scan version is available on the flip side.
SOUND: "Batman Forever" not only looks great, but it sounds fantastic; this is a wonderfully agressive and enveloping sound mix that offers some solid bass and frequent surround use. The Danny Elfman score sounds dynamic, smooth and nicely integrated into the overall audio. Dialogue remains clear and natural. Good work from sound designer Lance Brown("Three Kings", "Batman and Robin").
MENUS:: Basic film-themed menus with images from the movie; no animation, but easily navigated.
EXTRAS: Again, this being an early title from Warner Brothers, there isn't anything beyond production notes, cast/crew bios and "recommendations", but no trailers.
Final Thoughts: Very good audio and video quality, but other than that, there's no major extras, which is unfortunate.
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