Batman Forever (1995)

The critic finds it the funniest and fastest in the series thanks to its brisk pace and stylish effects, making for enjoyable popcorn entertainment despite shifting from the darker tone of previous films.

The critic calls it an enjoyably camp iteration with a buff Val Kilmer as Batman. The film is noted for being a little wackier than its predecessors, perhaps closer to the 1960s TV version.

The review sees Schumacher's take as flawed yet brilliant and messy but impressive, a camp Bat-flick that hasn't aged well. It praises the villainous double-act especially Carrey's energetic Riddler and the comic-book visuals, but criticizes the lack of restraint, plot logic, and cohesive characterisation.

Ebert finds the film visually striking with clever one-liners and irreverence toward the material but notes that Batman remains undefined and the villains overact, making the spectacle wearying. He calls it good bubblegum for the eyes and lighter than prior entries, though the great Batman movie is still to come.

The critic finds the film wholly boring and cynical, lacking the vision of Burton's entries despite better storytelling and brighter visuals. Schumacher replaces gothic gloom with commercial canniness, and while some performances and production design impress, the overall result is visual overload without narrative drive.

Maslin views the film as an empty-calorie product focused on spectacle and gimmicks rather than cinematic merit, with flashy but messy direction that panders to teens. She notes Val Kilmer makes an acceptable Batman but highlights unwanted innovations like nipples on the suit.

The review criticizes the film for feeling stale and self-conscious, with too many competing elements and a perfunctory plot, making predecessors seem more coherent.

The critic calls Batman Forever an underrated blast of joy that successfully balances silliness with serious themes of duality and trauma. They praise its bold neon aesthetics, virtuosic camera work, witty screenplay, and strong performances, especially Nicole Kidman's.

The critic argues Batman Forever is the most underrated entry and more faithful to the comics than Tim Burton's films, crediting Schumacher for respecting origins, character relationships, and Batman's no-kill rule. They highlight Val Kilmer's charming Bruce Wayne and the film's blend of camp and stakes.

The critic finds the film a shallow mess and the point where the rot set in for the Batman franchise, with underdeveloped villains and a major misstep in adding Robin. He singles out the overall lack of edge and control over the production for complaint.