Val Kilmer really wasn't that bad a Batman

[héad.casé]

Was flicking through the TV channels earlier on and saw Batman Forever. Been a few years since i'd seen it. I must say, it's not the best of Bat movies, but Val wasn't that bad as the Bat. Handsome, had the Bruce playboy charm, he could have played that side of himself a bit more asshole like the way Bale and Affleck did but he was alright, noble in trying to teach Dick that killing Harvey wouldn't help and willing to out himself as Batman to Harvey to save everyone from being blown up in the circus, showed a little of his detective side in solving the riddles.

I would've preferred to see Keaton again for Forever but what we got with Val wasn't awful. Shame the dude had a massive ego behind the scenes of the movie though.

[Kevin Hamilton]

He was decent if a lil wooden.

It was the script that was the main failing.

[Fade is a CodyCryBaby]

I love how he and George both stated joel schumacher basically told them Batman was Gay.

[Deleted]

Honestly I'm pretty forgiving of Batman Forever. It's not perfect by any stretch, and not at all one of my favorites, but I find it plenty watchable.

[Mr PONYMANIA Mr Jenzie]

three things i cheered

1: THAT dive off the theater roof into the tunnels, a stunning piece of CGI and camerawork
2: ARKHAM ASYLUM!
3: riddler blowing up that horrible batmobile ..... even though it has those wheel hubs, it was like watching some cardboard flapping about

[cabbageboy]

At least Forever finally tries some kind of actual characterization with Batman/Bruce Wayne himself. That's the big, big problem with both Burton movies. They are built on a faulty foundation where we don't have enough actual character work done on Wayne and instead spend the whole movie with the villains and their origins.

I would maintain that Kilmer was the best mix of Batman and Bruce Wayne that we have seen. Keaton was oddly better to me as Batman and a marginal Bruce Wayne (more oddball rich guy that playboy) and Clooney had no chance anyway. I gotta admit I'm not a big fan of Bale as Batman due to the goofy voice, and I don't care for the Batmobile or his look. He is by far the best Bruce Wayne though since the Nolan movies are all about that character. Affleck was good in a lousy movie, but his Batman is far too brutal and violent for my taste, and the script doesn't give clear enough reasons as to why. I'm presuming it was the death of Jason Todd/Robin but this isn't enough of a plot point.

[Hit Girl]

He was alright, but nothing compared to Michael Keaton.

[Hit Girl]

Apr 16, 2017 17:34:46 GMT -5 cabbageboy said:

At least Forever finally tries some kind of actual characterization with Batman/Bruce Wayne himself. That's the big, big problem with both Burton movies. They are built on a faulty foundation where we don't have enough actual character work done on Wayne and instead spend the whole movie with the villains and their origins.

The first film was about Vicki Vale finding out about Bruce's history, regarding his parents' death. There two beautiful character building scenes which I really like. The first is where she follows him to the theatre where he leaves two roses, and the second is where he has the flashback then realises that Jack Napier was the guy who murdered his parents. The second film focuses Bruce's character on his relationship with Selina. In effect, two messed up people who are drawn to each other.

[DiBiase is Good]

He was a terrible Bruce Wayne though.

[Hit Girl]

Apr 16, 2017 17:05:31 GMT -5 Fade is a CodyCryBaby said:

I love how he and George both stated joel schumacher basically told them Batman was Gay.

Two-Face: "Batman, I cannot sanction your homosexuality"

[trollrogue]

Always have a bit of bias for Forever, since it came out during my high school junior/senior prom timetable and there were goooooooood memories associated with it (our school band even played the Batman Forever theme song in our spring concert!)

[Citizen Snips Has Left]

Batman Forever was the first movie I ever took a date too, so I'll always have a soft spot for it. It's really a decent cross between the Burton movies and the '66 show. Nothing's the best Batman anything, but nothing's the worst either.

[Legion]

For me, Forever has the right line of kookie kids fun and still having some dark Batman veins running through it.

I like it enough, everyone seems to be having fun in it, and even though they're both chewing scenery, Carrey and Jones are perfectly watchable.

[Push R Truth]

You can bash Batman Forever and I'll let it slide.


But don't you DARE think about bashing the soundtrack. I'll cut you!


But seriously, Batman-Returns-Forever are three of the best soundtracks out there.

[Bub (BLM)]

Apr 16, 2017 18:55:02 GMT -5 Legion said:

For me, Forever has the right line of kookie kids fun and still having some dark Batman veins running through it.

I like it enough, everyone seems to be having fun in it, and even though they're both chewing scenery, Carrey and Jones are perfectly watchable.

I agree. My biggest gripe is honestly just the costumes. When I can say that about a superhero movie rather than hating the writing, I know it's a pretty decent flick.

As for Kilmer himself, I thought he was too dry as Bruce Wayne. If he played Bruce with Clooney's charm, he'd have been perfect, because his demeanor as Batman was superb.

[BlackoutCreature]

Back in the day I always felt that Clooney made a better Batman then Kilmer, Clooney just had a much worse script to work with. That said, it has been a very long time since I've seen either film, so I'm wondering if maybe I should go back and re-watch them and reevaluate that opinion.

[TWERKIN' MAGGLE]

Forever is, okay.

Batman and Robin is just so bad that it's badness sort of seeps backwards into Forever.

[2coldMack is even more baffled]

Apr 16, 2017 17:34:46 GMT -5 cabbageboy said:

At least Forever finally tries some kind of actual characterization with Batman/Bruce Wayne himself. That's the big, big problem with both Burton movies. They are built on a faulty foundation where we don't have enough actual character work done on Wayne and instead spend the whole movie with the villains and their origins.

I would maintain that Kilmer was the best mix of Batman and Bruce Wayne that we have seen. Keaton was oddly better to me as Batman and a marginal Bruce Wayne (more oddball rich guy that playboy) and Clooney had no chance anyway. I gotta admit I'm not a big fan of Bale as Batman due to the goofy voice, and I don't care for the Batmobile or his look. He is by far the best Bruce Wayne though since the Nolan movies are all about that character. Affleck was good in a lousy movie, but his Batman is far too brutal and violent for my taste, and the script doesn't give clear enough reasons as to why. I'm presuming it was the death of Jason Todd/Robin but this isn't enough of a plot point.

I still say that Clooney is an underrated Bruce Wayne, but completely awful as Batman, and not helped out in either name by the script.

[StuntGranny®]

I don't think he was bad at all, but I was a lot younger when I last watched that movie. If I had to rank the Batman Boys (live action only), I'd probably go...

1. Keaton



(A VERY disant)2. Kilmer
3. Clooney
4. Affleck
5. Bale

Obviously Adam West is on God-tier.

[riseofsetian1981]

I seem to remember Kilmer wanted to do a much more serious and darker take on the character similar to the comics. At a panel discussion when asked about The Dark Knight trilogy he said that's what he originally had in mind. I thought he was good for the material at hand, sadly it hasn't aged well obviously and is hated for a lot more reasons than him.