In Batman Forever, we say goodbye Tim Burton, Michael Keaton and Danny Elfman, though Burton returns as the producer. It's a whole new ballgame, movie fans. Not only it lose contributions from these talented individuals, but also had to let go much of the quality associated with the first two. I hope it is not only me talking.

First the new Batman. Does Val Kilmer measure up as Batman/Bruce Wayne? Well, he certainly has the pout. But otherwise he is not doing much. I blame it on script. Kilmer is an adequate actor and with proper writing and direction, much could have been done with the character. After two movies of brooding Bruce Wayne, we are again with it. I guess the third time brooding got me bored a bit, even though substantial humour has been added.

The direction is not consistent. Schumacher's Gotham City is not as dark as Burton's, but a lot more colourful. He wants to bring elements of comic book into the movie, and personally I didn't have much problem with that. He seemed to work well with the actors and I didn't have problem with that as well. But I could feel that something is wrong. A beginning of something foul....

The villains this time around are Two Face (Tommy Lee Jones) and the Riddler (Jim Carrey). As with previous Batman movies, the villains, especially Carrey, steals the show. As a matter of fact, Keaton said that he left the show because the movies are more about the villains than Batman. Too much truth in what he said. Carrey's over-the-top performance resulted in Batman Forever listed amongst Carrey's film rather than the Batman series.

I didn't like the addition of Robin in this movie. There is nothing wrong with Chris O'Donnell's cheeky portrayal, but I believe it is out of place in the very adult adventures of the Dark Knight. I don't quite see the reason why Batman should have a partner and what he saw in Dick Grayson (Robin's real persona) apart from the acrobatic act.

The gal is played by Nicole Kidman as psychiatrist Dr. Chase Merridian. She does nothing much but to throw a lot of mumbo jumbos of phsycology and have confusion with her love affair with both Batman and Bruce Wayne. Nothing much for her to do, too.

Another complaint is the music. Why must they ditch Elfman's beautiful theme? The new theme by Elliot Goldenthal is some screaming thingy on the air and I have no attachment to it at all.

The beginning of something. If I were to recommend this movie to someone I would say, "Watch it if you like Jim Carrey."