Batman Forever is a hot mess. Besides its memorable cast, the film is all wrong. First, the writing is lazy and forced. Character choices lack justification, only satisfying the script's cliche mold. Villains are flat with flimsy motivations, the romance is cringey, and the hero partnership is incompatible. Few scenes build characters or chemistry because the movie is preoccupied with predictable plot points and clumsy action. Thus, Batman Forever has nothing to connect with. It's an empty husk of a formulaic story structure, void of real thought or emotion. Furthermore, while some acting is forgivable, Carrey is annoying and O'Donnell is awkward.
Meanwhile, the filmmaking of Batman Forever is misguided and cheap. The production has a theoretical style, but in actuality, it's muddled, hollow, and ugly. Sets look incomplete, lacking the details to be convincing. The cinematography has skillful moments, but that's outweighed by choppy orientation and cluttered composition. Plus, the editing is jagged, the sound is obnoxious, and the special effects are hideous. The music is competent, but doesn't fit with the film's erratic tone. Clearly, Schumacher wanted something campy, but he produced a grating, unsightly experience. Overall, Batman Forever is embarrassing. It's not fun and viewers should stay away.
Writing: 2/10
Direction: 1/10
Cinematography: 3/10
Acting: 3/10
Editing: 2/10
Sound: 3/10
Score/Soundtrack: 5/10
Production Design: 2/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 3/10
Overall Score: 3.2/10
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