Batman Forever, the third installment in the Batman series, is very different from the first two. Tim Burton's dark, gothic, and melancholy style has been replaced by Joel Schumacher's comic book colors and facetious humor. What Burton lacked, Schumacher has an overabundance of.

The central theme of the movie is sledgehammered at us. Duality! Every character has a schizoid personality, and at times it seems that no one is sane. Delusions, nightmares, deranged episodes, they're all here. Maybe the warden should lock everyone up in rooms with padded walls.

Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones), aka DA Harvey Dent, is a deformed maniac bent on personal gain. Half his face was warped by acid, and so was his personality. Now he makes decisions based on the toss of a coin. Unfortunately, there's no room in the character for Jones to maneuver, so he seems oddly trapped by it.

The Riddler (Jim Carrey), aka Edward Nygma, is the techno-geek of Wayne Enterprises. He's invented a device that allows him to siphon TV viewers brainwaves. He soon becomes the ultimate answer-man for Jeopardy, and decides he'll throw out a few riddles of his own. Carrey is marvelous as he and his pranks become more outlandish.

Robin (Chris O'Donnell), aka Dick Grayson, is a circus acrobat turned superhero. As Batman's new sidekick, he's part streetwise kid, part hotshot, and all attitude. Robin fits O'Donnell well, and opposite Kilmer he seems a natural for the role.

Dr. Chase Meridian (Nicole Kidman) is a lewd criminal psychologist who can't make up her mind if she should heat up the sheets with Batman or Bruce Wayne. (Bruce and Batman aren't sweating her choice.) Kidman is no Michelle Pfeiffer, and her performance is hampered due to lack of onscreen time.

As for Batman (Val Kilmer), his performance equals or exceeds that of Michael Keaton's. Yet, this might be because he hides behind the suit through most of the movie.

As with the other Batman movies, we can expect excellent sets and spectacular special effects. But would it be too much to ask for a good plot?

Apparently so, for that is Batman's Achilles heel. The story never goes anywhere.

Along with Burton's departure, Danny Elfman went as well. The current score is a far cry from Elfman's eclectic, neurotic pieces. He, like the plot, is sorely missed. Not even the familiar Batman theme remains.

Copyright (c) 1995 Tony Zidek