Batman Forever (PG-13, 1995)

common sense media says

A flashy movie that's more like a video game.


parents & educators say
  • 50% say violence is an issue
  • 50% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this installment of the Batman movie franchise deals with the deaths of both Bruce and Dick's parents, that Batman and his pals are placed in jeopardy several times; at one point, the Caped Crusader is believed to have been buried alive, and that when Batman finally does catch his opponents, he kills them rather than bringing them to justice.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Numerous fight scenes, with much gunfire, fisticuffs, speeding cars, and explosions. Only a few deaths, but each is violent and sadistic in a cartoonish way.
Sex: Suggestive verbal banter between Bruce and Chase. Two-Face's assistants wear revealing lingerie.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: This film is part of the Batman film series.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Batman Forever

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about superheroes. How does Batman compare to, say, Superman? Is Batman always a good guy? What is the difference between vigilantism and justice?

What's the story?

What's the story?

In BATMAN FOREVER, Dick Grayson (Chris O'Donnell) discovers that his family was killed by evil villain Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones), and the young man becomes Batman's (Val Kilmer) crime-fighting partner, Robin. The Dynamic Duo has their hands full when Two-Face teams up with The Riddler (Jim Carrey), who wants revenge against Bruce Wayne and also sets out to unmask Batman. The Caped Crusaders meet another formidable match in sultry psychiatrist Chase Meridian (Nicole Kidman). The cast also features Drew Barrymore as Two-Face's girlfriend, Sugar, and Ed Begley, Jr. as the manager of Bruce Wayne's company.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The third entry in the live-action movie series avoids the grim tone of its predecessors and Val Kilmer makes a heroic Caped Crusader, but this third installment in the series is more interested -- unfortunately -- in the ridiculous villains. Younger viewers will become restless during the dramatic moments, which are simply prolonged interludes between the numerous action sequences. The entire movie, in fact, seems to resemble a video game, thanks to an emphasis on bright colors, grandiose settings, and repetitive fight scenes.

Though younger kids may not warm to Robin's tired teen-rebel pose, director Joel Schumacher emphasizes O'Donnell's sex appeal for those who are interested. Val Kilmer physically suits the role of Bruce Wayne better than his predecessor Michael Keaton, but the superhero is still the same driven yet dreary soul of the first two movies. Operating at full throttle, as always, are the movie's villains. Tommy Lee Jones transforms the fascinating Two-Face into a mere Joker clone, while Jim Carrey offers his usual hyperkinetic shtick as The Riddler.

Movie themes & details

Themes
Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Joel Schumacher
Cast: Chris O'Donnell, Jim Carrey, Val Kilmer
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 122 minutes
Theatrical release: June 13, 1995
DVD release: May 20, 1997
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: strong stylized action.

This review was written by Ed Grant
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say violence is an issue
  • 50% say sexual content is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

bubbo
adult
 
Entertaining
Batman Forever is extremely cheesy and has a bad script, but is very entertaining, partly because Jim Carrey's villain is so over-the-top and fun to watch. Good for kids 10+

That Reviewing Kid
kid, 11 years old
 
A decent movie
Batman in tight rubber certainly isn't very good. Also the scene with Batman and Chase on the rooftop is always something I skip. Overall the movie is funny and action packed but it does contain many if moments.

star
teen, 17 years old
 
After the first batman tim burton batman movie they just got worse.
This on is another stupid batman movie this and batman returns the villians in this two face and the riddle are so weird to each other it's stupid. I am going to say this again if you want a good batman movie go with batman begins or the original tim burton batman don't wast your tim with this it is sloppy and if you really wanted to you could show 5 year old batman fan this it's not scary and the violence is just comic book style.

ohya
parent of 14 year old
 

quickbuild2345
teen, 14 years old
 
O.K. movie
This is the best of the four Batman movies, but it has a lot of explosions and shooting. Two-Face falls to his death on some rocks. And it's all around dark. So wait until you're 12 to watch it.

okcmaxk
kid, 10 years old
 
do not watch watch no,1
i like i,but wow!! this movie rocks.

robinrunner
teen, 14 years old
 
I had high expectations for this movie before I sawit and I wasn't let down!
First movie in the old batman series that shows you how Robin came to be. Great picture to see with friends. Some content that parents won't like is sprinkled around. The Riddler mentions a machine that involves sexual day dreams. Two Face's gang contains two girls that show a lot of sensuality. Besides that a film that will be enjoyed

alexander ...
kid, 13 years old
 

kossu
teen, 16 years old
 
10.

movies make me :)
kid, 13 years old
 
best batman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

uhya
teen, 13 years old
 
some violence
this movie isn't as good as the tim burtons or the christopher nolans, but its a lot better and the next one.

schuymarch1
teen, 17 years old
 
Absolutely fantastic...
Batman Forever is a very good Batman movie, but it's not the best one.

Justino4
teen, 14 years old
 
More Kid Friendly
A more kid-friendly and fun Batman movie to be the third installment. Is good. Jim Carrey's amazing as usual.

soccer lover229
teen, 15 years old
 
batman rocks!!!!!!
i love this movie it's so cool

Spielberg00
teen, 14 years old
 
A dumb, boring look at Batman.
My rating: PG-13 for stylized superhero action and violence, and for some language including brief suggestive references.

KidWhoReviewsStuff
kid, 13 years old
 
Holy campy sequel Batman
Apart from the kissing and the crotch grabbing this Batman movie is alright. However some strong language may make parents watch this with their children the first time round.

Family ...
teen, 13 years old
 
A great family movie
This movie will blow you away. It is very much like a comic book and was made for young children. The movie is a little dark in places but that is just so the tone is right. There is no blood in this movie so you can see that they tried to make it for kids. After Robin's parents are murdered by Two-Face (Don't worry you can't see what happens) he joins Batman but steals the batmobile and is acting like a dork (He is a bad role model) but then Batman stops him (He is the good role model). There is a point in the movie where Batman and Chase (The love intrest) meet on a rooftop and in her bedroom, which I found a little to sexual. There isn't anything really bad except for the scenes with Batman and Chase, when Robin says a cursing word and when Bruce Wayne (Batman) rembers how his parents were killed. Kids should enjoy this movie.

davyborn
teen, 17 years old
 
Awesomely silly and a enough fun to last past during repeated viewings
Lighter than ever, batman Forever is filmed like a eye catching music video, which in my opinion, is actually a pretty cool way of filming the movie and doesn't get in the way of the entertaining aspect of it all. Also, it is much tamer than the previous two films and trades the dark and brooding material for a bright, cheery and often goofy visual style. The violence and sensuality is still here, though, but never too graphic and nothing that most older kids can't handle, or haven't already seen in today's action movies.

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About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age