The mid-90s Joel Schumacher era of Batman movies has been largely derided and written off. However, this is mostly because of Batman & Robin, and, since its much-maligned release, audiences tend to lump Batman Forever and Batman & Robin together. But actually, Batman Forever was a huge hit and received better reviews than its predecessor.
Every movie is a mixed bag. There's good and bad in everything. Audiences forget there are actually a lot of great moments in Batman Forever and even some in Batman & Robin. Some might say the bad outweighs the good, and with Batman & Robin they're certainly right, but both films still contain a fair amount of good that makes them watchable.
Best: Batman Forever - "You Need Help, Harvey"
Many comic book fans have argued that the Batman portrayed in the live-action '90s Batman films is not an accurate depiction. While Batman dresses like a monster, inside beats the heart of a human who cares.
During the opening scene, Batman hangs onto Two-Face's helicopter. Like a badass, he breaks the window using his cowl's ears and says to Two-Face, "You need help, Harvey. Give it up." This is a Batman that's not a vigilante, but someone who cares, including about villains.
Worst: Batman & Robin - Bat Skates
Batman Forever had a great opening action scene with real stakes. Batman & Robin gets overly cartoony when Mr. Freeze has frozen a museum and his henchmen attack Batman and Robin on ice skates so they magically produce skates as well.
Given that their boots already have the skates in them means that they added them should a situation like this occur. Since this is their first battle with Mr. Freeze, it's impossible to know that a situation would arise in which they'd need skates.
Best: Batman & Robin - Alfred Dying
Refreshingly, Michael Gough's Alfred gets the spotlight in Batman & Robin with a storyline where he's dying. These scenes are actually quite good. It's only when the action moves outside Wayne Manor that the movie becomes a cartoon.
In a particularly tender moment, Alfred explains to Bruce about Batman's merits and praises him for not being a victim following his parents' death, and instead nobly trying to control the fates, which both men admit is futile. Of course, the subtext of this moment is that Alfred is dying and there is nothing Bruce can do to stop that.
Worst: Batman & Robin - Poison Ivy and Flytrap
Perhaps Batman & Robin's biggest plothole is that the villains are mismatched since Mr. Freeze wants to freeze the world and Poison Ivy wants to cover it in plants. So, Poison Ivy gets dispatched before the film's freezing finale. Robin finds Ivy sitting in a giant venus flytrap and, following her fight with Batgirl, Ivy's kicked into the flytrap which appears to engulf her.
It is unclear what exactly happened here. Why did the venus flytrap suddenly turn on her when she was sitting in it just moments before? Ultimately, Poison Ivy's demise is odd and anti-climactic.
Best: Batman Forever - Batman Recounts His Past
Batman '89 showcases the hero's origin but it never explains why he became Batman or, strangely, why he randomly chose a Bat. Batman Forever delves more into Batman's psychology, hence why he dates Dr. Chase Meridian.
A very powerful moment is when Bruce recounts to Chase when he discovered the Batcave, and the bat figure he would use to strike terror into the hearts of evil men. As he explains that helping others would be his revenge, a tear streams down his face. It's a beautifully acted, sobering moment full of catharsis.
Worst: Batman Forever - Batmobile On The Building
While Batman & Robin is full of cringe-inducing moments, Batman Forever at least tries to be a serious movie, although a few harbingers of what the next movie would bring do occur. The most egregious is when Two-Face corners the Batmobile in an alley. So to escape, the Batmobile uses a heavy-duty Batarang to drive up the building's side. The scene then ends without a resolution.
This begs the question of what Batman was going to do when he got up there. Apparently, just hang until Two-Face left, making this decision somewhat cowardly on Batman's part.
Best: Batman Forever - Coin Toss
Two-Face's defeat is an example of Batman using his smarts instead of brute force or violence to stop him. As Batman knows, Two-Face leaves his choices to chance. So when Two-Face debates whether or not to kill the heroes, he flips his coin, but, this time, Batman throws up many coins, confusing him. Two-Face struggles to catch his own coin, falling to a wavering grave in the process.
It's a great example of Batman using Two-Face's flaws against him, tricking him but not all-out murdering him. Two-Face hits the water and his coin falls into his palm, a shot even The Dark Knight would copy.
Worst: Batman & Robin - Awkward
In a movie full of odd moments, Batman & Robin gets down-right awkward during the Barbara Pennyworth introduction. During the tour of the grounds, Bruce suggests she stay with them, to which Alfred warns, "We do get so busy here." However, Bruce insists, which is followed by awkward smiles and dead air.
It is unclear what audiences are supposed to gather from this scene. Does Bruce insist she stay because he wants her to join the team and become a superhero? That is strange given that this is their first meeting. The fact that, later, Alfred has a Batgirl suit already made supports this theory.
Best: Batman Forever - Batman Flies Through Signal
A great hero inspires hope and Batman Forever has such a moment. Admittedly, the stakes of Batman Forever are unclear and audiences never have a sense that "all is lost" like Gordon seems to have when he tells his officer to shut the signal off, saying disappointedly, "He's not coming."
However, Gordon hears a plane in the distance drawing nearer, he looks up and the Batwing flies through the Bat-Signal. Batman gives a "thumbs up" and Gordon celebrates. It's cheesy, but Batman reminding audiences everything is going to be alright, and that he's "on the job," is what going to these types of movies is all about.
Worst: Batman & Robin - Bat Credit Card
Batman & Robin features a creepy auction scene where rich men bid on women for a date (?). When Poison Ivy makes her entrance, everyone, including the heroes, falls in love with her. A bidding war then begins between Batman and Robin, culminating with Batman pulling out his credit card.
This silly moment raises many questions that shouldn't come up in a franchise about a tortured superhero. Does Batman have a bank account that's separate from Bruce Wayne's? This is a liability because it could be easily hacked, and his identity discovered. The entire scene is weird because it portrays Batman and Robin as celebrities, using their normal voices, and not creatures of the night fighting evil in the shadows. This harkens back to the campy days of the Adam West TV show.