by SCOTT ANDRESEN

Daily Staff Writer

The Dark Knight rides again, or should I say, the not-quite-as-Dark-Knight-as-before rides again. The much-anticipated release of Batman Forever has gotten everyone in a little frenzy, myself included, although I will admit I’m not an ardent fan.

With that said, the movie is pretty good. It starts out way, way too dark and action-packed to the point of ridiculousness, but it finds itself rather nicely within a couple of minutes.

Before everybody starts in on the “who’s the babe in this one,” you should know that there isn’t one. Well, there is if you count Nicole Kidman, but I’ll reserve that spot for someone less annoying and more talented.

The brightest spot of all has to be, hands down, Jim Carrey. His portrayal of The Riddler fits him to a T; it’s as if DC Comics created this character especially for him. He stole the show from such accomplished actors as Tommy Lee Jones, playing Two-Face, and even Val Kilmer.

Speaking of Kilmer, his portrait of Batman is more human and not as tormented as his predecessor, what’s his name . . . ohh, Michael Keaton. Kilmer was so convincing and smooth that I forgot all about Mr. Mom himself.

The writers could have written Forever without Two-Face, not that he was at all bad, just unnecessary, as was Dr. Chase Meridian, a.k.a. Kidman. For a doctor, she didn’t know squat and was just too, well, too token.

Back to The Riddler. Carrey was dapper, debonair and funny to boot, and for those avid fans, look for Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (the highlight of the previews). I can’t say enough about him, just go and see it, if not for him alone.

Batman Forever teased with humor and Kilmer’s butt but didn’t quite deliver like Tim Burton’s first creation. Chris O’ Donnell was his usual boy, not fitting the Dick Grayson, boy-orphan-with-bad-luck-and-guts role. He’s just too pretty to be bad.

All in all, Batman Forever was worth seeing, but didn’t live up to the hype and commercialization, but then again, what does?

P.S. I don’t understand why Burton didn’t direct when he produced? What’s the connection there?

Century III Theatres 7:10 & 9:4