Batman Forever
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Music_album_cd_batman_forever.jpg
Album cover of the Batman Forever soundtrack
Batman Forever (1995) is the third film in the first modern series of live-action Batman movies, following Batman and the 1992 sequel Batman Returns. It starred Val Kilmer as Batman and Chris O'Donnell as Robin. While the previous two films had been directed by Tim Burton, Batman Forever was directed by Joel Schumacher, whose changes to the established designs and thematics of the first two films - Batman's costume includes latex nipples for example - means that the film is regarded by some as being less serious than the franchise's previous two.
The villains in the movie are The Riddler, played by Jim Carrey, and Two-Face/Harvey Dent, a role played in the original 1989 movie by Billy Dee Williams, but assumed here by Tommy Lee Jones. Also in the movie is Dr. Chase Meridian, played by Nicole Kidman; the movie proved to be Kidman's breakout role and put her on the road to superstardom.
This sequel follows Two-Face's alliance with The Riddler and their resulting plan to destroy Batman. It also tells the origin story of Robin (a familiar character not seen in either of the two previous Batman films by Tim Burton). Robin's circus-performing parents are killed by Two-Face, and the Riddler is a vengeful, obsessive former engineer of Bruce Wayne, Batman's alter-ego.
Originally it was intended that the third Batman film would be directed by Burton with Michael Keaton, Rene Russo as the love interest, Robin Williams as the Riddler and possibly a reprise of the Catwoman character. When Burton was attached by the studio to the Superman film Keaton left the film as he was unhappy to do the part with another director. As the younger Val Kilmer was cast production was delayed and Renee Russo was let go as she was deemed too old for the part of the love interest.
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Critical Reaction and box office
This film cost a budget of approx. $90 or $100 million and earned $184,031,112 in total domestic sales and $152.5 million worldwide(according to [[1] (http://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=1995&p=.htm)]), making it the most succesful movie of the summer of 1995 and second-best of that year (next to Toy Story). It was also the second most succesful Batman movie as of June 19, 2005 (after the 1989 original).
In spite of these statistics, the film obtained generally mixed reviews. Much of the blame comes from the drastic makeover of the franchise (most of it led by Joel Schumacher himself), showing the movie with a feel that was more reminiscent to the campy 1960's TV show than its Burton predecessors. Venom was sprayed upon Val Kilmer, who was viewed as a physically fit Batman but criticised for his wooden portrayal of Bruce Wayne. Other people accuse Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones's over-the-top performances as the Riddler and Two-Face, who, in contrast with past villains, were cartoonish rather than menacing. Another source of controversy is the introduction of nipples in the Batsuit (except for the one used in the finale), as well as the humorous close-ups of Bruce Wayne while donning his suit.
Trivia
- This is the second time Val Kilmer and Michael Gough were in a movie together. The first movie was the 1984 comedy movie Top Secret! where Val made his debut.
- One other name that was thrown out by Warner Brothers for Batman Forever was Batman Strikes.
- Tom Hanks and Alec Baldwin were almost cast as Batman.
- Mel Gibson was rumoured to be Two-Face.
- In one early 1993 draft, the villains were originally set to be Two Face and The Scarecrow.
- Director Tim Burton intended to direct the third film in the franchise but turned it down due to creative differences.
- Detective Harvey Bullock was originally set to have a small role in the film but WB thought he would be confused with Harvey Dent/Two Face.
- Robin Williams was offered the role of the Riddler, but he refused to consider it pending an apology from Warner Bros for their casting of the Joker in the original Batman movie. Jack Nicholson was the offered the role of Joker first but kept delaying his answer and Williams was offered the role. The producers turned around and informed Nicholson that Williams was considering the offer, and Nicholson accepted.
- Over forty minutes of the movie was cut to make it family-friendly.
- Commissioner Gordon (played by Pat Hingle) was originally going to be shot and killed by Two Face in an early draft but the idea was turned down when WB wanted a family-friendly Batman film that children could go to.
- Chris O'Donnell, Christian Bale, Corey Feldman, and Corey Haim auditioned for the role of Robin in Batman Forever. Ultimately, Chris O'Donnell got the part and, ironically, 10 years later, Christian Bale got the part of the hero Batman in the latest movie, Batman Begins.
- Billy Dee Williams agreed to play Harvey Dent in the original Batman hoping that the role would guarantee he would be play Two-Face himself in a sequel. However, he was eventually bought out in order to recast the role with Tommy Lee Jones. Many fans have noted that they disliked Jones' manic performance and believed that Williams would have done a better job.
Quote
Alfred: "No sir. The other car!"
Soundtrack
Hit singles from the soundtrack include "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" by U2, and "Kiss From A Rose" by Seal, both of which were nominated for MTV Movie Awards. "Kiss From A Rose" (whose video was also directed by Schumacher) reached #1 in the US charts as well.
External Links
- Template:Imdb title
- Batman Forever review, Batman Forever DVD review (http://www.bullz-eye.com/mguide/reviews_1995/batman_forever.htm)fr:Batman Forever