Batman Forever

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
 This article's introduction section may not adequately summarize its contents. To comply with Wikipedia's lead section guidelines, please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of the article's key points.
Batman Forever
Directed by Joel Schumacher
Produced by Tim Burton
Peter Macgregor-Scott
Written by Screenplay:
Lee Scott-Batchler
Janet Scott-Batchler
Akiva Goldsman
Story:
Lee Scott-Batchler
Janet Scott-Batchler
Comic Book:
Bill Finger
(uncredited)
Bob Kane
Starring Val Kilmer
Tommy Lee Jones
Jim Carrey
Nicole Kidman
Chris O'Donnell
Music by Elliot Goldenthal
Cinematography Stephen Goldblatt
Editing by Dennis Virkler
Mark Stevens
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date(s) June 16, 1995
Running time 122 min.
Country United States
Language English
Budget $100 million
Gross revenue $336.53 million
Preceded by Batman Returns
Followed by Batman & Robin

Batman Forever is a 1995 superhero film directed by Joel Schumacher. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film stars Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman and Chris O'Donnell. Batman Forever tells the story of Batman (Kilmer) trying to stop Two-Face (Jones) and the Riddler (Carrey) in their villainous scheme to drain information from all the brains in Gotham City. Batman gains alliance from psychiatrist Dr. Chase Meridian (Kidman) and adopted sidekick Robin (O'Donnell).

Contents

[edit] Plot

The film opens with Batman (Val Kilmer) stopping a hostage situation in a bank caused by Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones), the alter ego of physically/emotionally scarred former district attorney, Harvey Dent. Unfortunately, Two-Face escapes. Later on, Edward Nygma (Jim Carrey), a researcher at Wayne Enterprises, develops a device to beam television directly to a person's brain; Bruce Wayne rejects the invention, noting that it "raises too many questions," and Edward resigns from his position.

After meeting psychiatrist Dr. Chase Meridian (Nicole Kidman), Bruce invites her to a charity circus event. While there, Two-Face and his henchmen storm the event in an attempt to discover Batman's secret identity, and in the process the acrobat family, The Flying Graysons are murdered. The youngest member, Dick (Chris O'Donnell), survives and stops Two-Face's bomb from exploding. Upon his return, he discovers that Two-Face killed his family and escaped the scene. Bruce assumes responsibility for Dick and allows him to stay at Wayne Manor. Dick declares his intention to kill Two-Face and avenge his family's murder, and when he discovers Bruce's secret identity as Batman, he insists on becoming his sidekick, "Robin".

Meanwhile, Edward has become psychologically obsessed with Bruce, and he begins to leave riddles for him. He decides to become a criminal known as "The Riddler" and become allies with Two-Face. Using his invention that Bruce had rejected earlier, Edward could read and control people's minds, and steal their intelligence quotient. At a business party, Edward discovers Bruce's secret identity. Two-Face then attacks the party and nearly kills Batman, but Robin comes just in time to save his life. However, Two-Face and the Riddler later converge into Wayne Manor. The Riddler enters the Batcave and destroys most of the equipment, and he and Two-Face then kidnap Chase. They also leave Bruce another riddle.

After solving the last riddle, Batman and Robin locate the Riddler's lair, where both are separated upon reaching the island. Robin then encounters Two-Face and manages to beat him to the ground; Two-Face clings on for life, and realizing that he cannot kill him, Robin helps the villain back up. Doing this allows Two Face to get the upper hand, and he captures Robin. Meanwhile, Batman manages to make his way into the Riddler's lair and meets the Riddler himself; he reveals Robin and Chase as hostages, and gives Batman a choice of saving one hostage, but not the other. Batman finds a way to save both hostages, and manages to destroy the brainwave-collecting device and warp the Riddler in the process. During the battle, Two Face falls to his death. The Riddler is finally sent to Arkham Asylum, and Chase is asked to consult on his case. Riddler offers to reveal the identity of Batman to her, but he thinks himself Batman. Chase then meets Bruce Wayne outside and tells him his secret is safe.

[edit] Cast

Jon Favreau and Don "The Dragon" Wilson appear in cameos.

[edit] Production

Even though Batman Returns was a financial success, Warner Bros. felt the film should have made more money and decided to make the film series more mainstream. Tim Burton, who had directed the two previous installments, decided to restrict himself to the role of producer and approved of Joel Schumacher as director. Lee and Janet Scott Batchler were then hired to write the script.[1] Akiva Goldsman was brought to perform a rewrite. He delivered a "production draft" in June 1994.[2] Production went on fast track with Rene Russo cast as Dr. Chase Meridian. Michael Keaton decided not to reprise Batman because he didn't like the new direction the film series was heading in.[3] Keaton also wanted to pursue "more interesting roles",[4] turning down $15 million to appear in Batman Forever.[1] Val Kilmer was cast days later, and the filmmakers decided that Russo was too old for Kilmer, replacing her with a different actress.[3]

Robin Wright Penn, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Linda Hamilton were in competition for Dr. Chase Meridian, with Penn appearing as the favorable choice. Nicole Kidman was eventually cast.[5] Robin Williams turned down the Riddler,[6] while Michael Jackson was attached to the role, but the filmmakers ignored him. Jim Carrey was eventually cast.[7] Robin appeared in the shooting script of Batman Returns but was deleted due to too many characters. Marlon Wayans was cast in the role, and signed for Batman Forever. It was decided to replace Wayans with a different actor[8] Leonardo DiCaprio and Chris O'Donnell became the top two choices, with O'Donnell winning the part. Mitchell Gaylord served as O'Donnell's stunt double.[5]

Filming started in September 1994.[1] Rick Baker designed the prosthetic makeup. John Dykstra, Andrew Adamson and Jim Rygiel served as visual effects supervisors, with Boss Film Studios and Pacific Data Images also contributing with visual effects work. Schumacher had problems filming with Kilmer, while "Jim Carrey was a gentleman, and Tommy Lee was threatened by him. I'm tired of defending overpaid, overprivileged actors. I pray I don't work with them again."[9]

[edit] Reception

Peter David and Alan Grant wrote separate novelizations of the film.[10][11] Dennis O'Neil authored a comic book adaption, with art by Michal Dutkiewicz.[12] Batman Forever was released in America on June 16, 1995 in 2,842 theaters, making $52.78 million in its opening weekend.[13] This was the highest opening weekend of 1995.[14] The film went on to gross $184.03 million in North America, and $152.5 million in foreign countries, totaling $336.53 million. Batman Forever was declared a financial success.[13] The film earned more money than its predecessor Batman Returns,[15] and was the second-highest (behind Toy Story) grossing film in North America in 1995.[14] In worldwide totals Batman Forever was number six.[16]

Based on 48 reviews collected by Rotten Tomatoes, 44% of reviewers enjoyed the film, with the consensus of "Loud, excessively busy, and often boring, Batman Forever nonetheless has the charisma of Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones to offer mild relief."[17] The film was more balanced with 13 critics in Rotten Tomatoes's "Top Critics" poll, receiving a 69% approval rating.[18] By comparison Metacritic collected an average score of 51, based on 23 reviews.[19]

Jonathan Rosenbaum called Batman Forever "suitable for boys of five and under. Nicole Kidman is here to validate the rampant repressed homoeroticism."[20] Peter Travers criticized the movie's blatant commercialism, but commented that "Batman Forever still gets in its licks. There's no fun machine this summer that packs more surprises. The script misses the pain Tim Burton caught in a man tormented by the long-ago murder of his parents."[21] Brian Lowry of Variety believed "One does have to question the logic behind adding nipples to the hard-rubber batsuit. Whose idea was that supposed to be anyway, Alfred's? Some of the computer-generated Gotham cityscapes appear too obviously fake. Elliot Goldenthal's score, while serviceable, also isn't as stirring as Danny Elfman's work in the first two films."[22]

Scott Beatty felt "Tommy Lee Jones played Harvey Dent as a Joker knock-off rather than a multi-layered rogue."[23] Lee Bermejo called Batman Forever "unbearable".[24] Roger Ebert gave a mixed review, "Is the movie better entertainment? Well, it's great bubblegum for the eyes. Younger children will be able to process it more easily, some kids were led bawling from Batman Returns where the PG-13 rating was a joke."[25] Mick LaSalle had a mixed reaction, concluding "a shot of Kilmer's rubber buns at one point is guaranteed to bring squeals from the audience."[26] James Berardinelli enjoyed the film. "It's lighter, brighter, funnier, faster-paced, and a whole lot more colorful than before."[27]

At the 68th Academy Awards, Batman Forever was nominated with Cinematography, Sound and Sound Editing.[28] "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" by U2 was given a Golden Globe Award nomination.[29] At the Saturn Awards, the film was nominated for Best Fantasy Film, Make-up, Special Effects and Costume Design.[30] Composer Elliot Goldenthal was given a Grammy Award nomination.[31] Batman Forever received six nominations at the 1996 MTV Movie Awards.[32] "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" was given a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Song.[33]

[edit] Original cut

Batman Forever went through a few major edits before its release. Originally darker than the final product, the movie's original length was closer to 2 hours and 40 minutes according to director Joel Schumacher. There was talk of an extended cut being released to DVD for the film's 10th anniversary in 2005. While all four previous Batman films were given Special Edition DVD releases on the same day as Batman Begins's DVD release, the version of Batman Forever released was the original, although some of the following scenes were in a deleted scenes section in the special features. The following is a compiled list of the most important deleted scenes or original versions of scenes:[34]

  • A famous scene that featured Two-Face escaping Arkham originally opened the movie. A guard enters the empty cell and finds the words "The Bat Must Die" illuminated by lightning on the wall. The film's events in the first 15 to 20 minutes were in different order as well, and the resulting "new opening" has made its way to YouTube.
  • One scene featured a local Gotham talk show with Chase Meridian as a guest, talking about Batman.
  • The scene at the casino robbery where the Riddler fails at punching the security guard originally added the Riddler proceeding to beat the man with his cane.
  • There was originally a scene of Alfred and Bruce examining the Nygma Tech "Box".
  • An extended conversation when the Riddler and Two-Face team up.
  • One scene showed the development of the NygmaTech building on Claw Island, funded by the Riddler and Two-Face's robberies. This features deleted scenes of Nygma visiting the site and the box press conference.
  • One deleted scene featured a philosophical conversation between Two Face, Riddler, Sugar, and Spice as they take hits from the box.
  • The Wayne Manor raid sequence was longer, featuring Bruce and Chase fighting Two Face and his thugs.
  • The fight scene between Two-Face and Robin on Claw Island was originally longer.
  • The scene where the Riddler has Chase chained up on a couch originally ended with him knocking her out by injecting her with a type of sleeping drug. He then says, "Nap time, gorgeous." to Chase.
  • One sequence came directly after the casino robbery, where Batman follows a robbery signal on a tracking device in the Batmobile. He shows up at the crime scene and finds he is at the wrong place (a beauty salon), in which a room full of girls laugh at him. The Riddler had been throwing Batman off the track by messing with the Batmobile's tracking device. This would explain why in the theatrical version Batman seems to give Riddler and Two-Face moments of free rein over the city.
  • One of the most important deleted scenes, which is on the DVD, shows Bruce waking up from being shot by Two-Face with temporary memory loss. Bruce remembers everything except being Batman. After Alfred shows him the Batcave, Bruce comes upon a section of the cave where he first encountered the bat that inspired his alter ego (which is shown earlier in the movie when he talks to Chase). This deleted scene kept in line with the earlier storyline of Thomas Wayne's diary, which Bruce finds in the cave. The recurring nightmares of his parents' deaths throughout the movie are given closer inspection when he reads the diary. He had believed his parents would not have died if he hadn't made them go to the movies, but his father's diary reveals that his parents had been planning to go to the movies anyway, prompting Bruce to say through tears, "It's not my fault..." He sees the bat again in this scene, and the size of it made many fans who saw the screenshot think it was Man-Bat. The eventual release of the scene as an extra on the 2005 Special Edition DVD confirmed that this was not and was never intended to be Man-Bat.
  • The movie originally ended with Chase asking Alfred, "Does it ever end?" This was followed by Batman standing on the ledge of a building, just like the original film of 1989, and he is then joined by Robin. The final shot was reportedly supposed to be the dynamic duo leaping off the building and coming downwards at the camera. While the scene of the dynamic duo is not on the DVD, Chase and Alfred's scene is.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c "Batman 3". Entertainment Weekly. 1993-10-01. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,308195,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  2. ^ Akiva Goldsman (1994-06-24). "Batman Forever: Production Drafts". Sci Fi Scripts. http://www.scifiscripts.com/scripts/batmanforever.txt. Retrieved on 2008-08-18. 
  3. ^ a b Jeff Gordinier (1994-07-15). "Next at Batman". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,302969,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  4. ^ Army Archerd (1994-12-01). "Culkin kids ink with WMA". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117862593. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  5. ^ a b Judy Brennan (1994-06-03). "Batman Battles New Bat Villains". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,302503,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  6. ^ Cindy Pearlman (1993-12-17). "Flashes: No Joker". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,308987,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  7. ^ Mike Thomas (2003-03-31). "Hey, what about that man in the glass booth?". Chicago Sun-Times. 
  8. ^ Nathan Rabin (1998-02-25). "Wayans World". The A.V. Club. http://www.avclub.com/content/node/23240. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  9. ^ Benjamin Svetkey (1996-07-12). "Holy Happy Set!". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,293237,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  10. ^ "Batman Forever (Paperback)". Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Forever-Alan-Grant/dp/0316324183/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219011309&sr=1-3. Retrieved on 2008-08-17. 
  11. ^ "Batman Forever: The Novelization". Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Forever-Novelization-Peter-David/dp/0446602175/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219011309&sr=1-1. Retrieved on 2008-08-17. 
  12. ^ "Batman Forever: The Official Comic Adaptation of Motion Picture". Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Forever-Official-Adaptation-Picture/dp/1563891999/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219011309&sr=1-2. Retrieved on 2008-08-17. 
  13. ^ a b "Batman Forever". Box Office Mojo. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=batmanforever.htm. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  14. ^ a b "1995 Domestic Grosses". Box Office Mojo. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=releasedate&view=opening&yr=1995&p=.htm. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  15. ^ "Batman Battle". Box Office Mojo. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/showdowns/chart/?id=batmanvs.htm. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  16. ^ "1995 Worldwide Grosses". Box Office Mojo. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=1995&p=.htm. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  17. ^ "Batman Forever". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_forever/. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  18. ^ "Batman Forever: Top Critics". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_forever/?critic=creamcrop. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  19. ^ "Batman Forever (1995): Reviews". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/batmanforever?q=Batman%20Forever. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  20. ^ Jonathan Rosenbaum (1995-06-15). "Batman Forever". Chicago Reader. http://onfilm.chicagoreader.com/movies/capsules/12800_BATMAN_FOREVER. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  21. ^ Peter Travers (2000-12-08). "Batman Forever". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/5948895/review/5948896/batman_forever. 
  22. ^ Brian Lowry (1995-06-14). "Batman Forever". Variety. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117904172.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&p=0. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  23. ^ Bill "Jett" Ramey (2005-11-28). "BOF Interview: Scott Beatty". Batman-on-Film. http://batman-on-film.com/sbeattyinterview.html. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  24. ^ Bill "Jett" Ramey (2005-10-13). "Interview: Lee Bermejo". Batman-on-Film. http://batman-on-film.com/leebermejointerview.html. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  25. ^ "Batman Forever". Roger Ebert. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19950616/REVIEWS/506160301/1023. Retrieved on 2008-08-17. 
  26. ^ Mick LaSalle (1995-06-16). "Batman Forever Goes On and On". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1995/06/16/DD8003.DTL. Retrieved on 2008-08-17. 
  27. ^ James Berardinelli (1995-06-16). "Batman Forever Goes On and On". ReelViews. http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=287. Retrieved on 2008-08-17. 
  28. ^ "68th Academy Awards". Internet Movie Database. http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Academy_Awards_USA/1996. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  29. ^ "53rd Golden Globe Awards". Internet Movie Database. http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Golden_Globes_USA/1996. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  30. ^ "22nd Saturn Awards". Internet Movie Database. http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Academy_of_Science_Fiction_Fantasy_And_Horror_Films_USA/1996. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  31. ^ "37th Grammy Awards". Internet Movie Database. http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Grammy_Awards/1996. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  32. ^ "1996 MTV Movie Awards". Internet Movie Database. http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/MTV_Movie_Awards/1996. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  33. ^ "1996 Razzie Awards". Internet Movie Database. http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Razzie_Awards/1996. Retrieved on 2008-08-16. 
  34. ^ "Batman Forever - What Could Be: A Guide to the Batman Forever Cutting Room Floor". Batman-On-Film.com. http://www.batman-on-film.com/opinion_scissorpuppy_forever.html. Retrieved on 2008-12-18. 

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Search Wikiquote Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Batman Forever


Preceded by
Congo		 Box office number-one films of 1995 (USA)
June 18, 1995		 Succeeded by
Pocahontas
Preceded by
Beyond Rangoon		 Box office number-one films of 1995 (UK)
July 9, 1995 – July 16, 1995		 Succeeded by
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie
v • d • e
Films directed by Joel Schumacher
1980s
The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981) · D.C. Cab (1983) · St. Elmo's Fire (1985) · The Lost Boys (1987) · Cousins (1989)
1990s
Flatliners (1990) · Dying Young (1991) · Falling Down (1993) · The Client (1994) · Batman Forever (1995) · A Time to Kill (1996) · Batman & Robin (1997) · 8mm (1999) · Flawless (1999)
2000s
Tigerland (2000) · Bad Company (2002) · Phone Booth (2003) · Veronica Guerin (2003) · The Phantom of the Opera (2004) · The Number 23 (2007) · Creek (2009)
v • d • e
DC Comics films
The Serials
Batman (1943) • The Vigilante (1947) • Superman (1948) • Congo Bill (1948) • Batman and Robin (1949) • Atom Man vs. Superman (1950)
Single films
Superman and the Mole Men (1951) • Batman (1966) • Steel (1997) • Road to Perdition (2002) • Catwoman (2004) • A History of Violence (2005) • Constantine (2005) • V for Vendetta (2006) • The Spirit (2008) • Watchmen (2009) • Jonah Hex (2010)
Franchises

Batman (1989–1997): Batman (1989) • Batman Returns (1992) • Batman Forever (1995) • Batman & Robin (1997)
Batman (2005 — ): Batman Begins (2005) • The Dark Knight (2008)

Superman: Superman (1978) • Superman II (1980) • Superman III (1983) • Supergirl (1984) • Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) • Superman Returns (2006) • Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)

Swamp Thing: Swamp Thing (1982) • The Return of Swamp Thing (1989)
v • d • e
Batman franchise media
Actors
Live-action television
Live-action serials and feature films
Batman (1943) · Batman and Robin (1949) · Batman (1966) · Batman (1989) · Batman Returns (1992) · Batman Forever (1995) · Batman & Robin (1997) · Batman Begins (2005) · The Dark Knight (2008)
Animated television
Batman/Superman Hour (1968–1969) · Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder (1969-1970) · New Adventures of Batman (1977–81) · Batman: The Animated Series (1992–95) / New Batman Adventures (1997–99) · Batman Beyond (1999–2001) · The Batman (2004–08) · The Brave and the Bold (2008–present)
Animated feature films
Related animated TV series
Super Friends (1973–86) · Justice League (2001–04) · Justice League Unlimited (2004–06)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_Forever"
Personal tools