Batman Forever (1995)



After a 3 year hiatus Batman exploded back onto the big screen with a new director and a new man wearing the cape and cowl. Val Kilmer took over as the caped crusader under direction of Joel Schumacher. The film was a completely different take on the Batman legend than both previous films by Tim Burton. In this film Gotham city is much brighter and colorfull. It has a much closer resemblance to the versions of the city seen in early Batman comics. Humor was once again present in the movie, a factor that had been absent since Adam West in 1966. Drastically redesigned costumes, vehicles, and Batcave/Wayne Maynor sets were made for the movie. In addition, Robin was added as a character. Batman no longer fought alone against the villains, which in this movie were The Riddler, Jim Carrey, and Two-Face, Tommy Lee Jones. The movie was a huge success and strengthened the Batman movie franchise. Some people feel this is the right blend of humor and darkness that should be in a Batman movie. Two months after this film was released, plans for the next movie were under way. In addition, a huge merchandising campaign was launched for this movie. Everything under the sun had Batman on it.

Cast List:
Val Kilmer -- Batman/Bruce Wayne
Tommy Lee Jones -- Two-Face/Harvey Dent
Jim Carrey -- Riddler/Edward Nygma
Chris O'Donnell -- Robin/Dick Grayson
Nicole Kidman -- Dr. Chase Meridian
Michael Gough (I) -- Alfred Pennyworth
Pat Hingle -- Commissioner Gordon
Drew Barrymore -- Sugar
Debi Mazar -- Spice
Directed By: Joel Schumacher



Plot:
The theme of duality once again is the center of attention in this film as it was in Batman Returns. Bruce must deal with the choice he has made to be Batman, and it is a love interest that is causing problems again. Dr. Chase Meridian, played with extreme sensuality by Nicole Kidman, is attracted to both Batman and Bruce Wayne. When she finally choses Bruce, he decides to give up being Batman. Only after Chase and his new partner Robin are captured by The Riddler and Two-Face does he realise that Batman is needed. Meanwhile, Edward Nygma an inventor is obsessed with Bruce Wayne, and goes crazy after being turned down by Bruce for help with his invention that beams t.v. signals into the brain for 3D viewing. He vows to get revenge on Bruce Wayne by becoming the Riddler. Using his invention, which he has found to have an interesting side effect of transfering brain power from its users to himself, he grows smarter and seeks the aid of Two-face. Harvey Dent was the district attorney before being disfigured by a crime boss. He blames Batman for his current state and wants to kill him. As Two-face he joins the Riddler in order to kill Batman. In another plot twist, Two-Face attacks the circus, where Dick Grayson and his family are performing. Two-Face kills Dick's parents, and Bruce who witnesses the act, feels sorry for him and take him in. Dick is consumed with wanting to kill Two-Face and eventually controls his emotions to become Robin. Jim Carrey was outstanding as The Ridler and rivaled Jack Nickolson's performance as The Joker. Val Kilmer came across somewhat egotistical as Bruce Wayne but was hauntingly dark as Batman. Michael Keaton still seemed better overall in the role.



Pics:
Here are some pics from Kilmer's turn at Bat:

Val Kilmer as Batman
Kilmer again as the Bat
Kilmer in the Batplane
Nicole Kidman as Chase Meridian
Jim Carrey as The Riddler
Carrey as The Riddler with Jones as Two-Face
Jones as Two-Face with Drew Barrymore as Sugar and Debi Mazar as Spice
The new Batmobile
Jim Carrey makes his entrance as the Riddler
Carrey once again as the Riddler, pondering on his throne
A transforming experience for Edward

Information about this movie can be found at the Internet Movie Database at:Batman Forever(1995)

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