DVD Review: Batman Forever - Two Disc Special Edition

After the “disappointing” showing and controversy surrounding Batman Returns, Warners decided they needed to change things up for the third installment of the series; Batman Forever. Tim Burton was asked not to return, although he would co-produce the film, and after a salary dispute, Michael Keaton was dropped as Batman in favor of Val Kilmer. Warners hired Joel Schumacher to replace Burton and to, in Schumacher’s words, “reinvent and refresh the series and make it fun for kids.” The changes would not be subtle and it would be here that the beginning of the end could be seen, although it wouldn’t be until Batman and Robin that the series was declared null and void. Gone was the edgy provocativeness and the dark, noirish brooding. In was a tongue-in-cheek, bright-eyed flamboyance that mirrored the campy 60’s Batman. Schumacher brought an over-the-top, loud color, rollarcoaster-type glamour to the two Batmans he would direct with very subtle and some not so subtle homoerotic undertones. Released in the summer of 1995, Batman Forever wastes no time getting started as we see the new Batman/Bruce Wayne (Val Kilmer) suiting up in his new Batsuit. One could be forgiven if they mistake the opening for a S and M shop commercial since all of the images are of fetish-like body wear. The Batsuit now has nipples on it and near the end of the film there is a close-up of Batman’s new prototype suit complete with a handsome codpiece and shiny Bat buttocks. When Bruce Wayne is asked later on if he hangs out in any biker bars you half expect him to say yes. Nicole Kidman, who has never looked better, shows up as Bruce Wayne’s/Batman’s love interest Chase Meridian. Not only does her name sound like the name of a federal depository but she is a doctor of abnormal psychology. She is immediately turned on by Batman and turned off by Bruce Wayne. Good thing Wayne can use his recurring nightmares over his parents’ death to work on her a little. She’s still a bad girl deep down inside you see. The plot here involves Batman dealing with Harvey “Two Face” Dent (Tommy Lee Jones), a former D.A. who goes insane after half his face and mind are scarred by acid. He blames Batman for his accident and has sworn revenge. Batman also has to deal with the Riddler a.k.a Edward Nygma (Jim Carrey.) A former employee at Wayne Enterprises, the Ridler is obsessed with Bruce Wayne and with installing a contraption called “The Box” on every Gothamite’s television. The reason is simple; the box sucks the brain waves of the user and transfers them to the Riddler, whose IQ expands. The Riddler’s scheme is actually somewhat intriguing given that many people alive now already suffer from half of this plan. At the Gotham circus, acrobat Dick Grayson (Chris O’Donnell) saves the day by rolling a bomb set by Two-Face into the nearby river. Unfortunately, his whole family is killed during his heroics. Bruce Wayne invites the newly orphaned boy to stay at Wayne Manor where Dick gets suspicious of what is behind that door that won’t open. Upon discovering the Batcave, young Dick persuades Batman to accept him as his new partner, Robin, and let him join his fight against Two-Face and the Riddler.

Schumacher's changes wouldn't be subtle and it is the beginning of the end

There are some cute references to modern day America with the club, the clapper, and Gothamite papparazzi and in all honesty, it’s hard to strongly dislike the film. Val Kilmer does ably play Bruce Wayne/Batman, has some deep moments, and has the jowl and lips for the dark knight. However, there are many moments where it seems like he’s lost interest and would rather be watching wood deteriorate. Nicole Kidman is unbelievably gorgeous and her character is meant to reflect the more progressive woman of the 90’s but it’s all style and no substance. Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey ham it up and overact all over the place. Carrey does give you some gut-busting moments as he makes the Riddler all his own creation. It’s still a mystery as to what Tommy Lee Jones is doing in this film. Chris O’Donnell tries hard as Robin but is never entirely believable. Disc one contains the film, commentary, and one theatrical trailer. Schumacher’s commentary is occassionally entertaining and it’s amusing to hear him exclaim how he never thought the bat nipples and codpiece would become international news. He does have several interesting cast and crew stories and doesn’t seem to take himself or the film seriously at all. There is no mention though of the notoriously flammable chemistry between himself and Val Kilmer. Disc two contains all the extras for the film. Riddle Me This: Why Is Batman Forever? is another cheesy made-for –TV documentary containing cast and crew interviews along with film clips. Chris O’Donnell hosts and you can pass on it. Part 5 of the Shadows of the Bat documentary is entitled Reinventing A Hero and as with the other films contains the definitive word on the film and any controversies surrounding it. Much of what is discussed here, Schumacher mentions in his commentary. However, he does point out that no one on the crew nor in the public expected big things from the film. It only went on to set an box-office opening weekend record and eventually go on to gross over $184 million; successfully reinvigorating the franchise and making it commercially viable again. It didn’t hurt to have Jim Carrey who, at the time, was establishing himself as a top draw in films coming off of Ace Ventura, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber.

The Batsuit now has nipples on it!

There is also mention of some deleted footage that would have added to the torment Bruce Wayne was undergoing involving repressed guilt over his parents death but was excised due to the heavy nature of the material. Thankfully, this footage is in the deleted scenes section. In total there are 7 cut scenes in workprint form, with no background sound, totaling 14 minutes. The only ones worth your time are Bruce’s Dilemna, which has Bruce Wayne contemplating his existance with Alfred, and Secret of the Batcave which contains the lost footage mentioned in the Shadows of the Bat documentary. It is very fascinating and would have made the film better had it been included. But then it would have scared off the kiddies. There is also the Heroes and Villains Gallery, the Beyond Batman Documentary Gallery, and the video for Kiss From A Rose by Seal. No U2 video? Batman Forever is available at Amazon and AmazonUK. Visit the DVD's database for more information.