Morrigan Presents Batman Forever

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9.5
 
9.2 (7)
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Faneditor Name:
Original Movie/Show Title:
Franchise:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1995
Original Running Time:
120 minutes
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
130 minutes
Time Cut:
2 minutes
Time Added:
11 minutes
Subtitles Available:
Available in HD:
Synopsis:
Inspired by what we know of earlier versions of the film, with my own preferences injected, this is an extended and resequenced version of Batman Forever.
Intention:
It's pretty common knowledge that Batman Forever went through a major change in timeline quite late into production. The sequence of events in the final film was completely changed to accommodate studio requests, and Joel Schumacher was required to cut his 160 minute film down to a more palatable Summer movie length of two hours. As a result, there are parts of the movie that leave threads hanging, and even a few clues in the film as to what might have been. Originally, it was my intention to make as close to this original version of the movie as possible, using what we know of the earlier structure of the movie, and what deleted scenes we have to make it happen. However, as I progressed I decided to follow my own preferences for sequencing and content to make something between that earlier cut and my personal edit.

Importantly, this edit is not an attempt to tone down the elements Schumacher introduced that differentiated it from the earlier Burton films, and it is not an attempt to make a dark, gritty Batman movie - we have enough of those. This project is an attempt to create a fuller and more compelling version of this film that still respects Schumacher's unique vision of the dark knight.
Other Sources:
New score elements are taken from Elliot Goldenthal’s score for Batman Forever, with the sole exception of the Arkham Escape scene which features a small sample of a track from Goldenthal’s score for Batman & Robin.

A single short shot from the fan film Riddler's Retaliation was used in one scene.
Special Thanks:
Special thanks go to all my previewers - Zarius, heathen3017, and Malthus. I very much appreciate all of your feedback and assistance in dialling in this edit. Special thanks also to Jrzag42 for the Academy feedback and approval. Extra special thanks go to Malthus for the technical expertise and advice to complete certain elements, not to mention a level of encouragement to keep me going. Thank you all!
Release Information:
Digital
Editing Details:
Much of the film has been reordered to further resemble the original shooting script, although personal choices have been made where I wanted to keep consistency, or where moving a scene didn’t serve any narrative purpose. Similarly, some but not all of the available deleted scenes have been upscaled and restored to the film to enhance the reordered narrative. In addition to the visual enhancements, the deleted scenes also have new sound mixes built with new score and SFX. There is a noticeable, but hopefully not too distracting, change is visual quality on the deleted scenes, as they are rebuilt from old standard definitions NTSC transfers, but I am happy enough with the result - and will always be ready to revise this edit if I can improve their quality any further.
Cuts and Additions:
- Opening credits removed.
- Deleted scene of Two-Face’s Arkham Escape inserted as new opening with new score and SFX.
- Introduction of Nygma and Bruce’s Waynetech tour moved before titles.
- Opening title inserted.
- Batman suits up and Two-Face’s bank robbery.
- Nygma’s testing and Stickley’s murder, including aftermath with Bruce and first two riddles.
- Bruce visits Chase and takes her to the circus, Two-Face crashes the circus and murders the Graysons, Dick moves in with Bruce.
- Chase calls Batman to rooftop, one small line of dialogue changed to remove reference to old scene order.
- Batmobile/Two-Face car chase, birth of the Riddler, and Riddler and Two-Face team-up moved to after Chase/Batman rooftop scene.
- Beauty and the Bat deleted scene inserted into Riddler and Two-Face’s crime wave montage with new score and SFX. Batmobile monitor has been replaced to improve continuity of the scene, and two shots of the Riddler added for the same reason.
- Alfred and Bruce discussing Bruce’s identity in the Batcave cut to make way for deleted scene.
- Two-Face and Riddler discover Batman’s identity moved to after Bruce/Dick/Alfred Batcave scene.
- Anti-Batman newscast and Alfred and Bruce discussing Batman retiring deleted scene inserted with new score and SFX.
- Riddler’s question mark Batsignal moved to after Bruce wakes after being shot.
- Secret of the Batcave/Red Book deleted scene inserted with new score and SFX.
- Chase awakens in Riddler’s lair moved to after secret of the Batcave scene.
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie/Show Title:
Franchise:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1995
Original Running Time:
120 minutes
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
130 minutes
Time Cut:
2 minutes
Time Added:
11 minutes
Subtitles Available:
Available in HD:
Synopsis:
Inspired by what we know of earlier versions of the film, with my own preferences injected, this is an extended and resequenced version of Batman Forever.
Intention:
It's pretty common knowledge that Batman Forever went through a major change in timeline quite late into production. The sequence of events in the final film was completely changed to accommodate studio requests, and Joel Schumacher was required to cut his 160 minute film down to a more palatable Summer movie length of two hours. As a result, there are parts of the movie that leave threads hanging, and even a few clues in the film as to what might have been. Originally, it was my intention to make as close to this original version of the movie as possible, using what we know of the earlier structure of the movie, and what deleted scenes we have to make it happen. However, as I progressed I decided to follow my own preferences for sequencing and content to make something between that earlier cut and my personal edit.

Importantly, this edit is not an attempt to tone down the elements Schumacher introduced that differentiated it from the earlier Burton films, and it is not an attempt to make a dark, gritty Batman movie - we have enough of those. This project is an attempt to create a fuller and more compelling version of this film that still respects Schumacher's unique vision of the dark knight.
Other Sources:
New score elements are taken from Elliot Goldenthal’s score for Batman Forever, with the sole exception of the Arkham Escape scene which features a small sample of a track from Goldenthal’s score for Batman & Robin.

A single short shot from the fan film Riddler's Retaliation was used in one scene.
Special Thanks:
Special thanks go to all my previewers - Zarius, heathen3017, and Malthus. I very much appreciate all of your feedback and assistance in dialling in this edit. Special thanks also to Jrzag42 for the Academy feedback and approval. Extra special thanks go to Malthus for the technical expertise and advice to complete certain elements, not to mention a level of encouragement to keep me going. Thank you all!
Release Information:
Digital
Editing Details:
Much of the film has been reordered to further resemble the original shooting script, although personal choices have been made where I wanted to keep consistency, or where moving a scene didn’t serve any narrative purpose. Similarly, some but not all of the available deleted scenes have been upscaled and restored to the film to enhance the reordered narrative. In addition to the visual enhancements, the deleted scenes also have new sound mixes built with new score and SFX. There is a noticeable, but hopefully not too distracting, change is visual quality on the deleted scenes, as they are rebuilt from old standard definitions NTSC transfers, but I am happy enough with the result - and will always be ready to revise this edit if I can improve their quality any further.
Cuts and Additions:
- Opening credits removed.
- Deleted scene of Two-Face’s Arkham Escape inserted as new opening with new score and SFX.
- Introduction of Nygma and Bruce’s Waynetech tour moved before titles.
- Opening title inserted.
- Batman suits up and Two-Face’s bank robbery.
- Nygma’s testing and Stickley’s murder, including aftermath with Bruce and first two riddles.
- Bruce visits Chase and takes her to the circus, Two-Face crashes the circus and murders the Graysons, Dick moves in with Bruce.
- Chase calls Batman to rooftop, one small line of dialogue changed to remove reference to old scene order.
- Batmobile/Two-Face car chase, birth of the Riddler, and Riddler and Two-Face team-up moved to after Chase/Batman rooftop scene.
- Beauty and the Bat deleted scene inserted into Riddler and Two-Face’s crime wave montage with new score and SFX. Batmobile monitor has been replaced to improve continuity of the scene, and two shots of the Riddler added for the same reason.
- Alfred and Bruce discussing Bruce’s identity in the Batcave cut to make way for deleted scene.
- Two-Face and Riddler discover Batman’s identity moved to after Bruce/Dick/Alfred Batcave scene.
- Anti-Batman newscast and Alfred and Bruce discussing Batman retiring deleted scene inserted with new score and SFX.
- Riddler’s question mark Batsignal moved to after Bruce wakes after being shot.
- Secret of the Batcave/Red Book deleted scene inserted with new score and SFX.
- Chase awakens in Riddler’s lair moved to after secret of the Batcave scene.

Trusted Reviewer review

1 review
Overall rating
 
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.0
Audio Editing
 
9.0
Visual Editing
 
10.0
Narrative
 
10.0
Enjoyment
 
9.0
A great improvement over the Theatrical Cut, but needs refinement and some trimming. Not trimming as drastic as Scaperat's Red Book Edition, imho, but more than the 2 minutes cut here.
The new narrative is indeed superior to the TC. The deleted scenes shed more light on Bruce's past and his journey to understand his repressed memories, and the reordered (as well as the deleted) scenes feel as if they truly belong in that order.
As I mentioned above, i wish a few more trims were made to this edit, just to remove the bits that don't really belong here. First and foremost - the Bat Butt shot. I would also trim some of the security guard's whines in the vault, as well as the close-up on Batman's lips before and during the bad joke about the sandwich.
I took off a few points because of a jarring transition at 1:40:38 - it sounded like a forced and rushed mute, Perhaps it can be softened?
Another issue, which has to do with the quality of the source materials, has to do with the drastic drop in quality with the deleted scenes. Maybe some technological advancement will allow AI to improve the quality of deleted scenes by sampling enough information from the rest of the film? I wish. But I digress.
All in all, this edit elevates an okay entry in the Batman franchise into a definite watch.

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Overall rating
 
9.2
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.3(7)
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9.2(7)
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9.2(7)
Narrative
 
9.3(7)
Enjoyment
 
9.0(7)
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Overall rating
 
10.0
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10.0
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10.0
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10.0
This edit was so well by the editor. The visual and audio quality of the deleted scenes are the clearest ive seen in any Batman Forever fanedit and are seamlessly integrated into the movie. Such a better cut of the movie with the added Bruce Wayne storyline, but still has the campy essence of the original. As someone who grew up with this original and kinda grew to dislike it over time, I can gladly say this redeems the movie for me.

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Yes
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(Updated: November 27, 2022)
Overall rating
 
9.0
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.0
Audio Editing
 
9.0
Visual Editing
 
10.0
Narrative
 
8.0
Enjoyment
 
8.0
A very good edit of my nostalgic favorite Batman movie, one that didn't try to change the tone into something that it wasn't meant to be, which I appreciate. The story flows well with the deleted scenes added, though I really didn't like the placement of the Chase x Batman rooftop scene: it didn't make sense to me that Chase would try to seduce Batman after seeing something as traumatizing as seeing a family murdered in front of her at the circus. I think it's placement was better in the original cut.

Audio was fine, though Chase's muted dialogue in the aforementioned rooftop scene was so noticeable it took me out for a second. The video quality of the deleted scenes were noticeably different than the rest of the film, which of course isn't the fault of the editor.

Overall, it's my favorite of all the Batman Forever edits I've seen, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to see the film in the original shooting script order.

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Yes
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Digital
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Overall rating
 
6.7
Audio/Video Quality
 
8.0
Audio Editing
 
6.0
Visual Editing
 
6.0
Narrative
 
7.0
Enjoyment
 
6.0
I'd like to thank the editor first and foremost as I believe that edits of Batman Forever are always welcome.
As an unabashed admirer of the original script, I must say I have difficulty reviewing this edit with a clear mind, since I too have an in-the-works edit that takes the original screenplay as inspiration.
I will start by saying that the love for the source material is evident here, as is the effort in improving what can be, in my opinion, a unique film in the Batman franchise.
I'll start out by saying that the audio transitions were generally all good, and I agree with another user who said the decision to keep the visual tone of the movie intact is wise (even though I must say I remembered it far less bright than it is, lol). Other kudos must go to the editor who enhanced the deleted scenes by upscaling them in a wonderful way! I must say I found the audio to be slightly out of synch, though - don't know if that was an upload/download bug or something else.
I wasn't a complete fan of some of the visual transitions, such as the one from "the Bat Must Die!" writing on the wall to the camera glide outside Wayne Enterprise, or the cut that brings us from Two-Face and Riddler laughing in the Riddler Dome to Bruce listening to the News in the batcave (deleted scene), which is also quite harsh.
The only errors I found on a purely technical level is that one of the last shots in the salon deleted scene is repeated, making the scene end abruptly, and the fact that the GNN News and the batcave deleted scenes appear to have been squashed/dilated visually...
The title restructuring was great, if not for the odd placing of the new titles over the suiting up sequence: the actors' names are all very squashed to the borders of the screen. They could benefit from better spacing, even to align them with the rest (from "DC Comics" onwards). I also enjoyed how you shortened the GNN News deleted scene to cut out Bruce's phone call to Chase. Nice job.
Last but not least, I must say I did miss Dick's training deleted scene, as I found that to be essential to the development of his character, and even though it does double the laundry scene, it has much deeper meaning for both him and Bruce.

All in all, I must say this is an almost perfect extended edition of Joel Schumacher's Batman Forever, with the added bonus of being able to see the deleted scenes in an upscaled HD. I would love to see a version 2.0 sooner or later where some of these minor issues are corrected, for one great extended Batman Forever experience!

User Review

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Yes
Format Watched
Digital
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Overall rating
 
9.7
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
Audio Editing
 
10.0
Visual Editing
 
9.0
Narrative
 
10.0
Enjoyment
 
9.0
If you want to see an extended version of Batman Forever this is the best way! Morrigan follows the original script so the attack in the bank happens later in the movie. Also, the deleted scenes are included. Some are great (Bruce an the giant bat) other are useless (Batman in the hair saloon with the drag queens) but all are upscaled with a great (but not perfect) result. This works more as an extended cut of the movie than a fanfix but is a good experience nevertheless!

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Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched
Digital
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Overall rating
 
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.0
Audio Editing
 
9.0
Visual Editing
 
10.0
Narrative
 
10.0
Enjoyment
 
10.0
I really, really like "Batman Forever. " This fan-edit makes better, even better,

Not every iteration of Batman needs to be grimdark, and while this version it takes some liberties with the source material, it works. It’s an original take on Batman with some glorious lunacy, props, lines and scenes. It should never be conflated with the horrible "Batman and Robin." I would take it any day over recent studio junk like "Wonder Woman 1984," the paint-by-numbers blandness of "Captain Marvel," "X-Men: Apocalypse" or "Iron Man 2” or awful TV shows like “Batwoman” or the live-action Teen Titans.

The problem with “Batman Forever," though, is it got mangled by the studio leading to some dangling threads and odd transitions. It still works, but it’s a bit off-kilter.

This edit is not an effort, like the "Red Book" fan-edit, to change the tone. What it really does is complete the story effectively, while -- in my view, wisely -- retaining the overall visuals and over-the-top feel and dialogue of the original. I don't think the original can or should be changed into something more grimdark or Burtony, and this is probably the closest we can get to the fabled Directors Cut.

There are, of course, some issues with the quality of the additional scenes, which might be more apparent in a 1080 version, and it may just be me, but some sound edits seemed a bit jarring in the later part.

But all in all, my new go-to version.

Nice!

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Yes
Format Watched
Digital
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