Happy birthday to Mr. Val Kilmer,57 years completed today.Val Edward Kilmer was born on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, California. The son of an aerospace equipment distributor and real estate developer, Val grew up on a ranch, attended primary school with Kevin Spacey, and went on to further his education at the famous Juilliard School in New York, where he studied drama.
1984 saw Val featuring in his first film, 'Top Secret', which also starred Omar Sharif, but his real breakthrough came in 'Top Gun'. In 1988, he featured in Ron Howard's 'Willow', where he met future wife, Joanna Whalley. They would go on to have two children but ultimately divorce in 1996.
Oliver Stone's 'The Doors' (1991) starred Val as Jim Morrison, earning him enormous critical acclaim, including a nomination for the MTV Movie Award for Best Performance - Male. However, one of Val's most challenging roles to date came as Christian Slater's Elvis hallucination, in 'True Romance'. Further recognition followed when Val played Doc Holliday in the 1993 Western film 'Tombstone', which was based on a true story.
After Michael Keaton pulled out of his superhero role, Val replaced him for the third 'Batman' movie: 'Batman Forever' (1995), which also resulted in an MTV Movie Award for Most Desirable Male for his portrayal of the caped crusader/Bruce Wayne. This was a good year for Val as his appearance in Michael Mann's 'Heat' not only led to another MTV Movie Award for Most Desirable Male nomination, but a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor selection as well.
A feature version of 1960s classic TV series, 'The Saint', was a huge success for Val, and he also received praise for his voice role as Moses in the animated feature, 'The Prince of Egypt' (1998), in which he also voiced God. The film, which co-starred Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock and Jeff Goldblum, was a commercial success and was well received by critics.
Eternally busy, Kilmer went on to appear in a number of films including 2002's 'The Salton Sea', which earned him a Prism Award for Best Performance in a Theatrical Feature Film, and 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' (2005).
‘Déjà vu’, a 2006 Jerry Bruckheimer crime thriller starring Denzel Washington, and 2008's ‘Columbus Day’ were just two of 17 films and television programmes Val was involved in within these two years. 2009 and 2010 were just as busy for the actor, with 22 productions, all linked to the energetic star.
Kilmer met British actress Joanne Whalley on the set of "Willow" in 1987; they married the following year and teamed up onscreen in John Dahl's "Kill Me Again" (1989). The couple had two children before the marriage ended in 1996. After his divorce from Whalley, he briefly dated supermodel Cindy Crawford.
Joel Schumacher's 1995 super-hit 'Batman Forever' is a evergreen classic. No it's not the best Batman flick, but yes it's one of the best for sure. Tim Burton moved over into the producer's chair and Joel Schumacher directed this installment.
Val Kilmer also accepted the cape and cowl after Michael Keaton quit the franchise, and he nailed the role in outstanding fashion in what is arguably the most under-appreciated performance in a superhero role since Terrance Stamp's General Zod in "Superman II".
The plot focuses on Batman trying to stop Two-Face, played by Tommy Lee Jones; and the Riddler, portrayed by Jim Carrey in their villainous scheme to drain information from all the brains in Gotham City. He gains allegiance from a love interest; psychiatrist Dr. Chase Meridian, played by Nicole Kidman and a young, orphaned circus acrobat named Dick Grayson, portrayed by Chris O'Donnell, who becomes his sidekick Robin.
We see Bruce Wayne comparing his past life with Dick Grayson's present, who has himself experienced a tragedy. Bruce comes in terms of his alter-ego and realizes that he is destined to be Batman. He, therefore, reaches out to Dick, who wants to make up the mishaps in his past and thus fights crime alongside Batman as Robin.
"Batman Forever" combines romance, action and spectacle with great characters, some fine plotting and a real comicbook feel that isn't campy, silly or offensive. More than any other film, this is a comicbook come to life. While not up to the likes of "Superman" (1978), the original "Batman" (1989) or "X-Men" (2000), "Batman Forever" is undoubtedly one of the best superhero movies ever. It's an excellently crafted film and sheer, five star entertainment.
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