Batman Returns (1992)

Batman Returns-Two Disc Special Edition.........

Tim Burton returns as director in the sequel to his first movie. It takes a wicked turn with the villainous exploits of the freakish and mean-spirited Penguin (Danny DeVito), whose criminal collaboration with evil tycoon Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) threatens to drain Gotham City of its energy supply. As if that weren't enough, Batman (Michael Keaton) has his hands full with the vengeful Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer), who turns out to be a lot more dangerous than first expected. Clearly, this movie is alot darker than the first one. While the first movie will always be my favorite, this movie comes in a close second. July 31, 2008

Returning With a Vengeance

The Good Things
*Loads of great action and a few very nifty special effects.
*Cinematography is as good as the previous film, if not better. It's definately darker and more dramatic.
*Production quality is still great, and introduces a number of great new gadgets, vehicles, costumes, and settings to the saga.
*Storyline, although more complex, is great. Expect good amounts of drama, action, a bit of romance, and a bit of comedy.
*Characters are great. The genesis for both the Catwoman and Penguin are very dramatic, and they grow into very interesting enemies. Good acting all around.
*Good music.

The Bad Things
*Still a bit goofy; possibly goofier than the last film (but still enjoyable).

The Questionable Things
*Heightened violence and some innuendo makes it a little inappropriate for young kids (rated PG-13).

For the longest time, this was my favorite Batman film (until "Batman Begins" and the "Dark Knight" came out). It still appeals to me, for it is very intense, emotionally dramatic, and has some great action in it. The acting is great, and the characters are quite memorable. It's definately worthwhile for all Batman fans, or superhero fans in general.

The one-disc version had okay video and sound quality and no special features. The two-disc version has good quality, and includes some featurettes and music videos. July 24, 2008

A Cat, A Bat, And A Penguin

After the 1989 "Batman" film brought the iconic superhero back to being a household name, "Batman Returns" followed it with another quality installment in the Batman franchise.

With Bruce Wayne's backstory already dealt with, this film focuses on his interaction with the two main villians, Catwoman and Penguin. The style and the feel of the film (very gothic) are in line with the original film, unlike the splashy future Joel Schumacher installments or the gritty, realist Christopher Nolan films. Batman is still pure black, the camera shots are almost always dark (or without flashy distractions), and the villains are actual monsters (not caricatures).

The plot is simple...Catwoman and Penguin aspire to take over Gotham City, while the Caped Crusader tries to stop them. However, Batman's personal relations to both characters make for an interesting climax to the film, as Bruce Wayne can understand the Penguin's status as social outsider, but is also madly in love with Catwoman's alter ego Selena Kyle.

The acting is, for the most part, very well done. Michael Keaton is again great as the serious Batman, while also portraying a much more "human" and emotional Bruce Wayne than the original film. Danny Devito's Penguin is genuinely creepy, and could perhaps even be too spooky for small children. Michelle Pfieffer plays the Catwoman villain adeptly, but her philosophical Selena Kyle was often too annoying to consider a true Bruce Wayne love interest.

Overall, this was a great sequel to the blockbuster original Batman movie. The acting was engaging, the plot was standard superhero fare, and the backstories of the characters were just interesting enough to keep viewers entertained when either the Cat, Bat, or Penguin were not "in costume". The only reason I give this film four stars instead of five is because it lacks the originality of its predecessor, what with the Wayne backstory already in the books. However, there is nothing this film could do about that, so it's just a case of a sequel being good, but not different enough from the original to establish its own niche. July 23, 2008

OK

this film was ok nothing like the first batman movie good action and plot but it seemed to fall short in my book so it only gets three stars but much better than batman forever witch is the crapiest of them all. July 21, 2008

Michelle steals the show!!

This film is a great sequel and goes hand in hand with the first Batman as director Tim Burton and Michael Keaton return for another action-packed adventure in the traditional Tim Burton form. The real scene stealer here though is Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle/Catwoman who snatched up the role after Annette Benning became pregnant and brought so much bite to her role as the mousy secretary turned vengeful Catwoman out for blood against corrupt businessman Max Shreck (Christopher Walken). This premise would later be duplicated in 2004 with Catwoman starring Halle Berry but to much lesser effect. The majority of Batman fans will be quick to say that Michelle Pfeiffer is the best actress to portray the comic character so far. No offense to Annette, but I can't imagine the part being any more puurfect! Danny Devito is also superb as the dastardly Penguin who vows to be Gotham's next mayor after being re-introduced into society. As the Amazon review states, this film is very dark as it should be. Batman has always been my favorite superhero for this reason. He doesn't have any special powers or superhuman strength. He is simply a real person with real issues behind the mask he wears much like the people he fights against. The franchise became a joke with Batman Forever and Batman & Robin when director Joel Schumacher and the moronic Warner executives went for a more flashy, funny and family-oriented Batman. Tim Burton and Michael Keaton wisely bailed after this one although Burton did co-produce Batman Forever but did not act as director. This is why they started the franchise over from scratch with Batman Begins. Hopefully it will stay on the right track the second time around. July 14, 2008

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