Batman Returns

Rating:
Summary: Elegant, grotesque, and amazing entertainment
Review: When I first saw it this film in theaters, I was doubtful that it would even come close to the original, but I was extremely surprised. I was quite pleased with what I saw, however the main reason that this film did so well, in my opinion, was the return of Michael Keaton as Batman and Tim Burton as director. Burton's unique, one-of-a-kind style gave this film a touch of elegance like no other. Unlike the first film, Gotham City is preparing to celebrate Christmas this time around, giving Burton the opportunity to create a hauntingly beautiful winter portrait as the main setting. Burton's view of this franchise is what made the first two films so great -- there is no other out there who even comes close to his personal style.

Next is the plot. While it wasn't as creative and original as the original (the Joker's hip minions were much better villians than the Penguin's clown gang), it didn't do all that bad. I feel that Michael Keaton had a stronger role this time around, since the excellent Jack Nicholson (the Joker) completely stole center stage in the first film. Rather than have the imbalance that the first film had in which the villain seemed to have a bigger role than the hero, Keaton's Batman seemed evenly matched this time around with the Penguin (a chilling Danny DeVito) and the mysterious Catwoman (played excellently by Michelle Pffiefer, who bounced back and forth between the character's tranquility and the brink of insanity with sheer brilliance). True, these villians were nothing near Jack Nicholson's depiction of the Joker, but it was a good effort. I personally liked the idea of two villians at once, it brought more style and independence to this film so it could be separated from the first film in some sort of form.

Many people argue that this film was much darker and violent than the first film, and though I don't think this is entirely true, I have to agree a little bit. I wouldn't say that the film is necessarily more violent than the first, but the themes are definitely much deeper than the first. The first film concentrated on the Joker's increasing influence over Gotham City, while this one seemed aimed more at the Penguin's dark and anger-driven madness towards living in the sewers all these years, as well as Selina Kyle's violent and traumatized transformation into the distraught Catwoman. Whereas the villian of the Joker seemed to rely on comedy in the first film, the two villians in this film were driven more by their own personal anger and frustration, which is what leads them into their descent into madness.

All in all, I enjoyed this film more than the first. I'm not saying that this film was better -- the first film will always be the best, however I seemed to enjoy myself more this time around. Danny Elfman's score is also excellent; he adds another drop of elegance to this film by using the same main title from the first film while adding a blaring score that personifies the Penguin's devilish personality as well as furious, high-pitched violins that identify the Catwoman. So if you enjoy the Batman franchise, I highly recommend this second film. It's definitely worth taking a look at.

Rating:
Summary: Messy, gory sequel just plain stinks...
Review: Tim Burton returned to direct this sequel to the successful "Batman," but here the premise is too dark and too grisly. Danny DeVito is just okay as the Penguin, but even worse is Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman. Michael Keaton has absolutely nothing to do with his role and this film is mostly just an excuse for Tim Burton to be scary. The plot is absurd, the characters are unconvincing, including Christopher Walken as a minor bad guy. Consequently, Burton did not return to direct the next two films.

Rating:
Summary: I like the idea...it just didn't work for me.
Review: When it comes to the Batman films, most fans love the first and care little for the latter two, but this installment always gets mixed reviews. I like dark films (Edward Scissorhands) but as much as I wanted to like Batman Returns, it just didn't fully work for me.

First off is the problem that the Penguin never really becomes realistic. Even at his birth, we have to suspend belief for a bit and take in that he is so deformed his parents would dump him in the sewers and that penguins could raise him to be a diabolical mind. Then we have to believe that such a crazy figure would run for mayor, and it's never quite clear what his state of mind is.

Think of all this film could have been. The Penguin could've been an example of a damned figure, Max Shreck the embodiment of pure evil, Catwoman a symbol of seduction who somehow makes Batman feminist in the end. But the story is too rushed and no one gets developed. Penguin and Catwoman team up half way through but then break ties. Why? The two sublots hardly fit together. There is a big final climatic scene with her and Shreck, but then the Penguin's death feels completely anticlimatic.

The real problem here: TOO CARTOONY!!!! I understand if Danny DeVito and Michelle Pfieffer come off cartoonish since they are supposed to be that way, but even Christopher Walken looks like a cartoon character (what is suppose to be his corpse at the end with the bugged out eyes is an insult to visual efects everywhere). What about such lines as "I was their number one son, but they treated me more like number two" and "Honey, I'm home. Oh, forgot. I'm not married"? Do real people use these lines. These little things are distractions and it's harder to take the tragic story seriously. Yes, the first film was a bit like that too, but that one was essentially an action film and delivered fine.

Batman Returns was not a flop, and it does have its fans. But Burton has done much better.

Rating:
Summary: Dark action adventure with satirical elements
Review: Burton managed to get Batman right the second time. The script is sharper, full of satrical elements and the view of crime ridden Gotham bleaker than before. Batman appears as ruthless as before although there is a better sense of a human being under the mask. Batman's still one of the walking wounded but he does have a sense of humor.

Burton had full control here and a solid script to begin with. Although Christopher Walken is wasted in his role as Schrek, the rest of the cast gives interesting, varied performances. The action sequences are among the best Burton has ever directed.

The DVD transfer is sharper than the original Batman and the sound top notch. Batman Returns does lack the extas one expects now. Given the deluxe treatment given to Superman: The Movie, I'd expect the same here. Unfortunately, this is a pretty bare bones DVD. Audio commentary and background footage (as well as script excerpts) would have been welcome and made this a more compelling buy.

Rating:
Summary: a triumph sequel to the Batman series
Review: Batman Returns certainly delivers. Everyone in this movie did a good job just like in the first Batman. Tim Burton really knows how to keep the dark nature of Batman alive. Also, I thought that Danny Elfman did as good of a job with the Batman Returns theme song as he did with the first film theme song.

Rating:
Summary: Eerie.
Review: This movie is a good creepy kind of movie. It is very dark. Michael Keaton returns as Batman. This was the last good Batman before the series went for the down turn. It had a good story and it invoveled Three evil characters Cat Woman, Penguin and the Mayor. This is a good movie to buy and if you're a fan of Batman it is a must and for anyone who likes dark movies this is the one for you. The DVD is bland but I really didn't care i just liked the movie.

Rating:
Summary: Burton's Bat Returns
Review: Tim Burton's second Batman film is much darker than the first, yet still satisfying, popcorn-munching fun, with an apt blend of comic book action and trademark Burton weirdness. With Michael Keaton returning as the bat, Danny DeVito as the creepy pengiun and Michelle Pfeiffer as the sexy Catwoman, Batman Returns has everything fans could want. The styilised look of Gotham City is fantastic. Danny Elfman's exciting yet creepy score fits perfectly with the film's tone. Having proven his abstract humour to great effect with Frankenweenie (1985) and Beetlejuice (1988), Burton works his magic to superb effect. The only thing amiss is the plot, but that hardly matters when it's Burton at the helm, and a sharp script and some witty one-liners make up for it's flaws. The DVD presentation is dissapointing, with absoulutly nothing for fans! Not even a trailer! When will Warner Brothers learn?

Rating:
Summary: Has it's moments
Review: Batman Returns is very odd. Having introduced the most of the main characters and gadgets in the previous film number two had to work harder to be surprising. Returns is lighter in tone than the first Batman film but never descends to embarrassing camp of the later films. Here Batman fights against the power hungry Penguin and the vengeful Cabwoman.

Returns is arguably the best film of the four. It is certain the most well written. It also contains the best performance as Batman. Keaton was never an obvious choice for the role but gives possible the definite performance as Batman. Keaton makes a great Batman and is given a lot to do both as Bruce Wayne and his cowled alter ego. Whether he's respondsing to Penguin's threats or showing his distain for Max Shreck Keaton is great. And of course, the sets are great.

It's far from perfect. Some of the lines stink and some parts could be better. Never does it rise to the standard of the animated series and the soundtack has gone slightly down hill.

When Batman Returns is good, it is really good. The confrontations between Devito and Keaton have a certain magic. Devito's scene in the graveyard is also well done. However, I think that the Masquerade ball is the best part of, not just the film but the entire series. Bruce Wayne is falling for Selina Kyle who he realises is actually Catwoman. It is a wonderful, touching, off beat scene which goes a lot of places. It is just annoying that none of the following two films have asended to this level of quality.

If you're a Batman fan you could do a lot worse than Batman Returns.

Rating:
Summary: Best Batman Movie!
Review: Like the majority of reviewers, I absolutely think Batman Returns is the best of the lot - it's peppered with the greatest lines (after exchanging those wonderful dialogue about deadly mistletoe and a even deadlier kiss, Catwoman whispered in Batman's ears, "Does it mean we have to start fighting again?"); best on-screen (and apparently off-screen) chemistry between Batman and the leading lady; the darkest but most delectably poignant ending for the star-crossed lovers. This is the one film you can watch over and over again and still be swept away by Tim Burton's flair in directly dark, dreamlike sequences; world-class acting skills; and a highly intelligent script.

Rating:
Summary: Meow.
Review: The BATMAN phenomenon begun in 1989 continued with this luscious second episode. Not a sequel by definition, with the exception of a lone reference to Vicki Vale, there is nothing carried over from the first film. Once again, Director Tim Burton (SLEEPY HOLLOW) takes the film focus off of the Bat-hero and places it firmly on the villain... err villains.

First up on the dossier is Oswald Cobblepot (Danny DeVito), a deformed troublemaker who was abandoned by his own careless parents, played by Diane Salinger (Simone from PEE WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE) and Paul Reubens (Pee Wee Herman). Now, the perverted Cobblepot takes on a new moniker, THE PENGUIN, filling his nest with a deranged group of circus performers, eager to do his evil bidding.

When browbeaten, insignificant secretary Selena Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) is fired and thrown out a window, she comes to terms with her feline side. CATWOMAN, in amazing, tight leather seeks revenge on all mankind on behalf of all womankind, using up her 9-lives whenever needed. While destroying what remains of her earlier pathetic life, she smashes two neon letters from a sign on her apartment wall, turning "HELLO THERE" into "HELL HERE." It turns out she has a lot in common with Batman. They wear fancy outfits, violently tackle aggressors and conceal their identity from the world. In a brilliant image, they both show up at a costume party apparently without costumes. But, we know that their human state is a costume for their true selves.

Michael Keaton again brings the Dark Knight to life, but it is the vision of the director that makes this second film so enjoyable. This installment is even darker and sexier than the first and like that film, has plot problems that are overcome by action and fun.

BATMAN RETURNS was a huge success and a must for fans of the franchise and comic adventures in general. Two pathetic sequels followed this up. This was an early DVD release and so it has little to offer in the extra features department. The video transfer is slightly challenged by the dark contrasts of the film but the audio is great, highlighting the wonderful score by Oingo Boingo's Danny Elfman.

Mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it but a kiss can be deadlier if you mean it.