Rating: 
Summary: Batman Returns...200 Million Plus Box Office!!
Review: Worth a second look in sharp contrast to BATMAN AND ROBIN, BATMAN RETURNS with Tim Burton's dark vision. Once again, the film takes on the modern film noir and set designer Anton Furst's Gotham City is one of the major supporting "characters" in the film. The unpopular belief that Batman/Keaton was a guest star in his own film playing second fiddle to the villians is not entirely true. Keaton as Batman/Bruce Wayne has a lot of screen presence. Penguin (Danny Devito - picked for the role from entirely public demand) is unrecognisable and was made into a grotesque monster was the only flaw of the film. However, the casting of Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman was a stroke of genious and plays the part brilliantly. This film noir is enhanced by a twisted "menage de trois" between the "animal" characters. There's a lot of ... heat and tension simmering underneath all the black leather, rubber, and blubber. Batman must prove that there is more to the Penguin than his wanting to be accepted as a human being and public figure running for mayor. Behind the twisted Penguin is tycoon Max Shreck (Christopher Walken). At the same time, The Catwoman (Pfeiffer) is bent on destroying all men - human, bat, or penguin, who get in her way. Again, this is one of Tim Burton's dark visionary worlds. An entertaining piece of filmaking..perhaps a forgotten gem, but the casting, script, and direction need to be looked at again because their is lot to see and absorb. Note: Classic Line- Selina/Catwoman "Sickos never scare me..at least they're committed!"
Rating:
Summary: Batman Returns
Review: After Tim Burton's 1989 blockbuster Batman comes the excellent and best Batman sequel, Batman Returns. Michael Keaton gives an even better performance as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Michelle Pfeiffer is the best romantic intrest for Batman as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, who also teams up with the Penguin to destroy Batman. Unlike the funny yet stupid team-up of the Riddler and Two-Face in Batman Forever, Catwoman and the Penguin balance humour with seriousness just right. Danny DeVito is such a good Penguin you hardly know it's him. The other villain is Max Schreck, a powerful tycoon who wants to drain Gotham City of its power supply. Schreck also allies himself with the Penguin, even though he is Catwoman's target for revenge! The story is very good, yet the screenplay is dark, mean, and badly done. It fails to capture the wit, style, and class that the Penguin had in the animated series, and turns him into being dark, sinister, and frightening. The action is good, and the visual effects are outstanding. Love that Schreck explosion curtesy of Catwoman. Chilling climax in the sewer. Beautiful, dark cinematography by Stefan Kzampsky, and Danny Elfman's score tops his original Batman one and I really enjoyed the Batman theme. Bo Welch's production design is more malevolent and well done than Anton Furst's original sets. The costumes are great also. Sound and film editing are good. I really like the Bat hardware and the Batmobile has new tricks in store for the Red Triangle Circus Gang and even the police. Oscar nominatins for Best Visual Effects (Michael Fink-Lethal Weapon 4, Craig Barron, John Bruno-Ghostbusters, Poltergeist 2:The Other Side, The Abyss, Dennis Skotoak-The Abyss) and Best Makeup (Ve Neill-BeetleJuice, Edward Scissorhands, Mrs.DoubtFire, Ed Wood, Ronnie Specter, Stan Winston-Heartbeeps, Aliens, Predator, Edward Scissorhands, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, The Lost World: Jurassic Park). No wins for Batman Returns. Overall, 4 1/2 stars because of Burton's clever direction and style, great performances,and excellent production design and cinematography. I hoped the following film would be just as good or better, but then Joel Schumacher came in and....
Rating: 
Summary: Not much of a return.
Review: The success of the original 'Batman' meant that Tim Burton could have a wider scope to develop his vision in the sequel and indeed 'Batman Returns' is more Burtonesque than it's original. Danny DeVito's Penguin is a genuine Tim Burton freak as he himself admits when he taunts Michael Keaton that all his power is in his mask and he's 'jealous of a genuine freak'. In that sense the Penguin is closer in form to Edward Scissorhands than he is to Jack Nicholson's Joker. A perinnial Burton theme of not being able to connect and touch like others e.g. the Penguin's deformed hands. Although titled 'Batman Returns' this movie spends far less time on the Batman character than the original. In the first installment The Joker was two-dimensionaly bad, no redeeming features whatsoever. Against this the Batman character came across as a dark, complex figure who had the potential to be just as emotionally unstable as his nemesis. Each of Batman's opponents in the sequel however have some secret longing they're trying to protect (even Christopher Walken's character shows some love for his son). Against these divided personalities, Batman comes across as two-dimensionaly good. In 2004, scenes such as dogs with bombs attached to their backs blowing up stores might seem like bad taste but Burton must have been over the moon to have such a large budget to play with. Unfortunately he tries to pack in far too much in comparison with the first movie. On it's own 4/5 for being imaginitive, bold and flamboyant. 2/5 for being cartoonish, brash and over-sentimental in relation to the original film.
Rating: 
Summary: It Might Be Visually Stunning, But.....
Review: "Batman Returns" has plenty of atmosphere about it. There's no denying that. However, this sequel pales in comparison to its predecessor. The scenery is dark and moody, but the character of the "Penguin" is just atrocious. How did a rich, greedy, power-hungry villain in the comics become a mutated, flipper-handed freak? Keaton does a fine job as the "Dark Knight," but his performance isn't enough to save this divebomb. Michelle Pfeiffer is good as the "Catwoman," but her squabble with Max Shreck(Christopher Walken) was weightless in this movie. Her story seems too rushed in order to cram "Batman's" struggles with her and "Penguin" in an acceptable movie time length. The special effects are okay, but the heavily armed penguins are just silly looking. "Batman" has a couple of new toys, but his "Batboat," much like the "Batwing" in the first flick, makes a quick entrance and exit. It's obvious that Tim Burton was given a lot more creative freedom on this project. That's too bad, because he takes too many liberties with the characters involved on this project. The whole film has this "Edward Scissorhands" feel in it. I usually enjoy Burton's projects, but this one goes too far with its brooding yet goofy atmosphere. In this movie we are introduced to the idea that all of "Batman's" villains have to team up in order to beat him. This one has three: "Penguin," "Catwoman," and "Max Shreck." Although "Catwoman" is only "sort of" a villain, the flick still has to spend time describing her origin. Following sequels have "Riddler" and "Two-Face" teaming up and "Poison Ivy" and "Mr. Freeze"(and an underused "Bane"). The result is a story crammed with the origins of all the villains, the introduction and explanation of allies("Robin" and "Batgirl")and a twisting, turning plot that falls into quick boredom. Sure, all of these sequels may be visually satisfying, but the stories are clunkers. Perhaps the next movie(if there ever is one) will return to the original idea of having one meanie take on "Batman." Give these villains credit, they can give "Batman" a time on their own. In closing, this is an okay picture. It is very atmospheric, but atmosphere and a nickel won't even buy you a cup of coffee anymore. "Batman Forever" is a slightly better movie. The tone of the film leans more toward the silly antics of the old TV show, but the brighter colors and lighter humor are a welcome change from "Batman Returns." Don't get me wrong, it's nowhere near the original, but it is a decent vision of the "Batman" comics. The action is better than in "Batman Returns," and Val Kilmer does a fine job filling Michael Keaton's shoes. He keeps the integrity of the character alive despite a lightweight story. The "Riddler" is a good villain(though not "Joker"), but "Two-Face" just doesn't belong. Don't even bother with "Batman & Robin." It takes the cheese-factor to an all-time low.
Rating: 
Summary: A dark and totally wicked classic.
Review: The Dark Knight Bruce Wayne/Batman makes a roaring return in the second outing in the legendary Batman trilogy in a darker & much colder undertone with the mysterious hero now up against two menacing villains. One is a corrupt company CEO named Max Schrek (Christopher Walken) and the other is a deformed murderer named Oswald Cobblepot aka Penguin. A third rival character in this movie is difficult to categorize as a villain or a hero. That is the twisted seductive Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer). Although I don't categorize her as a dangerous murderess, it's very difficult to really say if she's truly a villainess but it's easy to say that she isn't exactly the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of heroism but on the other hand, she's an extremely complex character whose eccentric personality renders one unable to help but really pay a lot of attention to her. The movie begins in the cold snowy & remote stretches of a haunted mansion somewhere I'm guessing in upper New York state where a couple are the parents of a young but very odd child. The oddness of the child becomes highly evident after he pulls a cat into his cage and presumably killing it. Unable to handle the psychological burden of raising him, the Cobblepots toss him in his crib into the river and flee into the unknown. Many years later on, Cobblepot also known as the Penguin, runs in the election for the next mayor of Gotham City. The citizens though are unaware that he's actually plotting against the population and is in fact plotting to take over the city and kidnap the city's children. Meanwhile, The Penguin attracts the attention of a corrupt corporate CEO named Max Schrek (Christopher Walken), who wants to team up with him against 'both' Bruce Wayne, and Batman, considering how much "they" oppose his plans for a toxic waste power plant. Schrek on the other hand also has to deal with a more vicious foe, and that is Catwoman, formerly Selina Kyle, a former employee who he had abused and tried to kill, and she is now out for revenge against him and also for competition against Batman. Now, with three major foes butting heads against him, Batman now has a dauntingly dangerous mission to stop the three from causing havoc and destruction across Gotham City and protect the citizens. All of the cast in this movie are superb beyond any words that I can muster up. Michael Keaton IS Bruce Wayne/Batman. Neither George Clooney, nor Val Kilmer (No offense to them. They did well too) could compete against Keaton in the role as the dark Knight Batman. Danny DeVito brings a truly chilling acting role that is worthy of remembrance with the deformed Penguin. Michelle Pfeiffer brings the odd and often extremely complex character Catwoman to life. Christopher Walken is totally awesome playing the corrupt CEO of the Schrek Corporation. Michael Gough is absolutely brilliant as Bruce Wayne's/Batman's caretaker and aide, Alfred and is the only one who I felt kept all of the talent of his acting intact throughout the entire movie series. Combine the brilliant cast with a dark and truly foreboding atmosphere, and you have what I considered Tim Burton's crowning achievement at this point in his career (Before he outdid himself with "The Nightmare Before Christmas") I can easily remember how this movie seemed to shape this period in my life around late 1992 and early 1993 and now in its 11th year of existence, "Batman Returns" has lost none of it's power and continues to be a thought-provoking masterpiece. Tim Burton did stunningly well on the first Batman movie from 1989, but he blew me away with "Batman Returns". Although it may sound like "Returns" is better than the first one, it's actually a tight toss-up between the two movies. The first one has a more fun atmosphere combined with a dramatic overtone to it. The second one, has a much darker, much colder, and more bleak atmosphere. The two perfectly complement each other so well that one's movie collection would be incomplete without them. Although I thought "Batman Forever" was a great follow-up, the more flashy direction that the movie saga went into would sadly go in a nosedive, sacrificing the drama, thoughtful plot, and intelligent dialogue, for excessive hodgepodges of colors and excessive flamboyance, ultimately killing the movie series with the campy, god-awful P.O.S. that was "Batman And Robin". Even to this day, I still cannot believe that the Batman series went from the dark, brooding, drama of "Batman" and "Batman Returns", and even the fun of "Batman Forever", down to just lowlife cinematic sewage that was "Batman & Robin". I just hope that Batman will recover soon and someday in the future, bring back the dark undertones that defined this incredible movie. Perhaps it was the stupidity of the entertainment industry at the time that they were disturbed at the 'failure' of "Batman Returns" with "only" 280M dollars at the box office. I mean come on! 280M is HUGE! That's far fram a failure. It was when they turned Gotham City into a giant circus that caused the franchise to fail later on. It might have also been the stupidity of a large part of the audience that caused the franchise to die off later on after this movie. Of course for me, I was loving this movie when I was just ten years old when it came out, and loved far more than I 'enjoyed' "Batman & Robin" when I was 14 when that came out. Even with all this I'm writing with this review, there's so much more from this movie that I can be able to explain with this review. The series would take a nosedive into campy oblivion later on in time but for me, give me the dark, dramatic, thought-provoking, and depth of "Batman Returns" anytime over the MGM grand flashy colors of "Batman & Robin".
Rating:
Summary: BATMAN RETURNS IS THE LAST DECENT MOVIE IN THE BATMAN SERIES
Review: "Batman Returns" is a very dark and stylized sequel, Tim Burton once again managed to reflect the true essence of Gotham City's dark knight; this time around, our superhero must battle against a classic nemesis: "The Penguin" (magnificently portrayed by an inspired Danny DeVito), but the bird man is not alone; along with the penguin, there is an evil (and sexy) villain: Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer), and also there is a third villain, the evil businessman Max Shreck (Cristopher Walken).......The plot sometimes is a little silly, but the special effects, the sets, the fight sequences, the costumes, the gadgets and the penguins army make "Batman Returns" a very entertaining film that looks great. Also, it's the last entry in the Batman series which featured Tim Burton and Michael Keaton......of course, the next two sequels are pretty poor films without them.
Rating: 
Summary: The visual effects are really cheap...
Review: I kind of rank this movie with Alien 3 has among the worst movies to have the worst effects ever on film. Alien 3 had that dog like alien which looked fake, here we have little penquins with tiny rocket launchers attached to their backs, and you laugh when you see it, it looks so cheap. This is true for the whole movie, the supporters of this movie point out that Burton basde his Batman movies on the Frank Miller Batman stories, where Miller turned Batman into a lunatic inside a bat costume, well thanks for nothing Burton and Miller, you have destroyed Batman.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Batman of the series!!
Review: This is my favourite batman movie. i liked the first one but i loved the second one. I guess because of the two villians up against one hero. you never seen that in any other one because it usually even. it has a dark story which i think has the best villians. Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman plays a much more creepier female villian than Uma Thurman as poison ivy. and danny devito is amazing as the penguin. but don't forget christopher walken as max schrek who also applies. the batman series went totally down hill after this one. batman forever had good qualities to it but it was missing the true batman, micheal keaton. batman and robin is beyond stupid. the worst. i hope if they do make a batman 5 which they probably are, that they have tim burton back as the director and keaton back as batman. tim burton does a so much better job than joel schmaeuker. so to end my review, batman returns is a must see and also check out the first one too but avoid the others at all costs!!!
Rating:
Summary: "The liberation of Gotham has begun!"
Review: Batman Returns is as great as Tim Burton's original blockbuster and 1000 times better than ANYTHING Schumacher could cough up. Burton knows how to choose good actors for his awesome characters. Keaton is a phenomanal Batman with the right portrayal of darkness as his character is portrayed in the comic. Danny Devito and Michelle Pfeifer are EXCELLENT. They are the only villain team-up which made sense unlike the garbage in Schumacher's festivals of stupidity. Devito does such a great Penguin, its hard to imagine your watching Devito at all. He's a totally different person in this film much like Jack Nicholson was with The Joker in Batman. To the moron who thinks Burton would kick himself after seeing the Batman animated series, what do you think the series was based on? Had Burton not done this movie or Batman in 1989 you wouldnt have Batman The Animated Series at all. Why do you think the series is dark, the music is by Danny Elfman, and some characters are like their movie counterparts such as Penguin and Catwoman.Tim Burton's work is responsible for the animated series pal. All in all, an EXCELLENT movie with enough humor, action, and plot that makes this stand wayyyyyy above either of Schumacher's Bat-films that concentrate on special fx and not plot and character like this film. TRUE Batman fans will appreciate Tim Burton's work for the great characters and writing.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good But Could Have Been Great
Review: This movie needs Ritalin. Smart and well meaning but far too crowded with characters, subplots, sight gags, clever one liners and special effects to be able to calm down and tell an interesting story. I love Christopher Walken's personality and acting but there's just no reason for him to be in this movie. The villian should have been the Penguin OR Catwoman. One of those rare movies that suffers from too many good ideas. Almost ADHD in its refusal to pick a story and stick with it. The casting, direction and special effects are excellent. Michael Keaton does a great job with the difficult and enigmatic title character.
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