Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
Like Burton’s 1989 film, “Batman Returns” also gets a Dolby rerelease! After the Joker’s maniacal crime spree, Gotham faces a new threat. Max Shreck, a slippery businessman, intends on harnessing Gotham’s power grid for his own benefit. But a deformed man living in the sewer blackmails Shreck in order to rise to the surface and gain public acceptance. At the same time, he has his own vengeful intentions for the children of Gotham. Meanwhile, Shreck’s assistant (Selena Kyle) has an accident that causes her to embrace her inner feline tendencies. As she teams up with The Penguin, Batman must stop Shreck’s plan while dealing with the rise of these two eccentric criminals. The Dark Knight must bring truth to the surface while reminding Gotham’s criminals that justice will always prevail.
Positives:
Until I gave “Batman Returns” a fresh watch, I had always preferred Burton’s first film. But seeing this in a Dolby theater elevated my perception of the film by a large margin. Burton leans into his whimsical dark fantasy here, elevating the larger than life criminals. I enjoy the costume designs as they are more elaborate while the plot embraces the fantastical side of the comics. The world building is also more gothic and colorful which gives the film’s identity a distinct style. A snowy winter aesthetic is also a nice creative choice. The visual effects and tone are a bit different than the 1989 film. I like that the film takes some risks, allowing Burton to take these characters in directions never before seen. His villains are again an important piece of the story, giving Batman a challenge worthy of his reputation. I enjoyed Batman’s suit upgrade, trading in the edgy rubber look for a sharper, polished suit with upgraded gadgets. This allows him to get better fight choreography in the film, especially when combating Catwoman. The villains also have an excellent costume design, where The Penguin has a gross, deformed appearance. Catwoman on the other hand is a confident, leather wearing foe who cracks her whip on a regular basis. If we can count on Burton for one thing, it’s his understanding of the importance of a great costume. Mission accomplished!
Much like the first, the performances are top notch. “Batman Returns” has more characters so making sure each feels important to the story is no easy task. Burton delivers strong characters here, giving us more villains and more anarchy. Keaton really steps up his game as Batman. He is more self-assured in the role, portraying both Bruce and Batman with extra gravitas and confidence. I always thought some of his line delivery in the first film felt wooden which isn’t a problem here. His humor is also more effective, especially in his banter with Alfred and confrontations with Catwoman. It’s a shame he didn’t get another film because he really figured out the formula to giving Batman a well rounded portrayal. I can’t forget Michael Gough, who elevates his standing even further as the best onscreen Alfred. Christopher Walken is underrated as Max Shreck. Sure, he’s not as colorful as Catwoman or Penguin but he is the brains behind the entire operation. His smooth demeanor and ability to manipulate people makes him a force to be reckoned with. But Danny DeVito and Michelle Pfeiffer stand out as the titular villains. DeVito’s short stature and eccentric physical features allow him to give a grimy, mean spirited portrayal of The Penguin. Little details like his interrupted breathing patterns and frantic physical mannerisms give him so much character. I also enjoy his witty sense of dark humor. He also has an interesting motivation since he was abandoned for being different as a child. Pfeiffer’s portrayal of Catwoman leans into her sex appeal, where her seductive voice and leather costume captivates everyone she encounters, including Batman. I loved that Burton got to explore these characters on such a deep level within the gothic world he creates.
I found myself enjoying this story even more than the 1989 film during my rewatch. It’s complex, thoughtful, and disturbing. It has a darker tone than the original while maintaining Burton’s whimsy. The film’s unique aesthetic combined with layered characters give it a surprising edge. DeVito’s Penguin (while horrific) has a complicated view of the world due to his rejection from an early age. While his motivations are grotesque, he isn’t a mustache twirling villain simply wanting to hurt people. His motivation to seek revenge on those who wronged him while punishing the children of Gotham makes him feel like a real threat. Plus, his ability to garner power by blackmailing Max Shreck showcases his intellect and calculating mindset. Catwoman is also motivated by revenge, seeking justice for her mistreatment by Shreck. She also gains a sense of empowerment through her tragedy, which connects her to Batman later in the film. The dynamic she has with him is wonderfully executed, where they share a rich fascination for one another while recognizing they will never be on the same side of the law. I am impressed that Burton is able to elevate his sequel on a narrative level while maintaining what made the original so good.
Negatives:
One’s enjoyment of “Batman Returns” may depend on their impression of Tim Burton’s style. For better or worse, it leans more into his whimsical tendencies and dark tone. For some, this may make the film more enjoyable. Others? It may grate on them. The villain’s costumes are more eccentric and the plot is more far-fetched. I’d say the story works for me outside of Burton’s handling of the finale. His personal fixation on making exaggerated villains is good in their presentation, yet struggles when it comes to The Penguin’s plan. He seeks revenge on Gotham’s families with a plan to steal their children via an army of rocket strapped penguins. The film is so strong for most of the runtime but this finale has never resonated well with me. It abandons any sense of reality, feeling like a break from the rest of the story. This is also true when The Penguin hijacks the Batmobile. This is a bummer because I actually enjoy most of the story more than the 1989 film. Commissioner Gordon is largely unimportant again which is a bummer. But the issues I have with the plot aren’t enough to ruin a mostly excellent film.
Conclusion:
“Batman Returns” is a bolder, busier sequel that leans more into Tim Burton’s signature style. It has an ambitious story that is fascinating to watch unfold. Keaton’s performance is much improved from the first film while the new villains get plenty of moments to shine. This is a good example of a sequel making everything bigger. The villains are more animated, the costumes are more eccentric, and the story is more elaborate. If Burton was able to reel in his tendencies with the finale the film would be so much stronger. Still, this is the Batman film that is arguably the most unique in its presentation. It has an undeniable sense of style and authenticity that is largely absent in modern blockbusters. I really enjoyed getting to see it on the big screen and would encourage audiences to do the same!
