Batman Returns (1992)

 

Genre: Action/ Fantasy 

Time: 2h 6mins

Director: Tim Burton 

Quick Summary: While Batman deals with a deformed man calling himself the Penguin wreaking havoc across Gotham with the help of a cruel businessman, a female employee of the latter becomes the Catwoman with her own vendetta.

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect Batman film. 

My opinion of Micheal Keaton being Batman has definitely changed from the previous film. He's more broody and imposing than previous, overall he's just a lot cooler. Especially in the action scenes, which have definitely improved. 

This film takes a lot darker tone and honestly, I really liked it, Batman suits the more gritty and dark aesthetic. The Action sequences are outstanding and awesome and the Fight sequences are fantastic. The first fight between Batman and Catwoman is really awesome to watch and a lot of the time I couldn't stop watching. Everyone's stories and roles are so strong and really developed. I think this is a perfect Batman story. Revenge is the main theme of this film and it works so well. Personally, everyone who is seeking it is justified fully for it. This film is so complex, from the characters to the story.

I love how the villains upstage Batman in every scene. This film was more focused on them and I can't complain about it because they were just so interesting and well done. Both their "Origin" stories were shown incredibly well and added to the plot. Michelle Pfieffer is amazing as Catwoman, I found her character the most interesting, stemming from a hatred of men and setting out to be no longer pushed around. She's fierce, demented, and will fight to the end to get what she wants. Danny Devito is amazing as the penguin. He is equally as demented and crazy, but he adds sort of a wackier side to the pair. He absolutely dominates the film with his role, and he's absolutely terrifying too. He is angry that his parents abandoned him as a baby and wants to dispose of every firstborn son in Gotham. 

I love how this film just gets it right. The movie's performances, special effects, costumes, amazing sets, and of course, make-up design make this film great. To me, this gives everything Batman and I love it. Tim Burton always had a knack for making grim backgrounds look appealing and having a darker aesthetic and this really benefits from it. This oozes personality, not just from Tim Burton but with the characters too, everyone is so memorable. 

To add to this, the film is so fun with its script. It's full of corny jokes, sexual puns and silly commentary. It's over the top, but it's never too much. The majority of the lines are so memorable and guaranteed to get a laugh out of you. I love the contrast of this with the rest of the film with is so Dark and serious.

I adore this Batman and it's now one of my favourites out of everything. It's wonderfully weird and crazy and it's definitely a much watch.

10/10

"Honey, I'm home. Oh, I forgot. I'm not married."

"You poor guys. Always confusing your pistols with your privates."

"The Penguin: [to Catwoman] Just the pussy I've been lookin' for!"

"Meow."

"Catwoman: It's chilly in here.

The Penguin: I'll warm you."