Tim Burton’s second 'Batman' film has been largely regarded as the ‘darkest’ of all the Dark Knight’s big screen outings. In fact, according to many, it was ‘too dark’ and, because of that, somehow less worthy than the other movies. Yes, the tone is pretty bleak, but, when you compare it to many of the films today (including Christopher Nolan’s 'Batman' trilogy) I can’t really see the problem.
Where some people see ‘darkness,’ I simply see realism. Yes, people get killed in ‘Batman Returns’ (shock, horror – even good people!). If that shocks and disturbs you so then you really should stick to watching Disney cartoons where everyone lives happily ever after.
Besides, if you’re contemplating watching 'Batman Returns' then you’ve probably already seen Tim Burton’s first 'Batman' offering, i.e. 1989 smash hit with Jack Nicholson as 'The Joker.' If you haven’t, I’d start with that one first, as it sets the tone nicely for the sequel. Today’s audiences may be more familiar with Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the ‘killer clown,’ but, back in 1989, Jack Nicholson WAS the Joker. It was fair to say that he owned the role and whoever followed him in taking on the Dark Knight would have to be pretty damn evil to top him. Enter Danny DeVito and Michelle Pfeiffer. I don’t care what Batman’s modern day fans say... I still think Pfeiffer is a better ‘Catwoman’ than Anne Hathaway. Both of the new villains stepped up to the challenge and scared and slinked their way around the screen at all times. It's hard to say which villain steals more scenes - Pfeiffer sets every male pulse racing by her feline persona, whereas I don't think I've ever seen an actor enjoy being evil more than Danny DeVito does as 'The Penguin.' It's a close call and they're both awesome on different levels, but I'd have to say that DeVito wins it for me.
With two such great villains you could be mistaken for thinking that Batman himself might be a bit eclipsed (a common complaint about the first film). However, he too has upped his game (maybe Michael Keaton demanded more screen time and better lines after being so outshone by Jack Nicholson?). Either way, you’ll be hard put to find anyone letting the side down.
At nearly two hours, 'Batman Returns' isn’t a short film, but it seems to fly by. Maybe it’s not a ‘family friendly’ movie and it certainly doesn’t have the ‘happy-go-lucky’ feel of today’s modern (Marvel?) superhero movies, but it is one of Burton’s best ‘twisted fairytales’ to date. It certainly doesn't have the 'action' set-pieces that a modern (again, Marvel?) film has and, despite being dark, does have a real 'comicbook feel' to it. So if you’re in the mood for something nicely dark with a cracking Danny Elfman soundtrack, give this one a go and don’t go thinking that Nolan’s 'Batman' was the ONLY Dark Knight out there.
9/10 almost as perfect as The Godfather
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