Batman Returns (1992)

Directed by: Tim Burton | 122 minutes | action, thriller, romance, fantasy, crime | Actors: Christopher Walken, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michael Gough, Michael Murphy, Cristi Conaway, Andrew Bryniarski, Pat Hingle

About three years after his first Batman movie, Tim Burton canned these ‘Batman Returns’. This film follows the same path that Burton’s first Batman production also took. The fans know what that means: dark colors, a melancholy atmosphere and tragic characters. In this sequel, the eccentric director even comes with two new characters that make Batman’s life miserable. And they are not the least: Michelle Pfeiffer and Danny DeVitto.

Just like in the first film, in the second part the villains are more prominent than Batman himself. Which does not mean that the character Batman/Bruce Wayne gets off without a hitch, Burton knows how to give the character enough playing time to be able to speak of character development. Thanks to the solid playing of Michael Keaton who also takes on the role of the Caped Crusader in the second part. It soon becomes apparent that Keaton is increasingly comfortable in Batman’s form-fitting suit. With visibly more ease he puts down a convincing Batman. Keaton knows how to turn his character into a real person and not a superhero who can really do everything. In this part Bruce Wayne is also tormented by the demons from his past and this time he sees the love of his life perish because of her destructive character. Keaton portrays a character who is both strong and tough, but also extremely vulnerable and unhappy.

Then the villains, or actually villain. In fact, in the case of the Penguin, there really is a classic villain. Danny DeVito plays the Penguin and he does it very well. Beneath the repulsive appearance of this character, hides a tormented human who is secretly looking for love and security. In a short introduction the past of Penguin/Oswald Cobblepot is presented. The cruel way he has been treated has shaped him. Penguin wants revenge, on everyone, on the society that shaped him. DeVito conveys his character’s motives very well and acts restrained and exuberant at the same time. His character is a walking time bomb, who alternately manages to evoke sympathy and aversion.

The second person to take on Batman is Selina Kyle/Catwoman, played by Michelle Pfeiffer. This character also inspires her acts of revenge, but her character is much less black and white than Penguin. She only wants revenge on one person and not on society as a whole. In fact, almost no character is purely good or bad. Both Batman and Catwoman don’t shy away from violence to achieve their goals, but both have their own reasons and tormented past that prompted them to act. Both are the product of a society that is rotten through and through. It doesn’t make their actions right, but it does make it a lot more understandable.

The only character that is pure evil is Max Shreck played by Christopher Walken. Unfortunately, this industrialist is a rather superficial character, but Walken manages to prevent that from getting irritating through his playing.

Just like in the first part, Danny Elfman takes care of the music this time as well. The atmosphere of the print now also perfectly matches the sombre sounds of the compositions. ‘Batman Returns’ is therefore a must for anyone who enjoyed the first Batman film.