Batman Returns

Batman seems to be everywhere these days. The newer versions of the story have created a craze that has brought the superhero back to fame. But although Christopher Nolan’s trilogy is amazing, us 90s kids cannot forget the Batman we grew up with and loved. One of those films includes Tim Burton’s Batman Returns (1992). The film had and incredible cast, including Michael Keaton as Batman, Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman, Christopher Walken as Max Shreck and Danny DeVito as the evil Penguin.

The acting in the film was exceptional. Tim Burton’s style often makes his films seem like a cartoon, and the acting is sometimes exaggerated, which is exactly what was done in this film. It is not meant to seem believable, it is meant to seem as something odd from a fantasy-like world. Michael Keaton did a great job at portraying Batman; he shaped his character to be a superhero with weaknesses and flaws, which make him seem the most realistic character in the film. Michelle Pfeiffer’s acting as Catwoman was also great. When she wasn’t in suit, she seemed like a normal, nerdy personal assistant; but once she turned into Catwoman, she became a seductress with some cat behaviors, like the way she “bathed” herself as a cat. She truly made you believe that she had just been turned into a half-cat, half-woman. Danny DeVito did an exceptional job at portraying the Penguin. Everything from his mannerisms to the way he walked and spoke made the audience believe he had truly been raised in the sewers among Penguins. He did a great job at portraying the bad guy in the film, and making him funny in a creepy way. His unusualness was perhaps what made you fear him.

Of course, being directed by Tim Burton, the film has his distinct dark style and humor intertwined with fantasy and action. The characters, as mentioned before, were like out of a cartoon; there was a lot of strange hairstyles, funky clothes (particularly the Penguin and his circus), and exaggerated makeup, like that of the Penguin. If someone had just walked into the film it would have been easy for them to notice it was Tim Burton’s work. There also were a lot of dark colors in the film, including shades of blue and gray, which also helped give it that characteristic Tim Burton look. The dark lighting added to the look, as well. And, of course, what is a Tim Burton film without Danny Elfman’s music? 

 

The theme of child abandonment is clearly stated in the film. Not that if you abandon a child it will turn into a raw fish-eating, blue-skin type of creature; but of the fact that abandonment does greatly affect a child. In this case, the Penguin was abandoned by his parents and left to survive on his own as an infant. His story and even his reaction to the abandonment is clearly exaggerated and not meant to be taken literally, but the fact is that abandonment does affect a kid. Another theme seen in the film is corruption. Max Shreck owns a big business that is nothing but corrupted, and he will do anything to keep as much power in Gotham as he can. The outcome is eventually his death, but it just explains how corruption can come back and bite you, even if you think you have everything under control and you have too much power, which makes you “invincible.”  

Out of all the Batman films, this is probably my favorite. It has everything: from fantasy and humor to action and drama. Tim Burton’s style makes it so interesting to watch, since it gives a classic superhero story a very unusual look and feel. It is definitely a must see, a 10/10. However, keep in mind that Batman Returns is not exactly a film for kids; it is actually very much adult-oriented. There is definitely a sexual undertone throughout the film, lots of death and some adult language.