Initial release date: June 16, 1992
Director: Tim Burton
DVD release date: April 29, 1997
Rating: PG-13 (USA)
Music: Danny Elfman
Tim Burton's gone batty once again, to take on the sequel to the Batman film that set the record straight on how a story about a man wearing spandex and a cape, can be dark, edgy, and deep with character fleshing. This was the real Batman film, until 1992 when The Dark Knight's curtain was drawn wide open. The question that remained, was if people could handle what they would see on the other side...Christopher Nolan and Joel Schumacher would have their chance, but tonight we're riding down @#!*% 's highway in the Batmobile, where it has gotten significantly colder for our main hero and villains, The Bat, The Cat, and The Penguin. Tonight is when the underworld freezes over. This is Batman Returns!
It's hard to believe that the Batman franchise is still running strong. New arrivals of comics are becoming welcomed editions of the B-Man universe, and hopefully Batman will continue to leave audiences in shock on the big screen. I'm witting these words in light of the third and final Batman film by director Christopher Nolan. It feels to me like an end of an era, and in some ways that's a good thing. The sad truth for the caped crusader is rearing its ugly head: Batman won't be here forever. But, I don't claim to know anything, because nothing is absolute. I'm just curious as too how many adventures a human male can go through, and not show any signs of aging. At this rate Bruce Wayne must fight criminals every second of his existence! I suppose it is just a comic, but that's what happens man. That's what happens when Batman is the majority of your reading matter checked out from the library. It was...intoxicating...Anyway, on with the review!
In every conceivable fashion, "Batman Returns" is the most depressing Batman film created. That's my opinion, granted, however I do have very good reason to believe this. Tim Burton's first Batman film received allot of praise, so as a reward Burton was granted a sequel, AND given complete control of the film. Perhaps maybe too much control. Remember, Batman was targeted to children and adults (mostly adults), but this new film was much different. I can safely say that Batman Returns is not a children's film. But that doesn't necessarily mean that this movie strays from its predecessor. In fact, Batman Returns is Batman 2.0. Everything is improved on. The characters have more back-story, there's more action, it's much darker, and there are more villains. In fact, the villains are the best part about Batman in my opinion. And their origins are even cooler.
Our two villains in this film are Catwoman and The Penguin. Both of these characters have very depressing origins. The Penguin (Danny DeVito), whose real name is Oswald Cobblepot, was abandoned as a child by his neglectful parents who could not endure his disfigured body resembling a small bird. This scene is shown at the very start of the film, and the opening credits role as little baby Cobblepot is thrown into the river inside of a bassinet by his parents. As the baby travels into the sewers to be confined to a world of misunderstanding, our story begins. This, I thought was a very Burton-esc way of starting a film, and because of this I did enjoy it. However, it did raise a couple of questions, such as why penguins were living underground and if Paul Reubens' appearance as Mr. Cobblepot was meant to be a cameo. But now lets talk about Catwoman. Vicky Vale is nowhere to be found in this new film. In her place we have Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer). I like this character so much, and I also prefer her origin over The Penguin's. Single Selina Kyle, lives alone in her apartment with only her cats to keep her company. Her answering machine constantly spews bad new out at her: Her mother's criticisms, missed opportunities for vacationing, and beauty product advertisements. She is mistreated by her boss, Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) and after stumbling upon a shady business deal between him and Oswald things take a turn for the worst. Watch the movie, and you'll know what I mean.
Our villains do a fantastic job of keeping our hero busy, and setting an even darker tone than the last film. Like I said before, it may be too dark for some audiences, which was the main reason why Tim Burton was booted off the Batman franchise for good. But boy, did he leave an impact. Comics would become darker than ever, and that lust for Batman was back! So, it's a mixed opinion sort of thing. Some people don't care for how bitter the ending left fans, and others just didn't like the extreme style Tim Burton used for the film. However im on the other end of the scale, and I love this movie. At the time that I saw the first Batman film, I would have been terrified. But today, It's the perfect Batman film (for a Tim Burton fan). Just keep that in mind.
8.1/10
It's hard to believe that the Batman franchise is still running strong. New arrivals of comics are becoming welcomed editions of the B-Man universe, and hopefully Batman will continue to leave audiences in shock on the big screen. I'm witting these words in light of the third and final Batman film by director Christopher Nolan. It feels to me like an end of an era, and in some ways that's a good thing. The sad truth for the caped crusader is rearing its ugly head: Batman won't be here forever. But, I don't claim to know anything, because nothing is absolute. I'm just curious as too how many adventures a human male can go through, and not show any signs of aging. At this rate Bruce Wayne must fight criminals every second of his existence! I suppose it is just a comic, but that's what happens man. That's what happens when Batman is the majority of your reading matter checked out from the library. It was...intoxicating...Anyway, on with the review!
Our two villains in this film are Catwoman and The Penguin. Both of these characters have very depressing origins. The Penguin (Danny DeVito), whose real name is Oswald Cobblepot, was abandoned as a child by his neglectful parents who could not endure his disfigured body resembling a small bird. This scene is shown at the very start of the film, and the opening credits role as little baby Cobblepot is thrown into the river inside of a bassinet by his parents. As the baby travels into the sewers to be confined to a world of misunderstanding, our story begins. This, I thought was a very Burton-esc way of starting a film, and because of this I did enjoy it. However, it did raise a couple of questions, such as why penguins were living underground and if Paul Reubens' appearance as Mr. Cobblepot was meant to be a cameo. But now lets talk about Catwoman. Vicky Vale is nowhere to be found in this new film. In her place we have Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer). I like this character so much, and I also prefer her origin over The Penguin's. Single Selina Kyle, lives alone in her apartment with only her cats to keep her company. Her answering machine constantly spews bad new out at her: Her mother's criticisms, missed opportunities for vacationing, and beauty product advertisements. She is mistreated by her boss, Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) and after stumbling upon a shady business deal between him and Oswald things take a turn for the worst. Watch the movie, and you'll know what I mean.
8.1/10
Watch the Trailer Here
The Terminator: 1984
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