Batman Returns (1992) Review

Verdict
4

Summary

Batman Returns is essential Christmas viewing if you’re looking for something a little darker; it’s just a shame that Batman takes more of a back seat to the story.

Plot: When a corrupt businessman and the grotesque Penguin plot to take control of Gotham City, only Batman can stop them, while the Catwoman has her own agenda.

Review: This is a movie that is definitely underrated; I know I’m not the only person who thinks so either. Michelle Pfeiffer was a fantastic Catwoman and Danny DeVito was mesmerising as The Penguin.

The main plot is essentially all about The Penguin and his heartbreaking life-story. For the first half of the movie you utterly sympathise with him and I love how Bruce Wayne supports him at first: “I hope he finds his parents”. Obviously as the story progresses we find out that The Penguin has more sinister motives and you rapidly lose your sympathy for him.

There is an understanding and a mutual tragedy about their lives; there is also the underlying theme about how each of the main characters are perceived as “monsters”. Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) is a well respected monster, or businessman as he corrects The Penguin.

The Penguin also says to Batman at the end “You’re just jealous, because I’m a genuine freak and you have to wear a mask!”

All of the characters are outcasts in some way, Selina Kyle is a quiet, shy secretary and when she is betrayed by her boss, she becomes Catwoman and another different kind of monster.

The one main problem with the film is the lack of Bruce Wayne/Batman’s story; there is no real journey for Bruce to go through by the end of the film. He’s just there to really stop The Penguin but as a character, he doesn’t really go through any major changes.

Aside from that, the make-up and set design are utterly stunning with very Burton-esque visuals.

Once again Danny Elfman’s score is spectacular and with an added choral version of the theme, it’s equally as good, if not better than the first film’s score. The Penguin’s music is achingly sad and is one of my favourite pieces of movie music.

It’s one of the very darkest Batman films alongside The Dark Knight and you won’t exactly feel cheery by the end of it, but it is a wonderfully realised film with great performances.

Overall, Batman Returns is essential Christmas viewing if you’re looking for something a little darker; it’s just a shame that Batman takes more of a back seat to the story.