A Great Sequel...

Rating: 8/10 (10 June 2003)

First thing first. Batman Returns is not as good as Batman, but it is still a fantastic film. The film is more in line with Tim Burton's sensibilities as a film director mainly because unlike the first film which had a lot of studio interference, Burton had a free hand here. Whereas the first Batman film had more of a film noir/urban thriller/horror approach, Batman Returns is more like a dark fairy tale, with Bruce Wayne's mansion more of a castle in this film, snow falling on to the streets of Gotham City and a villain who is definitely a monster. Along with way we have a romantic angle that is played in a more quirky manner than usual, with a humour that is more ironic and touching than the dark and black style in the first film.
Of all the sequels to the perfect original, Batman Returns is the best as despite the more fairy tale leanings, it is still a stone throw away from the campness of the horrible Joel Schumacher films and unlike the next two movies, this film is perfectly cast. Keaton once again shows why he was perfect as Bruce Wayne, with a little more humour here than what he showed in the first film, with his chemistry with Michelle Pfeiffer perfect with a touch of bitter sweet about it, especially in the final five minutes in their final confrontation and also with Michael Gough, who plays Alfred. The reference to Vicki Vale being let into the bat cave is an especially nice touch. Speaking of Pfeiffer, she is perfect as Catwoman/Selina Kyle, playing the innocent moments at the start brilliantly, but the psychotic urges in the later parts of the film even better while Danny De Vito was simply born to play the Penguin, being sympathetic yet horrible and disgusting too.
While the first film is undoubtedly the best, Batman Returns is more of Tim Burton's statement on the Dark Knight and this universe. His trademarks are in place, while the Penguin is portrayed more as a freak outsider of society than just a villain while the quirky nature of the relationship between Bruce and Selina is also played out in a brilliant sense of twisted humour that only Burton can handle. Plus Danny Elfman's music is perfect with quite possibly the best theme tune in movie history playing throughout.
The film is a fairy tale, albeit one without an unhappy ending. Penguin dies horribly, his life in tatters, while Bruce is left to go back to his castle alone, and not live happily ever after with the woman he loves, despite the fact that they are equals. It is a wonderful film and is one worthy of repeat viewing.