Truly the last great of the Batman films...

Rating: 8/10 (29 December 1999)

This is Batman at its finest. Keaton and Pfieffer have electrifying chemistry; DeVito delivers as the Penguin, mayoral prospect turned pariah; Christopher Walken turns out a humorous performance of corporate cannibal Max Shreck; Burton's creatively chilling visions of Gotham and the old zoo truly capture the eye (even more so than the cathedral and tall skyscrapers of the original); Elfman's score is simply astounding, mournfully majestic, and never fails to completely encompass the mood of a character or scene. Siouxsie and the Banshees theme song "Face to Face" definitely suits the style and atmosphere of the film more than the artist formerly known as Prince and U2, combined. Returns is by far the best of the series, as well as one of the best sequels of all time, a visual masterpiece to be long remembered.
The original film is excellent, as it introduces Batman to the city of Gotham and allowing Bruce revenge for the death of his parents. There had to be a second film, however, that showed Batman as a renowned hero to the city, to fulfill his shoes as a super hero. Returns is that film, as well as one of the few sequels to surpass the quality of the original (Like The Godfather and Toy Story), based on the opinion that this is the STORY of Batman whereas the original was merely the prologue, the introduction (although Robert Wuhl is greatly missed in this picture).
This is Michael Keaton's sexiest role, and the sexiest Batman. He is the first, the best, the only. Batman has a great deal to do with sex appeal (at least on the big screen), while Bruce Wayne is about humanity's flaws. Keaton is the only actor to pull off both these characteristics. While Kilmer and Clooney are hunks as Bruce Wayne, their faces are altered, for the worse, by the mask. Kilmer's face is suctioned onto the rubber and Clooney is eaten alive by it. Keaton, on the other hand, is not disfigured by the mask. He looks sexier as Batman than as Bruce Wayne, as it should be, and his Batman is sexier than both his successors hunky Bruce Waynes and clumsy Batmans. Keaton has those bright green eyes shining against the dark makeup, and those luscious, lick-able lips of his, oh my. Keaton is the sexiest Batman, and also the most believable Bruce Wayne. He is the only actor of the three to successfully disguise himself, remaining nearly unrecognizable behind the mask (not to mention he can actually pull off comedic scenes. The others were just too stiff). He alters his voice and the duplicity of his disguise is believable. The other two are plainly obvious (to the extent of Clark Kent and his glasses) and easily identified. The Batsuit in Returns, along with Keaton's face, are the most effective in concealing Batman's true identity.
The relationship between Bruce and Selina is better written and played out than that of either Vale or Meridian (was there even a love interest in the fourth?). The recognition of Batman's identity in Returns is one of the most breathtaking scenes of the series, and greatly surpasses that of Vale simply walking into the Batcave unscathed and unconcerned. Returns also integrated its predecessor into the story. Vicki is mentioned, along with her sudden departure from Bruce's life. I was disappointed with Forever when neither Vale nor Catwoman's presence are breached upon. It's as if this is a different city and a different Batman (which they practically are, Harvey Dent went from being the smooth talking Billy Dee Williams to the southern drawled Tommy Lee Jones). The Bruce and Selina relationship is by far the most promising and befitting of the series. It makes the most sense and falls more into character than any of the others. Pfieffer's Catwoman is a stunning performance by a stunning actress, and she truly is the highlight of the film.
The missile mounted penguins aren't a problem, as it follows the fantasy of the film and its loose take on reality. The plot, although not the most clever, has its highlights in the fact that every small detail plays a role (Selina's stun gun, Penguin's lists, Batman's boomerang, Max's gun) in the grand scheme. The awkward approach on the villains is also intriguing. The fact that the Penguin wasn't the same as the comics, and that he was a mistreated child with physical deformities (to say the least) adds an obscurity and sympathy to the character that I felt greatly lacked with the Joker (as well as Two-Face, and I won't even start on Mr. Freeze). The other villain, Max Shreck, is a wonderful character (although seeming dull, is actually quite interesting, and well played by the bedazzling Walken), especially his habit of botching up common phrases. "I've got better fish to fry," and "If it works, don't fix it," are just two of the examples that make this character, like the film itself, a gem, truly one of a kind.
Batman Returns: 9.995 (rounded up to ten)