The gothic adventure continues with a twisted, darker tone

Rating: 9/10 (20 September 1998)

Tim Burton's BATMAN RETURNS is by far one of the best sequels ever spawned. Burton chose not to follow the norm, making Batman Returns stand on its own. That is the best quality of this movie; you didn't have to see the first one to understand this film. Michael Keaton does an excellent job of reprising the role of the Dark Knight. In some ways I think he out-did his first performance in Batman. (Ex. The scene where he sits in the dark, alone in his chambers and the bat-signal comes shinging through the window.) Michelle Pfeiffer as the Catwoman had to be one of the best casting choices as well. If this had been a terrible movie, the chemistry between Keaton & Pfeiffer would make it worth the watch. Danny DeVito's dark & repulsive portrayal of the Penguin was also a masterpiece. Critics raved that this film was "too dark", but in the true sense of Batman it was exactly as it should be. Gets 4 outta 5 stars from me.