The Dark Knight Returns in this sequel to the 1989 film, Batman.

Rating: 6/10 (18 February 2008)

Batman Returns is the second film in the Tim Burton/Joel Schumacher Batman franchise of the late 80s, early 90s.
In Batman Returns it is Christmas time in Gotham City, the Batman (played once more by Michael Keaton) has become an established force defending the city. Then suddenly this new vile group of insane circus freaks come onto the scene and begin wreaking havoc, they are led by the deformed freak, the Penguin (Danny DeVito). At the same time a female cat burglar comes onto the scene pulling off many small time robberies, she ends up joining forces with the Penguin, this woman is known as Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer). Batman has to naturally battle these two foes to try and protect Gotham City, when in the meantime the Penguin runs for Mayor of Gotham City, with the help of corrupt business man Max Shreck (Christopher Walken). In the end, though, we learn that the Penguin has much more on his mind than just becoming Mayor, this results in Batman having to use all of his cutting edge technology and all of his wits to stop the demented Penguin and his gang.
I think this comment should first focus on what is good about this film, rather than focusing on the negative. First, the Gotham City that has been made within this film is truly unique and is one of the best versions of Gotham ever captured on film. Second, the production values are very good, Tim Burton's directing is good, and the script is fairly well written; as well the acting is top notch, this film was very well casted. All of the other stuff, like cinematography, score, and such are all really good as well, but that stuff is really all that is good.
The problems with Batman Returns are many. First and foremost the film focuses too much on Batman's villains rather than Batman himself, now this was a problem the first Batman had, but this time around, with an extra villain, Batman has even less screen time. Another major problem with this film is it took way too many departures from the comic books, there are many points in this film that I wonder if I am even watching a Batman film. As well, this is an action movie with very little action within it, and the little you do get is not engaging at all, you just want the action to end once you get to it.
Overall this is just not that great of a movie, and is really only a Batman film by name only.
Score: A decent 6 out of 10.