Batman returns, but does anyone care?

Rating: 8/10 (30 June 2005)

One word to sum up the sequel to the 250 million dollar grossing first film Batman, freak show. First lets look at the facts, Burton's odd casting choice I mean Pfeiffer is built for the slim kitty suit, but doesn't quite feel right as Catwoman. DeVito as the fat freak Peguin is no were near as cool as the Joker and there are much better villains to choose from in the Rouge's Gallery. Also I didn't like the trend of paring up two villains because one is enough to focus on. Keaton is the only saving grace of the film and the only person you care about in the movie. Burton almost makes the same movie again, but not as good or fun. At least Elfman's score soars and the themes match the mood of the characters. The one thing that made the movie even worse was that Gotham looked to Burtonish for me and felt like a sideshow and not a city of crime. I look at the movie like this, an art film with Batman in it.The first Batman was new and fresh while Returns has that been there done that feel. Where Spider-Man 2 topped the first one, Returns took the series one step back and for me one step back is to far. As Batman quotes in the movie "Ok now I'm a little worried", worried indeed...