"It's the so-called normal guys who always let you down" !

Rating: Null/10 (16 May 2010)

Watching this movie for the first time was unforgettable nightmarish experience. I remember ranking it as one of the worst sequels, rather movies, I have ever seen. The time was momentarily excruciating. The dark atmosphere wasn't a Hollywood falsity. Danny DeVito as the penguin was totally creepy, and no funny at all. He was outrageously ugly, too sexually suppressed, moving in great uproar, roaring non-stop, and gushing black liquid out of his mouth. In brief, a devil from hell would have been nicer! Michael Keaton himself seemed spiritless, acting indifferently as if he was forced to do the job, being the movie's least interesting character. Overall it ranged between gloomy and dreadful. Even the slight comedy was very black. Everything and everyone looked factitious, so hyped and none-enjoyable. And at the climactic sequence, I wanted to runaway from the screen. Did I say that I don't like the Batman character in the first place?!
After 10 years or so, I re-watched it. You know these times when you re-watch your top bad movie to recall what did you hate in it (a little bit of exploring yourself), to review how low can Hollywood go sometimes (a little bit of schadenfreude), or maybe to just punish yourself (a little bit of Masochism?!).
Anyway, I discovered that it is not utterly the Hollywood formula to picture a superhero. There is a bold and deep satire where the businessman and the politicians are exactly the society's rich robbers and ruthless killers. Added to their victims, like (Catwomon), who were literally killed by them, to know that honesty is a kiss of death in this world, and if you can't beat them join them. This poisoned society of Gotham (or Gothic Sodom), which's nothing but a dark portrayal of the modern materialistic America, had been done so darkly to extreme degree. The movie looks like nothing but a disturbing film. Although I believe Tim Burton learned the lesson early, understanding that in Hollywood - at the best of times - you give the studio what they want (Batman, Planet of the Apes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) to let them give you what you want (Edward Scissorhands, Mars Attacks!, Big Fish). But unfortunately, this time, he gave the studio what they wanted in a way that they didn't want. So it was natural that they deposed crazy Burton as a director, making 2 more sequels of their big and loud flicks, however TOO COLORFUL and MEANINGLESS to extreme degree as well!
Few times in the American cinema, there was a dialogue that could be so smart. Review with me these examples: "You gotta admit I played this stinkin' city like a harp from hell". (The Penguin). "Women. Nothing surprises me, Chip, except your late mother. Who'd have thought Selina had a brain to damage. Bottom line, she tries to blackmail me, I'll drop her out a higher window". (Maximillian 'Max' Shreck). "You didn't invite me, so I CRASHED!" (The Penguin). "I may have saved the mayor's baby, but I refuse to save a mayor who stood by helpless as a baby". (The Penguin). "Two lives left. I think I'll save one for next Christmas" (Catwoman). "Why is there always someone who brings eggs and tomatoes to a speech?!" (The Penguin while being bombarded by food).
According to my comment's title / a quote from this very movie, Burtun doesn't love what's normal. See his movies to know that well. So it isn't about loving the term "Super"; it's more about dealing with it differently, or abnormally; if we want the right word to it. This is a different interpretation of a superhero movie. It is serious satirical fantasy, avoiding being a joke, or pure action ride. The comic book movie wasn't less naive like this before, the problem though is that it wasn't more heavy like this before either. You may love it, or hate it. I hated it highly at first, and then respected its difference later. Not all the movies have to be the same thing.
Despite the fact that (Batman Returns) looks and feels like Danny DeVito as the penguin for most of the time, it is very rare; as abnormal Hollywood movie. If you love the kind, this one won't "let you down".