Batman returns in a freakish sequel

Rating: 5/10 (22 January 2002)

The `Dark Knight' returns, in what I would say was one of the most anticipated sequels in many years. But whether this film holds up to the same expectations than the original is in my view debatable.
Gotham City faces two monstrous criminal menaces; the bizarre, sinister Penguin and the slinky, mysterious Catwoman. Can Batman battle two formidable foes at once? Especially when one wants to be mayor and the other is romantically attracted to Gotham's hero? Batman Returns is the follow-up to the first blockbuster, which is a dazzling adventure that will leave you breathless!
Once again, we see Michael Keaton get out his costume as Batman/Bruce Wayne. The second Batman allows Batman to have more of the limelight, as the baddies aren't as dominant. Again Keaton is cold, callous and moody' as Batman. He suits the role and in my opinion is the best Batman for the movies. I was disappointed when he could not reprise the role for the later films. The fighting scenes that Keaton did do in this film weren't bad.

Unfortunately, the baddies in this film probably aren't as good as the first film. Could anyone do any better than Nicholson? I think not. Danny Devito took on the hard role as the Penguin. It must have been difficult to walk, talk and act like that gruesome sort of character. In that way, I feel like applauding Devito. Yet his character wasn't that scary. The audience more pity him for the way his family discard him, more than feel threatened by him.
But the role of Catwoman, played by the talented Michelle Pfeiffer, was remarkable. It was just like the comic book version had just leapt to the big screen. I loved it. Her sarcasm, her wit and her charm made Catwoman, someone you could love or hate in an instant. The storyline was interesting when it involved Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne. The chemistry they bought to the screen was fascinating. Then as there alter ego, the relationship got even steamier. My favourite scene with Catwoman would have to be when she walks into a department store, defeats the security guards, then blows it up by placing gas cans into a microwave. To finish the scene she flips out and says `Meow'.
Tim Burton returns as the director for Batman 2. I thought he got the Batman character correct the first time around, but this time he wasn't as accurate. The darkness in the film is probably a little over the top and makes the Dark Knight just a little bit too dark, yet the set is a pretty reasonable one. One of Burton's latest films Sleepy Hollow, starring Johnny Depp would be just as dark as this. So if you didn't like this movie I would recommend you stay away from Sleepy Hollow as well. I say that it would be an interesting film.
Undoubtedly, the best scene in this film would have to be when the Penguin's army of penguins are unleashed to Gotham Square to blow up the city. But of course Batman interferes and turns the Penguins around. The trainers involved in this scene must be commended on the precision they got every penguin to walk like they were supposed to. This must have taken many months of training to get just right.
I enjoyed the second Batman movie. The storyline was ok and it did have some enjoyable scenes and I applaud the role of Catwoman. But this film never had the same impact on me like the first and I guess it was never going to. But, Pat Collins from WWOR-TV said:
-`Batman Returns was Sensational! A funhouse of comic and crazy surprises.'
In my view many sequels are only made for the hell of it. The Batman genre (and other superheroes) can be included in that. What do you think?

Rating: 3 Stars or 7/10.