The High Point of the Batman Series

Rating: Null/10 (25 September 2002)

After the huge success of Batman'-it was, untill Jurrassic Park', THE definative blockbuster-WB couldn't wait for a sequel, but Tim Burton had other ideas. After Edward Scissorhands' (distributed by Fox), Burton returned to Warner Bros. to direct the dark knight's second outing on the big screen. The fact that Edward Scissorhands' did well told the studio that people would embrace a `Burton Movie', thus they gave him much more creative control than he had on 'Batman'.
The result, I feel, is the best of all the Batman movies. At the time of release, many people felt differently. Parents said it was too dark, and the studio was unhappy that it failed to duplicate the astronomical financial success of its predecessor.
The film does feel dark, but that's how Batman should feel-fans and critics now realize that after Joel Shumacher tried to lighten up the series with Batman Forever' and Batman and Robin'. Another complaint was that the film was too sexual for children. It's an odd claim, as Burton films are notorious for sidestepping sex. Sure, Catwoman has a kinky' outfit, but is a child really going to pick up on that? To mirror Catwoman to the female characters of Shumacher's lighter Batman films, she is much more appropriate. For example, the scene in Batman Forever' where Chase Miridian is naked in bed is much more visually provocative than Catwoman. Similarly, Poison Ivy in Batman and Robin' struts her cleavage quite prominently, while Catwoman is completely covered.
Batman Returns' is a sequel to Batman', but Burton creates an entirely different movie. It's his movie, and Batman has never been stronger. Even now, when polls are taken to determine which actor was the best Batman, Michael Keaton always wins-rightfully so. His portrayal of the Dark Knight is right on, has yet to be equaled, and never will be surpassed.

Much more well organized than 'Batman', featuring excellent characters, awesome sets and costumes, 'Batman Returns' represents the high point in the series so far. Hopefully, with the current popularity of superhero movies, Batman will crawl out of the dark and reign supreme once more.