The Bat is back!

Rating: 10/10 (19 June 2007)

The Batman film series got off to a fantastic start with Tim Burton's moody and atmospheric 1989 classic. And then in 1992 he helmed this sequel, Batman Returns, which is in every regard just as good as its predecessor, if not better. Sadly, the series went seriously off course when Joel Schumacher inherited the directors chair, and churned out the dreadful Batman Forever and the astonishingly dire Batman & Robin. It wasn't until Batman Begins that things finally got back on track.
But in 1992, Batman was still going strong. And with Batman Returns, Tim Burton has really outdone himself. The first part was a tough act to follow, but Burton, great filmmaker that he is, crafted an even more ambitious sequel that weaves a multilayered screenplay of character arcs. A true masterpiece.
Burton's vision of Gotham City is more extraordinary than it was last time. I don't even know where to begin to describe it. There is so much to see. Gotham City exists as an extension of the psychological states of the characters, and Burton's imagination has really been allowed to rove. Because the film has a Christmas setting, the snow serves to intensify the already impressive set-design. I love the breathtaking opening shot of Gotham City, wintry and frigid, with the skyscrapers barely visible in the background.
Then there's Gotham Zoo. And what a sight it is! Giant crabs. Towering monuments. Batman Returns is worth watching just to drink in all of the astonishing sets Burton keeps throwing up at us.
On to the story. BR is a much more ambitious film. There are quite a few story arcs the film juggles. Its a testament to the writers that they keep them all going as skilfully as they do. Batman (Michael Keaton) still defends Gotham City by night, but new dangers are about to make themselves known.
First off is the Penguin (Danny DeVito), an aquatic bird-man dumped into the sewers at birth by his horrified parents. Now he plots revenge on the society that shunned him. Then there's Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer), who becomes Catwoman after being pushed out a window by her power-hungry boss Max Shreck (Christopher Walken), nipped back to life by the alley cats of Gotham City. And Shreck has his own plans for Gotham, and proxy's the Penguin as the new mayor to fulfil his own ends.
There may be a lot going on in this film, but I never found it difficult to follow the action. In fact I think superhero films work best when they craft screenplays that resonate on many different levels. Films like Superman, and the later likes of X2 and Spider-Man 2.
All the cast deliver the goods. Michael Keaton again turns in a haunting portrait of a psychologically split man. But its really in the supporting players where the film opens up. Danny DeVito turns in a cracking performance. He brings a real animalistic edge to the part. Lecherous, leering, a yucky green bile drooling from his mouth and an astonishing makeup job make the Penguin a much more obscene creature than he ever was in the comics. DeVito's brash attitude coupled with his diminutive frame make him ideal for the role.
And then there's Michelle Pfeiffer. Normally a very closed-off actress, she's a total revelation as Catwoman. Throwing herself into the part with gusto, she crackles with sexual energy, and smoulders in her scenes with Batman. The chemistry between the two of them is electric. Pfeiffer gives quite an astute and well judged performance. The way she acts out her split into psychosis is very well done. The scene where she defaces her pink, cutesy apartment is quite shocking and strangely liberating all at the same time.
And although her feline powers are never properly explained, I liked the way her story arc is written. Her slowly building insanity is highlighted well. She's let down and betrayed by all the men in her life. First her boss, Max Shreck pushes her out a window when she catches on to his nefarious schemes. Then she forms an alliance with the Penguin, who turns on her when she won't give him what he wants.
And finally, there's Batman/Bruce Wayne. She recognises a kindred spirit in Bruce, and the two of them are irresistibly drawn to each other. But then there's a wonderful scene at a masquerade ball. She and Bruce are the only ones not wearing masks. And they inadvertently reveal their identities to one another. This is the one man she even halfway trusts, and he is her enemy. Its a haunting and emotionally fragile moment that shatters Selina's sanity once and for all.
And Tim Burton delivers on the action scenes too. The Batmobile is just as stunning as ever. Especially the scene where it transforms into a missile and squeezes through a narrow alley. And there's quite a wide variety of gadgets and gimmicks on hand. The Penguin's multi-purpose umbrellas, from flamethrowers to a child's mobile. A giant rubber duck that functions as a car and a boat. Giant circus trains. And Batman's impressive Bat-Ski. (Although I did miss the Batwing).
There is so much to recommend about this film. Danny Elfman turns in another magnificent film score. Alternately moody and exhilarating. All the different plot strands are resolved quite nicely. The Penguin's death scene is surprisingly moving. And so is Selina's. Until the film throws a last minute spanner in the works that really packs a punch. The closing shot is a whopper of a shocker.
So sad that Burton was dropped after this. If he had continued, he undoubtedly would have made an even better additional saga. It wasn't to be, and the series hit a rough patch. But bear in mind it regained strength. Tim Burton's Batman films are still the highlight of the series for me. They really are among the most wonderful comic-book film adaptations ever made.