Still my favourite Batman movie!

Rating: 10/10 (3 April 2020)

One of my favourite films of all time partly for nostalgic reasons of watching it when I was a kid and being fascinated by its darkness but also that it is a perfect example of how to create a fully rounded villain as well as the hero. It's Christmas 1992; the rise of cooperate villain Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) is upon Gotham, who proves himself to be an unorthodox stepping stone for The Penguin/Oswald Cobblepot (Danny DeVito) and Catwoman/Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer). Bruce Wayne as well as his crime-fighting alter ego Batman must overcome great obstacles to protect Gotham. It's a darker and more emotional beast than the first and I think to have this much focus on the villains was a fantastic move. Although fans at the time of release did argue it lost the focus on Wayne, I think it delves into its theme of duality really well because of this and therefore makes Wayne an even deeper character also with another well-nuanced performance from Keaton. Stan Winston and his team perfectly create The Penguin's look which I think is one of the most beautifully unique designs of any film character. DeVito is astounding in the role and is a real career-best; the perfect combination of grotesque and cruel yet understandable with his deeply scarring psychological need to be accepted. The pre-credits scene is heartbreaking and initiates Penguin's story so well. Pfeiffer is wonderful as Selina; another of her greatest performances, a really rebellious role where we root for her to get her own back in the coolest stitched leather suit we're likely to see in cinema. Danny Elfman's beautiful music score is just.... phenomenal. It's my favourite of his whole catalogue and it's truly melancholy, epic and breathtaking! Well done to all the cast and crew for creating an original take on the Batman mythology with great visual and narrative content while also having a good gag now and again. 'I was their number one son... And they treated me like number two.'