Dark and gloomy but brilliantly performed low-camp sequel.

Rating: Null/10 (28 February 2003)

A sequel to the 1989 hit, Batman Returns doesn't match up to it's predecessor's standard but is expertly conceived and nicely acted, nonetheless. It's from the darkly imaginative mind of Tim Burton, so don't expect any of the camp or colourful costumes of the original Adam West series to appear here.
The film's huge pitfall is that it's not very enjoyable. The backdrop is a dim-lit depressive one, the film doesn't have much of a heart and the overall effect is a rather dull one. The twisted Christmas town-land of Gotham City is hardly uplifting. But still, the film has a lot of good things going for it aswell.
`Batman Returns' really captivates in its picture perfect casting. Michael Keaton, reprising his role, is convincing as subtly soft-spoken Bruce Wayne and the dark knight, Batman himself. There's no one else you could envision in the role of the Penguin, other then Danny De Vito and he really captures the role and does a great job of it. Christopher Walken does his usual `mono-psycho schtick' to great reception. But the most impressive is Michelle Pfeiffer as the seductively sassy Catwoman, Selina Kyle. Perhaps her costume is a bit too suggestive, but she's the first love interest to have something important to do with the plot. Her character jumps off the screen with great conviction.
Overall, `Batman Returns' isn't quite as good as its predecessor. It lacks the first films action, wit and enjoyability. But `Batman Returns' is very imaginative and the new characters are brilliantly conceived. And it's much better than it's high-camp childish sequels, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin.
A good superhero movie. 6.6/10.