# Batman Returns (1992)

### reviewed by
Doug Skiles

    BATMAN RETURNS (1992)

Starring: Michael Keaton (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Danny DeVito (Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin), Michelle Pfeiffer (Selina Kyle/Catwoman), Christopher Walken (Max Shreck), Michael Gough (Alfred Pennyworth), Pat Hingle (Commissioner Gordon)

Directed by: Tim Burton, Written by: Daniel Waters and Wesley Strick from a story by Sam Hamm based on characters created by Bob Kane

Rated PG-13 by the MPAA for violence, blood, strong languae, and sexual remarks/humor

    Reviewed by Doug Skiles

What SUPERMAN II (1980) is to SUPERMAN (1978), so is BATMAN RETURNS (1992) to BATMAN (1989).

What does that mean? That means it's a worthy, well-done sequel. What is it with these DC Comics heroes having two good entries in their film series and then going downhill?

This time, the plot might actually need some commentary. We see before the eerie credits sequence that, 33 years ago, a boy was born deformed, and, repulsed by his appearance, the parents (one of which is played by Paul Reubens, a Tim Burton film veteran) tossed him into the sewer (or a storm drain - hard to tell) and he floats his way to the "Arctic World" attraction at Gotham's zoo. There, it's implied that he's found among the penguins and is put into the "Red Triangle Circus", where he becomes the "aquatic bird boy." The circus keeps him alive, but eventually he returns to life under the streets. All of this primarily occurs off-screen, before the main focus of the story takes place, as we have other matters to deal with...

In the modern day, millionaire deparment store owner Max Shreck is trying to build a new power plant, despite the fact that Gotham City already has a power surplus. Why? Well, because his power plant is actually a capacitor, which will suck power in and store it. But he's not telling the mayor (Michael Murphy) or Bruce Wayne, who are both opposed to his plan, that.

Of course, Max also has a secretary named Selina Kyle. Selina strikes up a romance with Bruce Wayne, but, as you already know, she won't end up being Selina Kyle for the whole movie, and you can find out why and how when you watch for yourself.

Michael Keaton now seems even more comfortable in the Wayne/Batman role, and plays it better than ever. He even looks better in the suit here (incidentally, this is obviously the most flexible suit that any Batman wears in any of the films, and it looks quite cool). Keaton is still the definitive Batman, here more than ever - he's even made his hair look less '80s for this film. It's too bad that the story doesn't focus more on him.

DeVito plays a very good tormented, umbrella-wielding Penguin, a man who wants to return to the world above and "reclaim his birthright" by becoming an appreciated member of Gotham society - all while secretly plotting his own destruction schemes and revenge plots with his former circus buddies who are now his gang. He even gets to be funny at times.

Pheiffer is an excellent Catwoman, the first foe who is a worth physical adversary to Batman in the series. She's sultry, she's fun to watch, and always chews the scenery.

And speaking of the scenery, it is, again, a beautiful thing to see. fills in for the late Anton Furst, and, although he doesn't reach the same level as Furst, he does an admirable job. Gotham is again a beautiful and dark world.

Oh, yeah... Christopher Walken? He's Walken. He's pretty much always Walken. He's always a pretty good villian, because, hey, he's Christopher Walken. He can't compete with the Penguin or Catwoman, but hey, what did you expect?

Danny Elfman's main theme returns here, and it, along with the other music he did for this film, is much more haunting and dark this time around, with chanting often rising up from the background. This score is again beautiful, and is just as strong as the one Elfman wrote for the first film.

If the plot for this movie sounds odd... well, I suppose it is a little weird, but Tim Burton films are usually quirky. Still, somehow it all seems to make sense on the screen, and works just great when you see it for yourself. Another Batman triumph for Burton and Keaton, BATMAN RETURNS has all the strong performances, cool action, great direction, gorgeous design, and powerful music of the first film. The only flaws would be that, this being our second trip through Gotham, maybe we aren't as dazzled as the last time (sort of like the problem THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK [1997] had to deal with after the origina JURASSIC PARK [1993]), and we could've made do with more time spent with Batman, and perhaps less villians. With the next film, however, BATMAN FOREVER (1995), Joel Schumacher's reign begins, and things get even more crowded... so be prepared.

    Rating: ***1/2

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