Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer dancing in Batman Returns
The Big Picture It is a rare thing for a sequel to surpass its predecessor, especially when that original work is already a strong one on its own. Too often, in the hopes of recapturing the magic of what came before, filmmakers can play it safe by drawing from what was already done before without exploring much of anything new. That is, unless your name is Tim Burton and you’re making a sequel to the original 1989 Batman film.
Even before the moment where we see the Bat-Signal light up the wall behind Michael Keaton’s brooding Batman, a simple yet iconic image that has such power that it becomes etched in the mind immediately after it occurs, Burton is already going full-speed ahead and doesn’t let up for the full 126 minutes. The silly yet sinister opening sequence where we get introduced to The Penguin is simply spectacular.
The reason for this, more than the stunts or the spectacle, is that there is a playfulness to the performance as she jokes around with the character while still taking it deadly seriously at the same time. She isn’t solely winking to the audience or trying to undercut what is happening as many modern superhero films end up doing. Rather, Pfeiffer brings complete sincerity to the character that is both refreshing and riveting.
‘Batman Returns’ Is What All Other Superhero Films Can Only Aspire To Close If there is a criticism to be had with Batman Returns, it is that it will make any other similar film look empty by comparison. Without continuing to dump on some of the modern superhero fare too much, as there are a few recent bright spots, watching Burton’s work on this film makes the vast majority of them feel trite by comparison. It is like going from eating recycled gruel to a meticulously crafted four-course meal.
REVIEW Batman Returns Tim Burton's Batman Returns is the pinnacle of the genre that has endured for the past 35 years for good reason.
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