 Tagline: The Bat, the Cat, the Penguin Gotham City faces two monstrous criminal menaces: the bizarre, sinister Penguin (Danny DeVito) and the slinky, mysterious Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer). Can Batman (Michael Keaton) battle two formidable foes at once? Especially when one wants to be mayor and the other is romantically attracted to Gotham's hero? Like the 1989 groundbreaking original, Batman Returns is directed by the wizardly Tim Burton. And like the first blockbuster, it's a dazzling adventure that leaves you breathless. Storyline: Having defeated the Joker, Batman now faces the Penguin - a warped and deformed individual who is intent on being accepted into Gotham society. Crooked businessman Max Schreck is coerced into helping him become Mayor of Gotham and they both attempt to expose Batman in a different light. Earlier however, Selina Kyle, Max's secretary, is thrown from the top of a building and is transformed into Catwoman - a mysterious figure who has the same personality disorder as Batman. Batman must attempt to clear his name, all the time deciding just what must be done with the Catwoman. Written by Graeme Roy Editor's Note: The critics were not overly impressed with Tim Burton's Batman when it was released in the summer of 1989. Though casual filmgoers liked what they saw, the press concluded that the film was too dark, too gloomy, and unsuitable for children. So, when Warner Brothers announced that Tim Burton will be back behind the camera for Batman Returns (1992), you could almost feel the electricity in the air; many were convinced that this would be the last Batman movie we would see in a very, very long time. I went to see Batman Returns on its opening night. I was ready for a disaster of paramount proportions, but a few very intriguing photos that I had seen with Michelle Pfeiffer clad in a sexy leather suit as Catwoman instantly had me convinced that this would be a film worth struggling with. Much to my surprise, Batman Returns proved to be as dark and atmospheric as Batman was. Its story revolved around an ugly looking half-man, half-penguin character, fittingly named Penguin a.k.a Oswald Cobblepot (Danny DeVito), who had the guts to challenge the almighty Batman (Michael Keaton). The Penguin had also secured the support of a shady businessman, Max Shreck (Christopher Walken), who was on a mission to build a giant power plant that would effectively place Gotham City under his control. Of course, Batman quickly figured out what Max Shreck is up to and set out to foil his plan. Along the way, however, he was (un)pleasantly surprised by the mysterious and sexy-looking Catwoman, who emerged from the depths of Gotham City. Until a few days ago, a lot of what I described to you above I did not remember. The only vivid image that I had in my mind during the years was that one specific scene where Catwoman licked Batman's face. For whatever reason – and I am sure that for a lot of guys the reason would be quite obvious - this is all that I had found worthy of remembering in Tim Burton's sequel to Batman. Of course, now having seen Batman Returns on Blu-ray, I must confess that there are quite a few things to like about it. First, this is a notably mature film with seriously subversive comedic overtones. Danny Devito's Penguin isn't as wild as Jack Nicholson's Joker but his lines are just as sharp. Second, Tim Burton's vision of Gotham City is again infused with a strong Gothic flavor that is arguably the key reason why Batman Returns does not feel dated. Third, there is a sense of eroticism introduced through Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman that more than makes up for the departure of the nasty Joker. In fact, I would argue that Catwoman looks so disturbingly-beautiful that during plenty of key scenes she seriously detracts from Batman's superhero appeal. As I have made it clear before, I have never been a fan of Bob Kane's famous character. I am, however, a fan of Tim Burton's work. I find his ability to create imaginary worlds where the ugly and bizarre become beautiful and ordinary absolutely fascinating. Batman Returns isn't an extreme example of how wild Tim Burton's imagination could run but, given the script's limitations the director had to consider, I find the film's ability to appeal to children as well as adults not necessarily interested in comic heroes impossible not to admire. Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov, February 14, 2009 -- As dark and gloomy as its predecessor, "Batman Returns" (1992) is arguably director Tim Burton's sexiest film to date. While the film is yet to be released on Blu-ray in North America, in the United Kingdom Warner Brothers have put together a spectacular package that will please even the most demanding amongst us. The critics were not overly impressed with Tim Burton's Batman when it was released in the summer of 1989. Though casual filmgoers liked what they saw, the press concluded that the film was too dark, too gloomy, and unsuitable for children. So, when Warner Brothers announced that Tim Burton will be back behind the camera for Batman Returns (1992), you could almost feel the electricity in the air; many were convinced that this would be the last Batman movie we would see in a very, very long time. I went to see Batman Returns on its opening night. I was ready for a disaster of paramount proportions, but a few very intriguing photos that I had seen with Michelle Pfeiffer clad in a sexy leather suit as Catwoman instantly had me convinced that this would be a film worth struggling with. Much to my surprise, Batman Returns proved to be as dark and atmospheric as Batman was. Its story revolved around an ugly looking half-man, half-penguin character, fittingly named Penguin a.k.a Oswald Cobblepot (Danny DeVito), who had the guts to challenge the almighty Batman (Michael Keaton). The Penguin had also secured the support of a shady businessman, Max Shreck (Christopher Walken), who was on a mission to build a giant power plant that would effectively place Gotham City under his control. Of course, Batman quickly figured out what Max Shreck is up to and set out to foil his plan. Along the way, however, he was (un)pleasantly surprised by the mysterious and sexy-looking Catwoman, who emerged from the depths of Gotham City. Until a few days ago, a lot of what I described to you above I did not remember. The only vivid image that I had in my mind during the years was that one specific scene where Catwoman licked Batman's face. For whatever reason – and I am sure that for a lot of guys the reason would be quite obvious - this is all that I had found worthy of remembering in Tim Burton's sequel to Batman. Of course, now having seen Batman Returns on Blu-ray, I must confess that there are quite a few things to like about it. First, this is a notably mature film with seriously subversive comedic overtones. Danny Devito's Penguin isn't as wild as Jack Nicholson's Joker but his lines are just as sharp. Second, Tim Burton's vision of Gotham City is again infused with a strong Gothic flavor that is arguably the key reason why Batman Returns does not feel dated. Third, there is a sense of eroticism introduced through Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman that more than makes up for the departure of the nasty Joker. In fact, I would argue that Catwoman looks so disturbingly-beautiful that during plenty of key scenes she seriously detracts from Batman's superhero appeal. As I have made it clear before, I have never been a fan of Bob Kane's famous character. I am, however, a fan of Tim Burton's work. I find his ability to create imaginary worlds where the ugly and bizarre become beautiful and ordinary absolutely fascinating. Batman Returns isn't an extreme example of how wild Tim Burton's imagination could run but, given the script's limitations the director had to consider, I find the film's ability to appeal to children as well as adults not necessarily interested in comic heroes impossible not to admire. Warner have delivered a fantastic package for Tim Burton's Batman Returns. I really cannot see much with this release that could have been bettered. The video is very strong and so is the audio. Simply put, if Batman Returns is a film you wish to own, there is no need to wait for the eventual US release. Very Highly Recommended. (Based on Comic Book) -- (DC) Cast Notes: Michael Keaton (Batman / Bruce Wayne), Danny DeVito (Penguin / Oswald Cobblepot), Michelle Pfeiffer (Catwoman / Selina Kyle), Christopher Walken (Max Shreck), Michael Gough (Alfred Pennyworth), Michael Murphy (The Mayor), Cristi Conaway (Ice Princess), Andrew Bryniarski (Charles 'Chip' Shreck), Pat Hingle (Commissioner James Gordon), Vincent Schiavelli (Organ Grinder), Steve Witting (Josh), Jan Hooks (Jen), John Strong (Sword Swallower), Rick Zumwalt (Tattooed Strongman), Anna Katarina (Poodle Lady). IMDb Rating (01/07/13): 7.0/10 from 132,116 users
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
