Whilst it may not be the greatest Batman film of all time, Batman Returns did great things for both DC comics, cinematic Batman films, and cinema in general. Many fans will spend their time arguing which of Michael Keaton's Batman roles is the better one, but both of them complement each other greatly and furthermore through Tim Burton's creative mind.30 years on, it's time to look back on one of the darkest Batman movies that managed to balance three broken characters in their unbalanced world of Gotham. With a big budget of $80million, a fresh cast featuring Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, and the returning Keaton and Michael Gough, and one of the most popular directors at the time, all expectations could be set high with successful delivery.RELATED: Best DC Live-Action Movies You Can Watch On HBO MaxTim Burton has produced a variety of unique films for over 30 years and Batman Returns demonstrated his talent for capturing a simultaneously dark and fantasy-led world that could still be believable. From the get-go, fans are treated to a cold-looking and feeling Gotham as Christmas Day sees the birth of Oswald Cobblepot, otherwise known as iconic Batman villain, The Penguin.

Artistically, Batman Returns is another Burton success with the gothic world created and the use of blue tints to make the viewer feel continuously cold despite the film's release on June 19, 1992. The continuous snowfall and snow coverage contrasting with the dark silhouettes of buildings and character shadows captures the darkness around this era of Batman perfectly. The only time viewers are treated to a sense of color and warmth is through the Christmas references and romantic encounters between Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle. Other than that it's through destruction and fire.

Each of the main star's costumes has a heavy focus on either black or white with Catwoman's iconic latex black suit and The Penguin's black and white suit combo. What's complimentary about Batman Returns is that it takes risks and they pay off. Whilst the original 1989 film had its dark overtones and violence, Returns and its PG-13 had so much more with the Moses references of killing firstborns, the sexual innuendo, and more direct referencing from Danny DeVito, and the grotesque nature of The Penguin as a whole.

Death is no stranger in this film with both major and minor characters getting the chop in many destructive ways. There are a lot of falling shots in this movie, but the stand-out moment certainly has to be the attempted murder of Selina Kyle and her transformation into Catwoman. Like a cat with multiple lives, we see the once down-on-her-luck secretary evolve both sanity-wise and personality-wise as she rids herself of the bright and colorful hope she once had and takes charge her way.

What makes the first half-hour of Batman Returns feel so different is how the titular character has already been well documented in Batman 1989. Therefore, time is given to developing the stories of the new faces, Catwoman, The Penguin, and Max Shreck. Shreck's sadistic and greedy personality is mixed with wit and charm in the face of others which gives a lot of promise to his potential. It is a shame really that despite his impact on both The Penguin and Catwoman he majorly takes a back seat in the latter half of the film, only to be used as a mere pawn and sacrifice. His character early on in the movie blended well with the overall eerie nature that Gotham presented like with Jack Nicholson in 1989, but the moment he is confronted with the rebirth of Selina, his whole progression is basically over.

What the film captures well in comparison is the downfall of the four characters and how easily Batman is brought down to the level of Catwoman and The Penguin as their broken lives and darkness are molded together. Whilst the villainization of Batman has been portrayed much better in movies like The Dark Knight, Returns does what it needs to do to desecrate Batman in order to continue the storylines of the villains at hand. The duo of Catwoman and The Penguin molds well as both of them are connected through Batman and Shreck but with different desires, purposes and aims. The two of them are in conflict and continue to double-cross each other. This villain connection was something the Schumacher films deeply lacked.

Catwoman In Batman Returns

What the film does beautifully with these two villains, however, is have their rise and fall reference their positions from the beginning. Catwoman goes from being threatened with a taser and supposedly killed by Shreck, to taking that taser and using it on the very man that tried to destroy her. The Penguin's is quite a juxtaposition to that and much sadder with the arise from the sewers and being portrayed as a hero, to failure to succeed as mayor, be foiled by Batman, and meet his demise back down in the sewers. Max Shreck's end is basically his just desserts and Batman is just treated to a world of misunderstood people and the lack thereof of having someone around him (besides Alfred). The success of Batman Returns makes it a shame that there isn't a direct Michael Keaton sequel where Batman's character can be delved into more. That's where The Dark Knight Trilogy succeeds in their story-telling with Batman and how in Batman Returns he feels secondary at times and through the use of his technology gets very lucky.

From its stand-out set designs, even Gotham City lacks the Christmas cheer and the darkness and risks taken by Tim Burton in those early Batman movies gave Batman a whole new lease of life in comparison to its 60s TV show. Despite multiple actresses recommended for the role and the original role of Catwoman planned for Annette Bening, Michelle Pfeiffer sold the role so well and her seductive, twisted and strong feminist delivery will go down as one of the best Catwoman performances. Danny DeVito's overall style and look were the perfect choices for The Penguin and the balance of sex and fear brought Batman into the new age. The majority of characters are well-written, the color choices stand out so well and make Batman Returns instantly recognizable and the special effects on the Batmobile, bats and penguins are tastefully done and still hold up by today's standards.

The Batman And Penguin In Batman Returns

If only fans had been treated to another Burton/Keaton Batman, who knows where his story could have gone as it took a long time to get back up to the standard of Batman Returns. Breaking box office records and being the highest-grossing opening film weekend at that time really set the standards for cinema and made big bank in the US, UK, and worldwide. It was the third highest-grossing film in 1992 in America and the sixth-highest worldwide. When going up against what was thought to be the last Indiana Jones movie, and still making as much as it did was a huge success. Batman has come a long way since 1992 and is darker and grittier than ever, but the connection between its three staring roles is no doubt a nod to why 2022's The Batman featured them all again. Artistically, visually and through its story-telling, Batman Returns 30 years on still remains a quality watch.

The success of the Burton movies would go on to inspire Batman: The Animated Series which by all accounts is one of the most loved, and most popular cartoons of all time. No doubt fans will look fondly on this era of Batman for its darker approach but also a feeling of fantasy and that classic Burton charm that later releases have no touch of.

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