Batman Returns is my favourite out of all the Batman sequels so far. It was released in 1992 and I love the dark, gothic feel to the film that was superbly created by Tim Burton. Every inch of the movie looks and feels like a classic Tim Burton movie should, and you can really tell that Burton has let his imagination run wild this time which in my opinion it was a very bold, daring way to go for a much awaited sequel to the original Batman movie.
Michelle Pfeiffer was brilliant as Catwoman; she turns from a timid shy young woman who lives alone with only a cat for company into a PVC clad vixen who is definitely not to be messed with! Pfeiffer completely plays up to this role and seems to relish the opportunity to get her teeth into something different from her usual romantic comedies and who can blame her?!
Danny Devito is unforgettable as ‘The Penguin’ a strange half penguin half man type creature that was abandoned by his parents as a child. He steals most of the scenes with ease and adds to that dark and strange eeriness of the entire movie. Of course, nothing will ever compare to Jack Nicholson as ‘The Joker’ as the villain of the original Batman movie, he was amazing.
The only thing that I did feel slightly lets this movie down is Michael Keaton. Whilst he is great as Bruce Wayne, when he dons his leather suit to become Batman he seems to lack that superhero presence that he had in the first movie. Maybe it’s just me but I felt like he didn’t quite put everything he had into the performance this time round. I’m sure that most of you have probably seen this movie dozens of times before but if like me it’s been a while since you last caught it then try and catch it on one of Film4’s repeats and re live the film in all its glory.
Full cast list for Batman Returns: Adam Drescher, Andrew Bryniarski, Anna Katarina, Anthony De Longis, Ashley Tillman, Biff Yeager, Bobby Bell, Branscombe Richmond, Cal Hoffman, Cheryl Moore, Christopher Walken, Cristi Conaway, Danny DeVito, Debbie Lee Carrington, Denise Killpack, Diane Salinger, Doug Jones, Elizabeth Sanders, Erik Onate, Erika Andersch, Felix Silla, Frank DiElsi, Gregory Scott Cummins, Henry Kingi, Jan Hooks, Joan Giammarco, Joan Jurige, Joey DePinto, John Strong, Lisa Guerrero, Margarita Fernández, Michael Gough, Michael Keaton, Michael Murphy, Michelle Pfeiffer, Neal Lerner, Niki Botelho, Pat Hingle, Paul Reubens, Rick Zumwalt, Robert Gossett, Rosie O’Connor, Sean Whalen, Steffanie Siebrand, Steve Witting, Steven Brill, Stuart Lancaster, Susan Rossitto, Travis McKenna, Tyler House, Vincent Schiavelli.