05 November 2009

Evolution of the Batman (and Robin) - Batman Returns


How do you follow up one of the biggest movies of all time? Not with Batman Returns. Here is one of the few superhero "part 2s" that is a big step down from the original.

A year prior to Nightmare before Christmas, it was Christmas in Gotham City and the ante was upped. Instead of just the Joker, we got Catwoman, a nasty Penguin complete with penguin army and circus o' freaks, and a third villain, Max Shreck (not the ogre).

The movie was just a little too goofy thanks to Tim Burton's "wild imagination." The 1989 Batman set up a great world, but this movie seemed to slip into an alternate fantasy dimension with Batman taking a minor role. Also, pretty much every Penguin related subplot was awful. I mean, why are Emperor Penguins living in the Gotham City sewers? I have to admit though, I think Penguin is one of the worst supervillains ever made, so I am a bit biased, but this film did little to change my opinion.


On the other hand, Catwoman (Meow) was great, and in my mind is the definitive portrayal of the character. Her inclusion is what makes this a worth watching film.

In the end, parents were not pleased at the darker turn and innuendos in the film. It still made money, $163 million to be exact, but it was a big drop from Batman '89 and made producers decided to "lighten things up" paving the way for Batman and Robin.



Up Next: Batman: The Animated Series

1 comment:

  1. the emperor penguins didn't live in the sewers. they lived in the abandoned Gotham City Zoo in the "Arctic World" exhibit, which is the Penguin's main base. the exhibit is connected to the sewers.

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