The Official Batman Returns Thread

[TwilightPro101]

Returns is a very dark film, probably the darkest of the bunch. But just because it is extremely dark, does not mean its the best. It is however a very good film.

Agreed.

 

[Bat Attack]

Originally Posted by Whack Arnolds
Returns is a very dark film, probably the darkest of the bunch. But just because it is extremely dark, does not mean its the best. It is however a very good film.

I agree totally. I know it's not the best (that would be Batman Begins, IMO) but is is still my favorite Batman movie.

 

[Palpadious]

Batman Returns>>>>>>>>>>overrated Spider-Man crap movies

 

[Whack Arnolds]

Well, Batman Begins is definetely the second darkest...right behind Returns.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

Begins isn't very dark.

The Crow, that's a dark movie.

 

[Whack Arnolds]

Begins isn't very dark.

The Crow, that's a dark movie.

That doesn't negate the fact that BEGINS is the second darkest Batman movie. No one is comparing it with other movies, ala the Crow. But BEGINS is most certainly a dark film.

 

[batmaluco]

Well, Batman Begins is definetely the second darkest...right behind Returns.

 

[Sandman138]

Begins isn't very dark.

The Crow, that's a dark movie.

Superficialy dark, yes.

 

[trustyside-kick]

Begins isn't very dark.

The Crow, that's a dark movie.

And a good one too.

 

[bdsproductions]

well,it is not THAT great,i enjoyed it thoughouglhy but it's not Batman,it's Tim burton it's a total Tim Burton syle over substance film.also far too unfaithful to the comics.it's good,visually and as a Tim Burton film butit's the second worst as a Batman film.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

well,it is not THAT great,i enjoyed it thoughouglhy but it's not Batman,it's Tim burton it's a total Tim Burton syle over substance film.also far too unfaithful to the comics.it's good,visually and as a Tim Burton film butit's the second worst as a Batman film.

It was hardly style of substance--they just hid a lot of the substance in the style. It's a modern day German Expressionism film, where you can figure out the character's thoughts and ideas within the visuals (such as Catwoman's costume falling apart in the end, representing her failing sanity at that point in time).

As for being unfaithfull, while there are differences, they're not as abundant as, say, BEGINS.

Quite frankly, they changed The Penguin for the better here. They turned a character that was almost always either a lameass super-villian or a dime-a-dozen crime boss into a flawed prophet/Christ-figure that was literary Batman's "lost orphan" side of him brought to life (same as how Catwoman was the "revenge seeking vigilantie" and Shreck was the "powerful businessman").

When it comes to Catwoman's origins, while details are changed about, the meaning of it is the same. In the pre-crisis origins of the character, Selina Kyle was a stewardiss onboard an airplane that crashed, giving her amnesia. The movie changed it by keeping it within Gotham City, giving her an equally sexist job (as a secretary in a large, male-dominated corperation), and having her fall off a building instead of an airplane.

And I still don't understand the "it's Burton, not Batman" arguement. Batman here is a wealthy businessman named Bruce Wayne who's parents were murdered and because of that, he decides to become a vigilantie known as "The Batman" to fight criminals. That is exactly the same as every other origin out there, and any other differences are either always been there, albiet subtext (Batman being a freak in a regular society), or were part of his character at some point in time (the killing was standard in the first Kane/Finger stories).

 

[El Payaso]

Quite frankly, they changed The Penguin for the better here. They turned a character that was almost always either a lameass super-villian or a dime-a-dozen crime boss into a flawed prophet/Christ-figure that was literary Batman's "lost orphan" side of him brought to life

...

And I still don't understand the "it's Burton, not Batman" arguement. Batman here is a wealthy businessman named Bruce Wayne who's parents were murdered and because of that, he decides to become a vigilantie known as "The Batman" to fight criminals. That is exactly the same as every other origin out there, and any other differences are either always been there, albiet subtext (Batman being a freak in a regular society), or were part of his character at some point in time (the killing was standard in the first Kane/Finger stories).

Bravo and Bravo respectively.

 

[Whack Arnolds]

Batman Returns...always loved it, but for years debated with myself whether I actually did??? lol, that sounded weird...but entirely true. On one hand, it is a flat out interesting movie and rather unsual expose on Batman and the mythos, on the other it dabbles in areas where it completely doesn't feel like anything close to a classic Batman story, and for the most part was one of the least entertaining of the entire bunch.

 

[HalloweenRes]

I agree with what many of you have said on these borads about Batman Returns. Some people seem to think that it is just a Burton movie and not a Batman movie. From a story point of view, I don't see where it is a GOOD Batman movie. I think it is a visually wonderful movie, but a Batman movie? Don't get me wrong, I love the movie; I think it is one of Burton's best, but I felt like I was watching a Burton movie and not a Batman movie. I still enjoy it though. It's a great pop corn flick and a lot of fun. Movies are suppose to transport you to places that you have never been before and who is best at doing that than Tim Burton?
However, the story lacks.. I think for kids, the movie is confusing and yes, I know, many will say, "But it's not for kids.." Well, it was marketed to kids, and I think they don't really get all of the jokes and symbolisms that are within the movie. Aside from that, the movie is one of my favorite Batman flicks. What strikes me though is that many people think it is a dark film. While Batman Returns is a DARK film, I always felt that the first Batman, perhaps, was darker. I mean, in tone and look of the sets, where as Batman Returns had a lot of scenes that took place during the day, and some of the scenes were downright bright. I guess what I mean is, the LOOK of the scenes were brighter, but the characters were DARKER.. I don't know. Both movies have a great level of darkness, and Nolan's Batman Begins is pretty dark, but they want to make the sequal even DARKER rumor has it. Visually, Batman Returns owns, but as far as telling an epic Batman tale, I think it kinda flopped...

 

[El Payaso]

However, the story lacks.. I think for kids, the movie is confusing and yes, I know, many will say, "But it's not for kids.." Well, it was marketed to kids, and I think they don't really get all of the jokes and symbolisms that are within the movie.

Magnific. Excellent. In terms of the hollywoodian concept of a movie for kids, the least it is for kids, the better is the movie.

 

[Mr. Killah]

Does anyone know what they did to Michelle's hair near the end, where it looks like a gigantic mushroom?

 

[snwboarder88]

Returns is a very dark film, probably the darkest of the bunch. But just because it is extremely dark, does not mean its the best. It is however a very good film.

True...but i still think its on par with BB.

It just has this feel i cant really explain to the entire movie...its awesome!

 

[Charlie No-One]

This was the first Batman movie I ever watched. I loved it as soon as I saw it. My favorite in the series.

 

[Arkady Rossovich]

I would think it was the last good Batman film before Begins came out.

 

[SKSpawn]

I think for kids, the movie is confusing and yes, I know, many will say, "But it's not for kids.." Well, it was marketed to kids, and I think they don't really get all of the jokes and symbolisms that are within the movie

Can just ask exactly how this film was marketed and geared towards kids? I don't recall the marketing process (was only young when the film was released) but I know there was some McDonald's marketing deal and stuff...

But, over here in England, this film, like the first, was always rated 15, so that means kiddies wouldn't be able to see it without their parents, and parents would/should have thought twice about taking their kids to see a film, even a comic book movie named Batman, to a film that is rated 15 and, thus, should have blamed themsevles rather than attacking the studio.

Parents can be real stupid sometimes.

 

[Cain]

I think for kids, the movie is confusing and yes, I know, many will say, "But it's not for kids.." Well, it was marketed to kids, and I think they don't really get all of the jokes and symbolisms that are within the movie.

The irony of this being that till this day there are a lot of adults out there who don't get a lot of the symbolism featured within the film. Love this movie man it has such a great atmoshphere and is easily one of the boldest blockbusters ever made. Still my favorite out of the live action ones.

 

[Red Mask]

There is symbolism? I just thought it had great dialogue and designs.

 

[DocLathropBrown]

There is symbolism? I just thought it had great dialogue and designs.

Sure there is. If nothing else, there's tons of sexual innuendo. Burton made a film that was meant to be appreciated by adults subtextually.

 

[Red Mask]

Sure there is. If nothing else, there's tons of sexual innuendo. Burton made a film that was meant to be appreciated by adults subtextually.

Oh yeah, skin tight costumes will bring out the hormones. Nobody does that costume more justice than Michelle Pfeiffer.

 

[DocLathropBrown]

Oh yeah, skin tight costumes will bring out the hormones. Nobody does that costume more justice than Michelle Pfeiffer.

There's a lot more besides that, there's plenty of verbal sexual innuendo.