Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Christopher Walken, Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved the appreciation of Christopher Walken. Since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Walken has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s traumatic war soldiers, greedy political figures or strong businessmen, Walken has portrayed countless strong characters. Arguably, Walken’s greatest strength as an actor has often been his strong screen presence. A larger than life icon with an incredible presence, Walken has always had a knack for movies attracting a large audience. He is one of those rare actors that has always poured his heart and soul in every single role. Even when a movie isn’t great, Walken always stands out as the best part of it. A legendary icon in entertainment, Walken has portrayed many strong characters with a powerful sense of commitment. Shining a bright light in black darkness, Walken has become an icon in the entertainment business. A world-class actor which has managed to accomplish impressive feats, Walken has become a beloved actor in Hollywood that audiences cherish. Throughout his enduring career, Walken has made several movies which are definitely without any doubts worth seeing.
I’m a big fan of Walken and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Batman Returns” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 1992, Walken’s movie has stood the test of time as a comic-book classic. Filled with bold production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best comic-book movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Christopher Walken, who embodies a greedy businessman which seeks to manage a city. Ultimately, what makes “Batman Returns” a comic-book movie classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most of the movies in the Batman franchise which are targeted towards a specific audience, it’s one of those rare movies that tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a universal message about importance of finding identity which would resonate with everyone. A riveting comic-book masterpiece, there are countless commemorated reasons why “Batman Returns” is a marvellous movie which is definitely without a single doubt worth watching.
Following the events of “Batman”, “Batman: Returns” follows the caped crusader as he embarks on an adventure. Michael Keaton embodies Bruce Wayne, the millionaire with intentions of solving despicable crime in his city. Batman has always been successful in efforts of eradicating despicable crime in his city. However, the caped crusader’s efforts become threatened by the arrival of a new villain causing disaster. The Penguin (Danny DeVito) is a menacing villain that puts the state of Gotham City in grave danger. A sewer living creature, the Penguin puts the state of Gotham in a situation of disaster. Faced with pressure from the city’s new mayor Max Shrek (Christopher Walken), Batman questions if it’s truly possible to solve crime in a city facing a disaster. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Batman begins to wonder whether it’s possible to solve crimes in a city that faces danger.
Tim Burton is a newcomer towards stories of Batman. Before he directed “Batman Returns”, Burton had never made a Batman movie in his career before. It was the filmmaker’s first ever attempts to reimagine the caped crusader on the big-screen but he succeeded immensely. Through captivating cinematography, Burton captures a caped crusader embarking upon a journey to resolve crime in his city. Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes that’s as stunning as sewers the penguin seeks to organize. Tim Burton has always had an aptitude for making movies through gothic visuals, and “Batman Returns” showcased his strengths as a great filmmaker. Burton effectively uses engaging gothic visuals to capture a caped crusader seeking to solve crime in his city. For instance, the gothic visuals elevate the mayor invasion scene. During this unforgettable scene, the Penguin stages an attack at a political rally attacking the mayor. One appreciates gothic visuals ho nouring the legacy of a superhero that’s iconic. Gothic visuals are tricky to use in movies. As “Edward Scissorhands” suggested, gothic visuals enhance movies about hands disabilities. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Burton captures the obstacles that caped crusaders are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Batman Returns” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Burton has often had aptitude for staging awe-inspiring action in movies, and “Batman Returns” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Burton effectively uses cross-cutting editing to create action sequences which are engaging. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the Catwoman scene. During this memorable scene, Selina Kyle undergoes a phenomenal transformation to become Catwoman. One appreciates cross-cutting capturing painful hardships women which transform into cats are facing. Cross cutting is a tricky technique to use expertly in movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” suggested, cross-cutting elevates science-fiction movies. Nevertheless, it works really well in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that caped crusaders bear. Through spellbinding production-design, Burton captures the lives of superheroes that experience a devastating decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Batman Returns” is a captivating comic-book classic which is compelling. The movie id beautifully written, and successfully uses symbolism to capture the tensions faced by women which endure trauma. A common criticism which is often levelled against Batman movies is their poor treatment of women. Women are always treated as damsels in distress that are unable to accomplish goals with success. Fortunately, however, that is definitely not the case with “Batman Returns”. Burton effectively utilizes symbolism to create a compelling portrait of Catwoman. Throughout the movie, cats are a strong symbol that showcase transformation of a woman facing destruction. For instance, symbolism elevates the Catwoman seduction scene. During this unforgettable sequence, Catwoman attempts to seduce Batman in a tense fight. Symbolism is a tricky technique to use in most movies. As Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” demonstrated, symbolism enhances horror films about isolation. Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” demonstrated, symbolism enhanced movies about prisons. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Burton honours one of the world’s most celebrated superheroes today.
One appreciated astonishing performances.
Christopher Walken delivers one of his best career performances as Max Shreck. Walken achieved appreciation for playing psychologically disturbed war veterans in historical dramas. With “Batman Returns”, however, the actor took on his most villainous role. It isn’t easy to capture a major with evil intentions causing catastrophes but Walken succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, trauma and greed of a commemorated politician seeking to control a broken city. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors working today.
Michelle Pfeiffer is fantastic as a woman that transforms into a cat facing disaster. Pfeiffer has always been one of those actresses with strong sex appeal, and “Batman Returns” was a stunning showcase for her talents. As Cat-woman, Pfeiffer did an amazing job depicting an iconic comic-book heroine. Whether she’s seducing the Penguin through her costumes or seeking to discover Batman’s identity, Pfeiffer effectively uses her body language to create a commemorated comic-book heroine that’s compelling. It’s an incredible performance from one of the most celebrated actresses working in the modern film industry today.
The supporting cast is sensational and also worthy of appreciation. Michael Keaton is magnificent, capturing the determination of a hero seeking to save a city that experiences destruction. Danny DeVito is dazzling as the Penguin, capturing the sorrow of a sad villain that seeks to discover the true identity of his parents that died several years ago. Lastly, Michael Gough merits appreciation. As Alfred, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Batman Returns” would achieve the appreciation of everyone for capturing tense hardships superheroes are facing. The movie tackles universal themes including identity, trauma and sexism which would resonate among everyone. Unlike most Batman films, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The movie delivers a meaningful message about childhood trauma which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Batman Returns” is one of those rare commemorated Batman movies everyone will adore.
Fans of Christopher Walken would definitely appreciate “Batman Returns” and so wil movie-goers seeking bold entertainment. A captivating comic-book classic, it celebrates an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the relase of a groundbreaking comic-book film about caped crusaders seeking to stop penguins from destroying cities which are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor that has built an enduring legacy earning a huge fan following through his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling whose captivating movies which have stood the test of time as classics are worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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