The most underrated and overhated sequel of all time.

Hi Adam. I have a medical background, what many overlook is that Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, "the Penguin" was dying. That green crud you see him wiping away at times is a classic sign of a lung infection, it starts clear, then yellow, then brown, green and finally black. The fall at the end likely collapsed one of his lungs and you could hear his gasping for air just before he collapsed (asphyxiation) Likely, he caught it from the fumes in both the sewer and toxic waste from Maximilian Schreck's "Clean" plant. He selected Max, because Max is ultimately why he's dying.

Tim Burton's Batman Returns is my all time favourite movie and I too get ridiculed for liking this movie over the Nolan Trilogy. And all those who hate Batman returns always say that Batman Returns should have been called "Edward Flipperhands" or "The Dark Knight Before Christmas" but both Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas are good movies so comparing Batman Returns to those two other Tim Burton movies is really an complement rather than an insult. I still cry sometimes at The Penguin's death scene. I love Batman Returns so much that it inspired me to write the world's only MLP FIM fanfic based on it. You earned a sub from me :D

Bale: “YOU’LL BE EATING PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY FOREVAAAARRRGH!!!”

Yeah it's a great movie that's for sure.

Batman Returns is one of Matt Reeves’s favourite movies and Zoe Kravitz said it’s one of inspirations for her Catwoman performance

Batman Returns is also my favorite Batman movie of all time and I never cared what anybody says Keaton, DeVito and Pfeiffer and Walken are perfect.

Great review. I also love this movie. It's truly an underrated gem.

"Batman Continues" we need that third film

The Penguin is actually my favorite Batman villain, even in the comics (and I overall like his comics portrayal the best). The problem is that he's so often misunderstood and underused. The Penguin is basically supposed to be the Prof. Moriarty to Batman's Sherlock Holmes. He's a criminal mastermind who wears the guise of gentlemanly society to hide his operations. I love how cunning and crafty he is. That all being said, I really loved how Tim Burton and Danny DeVito handled the Penguin, too. A lot of great ideas about Oswald (like basically being a dark mirror and foil to Batman himself and coming from a rival wealthy family) came from Burton. Also, the Penguin's Victorian Goth look in Batman Returns was really dynamic and made him pop out a heck of a lot more. For me, the perfect take on the Penguin would be the Batman Returns look (flipper hands optional) and some of the character's personal trauma but with the comics personality. The closest there was to that was in BTAS. EDIT: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is not a crappy movie. It's an awesome movie that's way more faithful to the original book than the 1971 film. Johnny Depp's turn as Willy Wonka is a better reflection of Roald Dahl's Wonka (a goofy, giddy, reclusive eccentric) than Gene Wilder's was.

Love this Batman movie, It's my favorite Batman film too. It feels like a comic book movie. Not to mention the first Batman movie from 1989 is my all time favorite movie of all time.

Batman Returns is masterpiece

Thank you for your defense of this classic. It's such a rare find.

Didn't enjoy Returns in my tween years, but is my all time fave Batman film today.

Damn never thought of it this way! Makes me want to watch it all over again

Great review. So glad I finally got to watch it.

Spot on, man! I have nothing else to add. Great review of a great movie.

This is Favorite Batman Movie and my Favorite Movies Of all Time

I don't understand why people have called "blasphemy" when Batman kills in this movie, because when you think about it, he actually kills more people in the original! For example, when he drops the bomb in the chemical plant...don't tell me people actually survived that explosion! Or when he was shooting at the Joker's men in the Bat Wing, or the black guy that he threw over the top of the bell tower! So, that whole argument about "Batman isn't supposed to kill people!" doesn't hold any water when you want to compare this sequel to the original.

Batman Returns is actually my favorite live-action Batman film, and third favorite Batman film overall. My top 5 Batman films are: 1. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm 2. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (Uncut Version) 3. Batman Returns 4. Batman, 1989. 5. Batman Begins/The Dark Knight (It's a tie).

I dig the video. been thinking of doing my own review series. how do you do the voice over narration? keep up the good work.

I commented on this video years ago but found this Review again. Your Review is still good here and it's a shame the CatWoman Spin off never worked out. The Script for the Tim Burton version of the movie is actually online if you haven't read it I would say give it a shot you might like it and even though it had some flaws it would have been an interesting movie with Michele back as Catwoman.

I´m with you brother i love Batman Returns too. There is horror elements to this film and it´s very dark Tim Burton style.

Love this movie! such an underrated classic and a dark masterpiece, awesome review also!

Frankly, I'm with you on this one Adam. This is probably my favorite of the original Batman films. It's darker tone frankly feels more in keeping with Batman as a whole and I'm also a fan in general of Tim Burton's set designs, this one especially because I love cold, frigid look the movie has. All the snow, the ice, dark shades of blue, it doesn't just make you know it's winter in Gotham, but it feels cold in the dark and unpleasant kind of way, which fits with the Penguin's character. I just feel like it flows pretty well and while it's not perfect, I do think it's a sold movie overall.

I love this movie

I love this movie to pieces and I always thought it was a beautiful and stylish movie which it is, but the characters have so much depth to them and that's another reason why I like it so much.

This is still one of my favorite batman movies for sure! This movie is very dark and creative. I liked the atmosphere in it too, it's kinda comic bookish but realistic at the same time. Burton nailed it with this one. The music in it was spectacular too.

What a fantastic review. Thank you very much for this! Still the best Batman film, no doubt.

Great video, Sir.I too am a big, big fan of this Film, and your review is pretty spot-on for the most part.The Film's themes and arching narrative is so heavily infused into it's subtext, and I think that, that's one of the biggest reasons behind it's being so misunderstood, or just not understood in many cases. I don't mean to sound condescending, and I'm not trying to assert that it's a flawless Film, but it seems to me that most of the people who bash this Movie do so because they just don't understand it -- most of the subtext goes straight over their heads. People who go to see a Batman Film aren't especially receptive to a Film with Art House sensibilities. I do wish that more exposition was given to Batman's arc. Much of this I think stems from Michael Keaton's insistence that Batman's lines be drastically reduced, because I've read a number of expository Batman lines in the Script which weren't in the final Film. In the script, he did have some level of exposition detailing his motivations to stop killing and not give in to his inner darkness. I respectfully disagree with your assertion that Max Shreck isn't the main Villain of the piece -- I think he is. The Film is partially intended to be a Social Satire. One point Burton and Daniel Waters were trying to make was that the true Villains of everyday life are the manipulative moguls and public figures who pull strings and puppeteer their communities, under the guise of being moral, conscionable and respectable figures, while they are in fact just the opposite. The crowds of Gotham City are portrayed as being very gullible and easily led by popular public figures. This had been portrayed in "Batman" with The Joker, and in "Returns", Shreck is the constant public hero. The Penguin does become such for a brief period before ultimately being rejected of course. Batman did have a line of dialogue with Salina/Catwoman in the climax of the script, in which he says: "I've seen the grey...I protect the people of Gotham from themselves." Shreck also seems to posses no moral barometer and possess sociopathic tendencies -- methodically killing people if they present any threat to him. He's a lot like a Lex Luthor for Batman. The Movie is suggesting that these guys are the real monsters - not the guys who are deformed and/or dress up in freakish outfits. The Penguin does have an inner monster, even as a child, but this side is exacerbated by the rejection of his parents, who, like Shreck, are wealthy and powerful, and seemingly have no reservations about letting their undesirable baby die by drowning. I imagine these parallels were designed to lead up to the payoff that was originally planned which would have revealed that The Penguin and Max were brothers. Oswald Cobblepott and his parents, seem to parallel Bruce Wayne and his parents; (whom we know were good, honourable wealthy people). As Paul Dini said: "One is scarred by what happened to his parents, the other is scarred BY his parents." Max Shreck manipulates the Penguin, thereby further exacerbating his pessimism towards his fellow man and the animalistic side of his dichotomy. Shreck also directly instigates Salina's transformation into Catwoman. He's the evil puppet master of the piece.He also represents the plain-clothes, everyday businessman-type Villain whom Batman must defeat as Bruce Wayne, thereby providing a motivation for Bruce Wayne's dichotomy -- his duel between his light side; Bruce Wayne, Philanthropist, and his dark side; Batman, dark avenger.I don't think the Film is flawless -- as I said, I think that some level of exposition should have been given so as to solidify the themes being presented in the subtext, and I think it's a bit too campy at times. I even agree with the criticism that the plot is thin and creaky at times. I can understand the complaint that the reality is too heightened at times, but with all of this subtext in mind, I think the Film has way more pros than cons.Ultimately though, if someone understands this Film and it's subtext; (which I think only a small percentage of the people who have seen it do), but just doesn't care for it, then I totally respect that. But I honestly think that most people who bash it do so because they just don't have any clue what it's about. That truly does make me sad.

With Burtons first film it was a Burton style Batman film with some of his style but stilla Batman film.This film is 100 percent Burton this is straight up his vision the film is darker then the first but campier to its Burtons standard dark humor. As a Batman film I can see why alot of fans wouldnt gell with it if you want standard non killing Batman an comic accurate versions of the characters this aint the movie for you.But if like me you understand each director has his own take an are ok with each director doing there own thing then you may enjoy it.Its not a hated film but it splits people this film has a totally different style an feel to the first all most feeling like a different universe.I prefer Burtons Penguin to comic book version. As for Cat Woman I like the comic book version better but I thought this one was great.Your correct about all the themes but Christopher Walkens character is meant as the big bad in the way that the villains of the film are really high society the rich parents created Penguin an the rich guy creates CatWoman an Max the Rich evil man amplifies Penguins evil. You are also correct about how Batman wants to save CatWoman from becoming him. As a Burton film its great as a Batman film its good.If your ok with Burton making the characters in his image then you will like it.

I may feel indifferent with this movie, but this is the best batman returns review that I've seen any where else. You explain your reasons of why you like this movie so well and its pretty much understandable. I have a channel where I review movies and I have one for this movie so I don't know if you would be interested to check it out and see what you think about it. Good review again and I hope to see more reviews from you because they are good for how insightful they are. :)

That was a good video. You have expressed your opinion well. I have to say that recently especially I have told people that it is ok to compare the 1989 Batman to the Nolan trilogy but after that the movies get bad to historically bad (Batman and Robin). I did not like this film when it came out. I thought I was the only one. When the Dark Knight Trilogy came out, it was finally the Batman I've always wanted. Looking back at this movie I sort of started rolling my eyes at it. One thing that you pointed out that I missed was Batman's mindset. I never really got that Batman was losing his humanity. Honestly I always thought that Keaton was really one of the only things about this film that works. The Penguin was not a person that I could feel sympathy for because of all the sexual innuendos he said. He came off as a sexual predator. If the Penguin was genuinely sweet towards the people around him I would be able to see why people would even follow him. Why were people following him anyway? He didn't have any money, he had no political ties that I can see, and he was willing to kill any of his henchmen if they got out of line. Selina Kyle was dead when she hit that pavement. I can't buy cats bringing people back to life, nor can I buy a baby being raised by penguins. Sorry. How did they figure out how to get into the Batmobile? How did Batman kick through the bottom of the Batmobile to get the radio controller? Why was Penguin in a mini version of the Batmobile like a kids ride at an amusement park? Did he build it just for that specific occasion? (Sigh) There are a lot of other parts of that movie that kill this film for me so I will stop. But one thing I did like in that film was where Bruce and Selina realize that they were Batman and Cat Woman. I wanted to know where that conversation was going to go, but that moment was ruined by the Penguin coming in and stupidity ensued. So for one fleeting moment I was going to get the film I wanted and even that was destroyed.

i agree that this movie is brilliant. the one thing i can say about it though, is that the climax is a little weak compared to the first movie. though, this movie has a better story, much more realized look, and better drama and acting.

So, Affleck or Keaton? I assume that you prefer both over Bale, but who'd win gold?

I always thought that Penguin's plan to murder the firstborn sons of Gotham was his reaction to losing all the publicity and fame that he once had and this was his retribution. I don't think the firstborn sons plot element was introduced until after Penguin was revealed to the public as a fraud......I always thought he just wanted to cause some chaos to get back at Gotham until he could head back up to the surface, find his parents and reclaim his birthright. I may have missed it though, gotta rewatch the film. Anyway, great review and easily one of my favorite superhero films and just films in general of all-time

11:07 No. I'm sorry Adam but... No. You can't argue that this is close to the original batman because... Well, to quote Linkara: "I cannot wait for someone to argue that this is the same thing as his earlier appearances, as if the last 70 years haven't happened"

This time it's working!!

Main problem with the movie is that tim burton direction he relies on style more than the plot .

You found the Penguin’s funeral sad? With all due respect, I found it ludicrous.

To think in 2022, Batman Returns will turn 30 and Matt Reeves’s The Batman will come out

I prefer the Nolan trilogy but i do love this and the 89 batman as well

must watch before removed for copyright again....

I loves this movie not as good as batman 89 but still good

You know what I love ❤️ Michael Keaton as Batman but I mean back then in the mid 1990’s they should bring Michael Keaton back as Batman/Bruce Wayne in Joel Schumacher‘s Films Batman Forever (1995) and Batman and Robin (1997) Not Val Kilmer Or George Clooney That I don’t like!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

definitely tim burtons best film ever and yea i'll get alot of hate for this but i love this and the first batman film more then the dark knight trilogy these films felt more creative and gritty and fun without being overly and unnecessarily depressing and dark yea batman is a dark character but batman also was fun with characters like riddler and harley quinn so it balances out. dark knight tries to hard to be dark that at least for me it just isnt fun to watch its a ok film it just isnt fun

Hes a reclusive rich loner with almost no social life. It would be easy to conclude he's Batman.At least Bale had a social life. And Keaton was a lightweight; Bale looked like he could take you down. I do agree about Elfmans score; top 5 definitely.

Sernia is the most interesting character in the movie

I think the movie is entertaining it's just full on Tim Burton the penguin story just didn't make sense we didn't know how he grew up during the 33 years with penguins no offence to Danny devito he was great but it was the direction Tim Burton did we didn't see batman much just now and again it's more a Tim Burton film than batman catwoman falling 20 stories and bought bck by cats

I dont understand why adam acts like people shoudnt be mad when batman kills people witch dosent happen comics anymore but dosent like that tobey magurie dosent make jokes in Spiderman its hypocritical

This movie was runied by false advertising

Keaton is good at batman and a good bruce wayne and bale is a good bruce wayne but a mediocre batman

don't you dare compere Loki too pancwin

Bullshit. Batman does not have an arc of being a monster. Sure, he is lonely, but the movie does not dictate that he is a monster. Alfred does not talk about it, the police are not disgusted that he is killing people, and Batman himself does not have any consequences of his kills. He is just lonely.

I may share the unpopular opinion: I personally don't like Batman Returns. The story is all over the place, Batman is pushed into the backburner, the Penguin is unsympathetic, nothing makes any logical sense, and the whole movie is pretty much style over substance. Though Michelle Pfeiffer's performance as Selina Kyle/Catwoman is great. 6.0/10 needs improvement

This movie is an incomprehensible mess. Nothing makes sense at all, but man do I enjoy this movie a lot. It has great performances, fun action, score, cinematography and set design. It's style over substance nothing more nothing less. It's a guilty pleasure and I enjoy it.

Worst Batman film ever maid

Michael Keaton is an absolutely horrible Batman and I'm sorry but Ben Affleck owns all of the other actors as Batman