Batman Returns

The incredibly dark atmosphere together with Danny Elfman's music deliver a true comic book experience. I dare to say that the second Batman movie is not only more skillfully directed, but also visually more impressive, more atmospheric, and far darker. There isn't as much action, with more emphasis placed on the characters. Batman's gadgets are once again presented in full glory and for the entire two hours, there’s no chance of getting bored. The magnificent production design makes us forget about Joel Schumacher's later colorful escapades. (24/12/2005)

I like Burton, but he should never touch comics again. Besides, he didn't choose very good actors. Keaton annoyed me from the beginning, DeVito's Penguin is not a villain, but a desperately bizarre character, and Michelle Pfeiffer is a rather discouraging example of how to ruin a cult character of the series with Catwoman. And although Elfman's music is great and saves the atmosphere and to some extent the whole movie, this combination doesn't fit me at all. Depression and grotesqueness in the redrawn gothic setting do not equal a quality spectacle for me. I would rather watch the overacting duo Carrey-Jones in Batman Forever. 50% (25/03/2007)

If you want to make an adaptation of classic comic books, the biggest problem is how you want to deal with the fact that it was consumable material for the working class, basically commercial junk. They were naive stories with superheroes and villains, who look highly inappropriate in today's setting. Even though the action aspect is great in Nolan's trilogy, it seems out of place with its pathos and serious image. The vast majority of comic book adaptations suffer from schematism and an attempt to please the teenage audience. They try to impress, and they rely on effects. Burton's Batman is playful, visually polished, has a unique style and unmistakable poetics, and it is original and perfected to the last detail. Most comic movies have a problem with overkill, whereas this Batman is irresistibly ironic, evidently not taking itself too seriously. I don't think it's just the best Batman film, but also one of the best comic movies overall. Overall impression: 90%. (24/02/2019)

Unlike the movie "Batman," this one seems quite scary to me, which is probably due to the character of the Penguin and other twisted inhabitants of the Gotham sewer system. It is more Burtonesque, more eccentric, which is also reflected in the interesting portrayal of Catwoman. I still enjoy this and although Michael Keaton is a very peculiar Batman, I still love him. (21/05/2014)

The second part of Batman by Tim Burton is even better in terms of its atmosphere than its predecessor. The only thing missing is music by Prince, which managed to lift my mood a couple of times. But on the other hand, it offers Catwoman wearing a latex suit and a man-penguin and that’s not too bad, either. (21/02/2017)