Batman Returns (1992)

When a corrupt businessman and the grotesque Penguin plot to take control of Gotham City, only Batman can stop them, while the Catwoman has her own agenda.

Director:

Tim Burton

Writers:

Bob Kane (Batman characters), Daniel Waters (story),

Stars:

Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Keaton	...	Batman / Bruce Wayne
Danny DeVito	...	Penguin / Oswald Cobblepot
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Catwoman / Selina Kyle
Christopher Walken	...	Max Shreck
Michael Gough	...	Alfred Pennyworth
Michael Murphy	...	The Mayor
Cristi Conaway	...	Ice Princess
Andrew Bryniarski	...	Charles 'Chip' Shreck
Pat Hingle	...	Commissioner James Gordon
Vincent Schiavelli	...	Organ Grinder
Steve Witting	...	Josh
Jan Hooks	...	Jen
John Strong	...	Sword Swallower
Rick Zumwalt	...	Tattooed Strongman
Anna Katarina	...	Poodle Lady

Storyline

Having defeated the Joker, Batman now faces the Penguin - a warped and deformed individual who is intent on being accepted into Gotham society. Crooked businessman Max Schreck is coerced into helping him become Mayor of Gotham and they both attempt to expose Batman in a different light. Earlier however, Selina Kyle, Max's secretary, is thrown from the top of a building and is transformed into Catwoman - a mysterious figure who has the same personality disorder as Batman. Batman must attempt to clear his name, all the time deciding just what must be done with the Catwoman.

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Plot Keywords:

penguin | gotham | businessman | deformed | villain | 

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Taglines:

Returns June 19

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Genres:

Action | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brooding, dark violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Warner Bros. [us]

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 June 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Batman 2

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$80,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$162,831,698 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During an A&E Biography, Michelle Pfeiffer said that her Catwoman costume was vacuum sealed once she was fitted into it for scenes, so she actually had only a short amount of time to perform before she would have to have it opened or she could become light headed and pass out. She also admitted that when she first was learning to use the whip she accidentally cut her trainer's face with it, at which he acted as a complete gentleman and continued with their training.

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Goofs

The same switch is used in the Batmobile to turn on the rocket booster in the beginning and activate the Batmissile during the later chase. The Batmissile switch finally works, but it is in the off position.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Happy Woman: Merry Christmas!
Happy Man: Merry Christmas!

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Connections

Referenced in Shameful Sequels: Catwoman (2012)

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Soundtracks

"FACE TO FACE"
Words by Steven Severin and Siouxsie Sioux
Music by Steven Severin, Siouxsie Sioux, Budgie and Danny Elfman
Produced by Stephen Hague
Performed by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Courtesy of Polydor Limited and Geffen Records

User Reviews

A thrill ride from start to finish

Very rarely do movie sequels ever match the grandeur of the originals. BATMAN RETURNS however, does so with gusto. The sequel to 1989's BATMAN, BATMAN RETURNS neither milks the success of the first movie nor totally disregards it; it's a wonderful sequel and a spectacular movie in its own right. There's something for everyone in this movie - humor, high drama, plenty of action, and lots of cool things to look at. Of course, viewers have to get around Tim Burton's morbid and sometimes offensive sense of humor, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem in this era of SOUTH PARK and THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY. While the movie has many great moments, it also has its flaws. The plot seems rushed, stitched together. Danny DeVito tries his best as the Penguin but doesn't quite pull it off. Christopher Walken appears as a secondary bad guy, but his performance is lackluster compared to the others. And many of the action sequences, though breathtaking, seemed forced and are occasionally absurd. All that aside, there's all kinds of surprises in this movie - smart humor and dialogue, characters you can't help but love, lots of satire (Homer's Iliad, CITIZEN KANE, and the American political scene are all lampooned), and many memorable scenes that only serve as a testament to Burton's colorful imagination. I hope to get this movie on DVD, where I can enjoy it on my big screen TV in all its glory. Not exactly the best Batman film ever, but still a fascinating movie to watch over and over again.