Alternate Takes 08.28.10 - Batman Returns
Posted by Shawn S. Lealos on 08.28.2010
From Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman and Michael Keaton as Batman to Danny DeVito's Penguin and Christopher Walken as Max Shreck, join 411's Shawn S. Lealos as he looks at the ups and downs of Batman Returns!
Welcome to Week 118 of Alternate Takes, my name is Shawn S. Lealos and you have entered my world.
BATMAN RETURNS
Director: Tim Burton
Writer: Daniel Waters and Scott Hamm
Stars: Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito and Christopher Walken
With the success of the first Batman movie, it was a no brainer that the producers would jump on a sequel. While Tim Burton and Michael Keaton were not signed to a second movie, it didn't take too much work to bring them back setting the table for more of the Batman goodness.
The first thing the second movie did was make it even darker, if that is possible. Gone were the gothic landscapes of the first movie, replaced with a dark, foreboding Gotham City. If you don't remember it being dark, that might be because of the constantly falling snow although the story is as dark as the blackest night.
The movie opens with a couple bringing a hideously deformed baby into the world. The pair decide they can't live with it and throw it into the cold waters of Gotham, watching as their baby is swept into the underground sewers. 33 years later, the child has grown into The Penguin, a crime lord leading the Red Triangle Gang.
He strikes an uneasy deal with megalomaniac Max Shreck (named after the actor who played the original cinematic vampire Nosferatu) and the two set a plan in motion to take over the city. Shortly after this meeting, Shreck throws his secretary Selina Kyle out the window of his high-rise office building, believing her dead.
Kyle hits multiple awnings to break her fall and when a group of cats revives her, she becomes Catwoman and starts a trek for vengeance against her supposed murderer. Following this, The Penguin and Shreck begin their plan to win over the citizens of Gotham and become the dominant force.
But what about Batman?
Well, as usually Batman is the least interesting character in the Batman movie franchise. Luckily, Michael Keaton steps up and brings a charisma lacking in the last movie. This time he is proactive, such as when he informs Shreck he will fight him every step of the way. He is also funny, like in the bat cave when he makes snide comments to Alfred about letting Vicky Vale into the Batcave in the last movie.
He is also more human, such as when he realizes the Batmobile isn't working right ("Now I'm a little worried"). There are moments where the writers go overboard in one-liners ("Eat floor. High fiber") but overall, it is a drastic improvement from the first movie's portrayal of the character.
The bad guys are a step down in this movie compared to Jack Nicholson's entertaining portrayal of The Joker. Danny DeVito is great as The Penguin and Christopher Walken is Christopher Walken. Michelle Pfeiffer is all sex kitten in her role as Catwoman but her dialogue is cringe-worthy. Luckily, she looks so good when she is saying it, most viewers don't care.
The movie is given a lot of credit for giving the bad guys, especially The Penguin, a fantastic character arc. It takes a character that is a joke in most of the comics and makes him a tragic figure. His character arc is extremely well done and it makes him an evil, yet pitiful character. That is the perfect villain.
The cinematography is also brilliantly done. The dark tone mixed with the snow covered Gotham make a striking visual. It is no surprise it is shot by Stefan Czapsky, the same man who shot Burton's Edward Scissorhands and Ed Wood. It is a beautiful movie that clashes perfectly with the brooding, pitch black story.
I have to mention the first time we see Bruce Wayne in this movie, sitting alone in his mansion, contemplating something. It is an amazing shot and completely envelopes what his character is all about.
Christopher Nolan reinvented the wheel when he took over the franchise, but Tim Burton beat him to the punch with Batman Returns, which 18-years later remains practically the perfect Batman movie.
Thumbs Up: Michael Keaton finally stepped into the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman in a way he never reached in the first movie. He was finally proactive and showed what a great hero Batman could be. As disappointed as I was by his performance in the first movie, he more than made up for it in the sequel.
Thumbs Down: The Penguins demise was really cheesy as the penguins all acted as pall bearers and *somehow* dragged him into the water for his burial. I also cringed at some of the dialogue in the movie but it is small complaints that don't affect the movie in the slightest.
Who Was That Masked Man?
* The Penguins parents were played by none other than Paul Reubens and Diane Salinger from Pee Wee's Big Adventure.
* Vincent Schiavelli, the organ grinder in Penguin's gang, also appeared as a teacher in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and an inmate in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
* Michael Murphy, who plays the mayor, appeared in X-Men: The Last Stand as The Angel's dad.
* Doug Jones appeared in the movie as the "Thin Clown" who kidnapped the mayor's baby. He has since appeared in the Hellboy movies as Abe Sapien and as The Thin Man in Pan's Labyrinth.
Alternate Takes: Annette Bening was originally cast as Catwoman but had to pull out of the project when she became pregnant. Sean Young (Blade Runner) also wanted the role and petitioned for it but lost out on the role to Pfeiffer. Marlon Wayans was originally cast to play Robin in the movie but the role was cut from the script.
Quotes to Live By
The Penguin: You're just jealous, because I'm a genuine freak and you have to wear a mask! Batman: You might be right.
The Penguin: My name is not Oswald! It's Penguin! I am not a human being. I am an animal!
Selina Kyle: A kiss under the mistletoe. You know, mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it. Bruce Wayne: But a kiss can be even deadlier... if you mean it. Selina Kyle: Oh, my God. Does this mean we have to start fighting?
Catwoman: You killed me... The Penguin killed me... Batman killed me... that's... three lives down. You got enough in there to finish me off? Max Shreck: One way to find out.
Comic Book Grade: A- Michael Keaton finally brings the goods and delivers a perfect Bruce Wayne. His Batman went a little overboard in this movie, something that should be saved for the baddies, but he is much better than he was in the first Batman film. The Penguin is the best character in the movie but the origin is nothing like his comic book counterpart, which is a very good thing. Catwoman's origin was also changed, but like The Penguin, it works because it serves the story.
The biggest plus for me is that Batman is not a killer here and actually proves it by trying to stop Catwoman from murdering Max Shreck. People still point to the fact that Batman killed people when our grandparents were kids, so it is OK. It's not. In the comics, the Joker killed Jason Todd and Batman did not kill him. Batman tried to kill The Joker again later but was stopped by Superman and told that would make him the monster he always fought against. You guys can debate this all you want, cause I'll stop here by saying that in comics today and in comics when I was a kid in the seventies - Batman does not kill.
What They Said: - "Many non-fans of the initial outing will find this sequel superior in several respects, meaning that Tim Burton's latest exercise in fabulist dementia should receive even stronger across-the-board acceptance than the original." Todd McCarthy, Variety
Upcoming Releases
October, 22, 2010 - Red
2010 - Dead of Night (completed, no U.S. release date yet)
2010 - Tamara Drewe - Released at Cannes 2010
January 14, 2011 - The Green Hornet
March 04, 2011 - Priest
May 06, 2011 - Thor
June 03, 2011 - X-Men: First Class
June 17, 2011 - Green Lantern
July 22, 2011 - The First Avenger: Captain America
July 29, 2011 - Cowboys and Aliens
December 23, 2011 - The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn
May 4, 2012 - The Avengers
July 03, 2012 - Spider-Man 4
July 20, 2012 - Untitled Batman project
Posted By: Dwayne (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 12:04 AM
I have to say that Michelle Pfeiffer left the impression, on me, that she is catwoman and anyone else who ever plays her will be below her standard. Maybe its just the age I was when this came out, but thats how I feel.
Posted By: JWestmoreland (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 12:14 AM
Criticizing Keaton's version of Batman in any way is justw rong. He is the perfect Batman. And, yes, Batman does kill. Just because of some updated evrsion changed it doesn't make it fact.
I do agree on Devito's Penguin, though. Totally awesome. Basically a superior less cheesy version of the same kind of arc that Ahnold's Freeze would get later on.
Posted By: Volourn (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 12:26 AM
Actually you are mistaken about Batman not killing in this film.
He killed the strong man when he attached the dynamite to him and threw him into that ditch. He also killed the devil guy blowing flames by setting him on fire.
Posted By: DeeRayMoore (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 12:38 AM
Batman doesn't kill. Period.
Posted By: Guest#7813 (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 01:08 AM
Batman should not kill, in Kane's version was more of a pulp detective than a super-hero, the fact is that for the last 60 years one of the main character traits of Batman is that he does not kill.
Posted By: Joel Yeomans (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 01:50 AM
Actually you are mistaken about Batman not killing in this film.
He killed the strong man when he attached the dynamite to him and threw him into that ditch. He also killed the devil guy blowing flames by setting him on fire.
Posted By: DeeRayMoore (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 12:38 AM
i agree with you on the first. But that doesn't mean that he killed him. And i can't believe you forgot about the score. The music was brilliant in this movie. Keaton to me will always be Batman. Him and Kevin Conroy.
Posted By: Guest#8411 (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 02:24 AM
Everyone has their tastes, but I'm impressed you could come up with some many positives for this movie.
I've always described it as "Brave businessman tries to save Gotham from three homicidal costumed lunatics."
As to best Catwoman .. Michelle doesn't hold a candle to Julie, Eartha .. especially with the crappy costume.
Posted By: 4dayslater (Registered) on August 28, 2010 at 02:26 AM
batman is a murderer
Posted By: matt (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 02:52 AM
I do not think this movie has aged well. My biggest problems are the missile toting penguins and Christopher Walken. Yes, I think Walken is an awesome actor, but I fail to see why they needed to toss in a third super villain into this film.
Not only that, the script rips off two Batman television series story lines. In one, Penguin runs for mayor of Gotham. In another, Penguin frames Batman for a crime. Not very original.
I just think if the film had been written differently we could have done without Walken and given the other three actors more to do. Or perhaps actually have given Commissioner Gordon a bit more depth. Pat Hingle is an awesome talent and he was wasted in this film.
Posted By: katefan (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 03:19 AM
Marlon Wayans was originally cast to play Robin in the movie but the role was cut from the script.
Ummm what??
Posted By: Guest#6451 (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 03:47 AM
Batman doesn't use guns, thats his rule. Reason why he gave up the cape and cowl in a recent arc. But basically yeah he doesn't like to kill, he doesn't want to become like the crazies he fights.
Posted By: Guest#6404 (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 05:29 AM
This is still my favourite Batman movie.
Posted By: AngryTas (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 07:04 AM
Although I like you as a writer, I must respectfully disagree with you here. Perfect Batman film? Nothing could be further from the truth. This is a case of style over substance. Amazing gothic visuals but very poor dialogue even you recognize.
We can't even call it a Batman film. It's one thing for the villains to steal the show, but giving so little time to the main character as they do in this film is just wrong.
Even as a kid I was very bored by this film. And I'm a big Batman comic book collector since the mid 90's. Burton really left his mark in here. It shows how much creative control they gave him. The first installment was heaps better and it was probably because he wasn't allowed to do as he pleased like he obviously did here.
Posted By: Jatzel Roman (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 07:54 AM
Doug Jones was also the Silver Surfer in the FF movie... Interestingly, his break was playing 'Mac Tonight' in the old McDonald's ad campaign in the '80's.
Posted By: PatBattle (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 08:17 AM
"[I]n comics today and in comics when I was a kid in the seventies - Batman does not kill." During Final Crisis Batman shot and mortally wounded Darkseid...Batman kills even today.
Posted By: Just Me (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 08:29 AM
second worst Batman movie, only barely ahead of Batman and Robin.
this movie should be buried in a chinese mine shaft with a half a million chinese dissidents just before a 'mining accident.'
seriously, this movie pushes Star Wars Holiday Special levels of crap.
Posted By: Darth Mortis (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 10:24 AM
"Sean Young (Blade Runner) also wanted the role and petitioned for it..."
And by "petition" you mean dressed up as Catwoman and crashed a production meeting, right?
While I didn't fully agree with your killing argument in the Batman review, you miss a blatant one in this film: he casually straps a fucking BOMB to one of Penguin's henchman and dumps him in a hole to blow up. THAT'S fucked up.
"Everyone has their tastes, but I'm impressed you could come up with some many positives for this movie.
I've always described it as "Brave businessman tries to save Gotham from three homicidal costumed lunatics.""
That's what Batman is in general, fella.
Bottom line: Batman Returns is awesome.
Posted By: neverAcquiesce (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 10:36 AM
gosh, does the same guy write all the headlines for this site?
"from [such and such] & [so and so] to [this that] & [the other], the author takes a look at [blah, blah, blah]"
how about some originality! damn!
Posted By: LEARN TO WRITE (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 11:16 AM
i like the content of the column besides the "usually" faux pas (supposed to be "usual."
Posted By: but besides that (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 11:24 AM
No comments about how you can't "scratch" a CD like you would a record? Wow.
Didn't mention Bats dropping a bomb down a villain's pants? Wow. (And I agree about your stance near the end...it's like, Bruce Banner used to turn into the Hulk only when it was nighttime, but a movie or show that depicted that would leave most fans feeling that they betrayed what is now the accepted and best-known version of the transformation. Most people know that Banner becomes the Hulk when he gets angry, and that is how it's been for the majority of the character's existence)
Weird how you like this WAYYYYYY over the first movie, as a lot of people place this way below the first movie because it has more sex, violence, and darkness. (The controversies about marketing such to everyone including children is what led to the Schumacher reign of terror, partially. It probably led to Chris Nolan deciding he couldn't use the Penguin too because he's not "realistic", he prob. thought of the Dr. Caligari depiction here)
Let me put it to you this way: to them, if Burton was Vince Russo in the WWF in the first film, he was Russo in WCW in the second. Meaning more of his fingerprints could be seen on the content without restraint.
I'm not burying the Burton movies, mind you. I liked them when I was younger and they were important.
Posted By: Guest#4827 (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 11:45 AM
PeeWee and Simone are the parents of the Penguin??????
That makes me smile. I never caught it.
Posted By: Just Saying (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 11:49 AM
Does ANYONE out there remember a tabloid article that came out between Batman '89 and Batman Returns? It supposedly got a leaked script for BR, in which the Joker survives, Bruce had married Vicki Vale, who is then kidnapped by Joker and his new alliance of the other members of the Big Four of Bats' rogues' gallery. Robin was in it too, and the article claimed that they would defeat the villains by trapping them on a rocket and blasting it off. At the end, Vicki has a baby who plays with the cowl's rubber ears.
I also recall this article being one of the first predicting Robin Williams as the Riddler, accurately predicting DeVito as Penguin, and predicting MICHAEL JACKSON as Robin (?!!?)
Posted By: Guest#3543 (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 11:49 AM
"Criticizing Keaton's version of Batman in any way is justw rong. He is the perfect Batman. And, yes, Batman does kill. Just because of some updated evrsion changed it doesn't make it fact."
Not when said revision has existed for the majority of the character's existence. Superman used to make big leaps and not fly, should future films use this, then?
Posted By: Guest#1392 (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 11:51 AM
The Red Triangle Circus Gang should be made canon by DC, maybe as Joker lackeys?
Posted By: Guest#6124 (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 11:52 AM
The only superhero movie that to me has actually felt like it came from the comics, with Spider-Man coming in a close second. Everything else is made in a super-serious tone with "realistic costumes" and weird added-in traits to make characters more appealing to Hollywood.
I think it would be safe to say that Batman (in the comics) believes that murder is an option, but only as the absolute last resort (See: last year.) He also believes in not necessarily killing people, but he doesn't have to save people from dying either (Batman Begins)
Posted By: Cactus (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 11:54 AM
"People still point to the fact that Batman killed people when our grandparents were kids, so it is OK. It's not."
Agreed. he hasn't willfully killed anyone since the 1986 reboot "The Dark Knight Returns" and "Batman Year One."
And to those who still want to argue what the Golden Age Batman did so it makes it okay; Golden Age Batman also slept in the same bed as Robin. Would it be okay if Batman Forever showed Batman and Robin sleeping together?
Besides Tim Burton has even stated that he would never read a comic book and never has so how would he even know that?
Posted By: DeimosMasque (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 01:38 PM
You wanna get nuts?! Come on, let's get nuts!
Posted By: Bruce Wayne (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 02:05 PM
He did kill several goons with a flamethrower on his batmobile and a goon's bomb if that counts. Also I actually liked the Penguin funeral even if his final plan was to use them as suicide bombers.
Well it could be worse, my nose could be gushing blood.
Posted By: Guest#2254 (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 02:17 PM
You forgot the best quote
"Why do they always bring lettuce and tomato's to a speech?"
Posted By: Guest#6189 (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 03:04 PM
I played this stinking column like the harp from hell!!
Posted By: Oswald Cobblepot (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 05:02 PM
Life's a bitch and so am I!
Posted By: Selina Kyle (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 06:26 PM
people do not like this movie , because it is dark. it is hard to route agiants the penguin because his such a tradgic figure in the movie.
Posted By: ek187 (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 07:35 PM
The only superhero movie that to me has actually felt like it came from the comics, with Spider-Man coming in a close second. Everything else is made in a super-serious tone with "realistic costumes" and weird added-in traits to make characters more appealing to Hollywood.
Christopher Reeve and Robert Downey Jr. would like a word with you.
Posted By: Guest#4805 (Guest) on August 28, 2010 at 11:52 PM
I liked the first film with Nicholson but HATED this one. In fact I think it's almost as bad as the sequels that followed it. The Penguin as a mutant? Sorry, that was the bad kind of odd. Julie Newmar will always be Catwoman to me, so I at least wanted a similar look. As Shawn says, Pfeiffer's lines here are terrible and for me neutralized her hotness.
Michael Keaton never really worked for me as Batman. The real Batman didn't need a body suit to have a good physique. Pure West. And why doesn't Batman dance any more?
Posted By: Jason Douglas (Registered) on August 29, 2010 at 08:40 AM
This is a great comic book film. The Dark Knight, to me, was not a comic book film. It was an action film. This film has escapism.
Also this was blasted for being too dark whereas now 'dark' is all the rage. This film deserves more respect. Brilliant flick
Posted By: Noel Edmonds (Guest) on August 29, 2010 at 09:40 AM
"Not when said revision has existed for the majority of the character's existence. Superman used to make big leaps and not fly, should future films use this, then?"
I prefer SM to fly sicne I find it cool; but yeah it would be accurate and true to the character's history to not have him fly . It's called going back to the roots. Nothin' wrong with that. A character's history doesn't stop at some mythical line in the past.
Posted By: Volourn (Guest) on August 29, 2010 at 12:26 PM
One of the best movies of all time in my opinion. Great column.
Posted By: Guest#9012 (Guest) on August 29, 2010 at 07:33 PM
Keaton was perfect as Batman and perfect as Bruce Wayne, unlike Christian Bale, who is only good as Bruce
Posted By: Guest#5861 (Guest) on August 30, 2010 at 08:52 AM
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