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Batman Returns (1992)
Starring Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Christopher Walken. Cinematography by Stefan Czapsky. Edited by Bob Badami and Chris Lebenzon. Produced by Tim Burton and Denise Di Novi. Written by Sam Hamm and Daniel Waters. Directed by Tim Burton.
The Joker is gone but Gotham City is still not safe from the criminally persuaded. Enter The Penguin; a mutant half human, half penguin who’s lust for vengeance motivates him to enter politics by any means possible. Max Schreck; a crooked businessman with unlimited resources and a lust for power. And Catwoman; Schreck’s one time secretary with one of nice lives down and a bad ass leather suit. And as if that wasn’t enough, Batman now has to clear his name as he has been framed as a criminal.
The original script of the film started up right where the first Batman left off. Further investigation would be made into the shared history of Jack Napier (aka The Joker) and Batman, and the romance between Bruce Wayne and Vicki Vale would continue to blossom. There was even some mention of Robin in the original script. But Burton didn’t care for the immediate pickup and had the script rewritten to take place after the fires from the first story had gone out.
It would be difficult to live up to the standard set by the original Batman film, but this sequel does a decent job trying. Full of hurt and vengeance, the story is considerably darker in tone than it’s predecessor. So dark in fact that a number of merchandising accounts pulled out of the project, limiting it’s promotional potential and financial successes. Burton’s pessimistic and downbeat tones were eventually too much for the franchise and he was inevitably “talked out of” directing the third Batman picture, Batman Forever, though he went on to produce it. Oh, and for you trivia junkies out there, Batman Returns is the first film made in Dolby Digital.
Budget: $80,000,000
Total US Gross: $162,831,698
Genre: Action
Runtime: 126 Minutes
US Release Date: 6/19/92
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Awards: Academy Awards: Nominated for best visual effects and best makeup.
Tagline: The Bat, The Cat, The Penguin.
Quote: “You're just jealous because I'm a genuine freak and you have to wear a mask!”
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