Batman Returns Details

Director Tim Burton refused to lighten up for the second of the Batman movies (we would have to wait for the Joel Schumacher-directed Batman Forever for that) and the result here is another moody, gloomy and occasionally perverse portrait of the dark knight. As with the first of the series, the sets are suitably stunning, and, while action may not be Burton's strongest suit, there are still some dazzling set pieces and a whole range of new gadgets. The only real problem is that, as in Batman, the villains bag all the best lines — Danny DeVito's tragic Penguin, Michelle Pfeiffer in that suit as Catwoman — with poor old Michael Keaton's Bruce Wayne left to look vaguely troubled while his alter ego Batman bashes the baddies. Even though fans of the 1960s TV show may reject its brooding atmosphere, this is still impressive stuff.

"...As Catwoman, terrific Michelle Pfeiffer goes from mousy secretary to liberated lionness. As flipper-fingered Penguin, Danny DeVito is an orchestra of evil intentions..."