In this first sequel to 1989's Batman, the Caped Crusader (Michael Keaton) is up against the Penguin (Danny DeVito), the hideously deformed scion of a wealthy Gotham City family. The Penguin plots with evil businessman Max Schreck (Christopher Walken) to become mayor and then turn Gotham into a cathedral of crime. Upon overhearing these plans, Schreck's mousy secretary Selena Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) is tossed from a high-rise window by her boss. Rescued by a covey of kittens, Selena transforms into the leather-clad Catwoman. In this guise, she teams with the Penguin and Schreck to divvy up their ill-gotten gains and help discredit Batman-but she also has her own scores to settle. Paul "Pee-Wee Herman" Reubens, Vincent Schiavelli and Jan Hooks play significant bits, while Pat Hingle and Michael Gough make returns as, respectively, Commissioner Gordon and Alfred the Butler. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Action

Haunted By the Past, Double Life, Criminal's Revenge, Righting the Wronged, Disfigured Criminals, Femmes Fatales

Disturbing, Goth, Dreamlike, Hallucinatory, Moody, Stylized, Atmospheric

DVD Features

• Commentary by director Tim Burton
• The bat, the cat and the penguin making-of featurette
• Shadows of the bat: the cinematic sage of the dark knight part 4: dark side of the knight
• Beyond batman documentary gallery: Gotham city revisited: the production design of Batman Returns-sleek, sexy and sinister: the costumes of Batman Returns
• Making up the penguin
• Assembling the arctic army
• Bats, mattes and dark nights: the visual effects of Batman
• Inside the elfman studio: the music of Batman Returns
• Siouxsie and the banshees face to face music video
• The heroes and the villains profile galleries
• Theatrical trailer

• 1992--Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Ronnie Spector-Nominee
• 1992--Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Stan Winston-Nominee
• 1992--Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Craig Barron-Nominee
• 1992--Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Michael Fink-Nominee
• 1992--Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Dennis Skotak-Nominee
• 1992--Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Ve Neill-Nominee
• 1992--Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, John Bruno-Nominee

Review

While the Caped Crusader (Michael Keaton) is again relegated to a supporting role in his own film, fans of nasty, dark-edged Batman comics of recent years should enjoy this kinky, at times horrific updating of the character. Michelle Pfeiffer steals the show this time as the mentally broken Catwoman, who has her life ruined and gets tossed out a window early in the film, only to team up with the deformed Penguin (Danny DeVito) in a bid to take over Gotham City. Tim Burton's sequel is more personal than the first film, as the director indulges in his penchant for oddball characters and societal misfits, engendering both sympathy and revulsion in portraying his villains. Many parents and traditionalists found the result little more than a mean-spirited freakshow, but those in tune with Burton's off-kilter sensibilities will find that it actually has a great deal of heart. Whatever the case, Batman Returns is a very entertaining film and looks great. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi