Batman Returns is the second Batman movie starring Michael Keaton as Batman. This time Batman has to stop Catwoman, played by Michelle Pfeiffer,
Max Shreck, played by Christopher Walken, and The Penguin, played by
Danny DeVito. It was released in 1992, and directed by Tim Burton. The score by Danny Elfman creates Gothic atmosphere by
combining strings and children's choruses.
In 1992, as part of the publicity campaign to promote the movie, Warner
Bros. produced the animated series Batman: The Animated Series. This movie, as its
predecessor, was a huge success, although some fans complained it was "too weird". Film critic Leonard Maltin accused Batman Returns of being a "nasty, nihilistic, nightmare movie" with a dark, mean-spirited, and
often incoherent screenplay.
Synopsis
It is Christmas in Gotham
City. A twisted penguin-man, the heir of the aristocratic Cobblepot family, abandoned to the sewers by his parents shortly
after birth, is determined to regain his birthright.
- "I was their number one son, but they treated me like number two." -The Penguin, after visiting his parents'
graves
Max Shreck, a corrupt self-made millionaire, wants to build a giant energy-stockpiling capacitor (disguised as a new power
plant) for Gotham City as a legacy for his son to inherit, but is stymied in his goals by Bruce Wayne and the Mayor of Gotham City.
Abducted by the Penguin's Red Triangle Circus gang, Shreck agrees to help the Penguin re-enter normal society and ease
his acceptance by the surface world. Once the Penguin's tragic story wins over Gotham City, Shreck encourages him to run for
Mayor, confident that he can be more easily manipulated than the current Mayor to approve his "power plant".
In order to replace the current Mayor, the people of Gotham must lose faith in his ability to keep order. The Penguin's Red
Triangle Circus provides the necessary emergency, with the help of Selina Kyle, Schreck's harassed secretary - nearly killed
by her boss when she uncovered his plans for the capacitor and revived as Catwoman, a sexy vinyl-costumed criminal, she also has
a love/hate relationship with Bruce Wayne as Selina and the Batman as Catwoman. It is left up to the Batman to stop the riots,
expose Schreck's schemes, and save Selina from herself. He must also contend with the Penguin's horrific true motivations for
returning to the surface world.
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