Batman Returns: An Expressive Contradiction

Batman Returns is a movie that is not really about Batman. A superhero movie, that is actually an opera. A sequel that is both brighter and darker than the original. Batman Returns is an expressive contradiction.
Twitter ► / salazarknight

[@DoctorPretorious616]

According to Tim Burton's director's commentary for the Batman Returns Blu-Ray disc, the lighting of the Catwoman mask through Selina's glasses was a "happy accident" that they worked into the film.

[@SurfDUI]

It's one of my favorites. Great reimagining of the Penguin, great Catwoman and it's more Batman-y than 1989's. "You said you were just going to scare her." "I don't know, she looked pretty scared to me!"

[@imreadydoctor]

This has always been my favorite Batman movie, while the newest one comes close. Sure, it gets a lot wrong, but the feel and look of the film is just mesmerizing.

[@DreamMaster1988]

Batman Returns has always been my second favourite batman film, I find this film to be a bit underrated

[@legotwoface]

I love Batman returns 😍 It's the first Batman movie I ever saw

[@legotwoface]

Batman returns... ...To theatres

[@enminghee2926]

This is the only superhero movie I can think of that's MORE interested in the characters when they aren't wearing masks.

[@MutantsInDisguise]

Perhaps the darkest Batman film ever made. Although I still prefer the 1989 film, Batman Returns is a good film in itself.

[@legotwoface]

I re-watched this movie 5 hours ago...

[@disma4191]

I can't wait for You to talk about Batman & Robin, because it's everywone favorite

[@kingofsinter8416]

Nah it’s not my favorite, it’s my fourth favorite.

[@disma4191]

@@kingofsinter8416 probably catwoman is your favorite belive me, i get it

[@kingofsinter8416]

El Hombre Platano I don’t even know what this means.

[@disma4191]

@@kingofsinter8416 catwoman is the Movie ever dude

[@kingofsinter8416]

El Hombre Platano Wait you’re talking about the movie Catwoman aren’t you, I thought you were talking about the Character. And no I’ve never seen the Catwoman movie but it looks terrible.

[@Lancer20]

Great analysis bro,really made me appreciate this movie even more.

[@MrGreenvision]

I now have a better appreciation for this movie. I enjoyed this movie when it came out but I did find The Pinguin disgusting. Can’t believe I missed all those small details that now I add so much more to the movie. Thank you again. Been bingeing a lot of your videos and can’t believe I didn’t find you sooner. Hope you continue to make more videos not only about future Batman comics but Batman movies as well following you now on Twitter 👍🏼

[@bats70]

Alot of parents were upset with the marketing of the film and was to dark and scary for kids. As I do agree that this movie is about the villains and Tim Burton took an entirely different approach to his concept of Batman. Batman has less screen time and the film focuses on the villians. Which is why it seems to be not comic accurate but the cast made it memorable. I always loved it more than the original Batman ❤❤❤

[@TheGothamite3]

Whoa, that was awsome. Recent subscriber here, and big Bat-fan, and I have to say, the amount of depth and inteligent analysis that you did with this movie is inspiring. You have become one my favorite KZbin creators, and easily my favorite Batman channel. Just binge watched all of your videos this past week. Respect my friend! You deserve waaay more subscribers.

[@SalazarKnight]

Thank you for such a kind comment and welcome to the channel!

[@shoddyworkmanship4934]

Great video! I haven't seen this movie for over 2 decades, but watching your review made me want to see it again. I remember loving Danny Devito as the Penguin.

[@SalazarKnight]

Same. I hadn't watch the movie in years either, and watching it back for this video was a delightful experience.

[@legotwoface]

I think the penguin design was inspired by a Tim Burton scetch...

[@ErebusHellhound]

Yeah, Devito's version was modeled after a Tim Burton character named "Jimmy the Hideous Penguin Boy".

[@Monkees4Evah]

It's also inspired by Caligari as noted, especially in regards to his wardrobe.

[@dustinperez545]

Absolutely

[@joshuakinney8558]

Well done, bat-sir. This and the Dark Knight (and now The Batman) are my favorite films.

[@juliandebock9191]

Good video man! Love this movie so I'm always happy when someone makes a video about it

[@SeasideDetective2]

Interestingly, when I first saw both films as an 11-year-old (the 1989 film on videotape just one week before seeing the sequel in the theater), I considered BATMAN RETURNS to be the "less dark" of the two. Not only is the 1989 film grittier and more realistic, but the Joker is clearly just a mindless killer while the Penguin seems to show at least a little restraint in not taking lives; in fact, the body count of the sequel is much lower than that of the first film! There's also much more color and visual wit in the sequel, especially when you look at the henchmen in the two films. As a kid, I actually found the Red Triangle Circus Gang quite appealing despite their horrific behavior and actions, because they at least looked like characters out of a "traditional" family film; the Joker's men, on the other hand, looked like some guys out of a violent rap video, so in a way they were more unsettling to me despite not being all that evil.

[@micahrutland9021]

Well said.

[@PyroNexus22]

"destruction of the private property" isn't really what I'd call a dark theme. It's just property, it gets destroyed in any superhero movie. Check out the Chitauri in the Avengers and how they shoot cars and buildings but never hit a single human.

[@BrosephComrade]

Osшald Coббlepot did nothing шrong Quit hatin' I Бelieбe In Osшald Coббlepot

[@beneweara]

I watched EVERY videos of this channel from the very beginning to the last & they are all great! Not just analyzing the story, the art, & the artists, but also gives perspectives about trends & events surrounding the Batman comics publication & the comic books business at the time it was released. It's really an excellent job you made here. Thank you.

[@SalazarKnight]

Thank you for watching!

[@BatmanKnightfan]

Can you do The Dark Knight Trilogy?

[@bujilou]

As time goes on though I like this movie more&more..I think as I get older I'm more flexible with interpretations of Batman

[@ezj8262]

Especially considering that many believed the quintessential one was portrayed by Adam West, but he wasn't even the first actor who played him.... as there was Robert Lowery and Lewis Wilson before him. All of these modern superheroes (or a good percentage of them) were actually ripped off from Pulp Magazines (and both Marvel and DC) did their share of the ripping.

[@josephrio5525]

Awesome! This was the most unique analysis and a unique "anything for that matter" video about one of the greatest batman movies. No one has talked so in-depth about the themes of the Tim Burton batman movies before. I'm so happy you did. I'm working on an analysis on batman 89. Thank you for your video!!!!

[@hermanblume275]

My third fav after Begins and TDK.

[@GuyEndore]

Thank you for the analysis. Great video!

[@Jordansparte]

Insanely well done video essay! You’ve earned a new subscriber.

[@Dempsey1873]

Very interesting perspective and if I could make a suggestion maybe u could check out batman the long Halloween

[@gspotcyplick]

Best video of your's yet. Batman returns is my all time favorite Christmas movie.

[@thestarkknightreturns]

My problem wasn't the fact it was darker. It should be. My problem regards the fact that it was a vehicle for Tim Burton to double down on his favorite motifs and sensitivities, and to greatly exaggerate with the overall "dark-kitsch" tone he's known for. More than a Batman movie, it's a showcase of Burton's tropes.

[@cheyennesmith3365]

Good work as usual. I noticed that you changed your logo.

[@SalazarKnight]

Thanks for noticing! I figured it was about time for a change.

[@captainawsomeist]

I cannot agree with you more!

[@rodrigoramos3140]

great video!! keep up the good work!!! you won a new fan

[@fitnessabcvideo]

It's great film, but after rewatching recently the use of ONLY sets makes it feel a little too claustrophobic and too Burton esque. Where as the first film has some outdoor shots and daylight scenes, returns is a little too depressing in its set designs. Again I love this film but it's just a dark theatre production.

[@josesarango3408]

excellent video. I like Batman Returns more than the first one

[@SalazarKnight]

Me too. They're both fantastic movies, but Returns is much more special to me.

[@legotwoface]

Same

[@bluespaceman7937]

Ironically, this is part of why the lack of more Tim Burton superhero movies is such a tragedy. He would have made a great third Batman or even an interesting Superman film. Thank you for the analysis.

[@AceLM92]

I can never pin down an accurate description for Batman Returns, but your description of contradiction is pretty good. Closest I can give is that it's more of a Tim Burton movie than a Batman movie, and even that description is wrong. Oh well, I still love it which is more than I can say about Bats v Supes.

[@JohnDoe-tm9wz]

Outstanding analysis, awesome video!

[@batcaveplaylist]

True words.

[@Monkees4Evah]

Great commentary!!

[@noahrothwell9349]

Please tell me you are doing The Last Arkham soon. It's one of my favorite and first Batman comics I have ever read. #NormBreyfogle

[@SalazarKnight]

Actually coming up in the next video!!

[@noahrothwell9349]

@@SalazarKnight That's so awesome! Excited to see your views on it.

[@musicis1]

Thank you for this analysis. Though Batman '89 will always be my favorite, I find this movie to be a gothic MASTERPIECE.

[@ctochtli2964]

Yes, we are in the same page, Batman Returns was my favorite movie until Dark Night. I'm glad to see a video this good.

[@Samson003]

Might seem unpopular but I loved Danny’s Pinguin! Also this is my all time favorite Batman movie. I’ve watched and re-watched hundreds of times.

[@Hyenaz7982]

My GOD

[@mr.throwback4875]

Good work.

[@acereview7968]

Excellent analysis!

[@vladislavpantic]

Amazing work man!:)

[@AsgersWeb]

You deserve a lot more subs

[@Isaacksh]

Best analysis of the movie 🙂🙂

[@richardsreviews8820]

I think Batman Returns is a great movie, not a good Batman movie though. Max Schreck seems to have a bigger importance than Batman in the film.

[@Ian-hj4yt]

Wtf

[@dcmarvelcomicfans9458]

Mr. Salazar why did you change your logo I liked the old one better

[@jossnavarro7374]

Like the new pic

[@DEEAD666]

I saw it in 1992, and I was 11 years old. I didn't find it particularly violent or shocking. We probably have different tastes in Europe ...

[@DwightLivesMatter]

Yet on the cover he smokes, perhaps to avoid poor image?

[@DanyTV79]

Great analisys. But this movie is more a Tim Burton theme flick than a Batman one. I don't like any movies made of Batman' til date, anyway.

[@dcmarvelcomicfans9458]

Mr. Salazar this was an interesting in-depth look at Batman Returns I like this movie but mostly for its visuals, action, score and character moments not for it's character development storytelling and proper villain motivations. Although this feels more like a Burton movie then a Batman movie 89 felt more like one not just because he was the focus. I will always prefer 89 over returns because the tone was dark and creepy too much sexual tension between Batman Catwoman and penguin and just unnecessary blood and gory violence.

[@dustinperez545]

The motivations of The Penguin is a bit of a mix bag. He wants to be accepted, but has plans to kill children. Honestly his motivation is one of the only problems I have in the film. But over all the film is a guilty pleasure for me 😅

[@nope5657]

He doesn't want to be accepted. He wants to be seen. There is a difference. Also, villains plans and motivations aren't supposed to be logical. They only have to make sense to THEM. Just look at Thanos. Asking "why doesn't he just use the stones to correct the issues in the universe in a less genocidal way?" Well...because he's the villain, that's why.

[@sixshooter500]

This movie is my Christmas Tradition

[@22Gugoo22]

I liked the new logo

[@SalazarKnight]

Thank you!

[@Ian-hj4yt]

The Burton movies are spetacular. Too bad Schumacher took over after them.

[@legotwoface]

Schumacher wanted to make dark Batman movies but WB made them bad and childish

[@trekkiedave7910]

@@legotwoface And Nolan’s were too serious and dour - stripping Batman of all his more ‘fantastical’ element that have made Batman so distinct Burton was a nice balance between both grounded and fantasy!

[@richardabia9735]

This is a Beaitiful movie !!!

[@BrosephComrade]

Osшald Coббlepot did nothing шrong Quit hatin' I Бelieбe In Osшald Coббlepot

[@michealclark4308]

If this movie wasn’t a Batman movie I’d give it a 9/10 but since it’s a Batman movies it get dropped to like a 6.5/10

[@michealclark4308]

Also how did Selina get that scar

[@AsgersWeb]

How come Batman Returns is your favorite. Batman is horribly misrepresented, he is barely in the movie. I mean Batman Begins is definently the movie that represents Batman the best.

[@christophersuarez6490]

He’s being sarcastic lol

[@RadinV1]

It's good, just not as good as Batman and Robin...

[@SalazarKnight]

You mean the best Batman movie ever??? lol

[@RadinV1]

@Brandon Brooks Absolutely. Cinema at it's finest, there is none like it.

[@legotwoface]

Words cannot describe how good Batman and Robin is. Because it's so "good" it left me speechless

[@RadinV1]

@@legotwoface definitely, it's a true piece of art.

[@LordMalice6d9]

@@RadinV1 Batman and Robin is fun to watch as a comedy and as a spoof of Batman.

[@2drunktotastethischicken]

ur insight just made this movie so much better than it already was, sk! 🦇