BATMAN RETURNS (1992) MOVIE REACTION (COMMENTARY)!! Scene By Scene Full Movie Breakdown | Tim Burton
Analyzing Tim Burton’s Dark Christmas: Batman Returns Reaction
Discover why Batman Returns is often cited as peak Tim Burton style and where it falls short compared to Batman 1989. Learn how its iconic villains and intense romance set it apart from modern superhero fare.
Short Summary
- The sequel leans heavily into Tim Burton’s signature gothic, dark fantasy aesthetic, feeling more stylized than the more balanced Batman 89.
- Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman origin and her compelling chemistry with Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne are highlighted as major selling points.
- Commentators ultimately rank Batman 89 slightly higher due to perceived weaknesses in Returns' third act and Batman’s reduced overall presence.
- The discussion frames Shrek, Penguin, and Catwoman as representing different facets of societal abandonment or corporate corruption, contrasting them with Bruce Wayne. This reaction watch-along revisits Tim Burton’s polarizing sequel, focusing on its unique visual language, the deep tragic sympathy afforded to both Penguin and Catwoman, and how its highly charged romance contrasts with contemporary superhero films. The hosts pinpoint structural issues in the final third where Batman himself feels sidelined by the stronger villain narratives.
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Top Comments (10)
The BEST catwoman portrayal hands down
“Meow”… Lol Michelle Pfeiffer was so great in this movie.
NEVER thought about this, but Wayne Manor having Christmas decorations and an elaborate tree when literally no one is coming to celebrate or exchange gifts speaks to Bruce still being that 10 year old boy that lost his parents in a lot of ways.
One of the reasons they had such amazing on-screen chemistry is because Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer dated IRL in the 80's. He famously blocked her from playing Vicky Vale in the '89 movie because his then wife felt insecure about it. But Burton was hell bent on casting her and when this film rolled around, Keaton's marriage had ended and Pfeiffer became what is still to most people - myself included - the definitive on-screen Catwoman.
This was Michelle Pfeiffer's movie. And it's not just because she's beautiful and wore a skintight suit. When you consider the character of Selena - who only wants to matter and to be a person who you can't just thrown away, but literally all three male leads throw her off a roof - her performance is so powerful. Trying to find herself amidst all these massive male personalities literally drives her insane. And it's so relatable. One of my favorite sequences is Batman going through his fancy getting dressed montage as Selena is putting on her skintight costume in her tiny car while driving herself to the scene, and they get there at the same time.
Michelle Pfeiffer is my favorite Catwoman. Like the other Batman villains she's crazy, but she's been driven to insanity in a very relatable way.
"did somebody say fish? I haven't been fed all day." "eat floor. high fibre." PEAKKKK
Batman Forever (1995) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/CRelRdHODqY -Say Hello There to That *LIKE & SUBSCRIBE* Button 👉 https://www.youtube.com/user/TheReelRejects?sub_confirmation=1 - Visit https://huel.com/rejects to get 15% off your order! - Grab Our NEW Peacemaker Inspired Tee https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ - Full Reaction *Watch Along* & MORE For *Royal* Rejects: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects
The Burton Batman movies will always be special. His visuals are so amazing
Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman was perfection. No one will ever come close to this iconic portrayal. ❤
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Top Comments (10)
The BEST catwoman portrayal hands down
“Meow”… Lol Michelle Pfeiffer was so great in this movie.
NEVER thought about this, but Wayne Manor having Christmas decorations and an elaborate tree when literally no one is coming to celebrate or exchange gifts speaks to Bruce still being that 10 year old boy that lost his parents in a lot of ways.
One of the reasons they had such amazing on-screen chemistry is because Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer dated IRL in the 80's. He famously blocked her from playing Vicky Vale in the '89 movie because his then wife felt insecure about it. But Burton was hell bent on casting her and when this film rolled around, Keaton's marriage had ended and Pfeiffer became what is still to most people - myself included - the definitive on-screen Catwoman.
This was Michelle Pfeiffer's movie. And it's not just because she's beautiful and wore a skintight suit. When you consider the character of Selena - who only wants to matter and to be a person who you can't just thrown away, but literally all three male leads throw her off a roof - her performance is so powerful. Trying to find herself amidst all these massive male personalities literally drives her insane. And it's so relatable. One of my favorite sequences is Batman going through his fancy getting dressed montage as Selena is putting on her skintight costume in her tiny car while driving herself to the scene, and they get there at the same time.
Michelle Pfeiffer is my favorite Catwoman. Like the other Batman villains she's crazy, but she's been driven to insanity in a very relatable way.
"did somebody say fish? I haven't been fed all day." "eat floor. high fibre." PEAKKKK
Batman Forever (1995) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/CRelRdHODqY -Say Hello There to That *LIKE & SUBSCRIBE* Button 👉 https://www.youtube.com/user/TheReelRejects?sub_confirmation=1 - Visit https://huel.com/rejects to get 15% off your order! - Grab Our NEW Peacemaker Inspired Tee https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ - Full Reaction *Watch Along* & MORE For *Royal* Rejects: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects
The Burton Batman movies will always be special. His visuals are so amazing
Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman was perfection. No one will ever come close to this iconic portrayal. ❤