Tim Burton rewatch! After the mega-success of Batman, a hit sequel was assured. For some, Batman Returns (1992) is a bona fide classic. For others, it’s just too dark and weird. Which side are you on?

Here’s what happens: It’s chaos in Gotham City. Evil industrialist Max Schrek hopes to profit illegally from a new power plant. A circus-themed gang roams the streets, under leadership of the mysterious Penguin. Meek secretary Selina Kyle is reborn as the unpredictable antihero Catwoman. Can Batman bring peace and justice back to the city, just as his alter ego Bruce Wayne starts a romance with Selina?

Origin story: Catwoman first appeared in the historic Batman #1 (spring 1940) as “the Cat.” It was a whodunit, not revealing that Selina Kyle is the Cat until the end of the tale. Also, it was the issue’s third backup, with a Joker story in the top spot. It took a while for Selina to become the Catwoman we all know.

The Penguin first appeared in Detective Comics #58 (December 1941). His first story was about framing Bruce Wayne for art theft, which didn’t go well for him once Batman was on the case. His character was the classic version right from the start.

Contrary to what some fans have said over the years, Max Shrek was not Batman’s classic version of Lex Luthor. The character was created for this movie, in place of Harvey Dent. If the DC Comics Wiki is to be believed, the character has yet to reappear in other media.

Outsider theory: It’s outsiders all around. Penguin feels rejected by society and wants to take all of Gotham’s first-born sons out of the picture just as he feels he was. Selina Kyle feels unnoticed and unappreciated both at work and socially. Becoming Catwoman gives her a chance to lash out (heh). Batman sees a reflection of himself in Penguin’s freakishness, and Bruce Wayne sees a reflection of his own loneliness in Selina.

Reality breaks through: This entire movie is pretty much immersed in Burton’s fantasy vision of Gotham, all self-contained. When Batman does a DJ scratch on his remix of Penguin’s speech, though, it does take you out of the movie for a sec.

Best bits: A tie between Catwoman’s “I don’t know about you, Miss Kitty, but I feel much yummier,” and Penguin’s “It could be worse, my nose could be gushing blood.”

Thoughts on this viewing: Where to begin? I understand why they made the Penguin gross instead of dapper, so he’d be a contrast to Batman. But the entire finale has him running around in his pajama suit instead of the proper coat and top hat. I think he looks a lot more menacing with the coat and hat! And yes, Batman gets less screentime than the villains. But since the villains each reflect an aspect of Batman’s personality, he remains nonetheless front and center. Most importantly, the movie is outrageous entertainment. There’s always something happening on screen, a visual and audio bombardment of the senses in the best way.

Next: What’s this? What’s this?

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