DVD Review
by Chris Alexis
| MOVIE: **** (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: * (out of 5 stars) STARRING Michael Keaton as BATMAN/BRUCE WAYNE Danny Devito as THE PENGUIN Michelle Pfeiffer as CATWOMAN Christopher Walken as MAX SHRECK Rated PG-13 Studio: Warner Bros. Directed by: Tim Burton Back to DVD Review Home |
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Batman returned to the big screen in 1992 with this follow-up the enormously successful Batman in 1989. This film took an even darker tone to the original, which some people loved - others loathed. Still, it was a huge financial success.
This film is actually one of the best of the Bat-movies. Keaton turns in a solid performance as the Dark Knight, but still looks nothing like Bruce Wayne should in the comics. With his hair continuing to gray and thin even more on top, he wasn’t the suave millionaire from the comics. I honestly suspect he may have been replaced soon even if he hadn’t left the cowl after this film and replaced with someone younger and better-looking - after all, it’s Hollywood. He still rocked as Batman with his “speak softly and carry a big stick” mentality. He still had some of the best facial expressions - even with the mask - of any Batman to date.
However, Keaton was overshadowed once again by the villains. This is the first film to pit two villains against Batman. Starting with the Penguin, very different in this film from the comic books. In the film, the Penguin is a discarded orphan due to his severe birth defects. Raised by carnival performers, he lives in the sewers of Gotham City. He’s almost more of a monster in terms of looks than a believable human. In the comics, the Penguin was just a short and stocky gangster who resembled a penguin - one who had the demeanor and arrogance of the top of social class - despite being a gangster. The whole personality of the Penguin is changed in this movie. It’s interesting - a compelling story - but it’s not the Penguin. Not really.
The spectacularly sexy Catwoman is the other villain. Also changed from the comics, this cinematic version of the character comes back from an attempt on her life - seemingly transformed by cats that swarm her after being pushed out of a ten-story window. Again, interesting - but another serious reinvention. Catwoman in the books was a cat burglar - which is where she got her name - and the fact she dressed like a cat.
The catalyst for these two Bat-foes meeting is Max Shreck, a criminal tycoon with his own agenda for Gotham City. The name is interesting because it’s reference to the film Nosferatu (which the Penguin looks like a fat version of I think.)
Walken plays his usual self, a way of speaking...with pauses…that never changes… in any movie. But he works for the role and makes it fun. I could do without the “Doc Brown” hair-do from the Back to the Future movies, though.
Overall, this is a great film. The pacing is great, the action works, and there you really feel the dynamic between Batman and Catwoman - perhaps meant for each other - two freaks of the night. Certainly a better match the Vicki Vale, Dr. Chase Meridian or Julie Madison from the other movies. Batman towards the end of the film illustrates this really well in a moving gesture.
This DVD offers little. Under “Production Notes” there are text only sections without video or commentary. One section discusses the Special Effects in the movie. There are also sections for the hero and each villain, with a small bit of history for each character. What I did like, actually, was they gave some attention to the screenwriter, Daniel Waters (who also wrote Heathers) and interestingly, the composer. In some DVDs, the people in these roles in the filmmaking process are rarely mentioned - especially the screenwriter. So, although it’s hardly anything - it was nice to see it in there.
There’s also what’s called “Film Flash” which merely is a “If you liked this movie, check these other films out!” - nothing exciting at all.
A great movie overall. Sad to see that Warner Brothers felt the need to replace Burton after this movie - I disagree with the choice, but at least Burton went out on a high note.
Specifications: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Fullscreen (1.33:1) and Widescreen (2.35:1) versions available. English and French language track. Subtitles in French, Spanish or English for the hearing impaired.
