54. Batman Returns (1992) - Tim Burton

Batman Returns (1992) - Tim Burton When a corrupt businessman and the grotesque Penguin plot to take control of Gotham City, only Batman can stop them,while the Catwoman has her own agenda. For a long time I couldn't connect with Batman Returns. Yes I could see it had it's moments. For instance, I loved the potrayl of Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman, I don't think a comic book character has ever been translated to screen as well as she. And I could appreciate the gothic and awesome set design that Burton was looking for but there was something missing for me. It didn't quite feel like Batman. His character seemed to be pushed aside, given little to no screentime or motivation in HIS movie.The Penguin, Catwomen and ESPECIALLY Max Schrek were the focus of the film, and being a HUGE Batman fan I didn't like it. Now though my opinion has changed considerably and I can appreciate what a good film it is. Infact I don't even see it as a Batman movie anymore, I see it as a great mythical almost German Expressionistic movie with larger than life characters that just looked like they came off the set of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari or Nosferatu. Infact it's no suprise this movie has come together on the list with Caligari, as in my mind the movies are so close together, they are like distant cousins. If you can forgive the stupid moments of the film (penguin soldiers) and even forget that it's a Batman movie, then there is lots to love about this Tim Burton film. And yes folks, I believe this is a Tim Burton film made for himself and not for anybody else, least of all Batman fans. Get over that, and this is a superb "art" film.