Opened: June 19, 1992

Directed by: Tim Burton

Starring: Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Michael Gough, Pat Hingle, Michael Murphy, Andrew Bryniarski, Cristi Conaway, Paul Reubens, Diane Salinger, Sean Whalen, Jan Hooks, Steve Witting, Vincent Schiavelli, Anna Katarina, Rick Zumwalt, John Strong, Erika Andersch, Gregory Scott Cummins, Branscombe Richmond, Travis Mckenna & Doug Jones

With expertly cast villains and a darker, more sexual tone than its predecessor, Batman Returns holds up as one of the greatest superhero films.

Oswald Cobblepot a.k.a. the Penguin (Danny DeVito) rises from the sewers to take over Gotham City. Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) is thought to be dead but returns as Catwoman. Batman (Michael Keaton) must put a stop to the mayhem.

DeVito and Pfeiffer are perfectly cast and show their range as actors in their roles. Other than Heath Ledger’s turn as the Joker in The Dark Knight, it’s hard to think of better villain performances. Making the movie more about them than Batman was a risky choice that paid off.

Making the film darker alienates it from family viewing but makes it more intense like DC films to come.

Final say: The villains rule. ★★★★★