What happens when you combine Batman, Christmas, and Tim Burton's gothic sensibilities? The answer might disappoint you, as we discovered in our latest deep dive into Batman Returns (1992).
After welcoming back fan-favorite co-host Katy to the show, we examine this supposed Christmas classic featuring Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito, and Christopher Walken. While the star-studded cast initially promised greatness, the execution left much to be desired. Katy, watching for the first time, found herself wondering why Batman barely appears in his own movie, while Nathan's review was notably brief – he fell asleep halfway through!
We dissect the film's strengths (Danny DeVito's unrecognizable transformation as Penguin) and weaknesses (Christopher Walken's distractingly terrible wig, unconvincing fight scenes, and a general lack of heroism from Batman himself). Michelle Pfeiffer's iconic Catwoman performance receives mixed reviews, with praise for her action sequences but criticism for her pre-transformation character. Plus, did you know Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Rubens plays Penguin's father in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo?
As a Christmas movie, Batman Returns scores a dismal 1.5/5, with its holiday elements feeling more like window dressing than meaningful story components. Is this truly the dark Christmas classic some claim it to be, or just an example of Tim Burton getting too much creative control? Listen and decide for yourself, then text us your guesses about our mysterious April movie pick!
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