‘Batman Returns’ Is Dark but Fights for the Spirit of Christmas

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As a film enthusiast with a soft spot for Tim Burton’s unique vision, I must admit that watching “Batman Returns” was an intriguing experience – much like unwrapping a peculiar present during the holiday season. The movie’s dark and twisted portrayal of Christmas might initially come across as a bitter critique of the festive spirit. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Burton, in his own quirky way, pays homage to the values we cherish during this time of year.

In 1989, filmmaker Tim Burton was tasked with directing a Batman movie for the first time. He steered the popular comic book character towards an unanticipated, ominous path using his unique gothic and eerie aesthetic. The film earned over $411 million worldwide and sparked interest in a sequel. However, if viewers were taken aback by the gloomy atmosphere and violence in the initial Batman movie, they were utterly unprepared for its sequel’s even darker tone – Batman Returns, released in 1992.

As a devoted cinephile, I must confess that the follow-up to a beloved franchise, with its intensified brutality, striking visuals, and disconcerting narrative, didn’t resonate well with many audiences. The box office collections were significantly lower compared to its predecessor, falling short by approximately $144 million, despite boasting a larger budget. Surprisingly, even the merchandise for “Batman Returns” suffered a setback due to the film’s perceived dark tone. In fact, McDonald’s decided to scrap their promotional collaborations with the movie as late as September.

As a supporter, I’d rephrase it like this: Over Christmas, I watched “Batman Returns,” a film that typically celebrates family values. However, instead of the usual holiday cheer, we delve into the grimy underworld of Gotham City, filled with crime, violence, and corruption. What makes it particularly unsettling is the heavy emphasis on cruelty towards children, primarily through the antagonist, the Penguin played by Danny DeVito. This film stands out as one of the darkest Batman movies ever made, but also as one of the darkest Christmas films, offering a stark contrast to the festive spirit usually associated with this season.

‘Batman Returns’ Directly Links Christmas with the Penguin’s Origin Story

Initially, the movie sets an unusual tone by not portraying the holiday season as a time of affection, joy, or familial unity. Instead, it starts at the Cobblepot family estate during Christmas, where a socialite couple delivers a deformed baby boy in their mansion. The shock and horror of his appearance cause the Cobbeplots to cast him away, tossing him into a creek that leads to Gotham’s sewers. In a grim twist, as they take their own child to a nearby bridge for abandonment, they wish a “Merry Christmas” to another couple enjoying a stroll with their baby in a pram.

Indeed, it’s important to clarify that young Cobblepot, rather than meeting an untimely end in the sewers, is fortuitously discovered by a group of penguins who subsequently raise him. As the film unfolds, this nurtured bird transforms into the well-known character portrayed by Danny DeVito, The Penguin. Overseeing an underworld criminal organization known as the Red Triangle, The Penguin sets his sights on a scheme for retribution against his deceased parents. This scheme culminates during Christmas in Gotham City, when he orchestrates the abduction and potential murder of all firstborn sons within the city. In this twisted plotline, The Penguin assumes dual roles as both Moses and the Pharaoh, further tainting the holiday’s image with a disturbing correlation to child abuse.

In ‘Batman Returns,’ Tim Burton Contrasts Christmas Iconography with Macabre Imagery

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The excessive brutal violence and fatalities depicted in the movie “Batman Returns” left numerous displeased parents questioning its family-appropriate marketing. Characters, regardless of their moral alignment, are subjected to gunfire, falls from great heights, burning, scratching, or electrocution. However, what intensifies this violence is the stark contrast Burton creates with the holiday setting as a backdrop. For example, some of the film’s most violent scenes are intertwined with Christmas symbols (including snow, carolers, and decorations).

In the heart of Gotham City’s main square, Burton sets up his scenes with a grand, illuminated Christmas tree standing tall. However, The Penguin’s henchmen frequently assault this square, causing significant damage to the tree. Their attire for these attacks is eerie and fitting more for Halloween than Christmas, as designed by Tim Burton. In one quick scene, a henchman even attempts to harm a Santa figure on the sidewalk with a sled – almost like the destruction of the Christmas tree wasn’t enough to symbolize this movie’s rebellious perspective on Christmas. Essentially, Burton’s directing style mirrors The Penguin’s twisted view of the holiday season.

Despite lacking any holiday-themed violence, the urban landscape of Gotham City seems discordant with the cheerful and festive mood of Christmas. The buildings are consistently gray, blending an unsettling mix of gothic and industrial aesthetics that casts a dark and foreboding shadow over the city. Even the grand Christmas tree struggles to bring warmth amidst this atmosphere of pervasive malaise, as the film suggests that the rampant crime and corruption in Gotham are too deep-rooted for even the holiday season to alleviate.

Batman Is Not Just Protecting Gotham, but Also the Spirit of Christmas Itself

Considering the movie’s somewhat sarcastic and playful representation of Christmas, one could think that Tim Burton isn’t particularly fond of the holiday. However, it’s important to remember that Burton has made films centered around Christmas before. Thus, it’s plausible to infer that he has a deep affection for Christmas or at least admires certain aspects of it. So, it could be argued that Batman Returns might embrace the essence of Christmas more than it initially appears.

In the film “Batman Returns,” much like other Batman movies, the antagonists serve as contrasting characters to Batman, reflecting certain aspects of his personality yet upholding opposite values. For example, The Penguin, similar to Bruce Wayne/Batman (played by Michael Keaton), was orphaned as a child. However, unlike Batman who strives to prevent other families from enduring the hardship he experienced as a boy, the Penguin seeks retribution on Gotham’s families for his own suffering.

Similarly, Max Shreck (played by Christopher Walken) in the movie shares a commonality with Bruce Wayne as a wealthy socialite. Yet, while Bruce Wayne employs his wealth and status to safeguard people, especially society’s underprivileged, Shreck is solely focused on amplifying his riches and influence. Essentially, Batman embodies values synonymous with Christmas spirit in this film – uniting families and contributing to the community.

Regarding the film “Batman Returns,”, although it contains some unsettling aspects, it undeniably embodies the spirit of Christmas. It’s set during Christmas time and reinforces values cherished by its celebrants. The movie leaves no room for ambiguity about its message, as shown in its concluding dialogue between Bruce Wayne (played by Michael Gough) and Alfred: “Merry Christmas, Alfred. And goodwill toward men…and women.” You can stream “Batman Returns” on Max via the link provided below:

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2024-12-25 00:01