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- Batman Returns Is a Dark Superhero Movie
- The Batman Merchandise Tie-Ins Didn’t Help
- Tim Burton Had His Vision for Batman, and It Changed the Franchise Forever
As a child of the ’90s, I vividly remember the hype surrounding Batman Returns. The billboards, the toys, and the tie-ins with fast food giants like McDonald’s and Coca-Cola were everywhere! It felt like Gotham City had invaded my small town.
1989’s Batman resembles a typical studio film rather than a Tim Burton unique piece, as it accurately reflects its origin. However, due to its success, Warner Bros. was eager to swiftly produce a sequel. Given that the movie was well-received by both critics and viewers, the studio aimed to bring Burton back for another installment.
Instead, Burton didn’t show much enthusiasm. To be honest, he wasn’t interested in making a sequel at all, finding it limiting to create another blockbuster according to the studio’s demands for macro-scale appeal. However, Burton wanted full creative control over the project, and Warner Bros. agreed. Interestingly enough, they were initially thrilled about the idea of a Burton-directed Batman film. But that was initially.
In contrast to the original film’s impressive earnings of $411.6 million globally, its sequel, Batman Returns, managed less at the box office, raking in only $267 million worldwide. However, it should be noted that while Batman had a production budget of $48 million, Batman Returns had a higher budget, ranging from at least $50 million to as much as $80 million. Critically, it fared better than its predecessor.
Batman Returns Is a Dark Superhero Movie
Initially, Burton made a change by swapping out the original screenwriter, Sam Hamm, for Daniel Waters and Wesley Strick. Notably credited was Wesley Strick, who contributed an idea that would become one of the film’s contentious aspects for parents – a plot point involving the Penguin’s scheme to abduct and kill the firstborn children of Gotham.
The subject matter tackled in this superhero film sequence was quite intense for its time, and it wasn’t just this aspect that raised concerns among parents. Additionally, the depiction of Batman killing members of the Penguin’s gang, including one who met a violent end in an explosion right after Batman gave a smirk, was another point of contention. Many adults felt uneasy about their children witnessing such actions from the title character.
Just like the 1989 film, Batman Returns highlighted that Burton was more intrigued by the villains rather than the hero. The portrayals of Penguin and Catwoman stirred controversy. Regarding Catwoman, her death scene and the explicit sexual connotations in her character design (such as her full-body leather suit and certain suggestive comments from Penguin) were met with strong criticism by many parents. Additionally, Catwoman is more of a complex character who straddles the line between hero and villain, which makes her killing Max Schreck even more problematic in the climactic scene.
Regarding the character of the Penguin, he’s quite different from the ruthless comic book gangster you might expect. Instead, he embodies a truly dark and Burtonesque persona. There isn’t a single moment in the movie that could be described as heartwarming, from his abandonment as a baby to his actions such as killing Cristi Conaway’s Ice Princess or the events leading up to the climax. Even when one of his minions questions the morality of hurting children, the villain responds by shooting his subordinate. It’s also worth noting that when the Penguin meets his end, it’s a grisly spectacle, with him gurgling out greenish-black tar. For younger viewers, these disturbing images might be hard to forget, given that the film is set during Christmas.
The Batman Merchandise Tie-Ins Didn’t Help
1989’s “Batman” was heavily promoted, and if you watch “Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan”, released in the same year, you’ll spot the Bat logo on a billboard in its depiction of Times Square. However, the promotion for “Batman Returns” went to unprecedented heights following the success of the first film, with merchandise sales almost matching the box office earnings.
Approximately $100 million was allocated for the promotion of the sequel. Of this sum, Warner Bros. contributed around $20 million towards prints and advertising costs, while an additional $35 million came from McDonald’s and Coca-Cola for worldwide promotional activities. Moreover, significant focus was given to manufacturing toys related to the film, considering the success of toy sales for the 1989 version. The McDonald’s tie-in served to reinforce that the movie was suitable for children, although many parents disagreed with this assessment, leading to the termination of the extensive McDonald’s promotional campaign in September 1992, approximately three months after its initial release alongside the film.
Tim Burton Had His Vision for Batman, and It Changed the Franchise Forever
At the close of the day, “Batman Returns” is widely regarded as the second-greatest film within the franchise, surpassed only by Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight.” It should be noted that this movie contains some startling scenes too. However, what truly sets it apart is its grounding in a particular realism, which made it easier for viewers to accept and enjoy.
It’s evident that “The Dark Knight” profited from multiple viewings, much like Burton’s debut film. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for Burton’s second movie financially. It seems Warner Bros. had reservations about Burton returning for a third film and instead brought in Joel Schumacher to direct “Batman Forever” and the infamous “Batman & Robin”. By the way, if you’re interested, “Batman Returns” is currently streaming on Max.
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2024-10-20 23:31