"Batman Returns" Burton's style is in full bloom! It's no longer a superhero movie

Establishment of a “Burton movie” that expresses empathy for misfits

Luckily for Burton, the filming took place in his home base of Los Angeles. Since the previous film was shot in London, Burton says that things did not always go as planned. However, he had familiar actors in Los Angeles, and could cast them in important supporting characters. For example, Paul Reubens, who starred in Burton's debut film " Pee-wee's Big Adventure " (1985), and Jan Hooks, a comedy actress who has also appeared since that film. Their comical presence played a major role in supporting the humor of this film.

If there is any hint of London, it is the theme song. In the previous film, Prince was used, but this time, the song "Face to Face" was written by Siouxsie and the Banshees , a London punk/goth band that has been active since the 1970s. This number is featured twice, once in the masked ball scene and once in the end credits.

Siouxsie & the Banshees: "Face to Face"

The Banshees never made it big in the US, but Burton's use of their unique gothic visuals led to them gaining widespread recognition in America, and their songs have been used frequently in recent Hollywood films such as Atomic Blonde (2017) and I, Tonya (2017).

"Batman Returns" was released worldwide as the highlight of the 1992 summer season, but unfortunately the worldwide box office revenue was only $260 million, about two-thirds of the previous work. Many of the reviews were "too dark." It certainly does not have the thrill that hero action should have. However, here is Burton's love of freaks that has been consistently drawn since his previous work " Edward Scissorhands ".

The gothic worldview would later blossom in other films such as " Sleepy Hollow " (1999) and " Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street " (2007). Burton himself said, "I like this film more than the previous one. It's less gloomy than the first one."

"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" Trailer

Two more Batman films were made after this, and the direction of the series was changed to hero action, and Burton stepped down as director. His subsequent success is well known. He made a succession of masterpieces that focused on misfits, such as The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Ed Wood (1994), and Mars Attacks! (1996), and established himself as a charismatic genius representing the 1990s.

This film, which did what it wanted to do with a Big budget work, is also the origin of Tim Burton's career as a major director. In a way, the backstory is much more exciting than the main story.

Text: Manabu Soma

After working as an information magazine editor, became a freelance writer. He writes articles and reviews for magazines such as ``SCREEN,'' ``DVD & Video Distribution,'' and ``Cinema Square,'' as well as theater pamphlets and the movie site ``Cinema Today.'' Currently appearing on Star Channel "GO! Theater". I host club events as a hobby.

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Batman Returns

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BATMAN RETURNS and all related elements are the property of DC Comics TM & (c) 1992. (c)1992 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.