How does Batman ’89 compare to Batman Returns?

Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast

Both movies star Michael Keaton as the titular character. The actor’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne and/or the Caped Crusader didn’t do much to move the needle (in either direction) until one unforgettable scene. When the Joker shows up at Vicki’s apartment to abduct her, Bruce happens to be there. The seemingly harmless, aloof millionaire bravely stands up to the Joker and tells him, “I know who you are.” Because Bruce knows Joker’s identity, the protagonist profiles Jack Napier before taking a fire poker and screaming “…he had his lights out. You wanna get nuts?! Come on, let’s get nuts.” The passion in Keaton’s delivery is tangible and gives this viewer goosebumps. By contrast, Batman Returns doesn’t have a comparably striking line. Here, one of the most memorable moments comes when the Caped Crusader lights a bundle of dynamite and hands it to a goon. When the goon realizes what’s about to happen, Batman has the most ridiculous grin on his face. In the first installment, Keaton gives fans a slightly better portrayal of the hero.

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Nicholson’s Joker doesn’t get enough credit. A number of moments stand out; the Clown Prince of Crime dances to Prince and makes a number of jokes you’d expect from the Batman ’66 iteration of the villain. Nicholson’s version of the character lacks in heart and depth, but it deserves recognition for fully embracing the campy elements of the script.

Danny DeVito maximizes the character he’s given; maybe, in hindsight, DeVito’s time on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia makes it easier to laugh at the Penguin’s off-putting lines because, given that DeVito is the one delivering them, the viewer feels a little more inclined to laugh. Like Nicholson’s Joker, the Penguin isn’t a notably layered character but, for a movie that feels like it’s trying to be funny (at times), Oswald Cobblepot is a decent antagonist.

Michelle Pfeiffer similarly makes the most of the script. When your character talks to herself and her cats, who manage to bring her back to life, there’s only so much one can do. Surprisingly, Pfeiffer’s Selina has the most depth of Burton’s villains; in the climax of Batman Returns, she and Bruce have an emotional exchange, and Pfeiffer brilliantly conveys Selina’s heartbreak as she chooses to reject Bruce.

Unfortunately, the emotional impact of the moment is cheapened by the film’s consistently campy tone, which is evident, to varying degrees, in both movies.