Batman Returns redefined what comic book movie villains should be

Multiple villains didn’t ruin Batman Returns

We’ve seen enough movies to know that too much of anything can ruin it. This is particularly clear in superhero movies when there are too many villains in play. One of the biggest critiques of Iron Man 2 is that there were too many characters being introduced. The same critique applied to movies like Spider-Man 3, Batman & Robin and The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Batman Returns, however, didn’t have that problem. The Penguin, Catwoman, and Max Shreck blended well together. Each of them served a purpose to the story, influencing each other’s character arcs and ultimately adding to the movie.

What was equally as important was how well the actors worked with each when bringing these characters to life. That was the key. Michelle Pfeiffer and Danny DeVito had amazing chemistry together. As did Christopher Walken and Michael Keaton – both of whom also worked incredibly well with each other and the movie’s other stars. And then there is the incredible chemistry between Keaton and Pfeiffer, as their Batman and Catwoman is widely regarded as one of the best portrayals of any comic book romance.

This doesn’t work well in a lot of movies. Actors in their prime (or coming into it) will try to outdo each other instead of working together to create a memorable moment. Not here. Each of the performers here did a fantastic job working  to create unforgettable moments. Without this chemistry, Batman Returns just wouldn’t be the classic film it continues to be.

What do you think? Does Batman Returns define what a villain is? Let us know in the comments below.