Batman – one of the most popular warriors/superheroes of all time, is renowned for a huge plethora of several series (Batman 66, SuperFriends, Justice League, Batman TAS (1992), Batman Beyond (1999), etc.) but he also had his share of adventures on the big screen.

Before the 1980s, Batman’s most notable appearance in cinema was Batman: The Movie in the 60s, which starred the late Adam West (and would later be the original mayor of Quahog) and was considered a cult classic. 20+ years later came Batman (1989) by the great Tim Burton and starred Michael Keaton, and immediately became one of the greatest movies of that year, sharing that distinction with the acclaimed Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Only a few months prior to the animated series (and actually nearly 2 weeks after I was born!!) came Batman Returns, which despite lower ratings, has been revered amongst viewers and brought the debut of Penguin and Catwoman to Burton’s Batman series. Despite its’ release in the summertime, it’s considered a Christmas classic.

Batman is brought back to the fray when the evil Penguin and his malevolent army attack Gotham City and enlists Max Shreck in hopes of becoming mayor.

Much like the 89 Batman, Batman Returns was given great game releases on the Super Nintendo (as a great beat-em-up game in the tradition of Golden Axe and Turtles in Time) and the Sega CD (a Genesis version exists though not as good as the SNES game).

I’m only about 2 weeks older than this. Patriot Games came out when I was only two days old but nevertheless.

DeVito’s portrayal of the Penguin is much more barbaric than his TAS appearance.

The dog who was one of the circus soldiers was 16-17 years old at the time. As noted with Dick Van Dyke playing ukulele, you can always teach a old fellow new things!

Batman Returns gets a rep for being really dark and slightly depressing, which also is relatively similar to how Majora’s Mask was notorious for its’ dark and depressing setting. Other examples of sequels being darker than their predecessors include the Rescuers Down Under and the Empire Strikes Back.

Did Penguin’s parents SERIOUSLY send their baby down a river? No surprise how he turned evil!

I’ve had this on tape for a while but I never got around actually watching it for once (probably because I’ve been so busy with college work and other arising issues.) – however I likely have seen and heard about this one a lot back in the early 90s; could’ve been the first PG-13 movie I ever watched or heard about.

The penguin is pretty funny compared to his TAS appearance. Make no mistake though he’s like how McLeach in Rescuers Down Under was funnier than Madame Medusa yet more evil.

Watching an enormous army of penguins with bombs is hilarious. Sure it’s serious but I can’t help but find the fact too funny. That alone might make me probably prefer this over the 1989 one.