Batman Returns - 8/10
Strongly increased the circus freakshow vibe from the previous movie, for better or for worse. I liked the tone of the previous movie a little better, but on the other hand, this one's more focused identity has allowed it to have objectively stronger story theming. The plot of weirdo 1 vs weirdo 2 vs weirdo 3 vs decadent normal world as embodied by Max Schreck has a lot more going on than the previous Batman, which almost had something to that effect, but missed it by a hair. Thankfully, the dark humour and Danny Elfman's whimsical score are as good as ever, and while there's noone as good as Jack Nicholson's Joker, Danny Devito's Penguin is really good in his own right. Simultaneously scary, disgusting, funny, and pitiable. You can easily buy that this is a person raised in the sewer, without a smidgeon of social grace, fueled by nothing but spite and bodily drives.
Strongly increased the circus freakshow vibe from the previous movie, for better or for worse. I liked the tone of the previous movie a little better, but on the other hand, this one's more focused identity has allowed it to have objectively stronger story theming. The plot of weirdo 1 vs weirdo 2 vs weirdo 3 vs decadent normal world as embodied by Max Schreck has a lot more going on than the previous Batman, which almost had something to that effect, but missed it by a hair. Thankfully, the dark humour and Danny Elfman's whimsical score are as good as ever, and while there's noone as good as Jack Nicholson's Joker, Danny Devito's Penguin is really good in his own right. Simultaneously scary, disgusting, funny, and pitiable. You can easily buy that this is a person raised in the sewer, without a smidgeon of social grace, fueled by nothing but spite and bodily drives.

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"Well, it's what people know about themselves inside that makes 'em afraid" - Clint Eastwood as The Stranger, High Plains Drifter (1973)
"I'll let you be in my dream if I can be in yours" - Bob Dylan, Talkin' World War III Blues (1963)
"Well, it's what people know about themselves inside that makes 'em afraid" - Clint Eastwood as The Stranger, High Plains Drifter (1973)
"I'll let you be in my dream if I can be in yours" - Bob Dylan, Talkin' World War III Blues (1963)