--- title: "Batman Returns: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/batman-returns/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/batman-returns" critics_score: 58 critics_reviews: 8 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Batman Returns (1992): what the critics said Critics' score 58 from 8 reviews: 4 positive, 0 mixed, 4 negative. The reviews split evenly between enthusiasm and rejection, with Tim Burton’s visual imagination and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman attracting the broadest praise. Admirers find a distinctive, darkly playful Gotham, where the villains’ histories and personalities give the film much of its interest. Pfeiffer’s humour and force register even with critics who dislike the film around her. Danny DeVito’s Penguin also draws praise from supporters for strengthening Burton’s interest in outsiders. The disagreement centres on whether that atmosphere sustains a satisfying film. Supporters find wit and invention; detractors describe confusing plotting, shallow characters and elaborate set pieces that become tiring. The Los Angeles Times praises Pfeiffer’s stylish, funny performance but finds Burton’s brooding approach claustrophobic and cheerless. The spread is wide rather than cautiously mixed: the same emphasis on grotesque characters and visual invention strikes some critics as personal filmmaking and others as insufficient compensation for an uninvolving story. ## Empire — Phil Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). The critic lauds Burton for delivering another intensely personal and visionary film that captures a unique twisted atmosphere in Gotham. They single out Danny DeVito's Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman for strong performances that enhance the dark, outsider-focused tone. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/batman-returns-review/) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 19 June 1992. The critic finds Burton has re-invented the mood of the first film to make this one sprightly and droll rather than dour. The villains' colorful backstories and psyches are singled out as especially memorable. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/19/movies/review-film-batman-returns-a-sincere-bat-a-sexy-cat-and-a-bad-bird.html) ## The New Yorker — Terrence Rafferty Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 22 June 1992. The film reliably continues the series with playful novelty and reassuring familiarity, proving Burton can keep it going. Michelle Pfeiffer's ferociously sexy and funny Catwoman performance is singled out as the glory of the movie. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1992/06/29/family-values) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 19 June 1992. Burton's morose, claustrophobic vision makes for a cheerless, brooding film that strangles enjoyment despite visual invention. Michelle Pfeiffer's stylish, funny dual performance as Selina Kyle and Catwoman is the one bright spot praised. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-06-19-ca-418-story.html) ## The Guardian — Derek Malcolm Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 9 July 1992. The critic views the film as overly extravagant and lacking coherence, buried in hype and failing to live up to Tim Burton's potential. The elaborate Gotham City design and special effects are noted, but characters remain uninvolving and the plot confusing. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/News_Story/Critic_Review/Guardian_review/0,,558610,00.html) ## Time Out — GA Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 14 March 2012. The critic finds Batman Returns bigger, louder and more action-packed than its predecessor but criticizes its lack of coherent story and unintelligible dialogue. Impressive set pieces become wearisome, leaving only shallow characters and effects for those seeking more. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/batman-returns) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 9 July 1992. The critic finds the film shallow and self-defeating despite its visual brilliance, arguing that its brooding hero and lack of emotional depth or story make it unengaging. They single out Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman as the most impactful and fun performance amid otherwise monotonous characters. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-rubber-soul-plastic-passion-tim-burton-s-batman-returns-reviewed-the-rest-of-the-week-s-new-releases-clocking-the-last-detail-1532287.html) ## Collider — Chase Hutchinson Rating 9/10. 17 June 2023. The critic calls the film the pinnacle of the superhero genre thanks to its unique vision and vibrant execution. Danny DeVito and especially Michelle Pfeiffer are singled out for their unforgettable, definitive performances as the Penguin and Catwoman. [Read the review](https://collider.com/batman-returns-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/batman-returns.md