Symbolic analysis of Batman Returns

Many times we usually watch movies at a very young age but we don't understand the complexity or totality of the messages that are usually shown in the plot, but when they are represented in a symbolic way. In my case, the same thing happened to me when I got to see Batman Returns, in the early nineties, in the middle of its premiere in movie theaters -when these were just a single theater, that is, a big movie theater and not like today's multiplexes-. As soon as the projection of the movie started on the big screen, I let myself be carried away by Tim Burton's story, who was in charge of the first installment of this superhero. A story in which, apart from its main protagonist, the villains and even the scenery stand out, which is what we are going to deal with right now.

Let's begin as it should, let's start with Batman.

Batman

The great super-hero who must solve the most difficult situations in the Gotham City, since the police feel impotent before so much chaos that is generated due to the actions of The Penguin and his gang.

Here we see a Batman who has more presence than Bruce Wayne himself, and must confront the bad guys with all his technological gadgets to take down all the bad guys. All in all, it seems that both characters don't have much to contribute to the plot in terms of personal complexities.

The Penguin

Just at birth his parents decide to get rid of him because of his malformations, so after spending several years he decides to seek the truth about his parents as an excuse to carry out other plans that go against Gotham.

This character is played perfectly by actor Danny DeVito, and those of us who know him know that almost all his performances in the movies are linked to comedy, and this time he could perform masterfully in the drama by playing a character full of resentment and hatred, which are his main motivations to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.

Catwoman

A villain born from the psycho-emotional conflicts of Selina Kyle, a woman who has a wide fixation on cats as an excuse to fill her empty emotional life lacking the attention of men, and that in the background hides an innocent girl with a weak character. Selina, by becoming Catwoman manages to be that woman who wishes to have dominance over the male sex by using strength and sexual attractiveness - it can be said that her costume alludes to women who assume the role of dominatrix, a fetish seen in the sexual world.

Max Shreck

This other villain despite not having great abilities or similar characteristics to the previous ones, except for the power to be a flatterer and convincing power thanks to his words. This corrupt businessman hides his intentions very well behind his almost expressionless look and polite manners.

Gotham City

Another of the great protagonists of this story that stands out for its design as it is shown as a place that oppresses its inhabitants with so many skyscrapers and narrow streets, in addition to its climate, in which it is almost always snowing or darkness prevails.

Other things to highlight are: music, costumes, makeup and special effects.

And apart from everything that has been exposed so far, I must say that I was struck by a scene where the main figures of the city are gathered at a gala ball, where we can see them all dressed in masks similar to those used in the carnivals of Venice and that are also present in the film by Stanley Kubrick, Eyes Wide Shut, which inevitably makes us think of the Illuminati theme, and more when we see a person wearing a goat-shaped mask (could it be that Burton also wants to insinuate something or mere coincidence? ).

In conclusion, this film has been able to transcend with the passage of time, his style of direction that is shown as a story that goes between the fantastic and the dark is very interesting, and this may have been a point against it because unlike the first installment this did not get to collect a lot of money in theaters, as it was thought much in the marketing that was aimed primarily at children.

So this movie despite everything can be considered cult and not only within the theme of superheroes, but still what is your opinion? Do you think this movie is or is not a cult movie? Leave your opinion in the comments box that I will gladly be reading and responding to your impressions, and also remember to support this publication to maintain motivation and to continue offering you quality content.

Without further ado, we'll see you in the next installment.

Trailer

Image source

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Edited with Gimp

Screenshots obtained from the trailer of the film