Even though the sequel to Batman 89 has passing references Vicki Vale and “crazed clowns”, it just feels like a complete
-
Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Batman
TheGoforth — 10 months ago(May 20, 2025 01:41 PM)
Even though the sequel to Batman 89 has passing references Vicki Vale and “crazed clowns”, it just feels like a completely different version of Gotham City to me with absolutely no stylistic similarity. I feel like Batman Returns is more of a surrealistic dreamlike world than the first movie, which actually felt like a credible grimy big city in recession. In fact, Returns feels more like it exists in the same world as Edward Scissorhands than the first Batman, so really it should be regarded as a companion film to that instead. Batman Forever actually seems more like the authentic sequel to Batman 89 because it picked up some of the original’s narrative threads that were dropped by Returns, such as Bruce’s ongoing trauma from his parents’ death and still grappling with his Batman identity. Does anybody agree and if not, how do you feel Batman Returns works as a sequel in relation to Batman 89?
-
Chicxulub — 9 months ago(June 20, 2025 02:02 AM)
Two reasons:
The original art director, who designed everything from Gotham down to the font used to write 'BATMAN' on the movie poster, didn't work on the sequel.
More importantly, imo, Tim Burton initially declined to come back, but was told he could be the producer and encouraged to go full Tim Burton style with the movie, which he did.
Personally, I think it's a disappointing sequel and a good example of how giving a director too much freedom can go wrong.