Batman Returns

1992. USA. Directed by Tim Burton. Screenplay by Sam Hamm, Daniel Waters. With Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer. The sequel surpasses the original as Burton plumbs deeper into the Dark Knight’s psyche. The complex villains Catwoman (a mousy, put-upon secretary who unleashes her inner ferocity while teetering on the edge of sanity) and the Penguin (who embraces his rage and penchant for chaos while secretly craving the acceptance he never received from his parents) contribute surprising emotional depth to the comic-book setting. 126 min.