Tim Burton
Batman Il Ritorno

The sequel to the box office hit "Batman," directed by Burton himself, proves to be a much more personal and "Burton-esque" work than the prototype; in fact, it aligns more closely with "Edward Scissorhands."

The director's favored themes, solitude and diversity, perhaps find their fullest expression here, thanks also to a well-cast ensemble, especially the trio of villains? (Walken, De Vito, Pfeiffer).

The gothic fairy tale tone contrasts with the so-called action films, yet the screenplay is decidedly convincing, with the old themes of duality and masks handled with intelligence and originality. The story occasionally gets a bit bogged down, but the film more than makes up for this with its splendid visual inventions in almost every frame.

The soundtrack features the decadent "Face To Face" by Siouxsie and the Banshees.