Top 10 Alternative Christmas Films: 10. "Batman Returns"

December 23, 6:04 PMClassic TV ExaminerDoug Krentzlin

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       Pfeiffer & Keaton in "Batman Returns" 

Everyone knows the big 3 of Christmas films: “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34th Street” and “A Christmas Carol” (Alistair Sim). For those of you who would like to view something different for the holidays, here is the tenth of ten recommendations of alternative Christmas films (to be presented in chronological order).

10. “Batman Returns” (1992)

When this entry in the Batman franchise (the second and last directed by Tim Burton) was first released, it was universally condemned as being too dark, which is amusing now since, compared to this year’s “The Dark Knight,” “Batman Returns” almost seems like a Disney film.

It’s Christmas time in Gotham City and all is not well. Indeed, Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) a.k.a. Batman has his hands full. The diabolically twisted Penguin (Danny DeVito) is in cahoots with corrupt department store baron Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) as they plot to steal the upcoming mayoral election. When Shreck’s milquetoast secretary Salina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) accidentally discovers his additional scheme to steal Gotham’s electricity supply, he murders her, but she is resurrected as vengeful super-villainess Catwoman.

As usual with Burton’s work, “Batman Returns” has style to spare, thanks largely to Bo Welch’s production design, Stefan Czapsky’s cinematography and Danny Elfman’s music score. The supporting actors include Michael Gough as Bruce’s faithful butler Alfred, Michael Murphy as the Mayor and Pat Hingle as Commissioner Gordon.