Superhero Movie Countdown — No. 15


Superhero stories are everywhere. And it makes sense. In a lot of ways, superhero films are the cultural mythology of America. This year we've already seen three films released, with another three more — at least — coming as the year winds on.

That got me thinking, since it's summer, about what are the best superhero films. "Captain America: Civil War," which debuted in early May, got people talking about the best of the Marvel Films. So I started making a list of my favorite superhero movies. Over the next 15 weeks of summer, I'll be counting down my favorites.

Quick caveat — no movies released in 2016 will be included. I think you have to be out for at least a year to be considered so we don't get caught up in recency bias.

No. 15 — Batman Returns (1992)
Starring: Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Christopher Walken
Director: Tim Burton
Quote:  "I am Catwoman. Hear me roar." — Catwoman
About: Tim Burton is an incredibly unique filmmaker, and his take on the world of Batman has been somewhat forgotten post Christopher Nolan trilogy, but it was really great. He advanced Batman out of the world of Adam West and tights into something darker and more serious. But he still leaves room for that outlandish comic book tone, particularly in the villains. I also love the performance of Michael Keaton. Keaton is my favorite Batman, though he isn't in the best Batman movies. I think "Batman Returns," the second and final pairing of Burton and Keaton, is one of the more overlooked superhero movies. But it holds up well. There are aspects of it I like quite a bit. I think DeVito and Pfeiffer are a little too over-the-top as Penguin and Catwoman, but it fits in the way this world has been designed. Not all the Batman movies were gems, but "Batman Returns" is definitely worth watching.
Rating: PG-13 for brooding, dark violence.

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