Batman 89 or Batman Returns Batsuit

[Limity (BLM)]

I've been on a Tim Burton Batman kick as of late, and I've always been interested in the subtle change in batsuits between Batman and Batman Returns. I'm curious who else here has opinions on them or a preference between the two?

For me, as iconic as the first one is, I prefer the batsuit in Returns. It looks more like a suit, more like armor, than the first. Granted, with the extra lines of the bat symbol, the first suit has a unique look, almost...regal?

I think you can also see it's much easier for Michael Keaton to move around in the Returns suit than the first one. I remember reading an interview with him about when he had to kick the mugger at the beginning of the first movie. He explained that it felt like a thousand rubber bands all pulling on his leg at the same time, and he said he still had hip problems because of it.

Also while the first suit was pretty evidently just plain rubber, were the subsequent suits made of something different? From Returns onward, the suit material is noticeably thinner. Gave Keaton less of a bobblehead look.

[Hit Girl]

Returns

[Banjo Is Broken]

Adam West didn't need molded plastic to improve his physique.

[Vampiro138]

Returns to me is the best bat suit on film, the cowl is great and it looked more like armor and the logo looked good too.

[Mandarin Dessert Version 0]

Jul 16, 2021 1:34:16 GMT -5 Banjo Is Broken said:

Adam West didn't need molded plastic to improve his physique.

That is something that was always a bit of a negative point I had with the Batman movies during the Burton/Schumacher era: muscle definition through molded plastic in the suit itself.

Somebody I knew once said: "Christopher Reeve worked out to become buff and fit for playing Superman, why couldn't the Batman actors do the same instead of those smoke-and-mirror-tactics?"

[Limity (BLM)]

Jul 16, 2021 1:53:22 GMT -5 Mandarin Dessert Version 0 said:

Jul 16, 2021 1:34:16 GMT -5 Banjo Is Broken said:

Adam West didn't need molded plastic to improve his physique.

That is something that was always a bit of a negative point I had with the Batman movies during the Burton/Schumacher era: muscle definition through molded plastic in the suit itself.

Somebody I knew once said: "Christopher Reeve worked out to become buff and fit for playing Superman, why couldn't the Batman actors do the same instead of those smoke-and-mirror-tactics?"

With Tim Burton, there was logic behind that decision. He envisioned Bruce Wayne as being someone slight, that needed the strength and intimidation that the suit gave him. Otherwise he wouldn't need the suit to be those things. Plus, Michael Keaton isn't really capable of gaining weight. He's only 5'9", and while he did get fit for Desperate Measures, he didn't get larger.

I just looked up Christopher Reeves, though, and man he did put in the effort. According to an interview he gained 40 pounds for that role.

[Deleted]

Jul 16, 2021 1:43:47 GMT -5 Vampiro138 said:

Returns to me is the best bat suit on film, the cowl is great and it looked more like armor and the logo looked good too.

I also love the way the "armor" doesn't look like fake pecks and abs so much.

[The Ichi]

Jul 16, 2021 1:53:22 GMT -5 Mandarin Dessert Version 0 said:

Jul 16, 2021 1:34:16 GMT -5 Banjo Is Broken said:

Adam West didn't need molded plastic to improve his physique.

That is something that was always a bit of a negative point I had with the Batman movies during the Burton/Schumacher era: muscle definition through molded plastic in the suit itself.

Somebody I knew once said: "Christopher Reeve worked out to become buff and fit for playing Superman, why couldn't the Batman actors do the same instead of those smoke-and-mirror-tactics?"

Because it's acting. I have mad respect for actors getting in shape for roles, but the fact that Keaton is considered the best Batman whilst looking the least physically-imposing speaks volumes.

[Finish Uncle Muffin’s Story]

I think '89 will always be my favorite just because of nostalgia, but I get why people like the Returns suit. They're both good.

[Kevin Hamilton]

Returns loses a bit of the armor look at the end when he rips the rubber cowl right off

[Fade]

The Returns suit is better in every way but despite even watching “Returns” before “89”, I think of the ‘89’ suit first. It’s iconic.

[The Legend of Groose]

Batman and Robin's batsuit as Bat asses and Bat nipples. Does 89 and returns suits have that? No? Checkmate.

[WoodStoner1]

Jul 16, 2021 10:45:29 GMT -5 Kevin Hamilton said:

Returns loses a bit of the armor look at the end when he rips the rubber cowl right off

Wrong.

At that point it was Bruce Wayne dressed like Batman.

[WoodStoner1]

Jul 16, 2021 4:54:12 GMT -5 Limity (BLM) said:

Jul 16, 2021 1:53:22 GMT -5 Mandarin Dessert Version 0 said:

That is something that was always a bit of a negative point I had with the Batman movies during the Burton/Schumacher era: muscle definition through molded plastic in the suit itself.

Somebody I knew once said: "Christopher Reeve worked out to become buff and fit for playing Superman, why couldn't the Batman actors do the same instead of those smoke-and-mirror-tactics?"

With Tim Burton, there was logic behind that decision. He envisioned Bruce Wayne as being someone slight, that needed the strength and intimidation that the suit gave him. Otherwise he wouldn't need the suit to be those things. Plus, Michael Keaton isn't really capable of gaining weight. He's only 5'9", and while he did get fit for Desperate Measures, he didn't get larger.

I just looked up Christopher Reeves, though, and man he did put in the effort. According to an interview he gained 40 pounds for that role.

And I hope the search engine said "Did you mean Christopher REEVE"? ;-)

Kind of exposes Burton for not "getting" the comic Wayne/Batman, who did indeed train himself physically amongst other things and you'd think wouldn't need a suit with a mecha-type effect, if that makes any sense.

[WoodStoner1]

And all that said...I can't make my mind up. Returns has the correct logo (yes I'm that anal) but seems too square/robotic. But on the other hand that goes with the whole "the batsuit = mini mecha" motif.

Hot take: both Burtons > Begins. (TDK did improve upon it though)

And can anyone else not unsee that the cowl's neck looks like that of Kermit the Frog's? (what do you call those pointy things?)

[Deleted]

Bit of both

I prefer the overlook of the returns suit but prefer the cowl from the 89 suit.

Or it might be just the lighting on the 89 suit that just comes off better to me.

[Mighty Attack Tribble]

For reference:

[Hassan bin Sober]

Batman '89 is my all-time favorite super hero movie while Returns is a film I've never really cared for. So the '89 suit is my favorite. Also they never updated the Kenner Batman figures to match the Returns look. All the Keatan Batman figures they made were wearing the '89 suit only with the normal logo on them.

[A Platypus Rave is Correct]

My problem with both is that Batman can't move his neck... that seems like a major design flaw. >_>

[CMWaters]

Jul 16, 2021 17:33:24 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave is Correct said:

My problem with both is that Batman can't move his neck... that seems like a major design flaw. >_>

Yeah. They didn't have that until Dark Knight IIRC.

I do have to wonder how much of a thing it was to get used to for comic fans and such to see Batman in an all-black outfit given he was still in the grey and blue at the time.