Holiday Streams: Why Tim Burton’s Batman Returns needed the Christmas setting

"Well, come what may, Merry Christmas, Mr. Wayne," Alfred told Batman aka Bruce Wayne. While everybody knows Batman's backstory, Batman Returns explores two of nemesis' lives. We get to see why Penguin became himself and how Catwoman really came into existence. Honestly speaking, none of it would be the same if there wasn't a Christmas effect attached to the film.

Batman Returns is set during Christmas at all times. The festival is the core of the film. Whether introducing a young Penguin or telling us his story as a mayor or how Selena Kyle became Catwoman, everything about the film was festive.

The Christmas connection:

Max Shreck (Christopher Walken), who is the current mayor of Gotham City, is introduced as Gotham's 'Santa Claus' in the film. That is the first obvious reference, followed by many others.

The Christmas tree, where he stands in front of, becomes an issue. Yes, you heard that right. The antagonist Penguin aka Oswald Cobbleport demands that the mayor rearrange the Christmas tree, after he destroyed it.

The Christmas party:

Christmas parties are a thing. They are the celebrations that are so grand because the people wish to welcome the New Year in a good way, with their friends and sometimes, even strangers around. Many films have captured the essence of such parties and Batman Returns does it too. There are chandeliers and masked men and women just looking to have a good night under one roof.

The Arctic World:

While based in Gotham City, Batman Returns focused more on The Arctic World and Zoo which was close to where Penguin stayed (in the sewers). It was also pretty close to where the mayor worked and lived.

There are various references to the place, especially with the snowy weather. One of the biggest references is of how Selena Kyle became the borderline psychotic Catwoman. It definitely wouldn't be as realistic if there was no snow around (since snow can heal injuries faster).

Catwoman's own personality:

Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman really overpowered even Michael Keaton's Batman at some places. "I am a Catwoman, now you hear me roar," is just one of her iconic dialogues. Seducing men and hunting them down simultaneously, is what this Catwoman specialized in.

The film's artistic moments:

Penguin got the title because he grew up in the middle of real Penguins. They were his parents, friends and basically everything. The Penguins were loyal to Oswald and cared for him since they saw him grow up amongst them. A scene that beautifully shows that is when the Penguins gather up to drag Oswald's mortal remains back into the sewers, where they first found him. The sewers, also, of course, was an example of the place where Oswald belonged. He, too, had accepted that rather wholly since he made utmost use of the sewers for his purpose.

The movie also uses fire and ice time-and-again. It is first introduced when Catwoman burnt the store down and later, when Batman made sure to put an end to Penguin.

The mystery:

We all know Penguin's story does not end till he comes back and takes his revenge with Fish and all the others who have wronged him. Catwoman's disappearance was also just a beginning to something new and unexpected. Tim Burton's film taps into those aspects and makes you want to wait for the third installment of the film.