Gef’s Festive Film Advent Calendar: 14 Dec

While a movie about a playboy billionaire fighting crime dressed in something akin to a leather gimp suit doesn’t exactly scream Christmas at first glance, dig a little deeper and you’ll find that 1992’s Batman Returns is practically the ultimate festive film.

Firstly, and perhaps the most obvious factor, it’s set in a snow-covered Gotham at Christmas time with one of the film’s first action scenes taking place right in front of the city’s public Christmas tree. And if that doesn’t give you ’tis the season’ vibes, director Tim Burton really hammers home the festive feels about five minutes later when a henchman dressed like a clown jumps out of a huge mock Christmas gift shooting a machine gun.

But it’s not just the sets and scenes that give it the jingle-bell feeling, most of the film’s main characters pay homage to some classic Christmas tropes.

Crooked Dickensian businessman Max Shreck – played by Christopher Walken – is the epitome of Ebenezer Scrooge while Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman enjoys a divine resurrection during the film, very much like one pretty well-known individual who celebrates his birthday on December 25.

Not convinced?

*cracks knuckles* – Batman and Catwoman share some romantic moments under the mistletoe, we see The Penguin being abandoned by his parents at Christmas time and the film finishes with everyone’s favourite asexual man servant Alfred Pennyworth wishing ‘Master Wayne’ a Merry Christmas.

And if all that wasn’t enough, just remember that Sky always includes this film in its ‘Christmas movies’ category every year – so there!