MovieChat Forums > Batman Returns (1992) Discussion > When I saw this in theatre as a kid, I t...

When I saw this in theatre as a kid, I thought I was going to witness history.

posted 5 months ago by samoanjoes (56747)
8 replies | jump to latest

Right when Batman was going to pull off his mask, I thought, "this is it. I'm finally going to see Bruce Wayne with raccoon eyes." Sadly, it didn't come. When I got it on VHS, it was pretty clear that they cut to a different shot to remove the makeup around his eyes. Initially I thought he went without the makeup the entire scene.

For reference.
https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2F7w7g8p8lr4p31.jpg

[–] DoctorThirteen (13995) 5 months ago

It really notices to me now, when they cut back to him just before he removes the mask and you can see the makeup is missing through the eyeholes. That's actually one thing I wouldn't mind being altered digitally.

[–] samoanjoes (56747) 5 months ago

They would have to make the makeup disappear right when he takes the mask off to avoid the raccoon eyes.

[–] DoctorThirteen (13995) 5 months ago

Yes. I never interpreted it as being make-up 'in-story'. I always thought it represented shadow, which I think the unmasking here confirms. They just didn't have a way to do it convincingly then. Pattinson is the only Bruce Wayne directly shown to be wearing eye makeup under the mask.

[–] AnagramYYZ (607) 5 months ago

To ease your minds on the subject, you can just forget about the fact that actor, Michael Keaton, was wearing “raccoon eyes” stage makeup and just assume that with all Bruce Wayne’s wealth and technology he was able to install some kind of retractable device that serves as a darkening disguise while maximizing his field of vision. It powered down preceding his removal of the mask.

Sure, it would have been nice to have a scene indicating this or at least a quick effect shot done by the 2nd unit crew to aid in continuity.

[–] samoanjoes (56747) 5 months ago

I like the way you think. This seems like something Nolan would have done.

[–] mergaqui (112) 5 months ago

Thank you. I can enjoy this movie once again.

[–] PaladinNJ (21510) 5 months ago

Are you sure it was makeup? Maybe they eyehole were mad to fit tight to his skin. In Arrow, Barry made something like that for Oliver to wear.

[–] samoanjoes (56747) 5 months ago

He link I posted shows that it's makeup.