LuckyWillWhich actor is the best Batman?
August 21st 2006 05:25
“Wh-Who are you?”
“…I’m Batman.”
("But which one?")
“…I’m Batman.”
("But which one?")
Michael Keaton donned the hard spandex in “Batman” and its sequel “Batman Returns”, introducing the audience to a character that was introspective, calculating and more brains than brawn. Arguably he’s a better cast for a detective but perhaps not for a vigilante or even a crime fighter. Out of the other three he’s physically the least and possibly the least attractive as well. But, in a nod to acting he plays the part better than most due to him being low-key and withdrawn and allowing the camp to reside with the villains. Yet, still he overcomes Gotham City’s most notorious characters including the anarchic Joker, who was brazenly played by Jack Nicholson in fine form and the Penguin, (played by Danny Devito) the ‘round as a ball’ megalomaniac.
The third installment of the franchise, “Batman Forever”, (without director Tim Burton at the helm) sees Val Kilmer pull on the pointy ears who appeared more lively, warmer and debonair - more of how Bruce Wayne (Batman’s human alter-ego) should be. And to realistically play a filthy rich playboy, you need more charisma than what Keaton offered. So thus his Bruce Wayne is better, possibly from his experience as Jim Morrison from Oliver Stone’s “The Doors”, but his Batman (with the new appearance of nipples on his suit!) is played as a superhero, not a super ordinary guy, which for me just doesn’t cut it. Also, subjectively speaking, Batman as a blonde just doesn’t feel right.
Women would probably award full marks to the next participant – George Clooney. Appearing in only one Batman film, “Batman and Robin”, while suffering equal title billing with his protégé played by Chris O’Donnell was undercutting the stars potential from the beginning. Add to this, possibly being over-shadowed by another action hero, the current governor of California; it’s hard to evaluate his standing. But as Batman he was forgettable, as Bruce he was too smug, pushing the envelope even further than previously with Kilmer. And of course, he is too old; it was like Hugh Hefner playing Bruce. He’s not a bad actor, he just didn’t work as Batman.
In the biggest cop-out I’ve shown here I’m not going to decide a clear winner between the two. I leave you with a reminder that it will be based on whenever you entered the franchise, either from the start or the end that will entirely predict and probably conclude your own results of who, really, is, Batman.
*All images taken from www.wikipedia.org
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Comment by jon
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
But i do think that Val Kilmer's portrayal runs a close second. Granted the film he was in is crap, but his on screen presence really matched that of the bat. If he was allowed to dig deep and expose the core of rage ala Batman Begins, we would see something special.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
And what about Adam West!
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I also own and enjoy the Robert Lowery Batman from the 1949 movie serial.
While we are talking TV Caped Crusaders, the finest has to be Kevin Conroy, the voice of the superb Animated series. (Mask Of The Phantasm is my favourite Batman movie)
Comment by Luke
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Comment by jon
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Comment by Luke
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Comment by Justin
In a strange way, he brought paternal qualities to the grey suit. Maybe it was because of his relationship to the Boy Wonder, maybe because I was a kid back then watching it on tv at 1:00, weekdays..
Spot on JohnDoe, Kevin Conroy was unbelievable as the voice of the dark knight. I used to hire out the series and saw up until as the Ra's Ghoul episode. Brilliant viewing.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Also Batman Mask Of the Phantasm and Batman vs Mr Freeze are loads of batfun.
They are releasing The Batman/Superman animated film on DVD later this year. I got it from the US and highly recommend it when it arrives.
I also scored a copy of the new Batman vs Dracula animated feature, which was features an interesting new animated world.
All these are fantastic entries into the Batman legacy and if you are a fan of the man with bat issues, Track them down you wont be disappointed.
Comment by Justin
Additionaly, Batman has cameo's here and there in the Warner Brothers', Justice League of America (JLA) cartoons too. Often a lone wolf in helping the team he's essentially contracted out to help them as he usually works alone. Not as good as the Batman cartoons but it's still interesting to check out.
Aside from Batman, that showdown with Dracula reminded me of a comic I picked up a couple of years ago with Superman vs Dracula. It resulted in a groan-worthy cop-out of Dracula getting the upper hand and heading for the jugular to be violently informed Superman is made of various particles of pure light or somesuch and fried Dracula. Dissapointing and cheesey. Hope the biff with Batman isn't similar!
Comment by Jay
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Better actor, more complex character.
Also, better films.
Comment by Hellvis
Earache Hotel
I think Val Kilmer, in general, flat-out sucks as an actor (maybe precluding the Doors and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) and Clooney wasn't great, but they were also pretty crap movies. You can't polish a turd.
Christian Bale did an excellent job, but I thought Batman Begins lost it by the end.
Comment by Justin
I tend to agree with both of you.
Adrian - Although Keaton connects with Batman on some psychological level, don't dismiss the others too hastily. Bale is still a formidable actor. I don't think he could stretch it to comedy like Keaton but his dramatic roles are inspiring.
Hellvis - You just wrote a very abbreviated summary of my entire post. Why are you upstaging me? =P
Meanwhile..
It seems Bale is in the lead with the Orble community with 4 votes, while Keaton is running a close second with 3. However if I put my two cent vote in it may be a hung jury.
Will Keaton get to the race in time?
Can Bale the newer, leaner Batman be stopped?
Tune in next time - same bat time, same bat channel!
*cue theme tune*
Comment by Hellvis
Earache Hotel
I think Bale is an excellent actor too, and enjoyed the first half of the movie at least. I would like to see it again though to form a more solid opnion.
Comment by Trouble98
Something about his voice when he spoke chilled me when he was Batman. Keaton is by far the best.
As for Kilmer - I'm a huge fan of his. His portrayal of Jim Morrison was right on point (I've been a fan of The Doors for years, even did reports in high school on them). As for Bruce Wayne - yep - perfect! The stuck up billionare with nothing on his mind but improving his business was amazing.
Clooney - joke. 'Nuf said.
Bale - not bad. His ruggedness seemed to be perfect for the part. As for the movie itself - it could have been that I was sick, but I actually fell asleep during it. Maybe it wasn't enough?
To summerize my small rant of each Batman -
Keaton. By far.
The first will always be the best.
And another thing - KEEP THE VILLIANS AS THEY ARE. Jack Nicholson, Tommy Lee Jones and Danny DeVito will always be The Joker, Two-Face, and The Penguin. You can't change that - I highly doubt the new actors will portray the villians listed above as well as the three men I listed will be very short in comparison.
Ok - I'm done now.