The Flash hits theaters this week, which implies we’re getting one other dose of Michael Keaton‘s Batman. After practically 35 years, Keaton returns to don the famed cape and cowl to battle the evildoers of Gotham and spark debates about the most effective live-action Batman actors.
Remarkably, since Keaton first wore the sharp ears, we’ve witnessed a minimum of 5 actors tackling the function on the large display screen in dwell motion. In comparability, we’ve solely had two new Supermen — not together with the quite a few TV interpretations.
But which Batman did it finest? I’m glad you requested, as a result of I’ve put collectively a snazzy checklist so that you can look over and debate. Check it out (ranked from worst to finest), then tell us your checklist! Up, up, and away — or one thing like that.
7) George Clooney – Batman and Robin (1997)
Clooney practically derailed his budding movie profession by starring in Joel Schumacher‘s 1997 turkey, Batman and Robin. While his portrayal of Bruce Wayne works moderately properly, this explicit Bats spends far an excessive amount of time rattling off campy one-liners and never sufficient time brooding or kicking ass. To be truthful, WB and Schumacher opted for one thing extra within the vein of Adam West after the shocked response to Batman Returns and doubled down on the splashy, neon-lit insanity that audiences appeared to get pleasure from in Batman Forever with disastrous outcomes. No, actually, by the point Bats produces his personal customized bank card, this dumb, two-hour toy business has actually leapt over the proverbial shark into one thing resembling trash artwork.
Thankfully, Clooney is in on the joke, typically mocking his portrayal because the Caped Crusader on numerous speak reveals. He additionally seems on the finish of The Flash in a enjoyable cameo that left my viewers in stitches. Honestly, I wouldn’t thoughts seeing him painting an older, grizzled Bruce Wayne in future Flash motion pictures, however I doubt anybody needs to see Clooney don the cape and cowl once more.
6) Adam West – Batman: The Movie (1966)
Before Tim Burton got here alongside and rescued the character from obscurity, this was the one live-action interpretation of Batman we had. Sure, there’s a sure appeal to the madcap shenanigans on show. Everyone concerned is clearly having a blast, together with the good Cesar Romero and West’s devoted sidekick Burt Ward. I can recognize Batman: The Movie for its earnest appeal, however it nonetheless poorly represents the character, irrespective of how cool his Batmobile is.
5) Val Kilmer – Batman Forever (1995)
In an alternate actuality, Val Kilmer stepped right into a extra severe interpretation of the Caped Crusader and have become the best Batman of all of them. Alas, like Clooney, his stable efficiency in Schumacher’s bold however in the end uneven Batman Forever will get misplaced below a heap of campy nonsense. It begins within the opening scene the place we see Batman, lit in darkish shadows not too far faraway from Burton’s type and tone, step into the body and ship his first line: “I’ll get drive-thru.” Oye. How can you’re taking a hero who rambles off bits like “This is why Superman works alone” critically? Answer: you may’t. Kilmer is clearly sport and appears nice within the swimsuit, however the manufacturing (and Jim Carrey’s manic efficiency) sadly lets him down. Even peak Nicole Kidman couldn’t save this bloated product from cruising off the rails.
4) Robert Pattinson – The Batman (2022)
The jury continues to be out on Robert Pattinson’s interpretation of the character. While Matt Reeves’ The Batman is undeniably superior, a spectacular piece of filmmaking that ranks among the many finest comedian guide diversifications regardless of its prolonged runtime and slow-burn tempo, Batman/Bruce Wayne’s journey nonetheless has an extended strategy to go earlier than we are able to totally assess Pattinson’s portrayal. As it stands, this model of Batman comes throughout as brooding and considerably paying homage to a moody teenager, which hampers full appreciation.
Additionally, his Bruce Wayne lacks charisma and is oddly much less interesting than his superhero alter ego. I do recognize the look of Batman on this movie and stay curious concerning the future path Pattinson will take with the character. For now, he delivers a stable, if not excellent, portrayal of the beloved comedian guide icon, leaving ample room for progress and growth.
3) Michael Keaton – Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992)
Look, I grew up with Michael Keaton’s Batman. The man is a legend, and I’ll go to bat for Tim Burton’s unique blockbuster any day. After all these years, it’s nonetheless an thrilling, fashionable piece of filmmaking with stable manufacturing values and a handful of legendary performances from Keaton and Jack Nicholson. Likewise, Batman Returns provides morbid leisure and works as a weird Burton comedy aided by an unbelievable manufacturing design (higher fitted to a distinct movie) and Danny Elfman’s magnetic rating.
Still, I’d be hard-pressed to name Keaton the most effective Bats as a result of, properly, he’s hardly a personality. His complete arc in Batman revolves round vengeance and he all however takes a backseat to Danny DeVito’s Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman in Batman Returns. Simply put, there’s not a lot to Keaton’s Batman/Bruce Wayne. He’s extra James Bond than a street-smart ninja, relying extra on gadgetry than brains to get the job achieved. For some time, Keaton was the one and solely Batman till Christopher Nolan got here alongside and gave us the hero we deserved.
Having seen The Flash, my opinion of Keaton hasn’t modified. His Batman definitely will get extra to do on his third big-screen look and has a few unbelievable battle sequences, however his function doesn’t serve the story a lot and primarily features as hole fan service. Honestly, I want they’d trimmed the prolonged first act of The Flash by about half-hour and devoted extra display screen time to Keaton’s character. Even at 71 years outdated, he nonetheless seems nice within the swimsuit!
2) Ben Affleck – Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Disregard the disaster that was 2017’s Justice League, Ben Affleck‘s take on the Dark Knight is the stuff of comic book dreams. Designed very much in the style of Frank Miller — read: dour, brooding, and violent — Affleck’s Batman marks the primary time we’ve seen a superpowered interpretation of the character on the large display screen. This man beats the holy bejesus out of dangerous guys, goes toe-to-toe with the Man of Steel, and doesn’t blink when confronted by literal gods from different dimensions.
Honestly, the one factor holding Affleck again from the highest spot is the dearth of a solo film. While he enjoys a satisfying character arc via BvS and ZSJL, morphing from an indignant, vengeful man right into a hopeful, spirited hero, his Batman nonetheless feels frustratingly incomplete. Oh, the adventures we might have had with the large man. Alas, we’ll at all times have the well-known warehouse scene — arguably the best Batman sequence to grace the display screen.
On a damaging word, his cameo in The Flash leaves a lot to be desired. I dug his bike chase and the assorted devices and gizmos he makes use of to thwart a truck stuffed with dangerous guys. But holy hell, his swimsuit is abysmal! Especially in broad daylight. To add insult to damage, director Andy Muschietti takes his cues from 2017’s Justice League and makes Affleck’s Batman a strolling joke. The lasso of fact bit is tough to look at. I get WB’s need to lighten the temper following viewers dissatisfaction with the Snyderverse, however (as typical) the studio overcorrects, leading to an underwhelming ship off for Batfleck.
1) Christian Bale – Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Was there ever any doubt? From begin to end, Christian Bale‘s take on the Caped Crusader is perfection. Yes, even down to his gravelly voice. Out of everyone on this list, his Batman/Bruce Wayne is the only one who enjoys a complete arc, overcoming his inner demons to find a smidgeon of happiness at the conclusion of The Dark Knight Rises. It helps to star in the best Batman (and comic book) movie ever made, 2008’s good The Dark Knight, the place he dutifully delivers a criminally ignored efficiency and greater than holds his personal towards Heath Ledger’s improbable Joker. Also, kudos to Christopher Nolan for lastly letting Batman flip his damned head.
The Dark Knight collection is particular, of us — a masterful trilogy that transcends its comedian guide roots and delivers the form of cinematic magic that solely comes alongside as soon as in a terrific whereas, and Bale’s Batman is the glue holding all of it collectively. As such, he takes the cake and can stay our biggest Dark Knight till somebody knocks him off his perch.
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