When it comes to Batman or as they used to say in the 70’s ‘The Batman’, live action movies don’t really work as well for him as animation does. He is after all an artists creation, and fans are used to seeing his cape billowing in the wind and casting long shadows from rooftops, or creating menacing silhouettes as he stalks criminals in the moonlight. And we are also quite used to those infamous white slits for eyes which would look really strange in a live action movie.
So how to judge the best Batman in the movies? How about via a list of criteria based upon the familiar comic book hero. Costume- Eyes- Chin- Presence-Gadgets- Vehicles- And for Bruce Wayne… Build- Brooding- Charisma- And we should also include another important character… Gotham City!
Keaton:
Costume- It was the very first of its kind so I will give them a break on it. It was groundbreaking and ambitious, but very impractical. The actor and stuntman could barely move in it. Eyes- the black shoe polish looked silly but Keaton really emoted through them well. Chin- Keaton did not have one. Presence- He really threw himself into the role and did well, remember the famous “I am Batman!” Gadgets- Pretty descent gadgets overall. Vehicles- Not only did he have the Iconic Batmobile but he also had the only motion picture Batplane!
As Bruce Wayne: Build- He is small and skinny so he fails. Brooding- He did well, no complaints there. Charisma- He was no socialite or partier, but he was approachable and believable as a ladies man. Gotham- Burton’s Gotham City was Excellent!
Kilmer:
Costume- much more functional and glamorous. Eyes- calculating and absorbing but not very menacing. Chin- good strong chin. Presence- More athletic and flamboyant, but not as fear inducing. Gadgets- better quality props. Vehicles- Only the batmobile, and it was not as cool. Wayne: Build- great build! Looks the part. Brooding- Val excelled in this arena, he looked very possessed and troubled. Charisma- No complaints here… except that he was blonde. Gotham- Looked innocent during the day, but became surreal and mysterious at night. Very interesting, loved the glowing graffiti.
Clooney:
Costume- Slightly improved version of the Kilmer suit. Eyes- Not bad. Chin- Pretty decent. Presence- Poor, Batman should not crack jokes. Gadgets- About even with Kilmer’s. Vehicles- Not so great. As Wayne: Build- Blech! Brooding- Non existent, he was snarky! Charisma- Too much* Gotham- Over the top, they took the surreal looking Gotham I liked in the previous film and turned it into a cartoon…
Bale:
Costume- Primo!! Eyes- Dark and powerful. Chin- Strong. Presence- Fills the room, but please…. Enough with the voice already. Somebody get the man a lozenge or something… Gadgets- Believable and practical, not as single purpose as some of the earlier ones in movies. Some of the gadgets in earlier movies seemed as if they had been designed just for a particular scene, and would have no other practical function in day to day crime fighting. Vehicles- THE TUMBLER! And it gave birth to the Batbike… It may not armor itself like Keaton’s, or look as sleek or jet like. But it can crush cars and shoot explosive projectiles.:eek:
As Wayne: Build- Looks like a predator under that tux. Brooding- Aces. Charisma- I like the fact that Wayne seems to be playing a role when he becomes the Playboy. It is a persona that he endures to get what he needs from the up strata of Gotham elite.
Gotham- Not as dark or decaying as Burton’s Gotham but it works. It has it’s good sections and bad, it is a little more realistic and modern looking than Burton’s. Tim’s had a better visual appeal and seemed to even blend time periods together with interesting architecture. But Nolan seems to want Gotham to look more like a city you have visited, or seem like some day YOUR city could become Gotham if you let it.
*Batman is the opposite of Superman. Superman grew up with humans and therefore even though he is actually an alien, feels a strong connection and bond with humanity. And so views himself as Clark Kent, and dons the persona of Superman to save lives and meet out justice. Bruce Wayne on the other hand essentially died when his parents did, and a new personality took hold. Which eventually grew to become the Batman, Bruce is just a role he plays to finance his crime fighting and influence politics.
That is why I took such strong offense to Clooney’s ‘Oceans Eleven’ handling of Bruce Wayne. :mad:
So, final analysis… Keaton bless his heart did the best he could with what he had, for a scrawny comedian he did very well indeed. He really threw himself into the part, he made an impressive Batman but a not so believable Bruce Wayne. And since it was not due to his acting he should feel no shame about it. ****
Kilmer on the other hand despite his golden locks made an impressive Bruce Wayne but a not so spectacular Batman. ***
Clooney was a groan inducing Batman and a migraine inducing Bruce Wayne. *
Bale is firing on all cylinders, he succeeds in both roles. *****
But remember this is simply judging the Batmans against the comic book character. Movies are an art form, and art is a very subjective medium, so personal taste is not taken into account here. This is not taking into account music, visual style, pacing, action choreopgraphy, special effects, writing, acting, set design, production values, cinematography, or direction. All of which affect the viewer’s experience, and everyone goes to a movie for different reasons and with different expectations.
So in the end… this is really just my own humble opinion. Take from it what you will!
