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Favorite Batman Film

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Re: Favorite Batman Film

Postby Thrawn » Wed Aug 18, 2010 4:26 pm

There have been a handful of stories where Batman hasn't fully realized the exact method of ridding Gotham of crime.


I make a distinction between being unsure of what to do in a particular situation and not knowing which direction to take. Batman may not always know which method to use, but he does know what his goals are. In BB it seemed to me that he had no clue at all he wanted to fight crime until Ras came to him. That seems out of character to me.

It doesn't break the movie, but I think it would have made for a stronger character if Bruce had made up his mind already what he wanted to do and Ras just gave him the means.

I seriously am dumbfounded at this idea that he has to know exactly what he wants to do immediately like the comics.


It goes to the inner core of the character.

This is a movie, there has to be concessions.


We established that earlier. This doesn't fall under the category of concessions though. It's different approach the character, that was unnecessary. There was no need for a concession and I didn't much care for it.

This is not something that changes who Batman is at all.


Eventually no. You are correct, but it changes some of the details of the journey, unnecessarily. It's ultimately a minor point, but it is important. I didn't see any need to change it.

That's like saying in the Spider-Man movie Peter Parker to immediately become Spider-Man after going after the burgler, and not after graduating high school.


Peter is a very different type of character. He is often unsure of what to do in situations and waffles quite a bit. Batman is at heart a very decisive individual. That's a key difference, and one that BB played with against my liking.

It's inconsequential to complain about when Batman decided to train to fight crime, especially since he wasn't Batman at that point in his life.


Not really. It's the basic story of Batman. Immediately following his parents death me made a vow that he would train and study to become the dark avenger and punish criminals. That's actually key to the character. Ultimately it doesn't really affect the movie since I still enjoyed it, but the devil's in the details as they say.

There has to be concessions when making a movie about a character who has a long, varied history such as Batman. The end result is the same, he hated guns.


Agreed.

Obviously that was the point for her character, but that's just the way the movie was made to go, having a character from his personal history become a sort of moral anchor to guide his motivations in a certain way.


Which is where BB goes wrong in my opinion. Rachel Dawes was something of a meaningless character. In fact now that I think about it, that character should have been Harvey Dent from the start. And in retrospect it should have been Alfred to see what he was doing and to give him the talk. By having it be anyone other than Bruce or Alfred, influencing his decision, I think takes a little bit away from the character of Batman who is supremely motivated and has to be the master of his own fate.

You can dislike it all you want, but it is not a flaw because the end result is the same.


Conversely, you can like it all you want and it doesn't mean it isn't a flaw. :P

Batman has machine guns on both the Batmobile and Bat-Wing IIRC, and attempted to use said machine guns on the Joker.


I'd forgotten about that. Slight difference though. Those are on vehicles and not handguns. Batman has used guns on his vehicles in the comics as well. In Batman vs Predator 3 I seem to recall him using rubber bullets on the Batplane or whatever he used. I can't remember exactly.

If you hate that, read Batman Year Two where AFTER ALREADY HAVING BEEN BATMAN


I don't like that story very much. I also don't like the current one Kevin Smith wrote that has him peeing in his pants.

If you can't deal with that, don't watch a movie called "Batman Begins".


There you go again. Check yourself. You need to remember that this conversation is taking place in light of the fact that I love both Batman Begins and the Dark Knight.

Do you need every excruciating detail spelled out for you from the comics in the movies?


I established earlier that I don't. I won't do so again. Maybe you should go back and reread some previous post so you don't keep repeating yourself.

Seven years seems like a long enough time to me to become a badass.


Once again, not the issue. You should reread the previous posts. My issue isn't with the ninja training he received. It's mostly with the fact that in Batman Begins he didn't appear to get any education at all. Just physical ninja training, which somewhat negates the key aspect of Batman--his detective skills. The movie compensates for this by delegating most of the intellectual stuff to Fox which I am okay with to an extent, but Batman is almost completely a bruiser in the Nolan films. I don't like that. That's why getting an early start is a necessity.

In the Burton films he cracks the Joker's poisonous code so we got to see some of his detective skills at work. I felt that was the biggest flaw in the Nolan films. And when you are dealing with the world's greatest detective, that's a rather big flaw in my opinion.

But you can't just throw out "Uh, Batman would never use guns" and not acknowledge the context of the scene, or the point of the scene.


It's been acknowledged multiple times.

To me, that's missing the point and you haven't proved to me that you got the point.


I'm not saying you didn't,


You kind of did in the previous statement.

but you certainly haven't made it clear that you did.


Multiple times. You are just having a difficult time acknowledging that despite the fact that you're okay with, it could easily be viewed as out of character despite "context". I'm finished discussing this particular point.

But it's like 60% Nicholson, 40% Keaton.


Which is about the right ratio for a villain like the Joker. He's the driving force behind the plot. You also are overlooking the fact that without Jack Nicholson the movie was in jeopardy of not being made or making money. His part was expanded just to get the movie made.

And Batman Returns is even worse


Multiple characters: Batman, Catwoman, and Penguin. The villains drive the plot. I will again point out (which you haven't responded to yet) that in the Dark Knight Batman has less screen time than he does in Begins I believe. This is something I've seen other fans and critics point out.

You can't just dismiss it because it explains how much of the crimes are being committed.


I didn't. It becomes less credible when it's used to explain every single occurrence without fail though. I think they skirted too close to the line with it personally.

In the scenes where he tries to tell Vicki who he is, and at the end of Returns where he wants Selina to come away with him, I get the strong impression that he insinuated those situations as being grounds for retiring.


First, the final shot of the film in Batman makes it plain your interpretation is wrong. Batman isn't going to be retiring because of Vicki Vale. Her dialogue to Alfed even makes this plain. It's also made even clearer in Batman Returns that the reason their relationship failed is because he wouldn't quit.

As far as Selina, I never got that impression. I can't say with any certainty you are wrong, other than I just know there is no way in heck that either Batman or Catwoman would give up the nightlife. They both love it too much. :D

I just hate it when people bring up what I think are BS reasons to hate on the movies. If anything,


I'm not too fond of it when criticisms are looked at simply as bullshit because they conflict with someone's personal preferences. But hey, what do I know? :roll:

Look, I have a feeling its just going to come down to personal opinion about most of these.


When discussing personal likes or dislikes for movies that usually is the way it is.

I'm in the mindset that MOTP is probably the best movie out of all of them


See previous posts. :wink:
Last edited by Thrawn on Mon Sep 06, 2010 12:53 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Favorite Batman Film

Postby CrazyChris » Wed Aug 18, 2010 10:57 pm

Once again, not the issue. You should reread the previous posts. My issue isn't with the ninja training he received. It's mostly with the fact that in Batman Begins he didn't appear to get any education at all. Just physical ninja training, which somewhat negates the key aspect of Batman--his detective skills. The movie compensates for this by delegating most of the intellectual stuff to Fox which I am okay with to an extent, but Batman is almost completely a bruiser in the Nolan films. I don't like that. That's why getting an early start is a necessity.

In the Burton films he cracks the Joker's poisonous code so we got to see some of his detective skills at work. I felt that was the biggest flaw in the Nolan films. And when you are dealing with the world's greatest detective, that's a rather big flaw in my opinion.


I absolutely agree with this point, even though I seem to like the Nolan films more than you do (or at least I would place them above the Burton films where you would not). If Batman 3 doesn't explore the detective side of the character, then I'll be pissed. Even though we're seeing the start of Batman's journey toward becomming the ultimate crime fighter, going two whole movies without even broaching that side to his character is really pushing it. I can forgive it because BB and TDK had enough else to focus on that ignored some facets of the character for the sake of others was reasonably practical, but now its been delayed so much that the detective aspect should be THE focus of Batman 3. Make Riddler the villain and title it "The Dark Detective."
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Re: Favorite Batman Film

Postby Thrawn » Wed Aug 18, 2010 11:49 pm

Crazychris wrote:

I absolutely agree with this point, even though I seem to like the Nolan films more than you do (or at least I would place them above the Burton films where you would not).


Yeah, I mean I really love the Nolan films a lot. I saw the Dark Knight twice in theaters, the first time at the midnight premier. I just happen to like the Burton one's a little bit more. And that's a combination of things. I love Elfman's score, I love Keaton, I love the look of the movies as well. The model work, and studio back lots really give those films a timeless feel to them. They feel like a comic book. Lastly, and most importantly, nostalgia. I was eight when this movie came out. I saw it in theaters so there is that. In fact, I've seen every Batman movie in theaters since Batman 89. That's also not to say that I think they Burton films are perfect. They aren't.

I can forgive it because BB and TDK had enough else to focus on that ignored some facets of the character for the sake of others was reasonably practical, but now its been delayed so much that the detective aspect should be THE focus of Batman 3.


I agree completely. That's why I am really hoping that the Riddler is the villain. I've always thought that the Riddler could be the greatest villain for Batman if utilized properly. He's a genius, and he's all about questions, mysteries, and puzzles. Batman is the world's greatest detective, so it's a perfect match in my opinion.

If Batman 3 doesn't explore the detective side of the character, then I'll be pissed. Even though we're seeing the start of Batman's journey toward becoming the ultimate crime fighter, going two whole movies without even broaching that side to his character is really pushing it.


Once again CrazyChris, we're in complete agreement.
Last edited by Thrawn on Mon Sep 06, 2010 12:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Favorite Batman Film

Postby Aziz » Thu Aug 19, 2010 2:48 pm

Two things I prefer in Nolan's take on the character in comparison with Burton's take:
1. Batman is a freaking Ninja
2. Alfred is shown more as a father figure, not mainly the butler who took care of "Bruce Wayne" and that's that, no lessons, no morals, and then Alfred revealing his masters identity to some strange chick just because he feels comfortable to her

That sums it up, other than those two I prefer Burton's first movie, not as attached to Returns as I was back when it was new. I enjoyed seeing Batman killing, especially the big guy in Returns after he punches him a first, the big guy smiles and Batman looks down, makes the henchman worries then smiles (when Batman smiles to villains as Batman it always makes me laugh) and punches the guy in the sewers to blow up there instead of other people blowing with him, that scene is gold

The bomb scene in the "Adam West" Batman movie is cheesy, funny, but cheesy, nothing else
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Re: Favorite Batman Film

Postby Peter Palmer » Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:57 pm

I think "Dark Knight" is the best Batman film, but B89 has more rewatchability, IMHO.

"Batman Forever" has a bit of a bad rep due to its association with "Batman & Robin"... I think if Schumacher had not directed B&R, "Forever" would be more highly regarded today. I liked it quite a bit at the time; "Forever" is a fun popcorn movie, B&R is simply atrocious.

Which is most faithful to the comics? Depends on what comics you mean...

-Batman 1966, and the series that spawned it, are very faithful to the comic books of the time. I really don't think this series gets enough credit. Batman comics were on the verge of cancellation in the mid-sixties, the TV series made Batman a household name worldwide and introduced generations of kids to the character and his world. If the series had never been made, I doubt we'd be talking about Batman right now. This makes up for any of the negative ramifications of the show, IMHO. Batman is this guy...
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-Batman 89 and Batman Returns were both the Batman of 1939; a grim, morally ambiguous character with no compunctions against killing. Visually, these films are exactly the look Bob Kane was going for in those early stories. Batman is this guy...
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-Batman Forever is late Golden age Batman, the one illustrated by Dick Sprang, a more swashbuckling, morally upright character, far removed from the original, more morally gray vigilante. Partnered with Robin, he fights crazy super-criminals in a candy colored-but still shadowy- Gotham City. It's worth noting the Riddler first appeared in this era. Batman is this guy...
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-Batman & Robin is pre-Silver Age Batman, as drawn by Sheldon Moldoff. He fights wacky aliens and Sci-Fi villains in a brightly lit, neon colored Gotham City. He and Robin are joined by Bat-Girl, an blonde-haired niece of another supporting character. It's also worth noting Mr Freeze premiered in this era, as Mr Zero. Batman is this guy...
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-Batman Begins and Dark Knight both owe a lot to the Neal Adams era, "Batman Year One" and "The Long Halloween"... He is Grim and determined, yet also compassionate and utterly human. He's this guy...
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At least that's as I see it. Your mileage may vary, of course.
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Re: Favorite Batman Film

Postby ChaosInc » Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:56 am

This is my only response to the different versions of Batman on film:

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Re: Favorite Batman Film

Postby Peter Palmer » Sat Aug 21, 2010 9:00 am

ChaosInc wrote:This is my only response to the different versions of Batman on film:



Check out Bruce Timm and Paul Dini's Cameo at about 0:53, classic! Gotta love B&B!
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Re: Favorite Batman Film

Postby FSUSpiderFan » Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:49 pm

Batman Forever was decent. The main things dragging it down are the overuse of neon lights and Tommy Lee Jones trying to ham it up rather than playing Two Face as a grim serious character.
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Re: Favorite Batman Film

Postby spidertour02 » Sun Aug 22, 2010 1:22 pm

FSUSpiderFan wrote:Batman Forever was decent. The main things dragging it down are the overuse of neon lights and Tommy Lee Jones trying to ham it up rather than playing Two Face as a grim serious character.


I watched all of the Burton and Schumacher Batman films recently, and the biggest surprise was how poor Batman Forever is. I remember it being a fun and slightly slapstick movie with good action, but when I watched it again I found it borderline unwatchable. I actually cringed at times, it was so bad. There were some good things in the movie (I know it's a controversial opinion, but I thought Kilmer actually made a good Batman), but overall it's a lousy movie.
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Re: Favorite Batman Film

Postby Thrawn » Mon Aug 23, 2010 7:23 am

Spidertour02 wrote:

I know it's a controversial opinion, but I thought Kilmer actually made a good Batman


In my experience that's not very controversial. Most people that I've talked to like Kilmer as Batman and Bruce. I did myself.

I remember it being a fun and slightly slapstick movie with good action


I still find this to be true. I watched it a year or two ago. I still find Batman and Robin to be unwatchable. It only gets worse as the years go by.

I actually cringed at times, it was so bad.


I'm curious, what specifcally had you cringing?
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Re: Favorite Batman Film

Postby Kevin Cushing » Mon Aug 23, 2010 7:45 am

spidertour02 wrote:
FSUSpiderFan wrote:Batman Forever was decent. The main things dragging it down are the overuse of neon lights and Tommy Lee Jones trying to ham it up rather than playing Two Face as a grim serious character.


I watched all of the Burton and Schumacher Batman films recently, and the biggest surprise was how poor Batman Forever is. I remember it being a fun and slightly slapstick movie with good action, but when I watched it again I found it borderline unwatchable. I actually cringed at times, it was so bad. There were some good things in the movie (I know it's a controversial opinion, but I thought Kilmer actually made a good Batman), but overall it's a lousy movie.


I agree with pretty much all of this. I found Val Kilmer to be the only thing that made the movie remotely watchable.
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Re: Favorite Batman Film

Postby Donomark » Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:00 am

I think I said it before in the topic, but to reiterate I like the psychological aspects of Forever. It's the only movie of the initial four to really put that out there.
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Re: Favorite Batman Film

Postby Peter Palmer » Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:37 am

FSUSpiderFan wrote:Batman Forever was decent. The main things dragging it down are the overuse of neon lights and Tommy Lee Jones trying to ham it up rather than playing Two Face as a grim serious character.


I thought Tommy Lee Jones was a great Joker. Kind of like Cesar Romero with a a psychotic edge... Weird how they kept calling him "Two-Face" though. :wink:

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spidertour02 wrote:
I watched all of the Burton and Schumacher Batman films recently, and the biggest surprise was how poor Batman Forever is. I remember it being a fun and slightly slapstick movie with good action, but when I watched it again I found it borderline unwatchable. I actually cringed at times, it was so bad. There were some good things in the movie (I know it's a controversial opinion, but I thought Kilmer actually made a good Batman), but overall it's a lousy movie.


I agree with pretty much all of this. I found Val Kilmer to be the only thing that made the movie remotely watchable.


Kilmer made for a good Batman I thought. He certainly did the best he could with the material given.

Likewise I think George Clooney had the potential to possibly be the best Batman; it's unfortunate he was squandered in B&R...
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Re: Favorite Batman Film

Postby spidertour02 » Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:45 am

Thrawn wrote:I'm curious, what specifcally had you cringing?


For one, everything with Jim Carrey in it. He was dramatically overacting, even by his standards. The scene where he kills his boss is excruciatingly bad, and everything with him as The Riddler was played too arch. Since he shared so much screen time with Two-Face, that turned Harvey into a cartoon as well.

There is also a point in the movie where Bruce gives up being Batman, and it makes absolutely no sense in context. It seems like that section of the film was missing a scene or two, because he went from dressing up as Batman to go nail Chase Meridian to giving up and retiring in the next scene. Say what? Bruce Wayne wouldn't give up his identity just to get a girl. Hell, when a superhero gives up his or her identity, there needs to be a good reason. Take Spider-Man 2 as an example. Peter wants a life of his own, and he's growing tired of how being Spider-Man is ruining his life, but what ultimately pushes him to quit is the fact that his powers are failing him. He has to quit because he could actually get himself killed. In Batman Forever, on the other hand, Bruce decides, very selfishly, to quit during a huge crisis in Gotham with two supervillains on the loose. That's a real head-scratcher.

Robin is also a big problem. All he does here is whine. Then, as the final act of the film is about to begin, he becomes Robin -- and Batman accepts him as a partner. The hell? Batman is able to function as Batman because he has extensive training in hand-to-hand combat, strategy, and the use of his various gadgets and equipment. Allowing Robin -- who, by the way, is only on a selfish quest for revenge -- to join him is almost as irresponsible as quitting.

There are other nagging problems, but I think this covers the big ones.

Kevin Cushing wrote:I agree with pretty much all of this. I found Val Kilmer to be the only thing that made the movie remotely watchable.


It's good to know I'm not the only one that liked Kilmer in the role. It's a pity he didn't get better material to work with, though.

Donomark wrote:I think I said it before in the topic, but to reiterate I like the psychological aspects of Forever. It's the only movie of the initial four to really put that out there.


Both Schumacher movies had very serious subplots that didn't fit with the rest of the material -- the reexamination of his origin in Batman Forever, and Alfred's disease and the subsequent examination of his relationship to Bruce in Batman & Robin. I like the idea of what they tried to do in Batman Forever, and to an extent it worked (from what I understand, most of it was cut), but it seemed like it was footage from an entirely different movie. If they had kept more of the tone of the Burton movies, perhaps the dark subplot of Batman Forever could have worked.

As a standalone piece, however, I agree that it was well-executed. Val Kilmer was also great in these scenes, because he was able to play them with an air of emotional detachment that gave way to weakness. It was subtle, but in the time that we saw it, it was excellently played.

Peter Palmer wrote:Likewise I think George Clooney had the potential to possibly be the best Batman; it's unfortunate he was squandered in B&R...


I completely disagree with this. When I watched the movies again, it was the first time that I had seen Batman & Robin since its theatrical run (yes, as ashamed as I am to admit it, I saw Batman & Robin opening weekend). I was stunned by how awful Clooney was in the film. He played every single scene with a smirk on his face and a weird bobblehead tic, including scenes that were actually supposed to be serious, like the scene in which he informs Dick that Alfred is dying, or when he tells his girlfriend that he doesn't want to marry her. Seriously ...

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Re: Favorite Batman Film

Postby Berserkfury819 » Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:15 am

I liked Val Kilmer as Batman and I think he did a very good job as Bruce Wayne. I simply prefer Keaton.
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