The Dark Knight Cometh...
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Can't see the 'ShareThis' icon? Reload your page view by pressing Shift and clicking Refresh at the same time.In preparation for the new Batman movie, I thought it might be fun to see what everyone thinks about the Batman movie franchises past and present (These are not in order of appearance).
Here are the Bat-questions, and I'd love to hear your Bat-answers! (Yes, it is much more fun to put "bat" in front of everything, though it's been driving my best Batgirl, Jenny, nuts all week.)
1) Who is the best Batman --- and why?
Christian Bale (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight) --- Christian Bale is an unnatural force as an actor, and brings a huge intensity to Chris Nolan's dark vision of ole' Bats.
George Clooney (Batman & Robin) --- I picked this picture on purpose, because Clooney looks like he's some kind of winking, suave, ladykiller Batman. Clooney brought the square jaw to the role, but unfortunately, this movie is one of the worst comic book movies ever made. It wasn't Clooney's fault, he was ok, but this movie tanked the franchise for quite a few years.
Micheal Keaton (Batman, Batman Returns) --- Tim Burton should take a bit of the credit for the Chris Nolan versions of Batman, as their visions of a dark crusader were similiar. Burton had to fight everyone for his choice of Batman/Bruce Wayne --- he wanted an everyman, not a musclebound hero, and he knew that Micheal Keaton (who he'd also worked with on Beetlejuice) would fit the bill. He got his way in the end, and Keaton did a bang up job.
Val Kilmer (Batman Forever) --- here is where the franchise started to slide downhill, though this movie is watchable. I'd have to say that Kilmer was a decent enough Batman, and though he's a great actor, I don't know if he brought anything significant to the role. Even Clooney brought the Batwink and the Batjaw.
Adam West (seen with Burt Ward as Robin) (Batman - 1966) --- The kitchy 60's version of the Bat, famous for his Batbelly and the Batusi dance brought us Adam West, a decidely out of shape caped crusader. You can't deny how fun this show (and subsequent movie) was though, famous for the Bat-shark repellent. Good times.
Bat-Question # 2! Who is the best Joker and why? (I know we haven't really seen Heath Ledger's version yet, but you can tell me why you think he'll be better or worse than the rest)
Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight) --- Horrible tragedy meets marketing bonanza as Heath Ledger takes over the role of the insane clown, and it becomes his last. The hype is huge on this performance, and though I think Ledger was coming into his own as an actor, we'll see if he really makes this role his own. They say The Joker killed him, got inside his head and made him slip over the edge. I would hope that this is all marketing BS, that Ledger was a troubled young actor who made a mistake, but we'll never know.
Jack Nicholson (Batman) --- Though I never believe that Jack's body type was right for the role (you know who would have been good? The guy who played the young Jack in the movie! He was skinny and weird looking.), Jack threw all his acting gusto behind the role, and his trademark sharp grin didn't hurt either. Heath will really have to throwdown to give Jack a run for his money here.
Caesar Romero (Batman - 1966) - He was a close approximation to the comic book Joker I remember as a kid. Later versions have seen the Clown Prince of Crime turn into a sadistic, sociopathic killer. Romero's Joker definately ages better than the old school Batman.
And the final question --- should the new Chris Nolan movies have a Robin? Why or why not?
To recap!
1) Best (and worst) Batman and why?
2) Best (and worst) Joker and why?
3) Should there be a Robin? Why or why not? Who do you see playing him?
Can't wait to read your answers! See you on Monday with a Bat-review of The Dark Knight!
Comments
Michael Keaton is the mold
Michael Keaton is the mold when it comes to bringing the Dark Knight to the big screen but Adam West in his underwear, man boobs, flabby arms and all was and still is classic. Nolan's new darker take on the series is pretty awesome and I'm excited to see a more sinister Joker. Jack is sweet but a little too cartoony for my taste. Romero's Joker was obviously silly but fit perfect with the ton of the original TV series. All I wanna know is, when are we gonna see Bookworm on the big screen?
I forgot about Robin...he
I forgot about Robin...he sucks. You can leave that sh*t at home.
Well, let's see now...
Best Bat? Keaton for me...I have always been a fan of Burton's work, and Keaton does an admirable job in the lead. Too bad the villains were more interesting. Schumacher's were made strictly for the ancilliary toy sales, and the neon world was just dreadful. Too bad we didn't have Lando...er, Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent/Two-Face. That fell apart when Schumacher took over.
I hope Ledger's last performance is worth the hype. "Oscar-worthy"? Don't bet on it. The buzz is all internet, and the real Oscar voters have rarely been necromaniacs when it comes to awards. Nicholson doesn't just chew scenery, he swallows it whole (which is not so bad, as I alluded to before)! Romero painting over his legendary moustache is timeless!
Robin? No way, never again. "something, something...Burt Ward..."
And, last but not least, NO MORE RUBBER NIPPLES!! EWW!!
1) The best Batman is Adam
1) The best Batman is Adam West! Why? You said it yourself, movie geek --- the batusi and the batrepellent!
2) I think Heath Ledger will beat them both! Why? Just a feeling
3) No! Robin is a turd and shouldn't be anywhere near the movies!
Batman
Cristian Bale is probably the best Batman although Mike Keaton is a close second. The problem with the other guys is that they were in really crappy movies. You can only do what you can with the material you're given. Intense and dark makes these movies (and Batmans) better. Adam West is cassic but only because that show was so ridiculous and you see him doing such funny cameo stuff now.
Don't know about the joker. Obviously haven't seen the new one yet but the expectation of Ledger's performance (mainly due to his untimely death) may either disappoint people who were expecting a lot or impress people when perhaps the performance isn't as good. Tough call. I'll reserve judgement.
Forget Robin unless there's some cool way to bring him in. Unfortunately past robins have been terrible especially the Chris O'Donnel character.
I really liked Micheal
I really liked Micheal Keaton as Batman. His one liners were great and his facial expressions are something that's needed when wearing a mask for half the movie.
Jack Nicholson was amazing as the Joker. He made the role fun as well as eerie.
No Robin... I think the next move is to go forward to when Bruce Wayne is about to retire and Nightwing begins.
1) Best Batman award goes to
1) Best Batman award goes to Christian Bale (Best Bruce Wayne would go to Val Kilmer. He just looked at home in the Tux and was easy to beleive was a very wealth individual)
2) This may change after I see "The Dark Knight" but I would have to give Jack the nod for Joker "Where does he get those wonderful toys?" "ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight? I like to ask that of all my prey"
3) Christian Bale does not need a "Robin" The thing I like about the newest run of Batman movies is that Batman is just as happy to kill the bad guy as haul them to the police. He is a true vigilante. He is out for revenge. Face it, how can Batman have a Bat-wing with guns and rockets, and a batmobile with twin .50's and never actually kill anyone?
I am jacked for the new movie and can't wait!
Christian Bale! Heath
Christian Bale! Heath Ledger! And yes! Why not have Robin? They'd have to do some cool dark take on him, but he is an essential part of Batman lore. He's what makes Batman human!!! I can't wait to see this movie, I have tickets for a Saturday show!
Christian Bale and Heath
Christian Bale and Heath Ledger.... best, darkest Batman/Joker characters. They fit well together. Bale has that introverted, understated aura about him that fits so well with the 90's-present comic book batman. And Ledger? Holy crap, I didn't even recognize the actor beneath the make-up. He -is- the best Joker, though Jack Nicholson is right behind him in second place as a much classier, slightly less sociopathic version.
Robin has been played very badly in the past, and let's face it, after the sinister dark quality of these last two films, it would be hard to see some kid running alongside Batman with tights and bright colored outfit.
However, I love the Robin from the comic books, both Grayson and Drake (Killing off Jason was the best thing ever...) With the right actor, I could see it working, but whoever it would be would have a job ahead of them. These movies have a high bar for acting talent and a Robin would have to stand on his own as an interesting and unique version of the character or he wouldn't make it at all.
Robin
Yes, I want a Robin. But not at the expense of the movie and not at the expense of Christian Bale. I heard Bale threatens to not come to work if they try to bring in a Robin. I can see why... I mean, this series is a lot darker, and it would be hard to bring in a believable 16-year old side-kick. But if anyone could do it, Chris Nolan could. A robin in this batman series would have to be darker, definitely, and would have to be a LOT more mature than past Robins.
The only way I could believe this Batman taking on a young sidekick is if he realized that the kid was smart enough, resourceful enough, and motivated enough to be a danger if he wasn't directed. Otherwise, it's just going to be another whiny, teenage Robin that rails against Batman for taking away his driving privileges. In which case I'd rather have no Robin at all.
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