Turn On the Bat-Signal — The Top Ten Batman Movies (So Far)
Aug 02 '07 (Updated Aug 03 '07)
The Bottom Line It doesn't matter if the movie is good or bad, there will always be a Batman movie in some form or another.
More than any other comic book character, Batman has seen transcended his comic book roots and been plastered in all types of media, none more greater than gracing the silver screen for maximum and memorable (most of the time) exposure. The portrayal of the Batman has varied throughout time since his debut in 1939. He went from a dark vigilante to a happy-go-lucky Caped Crusader to a Super Friend to the brooding Dark Knight. But the one constant thing has always been his origin story. It really hasn’t changed much at all preserving the essence of who Batman is and his crusade against injustice.
And so, with such a trail of movies in its wake, whether it is live-action or animated, a blockbuster or a direct-to-DVD monster, there is without a doubt that Batman’s portrayal has been interpreted many times over, some for ill and some for the better.
Here’s my take on what could be the worst to the best featuring ol’ pointy ears.
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#10. Batman Forever (1995)
There is double trouble in Gotham City as Two-Face and the Riddler team-up to take out Batman. Luckily for Batman, he manages to find help in the form of Robin, even if he doesn’t want it at all. On top of dealing with diabolical villains and teenage angst, he is also attracted to the sexy Dr. Chase Meridian, a psychologist working with the Gotham City police. Chase presents an interesting dilemma as she has fallen in love with both Batman and his alter ego, Bruce Wayne. Bruce has to come to grips with his dark side and embrace both facets of his life to find balance before one completely overtakes to other.
Director Joel Schumacher takes this third film, continuing off from Tim Burton’s 1989 direction, and does a complete 180-degree departure injecting his technicolour flair throughout the film. He did make the film brighter but did so in a weird way as well. Val Kilmer replaces Michael Keaton as Batman, and does a decent job at it, despite the ridiculous script. The addition of Robin could have been handled better, instead of giving the viewers a crabby, insufferable teenager. As for the villains, they both acted in the same manner. Tommy Lee Jones’ portrayal of Two-Face was extremely off-base making Jim Carrey’s portrayal of the Riddler seem sane. It was a bad combination from the get-go and just got worse with the next movie.
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#9. Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)
Set in the animated world of Batman: The Animated Series, a mysterious Batwoman is making her presence known in Gotham City, much to the chagrin of its dark protector, Batman. Her methods are questionable as she leans more towards extreme solutions, something that adds more lines to Batman’s already stoic frown. But she is put to the test as she takes on both the Penguin and Bane in her crusade for justice, or is it revenge?
This is the fourth animated movie set in this universe and it’s pretty average at best. The mystery behind Batwoman’s identity is the only thing sustaining any interest for this film, but everything else seems to fall flat. Too bad considering that this animated world made strides since 1992. I think the producers were resting on its laurels and hoped that this one would garner some interest. The saving grace is the voice actors, especially Kevin Conroy, who owns the Batman role. Otherwise, it feels like an extended series episode rather than a movie.
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#8. Batman (1943)
Batman and Robin have their hands full against the diabolical Dr. Daka, a Japanese spy who has invented a device that turns people into zombie-like creatures.
This is the first appearance of Batman on film. Made during World War II, the atmosphere has many anti-Japanese sentiments flying throughout the course of this fifteen-part movie serial. Lewis Wilson and Douglas Croft play Batman and Robin respectively, and to the best of what is given to them. It should be noted that this is also the first appearance of the “Bat-Cave” (or The Bat’s Cave as it was called in this film) that was later adopted in the comic book universe. Despite its low-budget appearance (a black Cadillac is used instead of the Batmobile), there is a certain history and charm in its presentation. It is definitely not the greatest but definitely captures the beginning of Batman’s popularity.
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#7. Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998)
Mr. Freeze has been looking for a cure to his wife’s condition and has finally found a way to make it happen. But the process means finding a living donor in order make the transplant happen, even if it means sacrificing that donor’s life. Unfortunately, the person he chooses is none other than Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Gotham City Police Commissioner James Gordon. That alone ensures that Batman and Robin are not far behind in order to stop Mr. Freeze.
This is the second animated release set in the world of Batman: The Animated Series and the first to go directly to DVD. Warner Brothers decided to go this route to make sure that no one would confuse this for the live-action Batman & Robin that also featured Mr. Freeze. I didn’t think anyone was going to confuse the two. But despite the superior interpretation of the villain, the movie felt like a long, drawn out episode from the television series. The animation is spectacular but the pacing is incredibly slow. Still, given the choice of which Mr. Freeze movie to watch, this one beats Arnold Schwarzenegger any day of the week without even trying.
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#6. Batman: The Movie (1966)
Gotham City is besieged when the most deadly villains in Batman’s rogues’ gallery decide to team up and create havoc. The Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler and Catwoman join forces to finally eliminate Batman and Robin once and for all. The villains have concocted a device to drain all water from human beings leaving them as piles of dust in its wake. It’s up to the Dynamic Duo to thwart the dastardly plans of their foes or the delegation of the United World Security Council will be left in shambles.
The movie is playing off the success of the hit 1960s television program. The overacting and cheesy dialogue, along with the BAM, BIFF, POW scenarios, will make purists balk over their hero, but there is so much ridiculous charm oozing from this film that it’s hard to avoid. Bat Shark Repellant? Totally absurd! But for some reason, this movie works, mostly because the villains are so colourful and interesting. With the likes of Cesar Romero (The Joker), Burgess Meredith (The Penguin), Frank Gorshin (The Riddler) and Lee Meriwether (Catwoman), there is no doubt that there is chemistry between all of them. It’s tongue-and-cheek parody all the way, and that’s the way it should be viewed.
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#5. Batman (1989)
Gotham City needs an enema and the Joker seems to be intent on making it happen. But the Clown Prince of Crime crosses path with the city’s protector, the Dark Knight known as the Batman. It becomes a battle of wits between these two legendary figures, and an even more personal crusade when Batman learns of the Joker’s connection to his past.
The 50th anniversary of Batman resulted in a blockbuster motion picture starring Michael Keaton (Batman) and Jack Nicholson (The Joker), directed by Tim Burton. This wasn’t the campy Batman of the 1960s. Instead, Burton takes Batman back to his dark roots and it’s clearly reflected in this Gothic-inspired movie. But while Burton avoids the campiness of the 1960s television show, he invents a whole new in its place. Still, despite its many shortcomings, this direction clearly defined Batman, the screen icon, for years to come.
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#4. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
It’s 50 years into the future and Bruce Wayne, an eighty-year old recluse, has retired from the crimefighting scene as Batman. Taking over the mantle is high school student Terry McGinnis. He has met his fare share of oddities and nutcases in this future Gotham City. But Terry has never faced a psychotic when an old foe returns. The Joker, thought to be dead, is back and he has only one thing on his mind… getting rid of bats. But what is his connection to Tim Drake, the second Robin? Terry has to discover the truth quickly before the Joker gets the last laugh on Gotham City.
Even though this was supposed to target younger kids, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, the third animated movie set in the DC Animated Universe, is more graphic and adult than meets the eye. Two versions of this movie exists: an edited version and the original, uncut version; the former because some death scenes proved to be too graphic in nature, the latter because those who saw the original cried fouled when the watered down version was released on DVD. The story is solid, despite the fact that some suspension of belief is required. But as always, it’s the voice actors who really make the film sing like a canary. Kevin Conroy, Will Friedle and Mark Hamill are brilliant as Bruce Wayne, Terry McGinnis/Batman and the Joker. This is one animated film that takes you through a psychological romp.
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#3 Batman Returns (1992)
The Bat, the Cat, and the Penguin face off in this sequel to the 1989 film, as Batman has to contend with both Catwoman and the Penguin. But these two aren’t the only threat. Batman also has to face the corporate machinations of billionaire tycoon Max Schreck, who has desires to make sure than he controls all of Gotham City.
Tim Burton directs again and goes even darker with this movie. At the same time, he definitely takes a strange course into the land of weird. The Penguin was drastically changed from a gentlemen’s villain to a freak of nature. I didn’t like it, or Danny DeVito’s portrayal of the villain. The real thrust of the whole movie was the sexual tension between Batman and Catwoman. Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer have great chemistry every time they are on the screen together. The whole movie could have easily revolved around these two. It goes to show that adding more villains doesn’t necessarily make it better. But it was visually stunning, despite its surreal appearance.
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#2. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
A new vigilante, the Phantasm, is taking out Gotham City’s crime bosses in an extreme manner. The police believe that it’s Batman doing the deed. In order to clear his name, Batman needs to find this mysterious assassin. However, when he learns that the Phantasm’s next victim is the Joker, will Batman go out of his way to save his arch nemesis or will he allow the Phantasm to have his way with the Clown Prince of Crime?
If you blinked, you may have missed this animated feature in the movie theatres. The first movie featuring the Batman: The Animated Series universe is one of the best Batman movies ever made. It has it all, even a glimpse into Bruce Wayne’s past of lost love and his training to become Batman. The story is self-contained so there is no need to know anything else outside of this movie. And the voice actors are superb. They hit every beat to perfection. I’m surprised Warner Brothers still hasn’t taken a clue that they need to hire these writers to create a good Batman movie. This movie proves how it should be done.
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#1. Batman Begins (2005)
Bruce Wayne is on a quest to find himself and a way to protect Gotham City. His journey leads him to Henri Ducard, who in turn, introduces him to Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Shadows. The encounter shows Bruce that this is not the path he wishes to take, and parts way with disastrous results. But Gotham City is besieged with a new form of terrorism, with the Scarecrow at the point. Bruce puts his newfound skills to use, as he becomes Gotham City’s protector—the Batman. But his debut could be his last as he learns of the true mastermind behind the Scarecrow’s terror.
Writer David S. Goyer knows comic books and he knows what the fans want to see. Along with director Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale as Batman, a new era has begun for the Dark Knight and a franchise, once thought to be finished, is utterly reborn. Nolan wisely started all over again but this time bringing humanity and realism to the film. He also reveals more about Bruce’s past and investigates the training aspect that leads to his new identity. The writing, the cast, the setting, and the pacing all work together to bring about a credible universe and bring Batman back to prominence.
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It’s safe to say that Batman has longevity and his popularity seems to be growing all the time. With The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins, gearing up for a 2008 release, and the newly announced Batman Anime, a collection of six animated stories set in between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, there is no shortage of Batman projects to come.
Each generation will discover the Dark Knight in his or her own way and will have a fond memory associated to the Dark Knight from a particular era. I still pity those who actual paid good money to go see the 1997 Batman & Robin in the movie theatre. I should have spent it on bad stocks instead.
Other Top Ten Reviews
The 10 Best Superhero Movies
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Member: Charles "The Grim One"
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Thank you to everybody who participated in both my write-offs. Until the next one!
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