| The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 15-08-2005 17:48 |
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Nate
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From IGN:
Who is the Ultimate Dark Knight!
Batman is perhaps the most beloved comic-book character of all time. Since the early '40s the caped crusader has appeared in numerous serials, television shows and movies. Whether Batman is being serious and dour, as in the most recent Bat-flick Batman Begins, or is campy as can be, as in the 1967 flick Batman Fights Dracula, people love him. We decided it was time to figure out which of the most well-known movie Batmen is the Ultimate Batman.
If you count the animated series voice actors, some dozen men have played the role of the Dark Knight. With all due respect for the likes of Jing Abalos and Lewis Wilson, our focus today is on just five Batmen. It's not that others aren't deserving of consideration, but these five starred in the most recognizable roles. None of the animated Bats were included so as to inspire you to write spiteful letters in protest.
Finding the Ultimate Batman has nothing to do with the quality of film they may have starred in. Instead, we want to find the interpretation of Batman that is best. And since Batman has been both moody and campy, it's a wide-open field. Let's get to know the combatants and get this battle underway.
Candidates:
West:
Star of the '60s Batman TV show and Batman: The Movie. He's "Pure West."
Keaton:
Launched the new movie franchise in the late '80s and defied skeptics with his performance.
Kilmer:
Starred in Batman Forever and is known as the pouty Batman.
Clooney:
Starred in Batman & Robin, a movie that gutted the franchise, which had to be rushed to the E.R..
Bale:
Revived and reinvigorated Bats with a realistic and moody performance. He's the eff'd up Batman.
Let's take the test:
Costume:
West:
Classic grey on blue with no padding. It's all West under there. The best costume a butler ever sewed. The painted eyebrows are a little ridiculous, though.
Keaton:
More like body armor than the normal superhero tights. Keeps the yellow bat symbol. Not being able to turn is head is a major disadvantage.
Kilmer:
Shiny and blue, some might see this as an homage to the TV show costume. Except that it's got even more padding than before.
Clooney:
The mighty Clooney chin is freed to frighten criminals, too bad someone left the air conditioning on -- pointy nipples frighten no one.
Bale:
At least they admit it is body armor. More maneuverable and the cape actually has value. Small ears are best.
WINNER: BALE!!!!!
Jawline:
West:
West doesn't have the most square jaw for a Batman, but he has a very manly mandible nonetheless.
Keaton:
The costume conforms Keaton's jaw to be more mencing. Come on, you can't face looking tough.
Kilmer:
He's so pretty. Wait, Batman's not supposed to be pretty. Wins for most kissable Batman.
Clooney:
It could be worse, Jay Leno could have suited up.
Bale:
He's certainly got the chin and can be menacing, but he also spits when he shouts, which is just plain rude.
WINNER: WEST!
Attitude:
West:
There's no situation that makes this dude sweat. He's always cool, whether scamming ladies or escaping certain death.
Keaton:
This guy's got issues. Not so much moody as really, really pissed off. He is Batman afterall.
Kilmer:
Batman's a thinker and Kilmer is certainly the thoughtful time. A man of action, he balances between anger and politeness.
Clooney:
There's no problem a one-liner can't solve. He's not so much tormented by his parents' death as he is tormented by bat-suit chaffing.
Bale:
Holy crap! Never witness your parents' murder or you're liable to become a moody, vengeful billionaire.
WINNER: BALE!!!!
Wayne Manner:
West:
There's really no difference between West's Bruce Wayne and his Batman except for the suit.
Keaton:
A down-to-earth rich man who loves his toys and $400 sweaters.
Kilmer:
A playboy with a pretty smile and an introspective nature. Disguises being Batman by being nice to people.
Clooney:
It's been wiped from memory.
Bale:
So eccentric and wild that no one could possibly think he's Batman. A 180 from his Dark Knight role.
WINNER: BALE!!!!
Rogue's Gallery:
West:
Even in his '60s film he battled the biggest villains around, including Penguin, Joker and Catwoman.
Keaton:
Killed the Joker, went toe-to-toe with Catwoman and defeated Penguin. Villains were the stars.
Kilmer:
Matched wits with an over-the-top Riddler and a audaciously bad Two-Face
Clooney:
"Keel the yeeroes!" A stogie-totin' Mr. Freeze. Ouch.
Bale:
Tussled with Mr. Zsasz, Falcone, Ra's Al Ghul and the Scarecrow.
WINNER: KEATON!!!
Batmobile:
West:
A classic with the curved windshields and flame shooters. Not a good vehicle for making out in.
Keaton:
Sleek and certainly proof Batman suffered from some, uh, shortcomings.
Kilmer:
Driving up walls is cool. The sharkfin top is awesome until Batman tries to get through a McDonald's drive-thru and can't make the clearance
Clooney:
A testament to everything wrong with this film.
Bale:
Unique to say the least. A military vehicle that's about as manly as it gets. Scares the chicks, though.
WINNER: WEST!!!
Babes:
West:
Rolled with three different Catwomen, a hot Batgirl and a scantily clad Boy Wonder. Hey, it was the '60s, man!
Keaton:
Vicki Vale and Michelle Pfeiffer? Meow!
Kilmer:
Nicole Kidman is one hot Aussie babe normally, but she phoned in her love for Batman.
Clooney:
Alicia Silverstone and an uncharacteristically hideous Uma Thurman mad for a true bat dud.
Bale:
Should have slapped Katie Holmes upside the head to straighten that crooked smile. First Batman not to get nookie.
WINNER: WEST!!!
Final Verict:
When looking for the best Batman, it's really a two-Bat race. Unfortunately, both contestants, Adam West and Christian Bale, are complete opposites. West is the best of the campy Batman and just a joy to watch and Bale is everything a fanboy could want in a moody and vengeful Batman.
But this isn't about to end in some kind of tie. Though West is truly the man and the person most responsible for generating such worldwide love for Batman, you just can't beat Bale's interpretation. Not only is Bale great as both the Caped Crusader and his billionaire counterpart, but he actually adds layers not seen in the comics. His Batman is more than just some angry dude in a suite. He has purpose, conviction and internal conflict.
What sets Bale's Batman apart from the pack is that his is the only fully-realized Bruce Wayne. Don't forget that Batman was born from Bruce Wayne and you cannot have the Bat without first having Wayne.
Also, there's no way in hell we're giving an award out to a Batman that won a surfing competition by using shark repellent.
ULTIMATE BATMAN: BALE!!!!
Don't agree? Go here and vote yourself:
javascript:void(window.open('http://comics.ign.com//polls/9277.html','pollwin','width=320,height=360,scrollbars=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,resizable=yes' )
You don't get it, boy... this isn't a mudhole... it's an operating table.
(crack!)
And I'm the surgeon.
- Batman - The Dark Knight Returns
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 15-08-2005 19:00 |
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TheDarkKnight666
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yes bale was the best but keaton was second best
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 15-08-2005 19:29 |
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ShadowZ
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agreed |
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 15-08-2005 19:46 |
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Phil
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keaton wasnt a really good bruce wayne IMO. but he was an awesome batman.
http://batmanytb.com/pictures/thumbnails.php?album=4 |
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 15-08-2005 19:49 |
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TheDarkKnight666
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i liked him for wayne and batman
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 16-08-2005 04:23 |
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Caleson
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That was a pretty cool comparison. Really showed their differences in brief, and quite accurately.
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 17-08-2005 11:56 |
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Terry McGinnis
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TheDarkKnight666 wrote:
yes bale was the best but keaton was second best
You actually maen to say Keaton the the King of the Batmen, but when Bale came, he took it over!:lol:
I already have a father. His name is Bruce Wayne!
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 17-08-2005 13:13 |
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TheDarkKnight666
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well.....yeah lol
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 17-08-2005 21:12 |
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Kal-EL
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Bale is the best BATMAN/Bruce Wayne nuff said.
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 17-08-2005 23:30 |
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TheDarkKnight666
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this is true but you have to respect keaton as well he was THE BATMAN before bale came around
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 18-08-2005 19:31 |
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Terry McGinnis
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Yes, that exactly what I meant!*terry*
I already have a father. His name is Bruce Wayne!
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 19-08-2005 15:35 |
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elfwithagun
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Good comparisons! still think Keaton is best though! |
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 21-08-2005 10:48 |
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Gothamite
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I'm going to shoot myself for saying this, but he didn't use Shark Repellant to win the surfing contest. He only used the shark repellant in the movie when he was dangling from the rope ladder connected to the batcopter! |
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 21-08-2005 10:51 |
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Gothamite
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Nate wrote:
Clooney:
"Keel the yeeroes!" A stogie-totin' Mr. Freeze. Ouch.
LOL! |
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 21-08-2005 14:08 |
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FlaBat
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I?d rank them as:
1). Bale
No doubt the new image of Batman. This guy came out of nowhere and took the title away from Keaton.
2). Keaton
Longtime favorite and still a close second. Who knew Mr. Mom and Beetlejuice could be one of the best Batman ever.
3). Clooney
Had a lousy script, director and co-stars but he still looked good as both Wayne and Batman. If only he could have had a better story, I know he?s a better actor than he was here.
4). Kilmer
Too young, I bought into him as Batman, but not Wayne. Even Wayne he seemed too young for. He?s a great actor, but just not up to par this time out.
5). West
West almost beats Kilmer overall. For a campy Batman he beats both Clooney and Kilmer, but Batman should be serious and the TV series never explored Wayne?s tortured soul like the others did.
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 21-08-2005 22:03 |
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gogoedward
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Bale is the bestest.
CLooney should have been better I agree. He is a good actor but bat-nipples and bad scripts ruin everything.
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| RE: The Battle of the Batmen -
Posted on 21-08-2005 22:37 |
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TheDarkKnight666
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lol true
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