Reviewing the Past Batman Movies!

[Neverending]

I noticed that some of you are re-watching the old Batman movies in honor of The Dark Knight. So...let's talk about them!

http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/hv/photo/movie_pix/twentieth_century_fox/batman__the_movie/_group_photos/adam_west2.jpg
http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/hv/photo/movie_pix/warner_brothers/batman/_group_photos/michael_keaton8.jpg
http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/hv/photo/movie_pix/warner_brothers/batman_begins/christian_bale/batmanbegins12.jpg

BATMAN: THE MOVIE
Campy Batman is not my thing, but this movie was hilarious. Adam West and his supporting cast were all great. It didn't look or feel different from the television series, but it was still a lot of fun.

BATMAN
This is still my favorite. Although TDK may change that. Tim Burton, Michael Keaton, and company did a great job. It was dark and took itself seriously for the most part but it was also a lot of fun.

BATMAN RETURNS
Underrated and misunderstood movie. It's a departure from the comics, but Burton is a genius. This movie is one of the most artistc superheroes movies. If not the most...

BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM
It's a superior "origin" story to Begins. Yea...I went there!

BATMAN FOREVER
Campy and dumb, but somehow entertaining. Kilmer was decent. And I did enjoy the flashback scenes. I also liked a lot of the action scenes.

BATMAN & ROBIN
Possibly the worst movie in the history of cinema. Nuff said.

BATMAN & MR. FREEZE: SUB-ZERO
Better than Batman & Robin, but that's not saying much.

BATMAN BEYOND: RETURN OF THE JOKER
Fantastic! And that flashback scene...wow!

BATMAN: MYSTERY OF THE BATWOMAN
Didn't like it.

BATMAN BEGINS
I liked it, but I'm in the minority since it's not my favorite.

BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHT
Saw parts of it. It's okay.

[Doomsday]

I agree with you completely. Batman is still my favorite for many many reasons that I could go into, and Batman Begins is not cinematic perfection. And yes, Batman Returns is pretty misunderstood but very original.

[MasterChief117]

Some of my favorite Batman movies are: Mask of the Phantasm, Batman Begins and Batman. Those by far are the best in my mind.

[Neverending]

Batman Begins is not cinematic perfection.

When it was released in June `05 I thought it was the best, but after watching it a couple of times on DVD (as well as the Tim Burton Batman) I started to have a lot of problems with it. The pace could have used some work. The fight scenes sucked. Scarecrow was wasted. Katie Holmes. etc.

[MasterChief117]

The fight scenes weren't that bad. I love the fight scene between Batman and Ra's goons.

[Neverending]

The fight scenes weren't that bad.

I would have liked the fight scenes if I could have seen what was going on. And I think Nolan realized he messed up because I've seen clips of the fight scenes in TDK.

[Tornado]

1. Batman Begins
2. Batman
3. Batman Returns
4. Batman Forever
5. Batman: Gotham Knight
6. Batman (1966)
7. Batman and Robin

[MasterChief117]

I would have liked the fight scenes if I could have seen what was going on. And I think Nolan realized he messed up because I've seen clips of the fight scenes in TDK.

Yeah, in Batman Begins it was like the camera man was having a seizure you couldn't see anything. In the one that I've seen the camera is well placed and you can see the fight scene, soo glad he learned.

[Andrey83]

Noone here makes any sense. Everyone knows that Batman Returns>>>>Batman ;)

[SouthsideX300]

1. Batman Begins
2. Batman
3. Batman Returns
4. Batman Forever
5. Batman: Gotham Knight
6. Batman (1966)
7. Batman and Robin

I agree with this list fully.

[Neverending]

I agree with this list fully.

His list is flawed by not including Phantasm and Return of the Joker. ;)

[Doomsday]

I also hate how Batman Begins is chopped. There is no room for pacing, pausing, expression, etc. Just watch the scene after Batman saves Rachel in the subway. "WhoareyouSomeonelikeyouWhatdoyouwant...." There is literally no pause between any lines exchanged (which makes it seem very, veeeery rehearsed). It happens very frequently in the movie, and it's something I really really hope they fix in Dark Knight.

[Andrey83]

I also hate how Batman Begins is chopped. There is no room for pacing, pausing, expression, etc. Just watch the scene after Batman saves Rachel in the subway. "WhoareyouSomeonelikeyouWhatdoyouwant...." There is literally no pause between any lines exchanged (which makes it seem very, veeeery rehearsed). It happens very frequently in the movie, and it's something I really really hope they fix in Dark Knight.

They did fix it, they sent the actress packing ;)

[MasterChief117]

Yeah, that always did it for me...


My list of Batman movies.


1.Batman Begins
2.Batman(1989)
3.Batman:Mask of the Phantasm
4.Batman Returns
5.Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
6.Batman Forever
7.Batman:Gotham Knight
8.Batman & Mr. Freeze:Sub Zero
9.Batman:Mystery of the Batwoman
10.Batman(66)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11.Batman and Robin

[Scorpio82]

1. Batman: The Movie (1966)

One the best movies EVER. Gotta love how Batman's taken the time to make signs for everything. Even the ladder hanging from the Bat-Copter has a tiny sign at the bottom reading "Bat Ladder."

2. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

On a more serious note, I think this the best of the Batman movies. It's a good solid crime mystery filled with great action and drama. The WB really needs to take a serious look at their cartoon division. They've got the wrong set of writers writing their live-action films.

3. Batman Begins

I don't consider this to be as realistic as everyone makes it out to be, but it was still a great popcorn flick. Batman's a ninja, the Batmobile's a monster military machine, and Scarecrow makes freaky stuff appear. I'd probably enjoy it a lot more if all the butt-kissing fans didn't prompt me to start noticing it's flaws.

4. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker

Just caught this on TV for the first time last night. I agree with Neverending - the whole thing just rocked.

5. Batman Forever

As mentioned before on the forum, it's great in pieces. Definitely more family-oriented than the previous two films, but I was a kid back then, so that just meant more fun for me.

6. Batman & Robin

Fudge it - I'll admit it: guilty pleasure territory. Everything in this movie is so insanely bad that I give it the MST3K treatment every time it's on. The Bat nipples, Arnie's ice puns, product placement, the bat credit card (expiration: FOREVER,) neon face-paint, a computer that says "ACCESS ALLOWED" in a pleasant voice when you enter the right password. The worst thing about this movie was the casting. Adam West would've been more at home in this than George Clooney.

7. Batman Returns

Ewwwww.... Danny Devito in creepy underpants eating raw fish. And yet... Michelle Pfeiffer in tight leather. Tim Burton's sending me mixed signals about how I should feel about this movie. I guess I'll give it points for the army of penguins.

8. Batman (1989)

My least favorite of the series. I've seen it several times and I still don't remember the story. It's almost like there's nothing in it to hook me. And it doesn't help that Tim Burton hated Batman to begin with.

[moviebuff801]

1. Batman Begins - ****
2. Batman ('89) - ***1/2
3. Batman Returns - ***
4. Batman ('66) - **1/2
5. Batman Forever - **
6. Batman & Robin - *

[Doomsday]

They did fix it, they sent the actress packing ;)

Maybe they should have done the same with the editor.

[Knerys]

I will agree the editing was a bit....quick. They could have lingered and it would made the some things sink into a little more.

But Batman 1989 wasn't cinematic perfection either. ;)


However I still like both.

[sshuttari]

with all it's little flaws of batman begins... it's still a better film than all the other batman films.

I didn't grow up with the Tim Burton films. I actually watched them a year before Begins came out and I was bored and unimpressed.

I think a lot of people like those films just because it was from there childhood.

[Neverending]

it doesn't help that Tim Burton hated Batman to begin with.

You need to double check your facts.

Batman 1989 wasn't cinematic perfection either. ;)

No one said it was.

I didn't grow up with the Tim Burton films. I actually watched them a year before Begins came out and I was bored and unimpressed.

I think a lot of people like those films just because it was from there childhood.

Nostalgia is powerful, but not THAT powerful.

[IanTheCool]

Campy Batman is not my thing,


Then how come you said Batman was your favorite?

[Moviefan]

you forgot batman beyond return of the joker and batman and super man cartoon moive.

my favorites are:
Batman beings
batman gotham knights
batman the movie
batman returns
batman forever
Batman and Robion I hadn't seen it in years
batman mask of the Phantasm
Batman beyond retrun of the joker
Batman super man cartoon movie

[Scorpio82]

You need to double check your facts.

Ah, you're right. It doesn't specify him hating Batman. It just says he doesn't like comic books. But he does seem to hate Superman. And he really seems to hate Kevin Smith.

[SnoBorderZero]

Do the cartoon movies even count considering they weren't actually in theaters?

[Neverending]

Then how come you said Batman was your favorite?

Yes, because Burton's Batman was sooooo campy. :rolleyes:

But he does seem to hate Superman.

Triple check your facts.

And he really seems to hate Kevin Smith.

Nah. That was just his publicist and Smith messing around.

Do the cartoon movies even count considering they weren't actually in theaters?

Mask of the Phantasm was released in theaters in December `93.

[MasterChief117]

Ah, you're right. It doesn't specify him hating Batman. It just says he doesn't like comic books. But he does seem to hate Superman. And he really seems to hate Kevin Smith.

If he doesn't like the comic books then why did he classify The Killing Joke as his favorite comic book of all time?:)

[IanTheCool]

Yes, because Burton's Batman was sooooo campy. :rolleyes:

I know it was. That's why I made the comment.

If he doesn't like the comic books then why did he classify The Killing Joke as his favorite comic book of all time?:)

The killing Joke? Wasn't that monty python?

[MasterChief117]

Huh?No, The Killing Joke is like the ultimate Joker bible. If you are a diehard fan you have to atleast read it well from what I've been told from many different people and my dad. Its fantastic but that was just the comic book that got Burton all into Batman.

[Scorpio82]

Triple check your facts.

All the facts I keep coming across are questionable if it's just a publicist messing around.

All I know is turning Superman into a freakish creature who shoots knives out of his chest and drives around in a Supermobile is something I'd totally do if I hated him and was approached to make his movie. :P

f he doesn't like the comic books then why did he classify The Killing Joke as his favorite comic book of all time?

It may have been one of the only comic books he read. He was asked to read it and "The Dark Knight Returns" before he started directing Batman. The producers wanted to make sure he didn't end up reading any of the campy Batman stories first.

[iv3rdawG]

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/4931/comicbatmanthekillingjowj4.jpg

[MasterChief117]

Dead link picture.:)

[Neverending]

If he doesn't like the comic books then why did he classify The Killing Joke as his favorite comic book of all time?:)

Burton is not a comic book fan, but he has read comic books.

All I know is turning Superman into a freakish creature who shoots knives out of his chest and drives around in a Supermobile is something I'd totally do if I hated him and was approached to make his movie. :P

The Superman Lives project had a couple of people involved. Everything you've heard or read doesn't involve Burton. Burton was like the last person to come on board. And his movie was gonna be more of a Star Wars-esque movie. But, anyway, all blame for the dumb things in that project should go to Jon Peters. He was involved from day one and doing dumb things. Even Kevin Smith blames him.

It may have been one of the only comic books he read. He was asked to read it and "The Dark Knight Returns" before he started directing Batman. The producers wanted to make sure he didn't end up reading any of the campy Batman stories first.

The producers never asked Burton to read Dark Knight Returns or Killing Joke. He read those on his own. What he was asked to read were the original 1939 comics by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and which he did read. Executive Producer Michael Uslan has said so many times.

[The Walrus]

*laughs*

Wow, I think Neverending just owned everyone. ....Again.

[The Walrus]

What's funny/ironic to me is that Burton used The Killing Joke as his backstory base...but in doing so he completely missed the point of The Killing Joke, which is that in addition to a well-held theory on the origins of the Joker, it's also an essential commentary on the Batman himself.

[The Walrus]

with all it's little flaws of batman begins... it's still a better film than all the other batman films.

I didn't grow up with the Tim Burton films. I actually watched them a year before Begins came out and I was bored and unimpressed.

I think a lot of people like those films just because it was from there childhood.

I apologize for the multiple posting...But I agree with this fully. I saw the last twenty minutes with the Joker and Batman when I was eight, but I hadn't seen the entire film until about six months ago. I feel like there are so many more things wrong with it than Batman Begins, but I agree that it was definitely innovative for its time.

It's like how I hadn't seen Nightmare Before Christmas until six months ago as well. And I honestly cannot understand why some people go ga-ga for a Jack Skellington T-shirt. I didn't think it was that awesome. (Although I did grow up with Burton's James and the Giant Peach, and I just might buy a shirt of the Centipede if I ever saw one. ;)) So I do think that *some* of the admiration for Batman may be rooted in some people's childhoods.

I think Batman Begins has several flaws, all of which have been mentioned and none of which change the fact that it was a ride in the theaters and my favorite Batman film. The fight scenes are cluttered and not very enjoyable. I have always felt like the final fight between Batman and Ras was very anti-climactic.

I recently watched it again, and I agree - it moves like a freight train; it's very fast-paced with the dialogue, plot, and editing. One of my biggest problems is that it's pretty important the DA was killed, but this is given EXTREMELY brief treatment.

Beyond that, my only real objection was Katie Holmes - and I read that she was replaced mainly because Tom Cruise objected to her reprisal.

I'm very optimistic that The Dark Knight will aptly fix all this. In Nolan's defense, he hadn't ever shot a fight scene before, and there is certainly a lot of plot that the writers had to pack into two and a half hours. As for Katie Holmes...what more need be mentioned other than her name? *shrugs*

[gar0781]

I have '89 Batman and Batman Begins as my two favorites. Both have their strong points and their flaws. I love Keaton's version of Batman but the only problem I had with him was that he was pretty small. Bale, at least physically, was a bit more intimidating,though not as dark as Keaton. The musical score and the batmobile in '89 Batman were the 2 things that I thought were clearly better than anything in Begins.

Returns was actually the first Batman I saw in the theaters and it was quite a ride. Still not quite as good as the original and BB. Forever was decent and B&R was an abomination.

[Neverending]

What's funny/ironic to me is that Burton used The Killing Joke as his backstory base...but in doing so he completely missed the point of The Killing Joke, which is that in addition to a well-held theory on the origins of the Joker, it's also an essential commentary on the Batman himself.

The Joker falling into the chemicals thing was not created in the Killing Joke. That origin goes all the way back to a 1951 issue of the comics. Screenwriter Sam Hamm was most likely the one who added that to the movie.

[brutus]

My thoughts..

Batman(1966) - Funny. Can't get the scene with the shark out of my head. My dad remembers seeing it in the theater and he said everyone was laughing at that part.

Batman - Probably my favorite of the series. Loved how dark it was. I thought it lived up to the enormous hype it created. Keaton was awesome and loved Nicholson's take of the Joker. Kim Basinger,while hot,was a bit annoying. The batmobile was kickass. I loved the part where Batman used that remote control thing to make it stop inches in front of him. Danny Elfman's score is another thing that made me love this movie so much. Probably my favorite movie soundtrack ever. I only wish he would have been involved in Nolan's series.

Batman Returns - Another good flick. I remember getting totally stoked when CBS aired a one hour primetime special on the movie a week before it was released. I almost puked in the theater when Penguin was eating raw fish. Catwoman was great though.

Batman Forever - Not as good as the first 2. Not as dark and too family oriented. Kilmer was decent as Batman though didnt' particularly like the Riddler in this one. Also wasn't too fond of the addition of Robin. I like that Batman is the lone fighter in the Burton and Nolan series. Didnt like the musical score and theme.

Batman & Robin - No Comment

Batman Begins - Awesome flick and nice reboot of the franchise. Was hesitant at first since B&R left such a sour taste in my mouth on the Batman flicks but this movie definitely changed it. The only things I didn't like too much were the Tumbler and Katie Holmes. Wasn't too fond of the musical score either. Still, Bale's version of Batman was awesome.

The Dark Knight - TBD

[Scorpio82]

*laughs*

Wow, I think Neverending just owned everyone. ....Again.

I accept the ownage. You win, Neverending. :P

[prongsfan1989]

Batman Begins and Batman 89 tie for first
Batman Returns is second
Batman: MOTP is third
Batman: Subzero is fourth
Batman: ROTJ is fifth
Batman: Forever is sixth
Batman and Robin Seventh and dead last

But the Dark Knight is the best Batman film ever!

[WackoJacko31]

1.The Dark Knight-BEST MOVIE EVER!


2.Batman Begins

3.Batman:Gotham Knights
4.Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
5.Batman Returns
6.Batman(1989)

7.Batman Forever





8.Batman & Robin

[Tornado]

1. The Dark Knight
2. Batman Begins
3. Batman
4. Batman Returns
5. Batman Forever
6. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
7. Batman: Gotham Knight
8. Batman (1966)
9. Batman and Robin

I've never seen Return of the Joker.

[IanTheCool]

TV has been playing all the old batman movies all week, so i watched some of them. Wow, were they awful. So i had to put in Begins just to wash the bad batman out of my system.

[unity768]

TV has been playing all the old batman movies all week, so i watched some of them. Wow, were they awful. So i had to put in Begins just to wash the bad batman out of my system.

i agree..but i wouldnt call them totally awful, just mediocre with the exception of BF and B&R

[unity768]

The Dark Knight
Batman Begins
Batman
Batman Returns
Batman Forever
Batman & Robin

[MasterChief117]

1. The Dark Knight
2. Batman Begins
3. Batman
4. Batman Returns
5. Batman Forever
6. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
7. Batman: Gotham Knight
8. Batman (1966)
9. Batman and Robin

I've never seen Return of the Joker.

Completely agree.

[IAmARevenant]

I think Batman and Robin is slightly underrated; am I the only one that sees it as unrelentingly hilarious? Sometimes, I think Schumacher was intending the film to be a joke, and everyone was taking it as a serious Batman film. It seemed like a second feature film based on the Batman TV series.

Anyways, it's hilarious, I think.

[Doomsday]

Even if you were to watch it as a joke, it's still a pretty bad joke. ;)

[Tornado]

I think Batman and Robin is slightly underrated; am I the only one that sees it as unrelentingly hilarious? Sometimes, I think Schumacher was intending the film to be a joke, and everyone was taking it as a serious Batman film. It seemed like a second feature film based on the Batman TV series.

Anyways, it's hilarious, I think.

Well I had to rank them based on their worth as films, not how funny they are. But yeah, I agree that Batman and Robin is pretty funny. But that comedy is more in the sense of "I can't believe he just did that," in my opinion.

[Neverending]

Wow, were they awful.

Don't say they were awful and not give an explanation.

[Scorpio82]

I think Batman and Robin is slightly underrated; am I the only one that sees it as unrelentingly hilarious? Sometimes, I think Schumacher was intending the film to be a joke, and everyone was taking it as a serious Batman film.

That's what I thought too. It's hilariously bad. Bat-nipples, rubber icicles, recycled footage, prop comedy... "ICE to see you!" If it's on TV, I'll put it on, if only for the whole MST3K value (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqLaBO5IcjA) of it.

[Tornado]

That's what I thought too. It's hilariously bad. Bat-nipples, rubber icicles, recycled footage, prop comedy... "ICE to see you!" If it's on TV, I'll put it on, if only for the whole MST3K value (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqLaBO5IcjA) of it.

Haha, nice link. That was awesome.

I miss the show. :(

[MasterChief117]

Wow that was simply amazing, I miss that show soo much. I wish they could do modern movies because Battlefield Earth and Batman and Robin would be high on that list.

[iv3rdawG]

That's what I thought too. It's hilariously bad. Bat-nipples, rubber icicles, recycled footage, prop comedy... "ICE to see you!" If it's on TV, I'll put it on, if only for the whole MST3K value (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqLaBO5IcjA) of it.

:funny:

"That smell... is it corn nuts?"

"Feed me, Seymour!"

[Ramplate]

"Obi Wan, you're holding me back!"

Now we know where Lucas got his script ideas :hehe:

[IanTheCool]

Don't say they were awful and not give an explanation.

:D

[jonk]

That's what I thought too. It's hilariously bad. Bat-nipples, rubber icicles, recycled footage, prop comedy... "ICE to see you!" If it's on TV, I'll put it on, if only for the whole MST3K value (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqLaBO5IcjA) of it.

and the sound effect each time someone slipped on the ice. was like when someone slipped on a banana skin in a silent movie!