2014 marked the 75th Anniversary of Batman, one of the most popular superheroes of all time, and he doesn’t look a day over thirty! As we reach the end of the Bat’s anniversary, and with the fan-favorite “Batman: The Series” finally getting a DVD and Blu-ray release on November 11, we thought we’d go through all of the theatrically-released Batman films (yes, all of them!) and pick out the best Batman moments from each. Read on below and and also be sure to check out Origins and Evolutions: Batman at SuperHeroHype!
The 10 Best Batman Moments on Film New
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The Dark Knight Rises - The return of The Batman
In the context of The Dark Knight Rises, it's been eight years since Batman has been seen in public, and Christopher Nolan almost replicates that feeling for fans by not having Bale appear in costume until the 45 minute mark. This scene works because the audience knows who Batman is and what he can do, but the world and its new cops and criminals have forgotten or never knew how resourceful and diligent he can be. Batman escapes police custody twice in this incredible chase sequence that echoes his triumphant return in Frank Miller's classic "The Dark Knight Returns." -
The Dark Knight - Interrogation Scene
Just minutes after the chase comes this important character building sequence. Though Batman gets very little dialogue, much of which is simply inquisitory, it's The Joker's dialogue that not only fully illustrates their relationship throughout 75 years of continuity, but how the two compliment and clash with one another. The Joker tells Batman that they complete each other, and he's right. He also tells Batman not to talk like a cop, because he isn't, he's just a freak. Joker completely deconstructs Batman right in front of him and all Batman can do in reply is beat the snot out of him. -
The Dark Knight - Batpod chase scene
Batman's preparedness gives him an advantage in any match-up, but this chase scene is an example of when his improvisational skills make him just as tough. Not only does Batman quickly dispatch other vehicles attacking the convoy, but he takes one for the team by leaping the Batmobile in the way of one of Joker's RPGs. That leads to the ultimate test in quick thinking as Batman is forced to deploy the Batpod. Batman further improvises by taking what the Tumbler was designed for and using tow cables to ensnare The Joker's truck and flipping it over. -
Batman Begins - "Swear to me"
As the unsuspecting Detective Flass eats his falafel in the rain, Batman strings him up and hoists him a number of stories in the air to interrogate him. Not only does the "Swear to me" line kick a ton of ass, but he follows it later in the scene with "Do I look like a cop" before sending Flass plummeting to the ground, and gently letting his face absorb the fall. This scene is the best, because it perfectly encapsulates part of Batman's schtick, his use of fear to intimidate criminals. -
Batman & Robin - "Disable Engine"
There is not much to like about Batman & Robin. In fact, this scene might be the only thing that remotely resembles Batman in the entire two hours of the film. As Batman and Robin chase after Mr. Freeze, down the arm of a giant statue (because why not), Batman tries to call Robin off because he can't make the jump. When Robin refuses, Batman uses override codes to disable the engine of his motorcycle, forcing him to take the sideline for the capture of Freeze. -
Batman Forever - Two-Face origin
Shown as a news story, we're given the full lowdown of Harvey Dent prosecuting Sal Maroni who throws the acid on his face. Batman appears in the newsreel, albeit briefly, in an effort to save Dent, but it's too late. The reel closes with the anchor saying that "Who blames Batman, and has vowed to destroy The Dark Knight." This moment in itself is a cool piece to see on film, but when the camera cuts away and you realize Bruce is watching it, it becomes a great Batman moment since he already knows how this story ends, but he's torturing himself by watching it. -
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm - Bruce fights the bikers
While out walking with love interest Andrea Beaumont, Bruce passes by an older man being robbed by a group of bikers. Andrea tries to stop him, but Bruce's training and Batman instincts kick in and he tackles one of the ne'er-do-wells, tosses the other over a railing into the river, and knocks a third off his bike. The other snaps a baseball bat across Bruce's chest as he's distracted by Andrea. This scene summarizes one of the major themes of the film - Bruce can't be both Batman and have a love life. -
Batman Returns - First fight with Catwoman
The 1992 follow-up to Tim Burton's film also has its fair share of sweet moments, but our favorite is Batman's first tussle with Catwoman. The pair exchange blows on top of a roof, and Catwoman even gets the drop on him by messing with Batman's head. Their fight continues as they trade punches, kicks, and scratches, and Catwoman uses her sexuality as a weapon leading to a pretty awkward moment of sexual tension between the two that almost perfectly depicts their relationship from the comics. -
Batman (1989) - "I'm Batman"
As Tim Burton's goth infused take on Batman starts out, Bruce Wayne has only been active as the Dark knight for a few weeks in Gotham and is merely a rumor to members of the press. After witnessing a mugging that very nearly echoes his own origin, Batman steps in and beats the snot out of two lowlife thugs who had been gossiping about "The Bat" just moments before. As Batman holds the thug over the ledge, pleading for his life, Batman tells him he won't kill him, he needs him to do him a favor, tell everyone who he is. -
Batman: The Movie - Batman in detective mode
He may be known as the world's greatest detective, but Batman does very little detective work in many of his feature films. In Batman: The Movie, which was released after the first season of the 1960s TV series, Batman and Robin are looking for Commodore Schmidlapp and his yacht off the coast of Gotham City (which is when Batman is attacked by a shark if you recall, another great moment). The pair take photos of the yacht from the Bat-Copter, but after developing the pictures realize the ship was never there, and Batman is quick to deduce exactly how the illusion was pulled off.
