Okay, so, hundreds of Batman fans have been making arbitrary lists of the most iconic appearances, and the most terrible, but today, I want to jump in on the fun, but I won't be judging by nostalgia alone. Now, I'm gonna be brutally honest, and rank all the Batman live-action films since 1989.
8. Batman and Robin
The obvious choice, I'm not even sure this should be considered a serious film. The fourth and final installment of the original Batman series, Batman and Robin takes the franchise to a new, cartoonish tone. Filled with flat performances from most of the cast, a terrible script, and flimsy set pieces, and undeveloped characters, Batman and Robin was a disaster, but, good did come out of it, as we would
 |
| The cast of Batman and Robin |
have never gotten the Nolan reboot if it wasn't for this movie. I'm pretty sure I'm in line with
other reviewers here, and that's why Batman and Robin gets the bottom slot.
7. Batman Forever
A Batman film that's hardly remembered, even by fans of the Batman franchise, Batman Forever is a mediocre third installment that moves the franchise away from it's darker and grittier past. Val Kilmer doesn't necessarily phone it in as the caped crusader, but his portrayal is less than convincing at best. I think that the casting really doesn't make much impact if you have a lousy story, and unfortunately, that's the curse Forever has. It's not a terrible movie by every means, and I'm sure when it was released in 1995, it was a smash hit at the box office, and in the hearts of children everywhere, which is ultimately what the movies are going for, anyways.
6. Batman (1989)
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Keaton (right) as Batman
and Nicholson (left) as the Joker
in the 1989 film |
The film that got the ball rolling, Batman is an iconic superhero flick that comic-book fans will always remember, not so much for the story, but for the performances. Michael Keaton stars as Batman, and despite backlash from fans (sound familiar?), plays a more inclusive Bruce Wayne than the one we're used to seeing in other media, but, for this film, it works. Jack Nicholson's Joker was, at the time, praised for it's accuracy, but with the dawn of Mark Hamil and Heath Ledger's Joker, it may not stand the test of time. The film's plot is; however, somewhat dull, but ultimately, that's not what matters to fans, and it will be remembered for starting the franchise, and for convincing portrayals of the Dark Knight and his nemesis.
5. Batman vs Superman
The most recent appearance of DC"s most popular characters, Batman vs Superman, so far, seems beloved by fans, but hated by critics. Expectations were high, especially since DC"s top rival, Marvel, cranks out quality superhero films at assembly line speeds, and DC is struggling to get it's cinematic universe off the ground. This film, if critically praised, would have given Warner Bros ample room to expand upon. The problem was that Batman v Superman had to set up so much in such a short time span, and I think critics have been a little harsh on the movie. There is multiple plots shoved into the movie, but the performances, from Cavil and Affleck specifically, bring the film out of the depths of awfulness. We'll see; however, how this film holds up twenty five years from now.
4. Batman Begins
 |
Christian Bale as Batman in the 2005
reboot |
The first installment of the critically-praised Nolan reboot franchise, Batman Begins is the weakest of the three films, but calling it the weakest doesn't give the film credit. A dark, gritty reimagining of the Batman story, Batman Begins shows us the origins of Batman- beyond the unfortuante death of his parents in his youth. In this film, we get to see Batman ultimately become Batman- in other installments, Batman has already doned the cloak and cape for a decade- or we start at their first mission, past the training stage. We also get to see more of the Bruce Wayne persona, which, we never really did see in the previous installments. The casting is very well put together. Bale's Batman and Cane's Alfred work well together on-screen, and a character based plot ultimately puts Batman begins at the top of the list.
3. The Dark Knight Rises
 |
Tom Hardy played a convincing
villain in 2012's the Dark Knight
Rises |
Coming off the heels of the Avengers and a boatload of other superhero flicks, The Dark Knight Rises had a lot of hype, and DKR lives up to it. The plot, although long, and somewhat grandiose, is ultimately a stroy about redemption, and the casting department is at it again with the good choices for characters. Tom Hardy's Bane, though barely audible, is a compelling villain for Batman, who isn't is enemy based on ideals, but based on history. In the comics, Bane merely served as a big, destructive brute, in this film, Bane is a cunning warrior with extreme views, but dastardly intelligence. A great ending, and villain, The Dark Knight Rises will be forever remembered as one of the best Batman films.
2. Batman Returns
Batman Returns is, objectively speaking, one of the best Batman films out there, but it's ultimately the characters that make the movie stand out compared to it's competition. I know I've been praising characters left and right through the course of this review, but here, it's a no brainer. Michael Keaton, flanked by Danny Devito and Michelle Pfieffer, yet again picks up the cape to defeat the Penguin. It's bizarre, but Tim Burton's second and final Batman film is much grittier, and darker than it's earlier contemporaries, and I think that's the allure of it. With convincing characters, a creepy story, and great sets, Batman Returns is in the top tier of superhero films.
1. The Dark Knight
It's the dark knight. What can I say. 10/10, you already knew this.
