Sage Toons Forums

[Dr. Sage]

Batman! One of the greatest DC comic characters ever made. From comics to the big screen, the Dark Knight, still to this day, tries to appeal to crowds of all ages. However, he had to overcome a lot of obstacles whether it was a different actor in the bat suit or the director that made the movie, fans are watching and taking notes. These are my top 10 Batman Production Moments that made changed Batman and how we look at him, forever.

10. Joel Schumacher
Now, I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out. After all the dark and violent acts of Tim Burton’s Batman Returns, Warner Brothers felt it was time for a change. They wanted Batman to be more “family friendly.” Enter Joel Schumacher. After Batman Forever, you’d think Schumacher’s job would be done and he did what Warner Brothers wanted him to do. But due to the success of Batman Forever, it was time for a sequel: Batman and Robin. Tim Burton was no longer producer, Val Kilmer quit the movie, and Schumacher decided to destroy the movie with one-liners and “bat-asses.” After 1997, another Batman movie wasn’t heard of again for 8 years (except Batman Triumphant was mentioned once, but that never saw the light of day after Batman and Robin). Maybe this was the crash we needed and a lesson to learn.

9. Alfred Pennyworth and Commissioner James Gordon
Michael Gough (Alfred) and Pat Hingle (Comm. Gordon) are probably the best supporting actors in the first four Batman movies. They were that good. Alfred and Comm. Gordon were classic looking characters and fit the Batman series perfectly. No matter how bad the Dark Knight had it, these two are the finest supporting actors for any Batman film. So now, Michael Caine has replaced Alfred and Gary Oldman has replaced Comm. Gordon. They’re OK, but you can never replace the two finest supporting actors Michael Gough, you’re too old to be Alfred, but you’ll never be replaced. Same goes with you, Pat Hingle (R.I.P).

8. Gotham City
The crime-ridden city which Batman protects. All 3 directors have had their own view on what Gotham City looks like. Tim Burton’s was dark, classic, felt like the comic book, and alleys filled with crooks. Joel Schumacher’s Gotham City was bright, colorful, totally fake, and full of statues of shirtless guys. Christopher Nolan’s Gotham is probably the best so far. It’s dark when it’s dark and it’s light when it’s light. A believable city, yet, it sticks with the comic book’s description. When you look at all three versions of Gotham city, you’ll notice how far Gotham has come. From a dark metropolis, to a glowing man-opolis, to a typical New York-like environment.

7. The Riddler
Let me clear the air here. Jim Carrey was a fine choice for the Riddler. A lot of people have stated that it was “just Jim Carrey being Jim Carrey.” But why else would they choose Jim Carrey as the Riddler? They had many actors to choose from but they needed someone who was like the Riddler: Crazy, wacky, a total nut job, and is very active. So how do you describe Jim Carrey? Crazy, wacky, a total nut job, and is very active. There you go. A perfect match. Moving on.

6. The Joker
Jack Nicholson played the Joker in Tim Burton’s Batman and was a fine Joker indeed. Heath Ledger played the Joker in the Dark Knight and he too did a fine job. They both belong at number 6. Why’s that? The Joker is a crazed villain who wants to make people smile by either chemicals or cutting their mouths open. Nicholson was crazy, nasty, and a chemist with a sick mind of making people… SMILE!!! Ledger was disturbed, ill-minded, and more destructive than Nicholson would ever be. The Joker is a crazy yet the finest villain ever created. Do you prefer your Joker classic and crazy? Nicholson’s your man. Want destruction and chaos? Ledger would be your first choice.

5. Danny Elfman
Ah yes. Danny Elfman. You may know Danny Elfman as the composer for the theme for the Simpsons, the composer for the game Fable, and many more. But Elfman’s finest work has got to be the theme to Batman and Batman Returns. It’s so dark, yet so epic, upbeat, and so memorable, it was used again in the Batman animated series, and a number of Batman games like Lego Batman. You could ask someone “How does the theme to Batman go?” And that someone would say “Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na Batman!” And you’d tell them: “You are so goddamn wrong, my friend.”

4. Batman Begins
In Batman, Tim Burton explained how Bruce Wayne’s parents were killed. They were killed by Jack Napier (which is wrong, by the way). Joel Schumacher explained in Batman Forever, that they were killed (Jack Napier‘s name not mentioned therefore Joe Chill, who is the real killer, killed them). After his parent’s funeral, Bruce ran and ran and then he fell into a well. And he saw a bat… Which he is afraid of. Christopher Nolan explained how Batman truly began. Every detail from Bruce’s parent’s death, to falling down a well seeing a Bat, to being trained by Ra’s Al Ghul. It’s the true beginning and I’m sticking with the whole story. Not part of it. Onward to number 3.

3. Tim Burton
Back in the 1980’s, Tim Burton was still a new face in Hollywood. But Warner Brothers felt that he was ready for a true challenge: Batman. And it was a smart choice. To this day, Batman is one of Tim Burton’s finest works and is one of the best Batman movies ever made. The fans spoke out and wanted more. More of Danny Elfman’s theme, more of Tim Burton’s darkness, more of Michael Keaton being Batman. Of course, in 1992, after Batman Returns, Warner Brothers decided to get rid of Tim Burton as the director for any future Batman movies. However, he was producer in Batman Forever (hence why the movie is both dark and glowing at the same time).

2. Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton played Batman/Bruce Wayne in Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns. To this day, he is the best Batman that ever lived. It wasn’t how much you looked like Bruce Wayne, it wasn’t how good you’d look in the Batman suit, it’s how well you can be Bruce Wayne and Batman. By day, Bruce Wayne was a clever, witty, charming billionaire who was persuasive and smart. By night, he was Batman. Dark, mysterious, and stopped crooks and baddies from robbing innocent people. Keaton succeeded as both Batman and Bruce Wayne and will always be Batman/Bruce Wayne. Not Val Kilmer, (God knows) not George Clooney, and not Christian Bale. Michael Keaton is undoubtedly the best Batman to have ever hit any 2 Batman films.

1. Christopher Nolan
Never had there been such good Batman movies since Tim Burton’s Batman. Nolan made Batman Begins and The Dark Knight both exciting, dark, and appeal to all audiences. Which is what Warner Brothers was looking for all this time. Christian Bale played Batman/Bruce Wayne for both movies and despite the infamous “Bat voice,” he studied his part well and was almost as good as Michael Keaton. A whole new cast, a whole new beginning, a whole new adventure, and a whole new Gotham. The movies satisfied the eyes, the effects has people wanting more, and more is what they are going to get. A new Batman movie by Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale as Batman once again, and I hope that this movie will be as cool, effective, and amazing as the last two films.
_________________

Click above if you know what's good for you!
Oh and here is Kirby! <('.')> Wring told me to put him there!

[Dr Joshbotnik]

A very nice list. You love your Batman films.
_________________
Am I bothered?!