From Todays Batman Back To Where It Started, Who Was The Best Batman?

I didn’t know how to feel about Robert Pattinson being Batman. I didn’t know how I felt about Ben Affleck being the Batman. Since Christian Bale’s time as the caped crusader, fans have argued that he was the quintessential Batman. Then again, times change, and so does Batman!

#2 Robert Pattinson Stars As The Batman

If it still rings weirdly in your ears, you’re not alone. Robert Pattinson is The Batman. He’s not our Batman, and he’s not our father’s Batman. The Robert Pattinson version of The Batman is more akin to the Detective Comics Batman with a darker, graphic novel feel to the character. The change makes sense. It’s not even the same Gotham City as we soon learn.

The Batman stars Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/The Batman, Zoe Kravitz as Selena Kyle/Catwoman, and the talented Jeffrey Wright as Jim Gordon.

When the Riddler, who in this iteration of the character is a sadistic serial killer, begins murdering key figures in Gotham, Batman begins to investigate. Having to run headlong against the corruption of Gotham and the citys’ organized criminal element, Bruce Wayne comes face to face with his family's hidden legacy.

The talents of John Turturro and Colin Farrell are on full display in The Batman as Mob Boss Carmine Falcone and Oz/The Penguin, respectively. Farrell is hardly recognizable as the Penguin, and I honestly didn’t know it was him until someone told me.

If you haven’t seen it, yet, be prepared for the length as it’s enough to take a toll on your tush. The runtime of The Batman is 2:56 and that doesn’t include commercials.

Ranking The Batmen

Nobody can play Batman Forever. Pardon the pun? Since the 80s there’ve been 6 actors dawn the cowl and cape of the Batman. We’ve seen such talented actors as Michael Keaton, 80s stars like Val Kilmer, and TV stars like George Clooney as the Batman. Who played it better is a subject of debate among comic book fans and DC fanatics.

People may disagree, but Val Kilmer is arguably the least impressive of the Batmen on the big screen. That’s not to say that the movie wasn’t filled with cartoonish effects, a cool batmobile, and crazy characters. It just didn’t perform as well as its predecessors and Kilmer departed the role before having the opportunity to grow into it the way Daniel Craig did with his time as James Bond.

#6 Goes To Val Kilmer As Batman in Batman Forever

#5 George Clooney as Batman in Batman And Robin

As far as movie stars go, George Clooney wasn’t believable as Batman and delivered most of his lines with the skill of an untrained daytime soap star. He was the most unbelievable Batman of the entire lot, and we could include the Batman as far back as Adam West. There have been more believable Batmen in the cartoon/animated versions.

Clooney’s Bruce Wayne was pretty much what we would imagine an ego-maniacal billionaire would be like and a little more believable. Overall, Clooney felt like he was being George Clooney playing dress-up in front of a Camera with some friends.

Now, my readers are where this get’s complicated. Even if you’re not one of the hardcore bat groupies, Batman is an age-old favorite in the superhero genre. So, the ownership of the top three spots on the list of the best Batman is a coveted spot that could start barroom brawls amongst die-hard comic fans.

#4 Batfleck or Ben Affleck As Batman

The idea of it was abysmal, horrific, and terrifying to Batman fans, fans of the superhero genre, and DC fans. Still, after a lackluster appearance in Batman v.s. Superman, Dawn Of Justice, Affleck pulls the character out of the fire with fans that didn’t like the casting. It was nothing against Affleck as an actor. Most just didn’t see him as Batman and he had the unenviable task of following Christian Bale's success with the role.

Sadly, it looks like Bale is done in the role of Batman and the studio execs have moved on. After the Justice League and the Snyder cut of the Justice League, people began to have hope for Affleck as the billionaire crusader. Affleck seemed the perfect Batman to play the role as one of the founders of the Justice League. Affleck’s onscreen chemistry with Gal Gadot’s Wonderwoman and Henry Cavil’s Superman was strong, thus adding something special to the movie experience.

#3 Michael Keaton As Batman

Keaton’s time as Batman was historic. He starred in the first successful iteration of the character on the big screen. Keaton’s Batman was familiar, comfortable, and memorable. It was the Batman that we grew up with, knew, and loved as kids.

Keaton has incredible acting talents and was able to bring Batman to life, and bring Bruce Wayne to the screen in a way that maintained the character's story and credibility.

#2 Robert Pattinson As Batman

He wasn’t anyone’s first choice as Batman but Robert Pattinson nails the role of the Detective Comics Batman/Bruce Wayne persona. The movie has such a strong cast that even a weaker actor could do well with such support, but Pattinson seizes the opportunity to show some of his depth and ability as an actor.

#1 Christian Bale

Bale was the quintessential Batman/Bruce Wayne. He owned the role and brought it to new heights. When we think about the fame of Batman in the current day, Christian Bale owned this and set the bar for playing comic book heroes. His “I’m Batman” even sounded the tone for another actor's path to owning a certain red and gold armored suit before taking to the stage to tell the world…that’s a different franchise but we all know what he said.

So, who was your favorite movie, Batman? No matter what we do, we have to give a nod to...

ADAM WEST!!! BATMAN

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