The Best Batman Movie

Of the myriad fictional characters out there few have had an impact on so many generations across the world the way that Batman does. There have been on screen adaptations of the Batman story over the years both on the television and on the silver screen, both live and animated. What I set before you today are the best live Batman movies out there to date. I must admit it was more of an undertaking that I thought it would be at first, so for those of you have been waiting for it, I apologize. At any rate, enjoy!

Starring: Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Nicole Kidman, Jim Carrey, Chris O'Donnell.

Story: After the death of his family Dick Grayson (O'Donnell) is taken in by billionaire Bruce Wayne (Kilmer), who also lost his family at a young age. Discovering Wayne's secret, Grayson becomes Batman's sidekick - Robin. The dynamic duo must not only deal with villains Two-Face (Jones) and the Riddler (Carrey) but also with the young sidekick's desire for revenge.

What makes it good: Jim Carrey's performance as the Riddler in this film was fantastic, more than just a riddle spouting criminal, his performance shows not only the comedic aspects of the character but also his raw genius. The costuming was pretty good, Robin's costume was a nice update to the classic red and green, which is featured in part as the uniform of the Flying Graysons. The film had a lot of funny moments.

What makes it #7: Speaking of funny moments, the film at times just got campy. Too campy for a film that like Batman and Batman Returns before it I had expected to be a more serious Batman. For example when Robin exclaims "Holey rusted metal Batman" A play back to the 1960's TV series, which is all well and good but at the same time makes me groan and roll my eyes just a little. Val Kilmer did not overly impress me in the role of Batman, Bruce Wayne, yes. Batman - no.

Starring: George Clooney, Chris O'Donnell, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Uma Thurman, Alicia Silverstone.

Story: Batman (Clooney) and Robin (O'Donnell) square off against Poison Ivy (Thurman), Bane, and Mr. Freeze (Schwarzenegger). But the villainous trio's use of Ivy's pheromone concoctions drive a wedge between the duo. Batgirl (Silverstone) joins the scene in this film, making the battle three against three. Can they pull it together to save Gotham in time? Of course they can.

What makes it good: I was glad to see Bane in this movie. He's a character that I had heard of through the animated series and always thought he would be a good villain for a Batman film. This movie is energetic and fast paced. A family friendly Batman film so to speak, as the family is a central theme in this film. Also good to see was the incorporation of Batgirl, who added a central character not seen in the previous Batman films.

What makes it #6: It was sad to see Bane playing the role of mindless henchman as opposed to being a villain that could really give Batman and Robin a run for their money. Arnold as Mr. Freeze was kind of disappointing, The only thing he had going for him was his accent. When I think Mr. Freeze I don't think body builder. I think thin bald guy with a cold suit and an ice gun. This film also got a touch campy. So very many puns. Also in this film Batgirl was not Barbara Gordon, but Alfred's niece. This film was good don't get me wrong, but it played more like a comedy than an action hero flick.

Starring: Adam West, Burt Ward, Lee Meriwether, Cesar Romero, Burgess Meredith, Frank Gorshin.

Story: Batman (West) and Robin's (Ward) arch villains the Joker (Romero), the Penguin (Meredith), Catwoman (Meriwether), and the Riddler (Gorshin) join forces to take over the world. Only Batman and Robin can stand against the band of bad guys.

What makes it good: Seeing episodes of the 1966-68 television series, this film is exactly what fans of the show would expect. It is funny to watch. Also this is the only live film with these four villains appearing at the same time.

What makes it #5: While its cheesyness was part of what made then movie great,on some level it's also the film's down side. When I look for a Batman story I want something with a darker, more serious tone, like the comic books I see on the shelves.

Starring: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, as well as roles from some great actors like Jack Palance and Billy Dee Williams.

Story: Police and press search for the masked vigilante known as Batman and reporter Vicki Vale is on the case. Meanwhile Jack Napier falls into a vat of chemicals during a good old fashioned criminal shootout. From the vat, and a back alley plastic surgeon the Joker arises to take out his former boss and have some good ol' crazy fun. The only thing standing in his way, Batman.

What makes it good: I have to admit my bias at this point. This was my first Batman, ever. This film was the standard to which I compared everything I know about the Batman story. First of all, I'm a huge fan of Tim Burton's work. There were stellar performances from Batman (Keaton) and the Joker (Nicholson). The film was dark and straightforward. Billy Dee Williams played Harvey Dent. It's a shame he never reprised his role in the later films it would have been interesting to see Lando rampaging through Gotham as Two-Face. Also of note, the appearance of Batman's coolest aircraft, the Batwing. My favorite scene: It's a tie between the Joker redecorating the art museum and the scene where Jack Palance's character gets crispy as a result of the Joker's joy-buzzer.

What makes it #4: The batmobile wasn't my favorite in this one. I'm more a fan of the tank - style batmobiles than the futuristic rocket car types. While Basinger as Vicki Vale seemed to work well with Keaton as Batman, she wasn't the worst romantic interest that Batman had in the films, she also wasn't the best. I think you see by now where I'm going with this.

Starring: Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito, Christopher Walken

Story: The sinister villain, Penguin, emerges from a life in the sewers to bid for mayor of Gotham City. A corrupt businesman pushes his secretary out a window, and she is reborn as cat woman. The Dark Knight has his work cut out for him in this Batman sequel.

What makes it good: This is one of my favorites. DeVito commands the screen in this film as the Penguin, a big thumbs up to the makeup department on this one. Pfeiffer also did a fantastic job as Catwoman in this flick. Another think I liked about this story was that it provided some great back-story for the origin of the two villains in this film, prior to this film I had no idea where Penguin came from, having that backstory allows us to identify with the villains, which makes them more real and that much more frightening.

What makes it #3: While I sometimes can have a problem with sequels, this one was pretty good. Unlike several of the previously mentioned sequels this one was dark and real without being overly campy. How #2 and #1 in this list have given provided more of what I look for in a Batman film as a Batman fan and as an adult.

Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Gary Oldman, and Morgan Freeman.

Story: Exactly what the title says: This story traces the origins of Batman from how it all started, to training to facing the villains of Gotham. Even the meeting of Commissioner (Then Detective) Gordon.

What makes it good: This flick is awesome.It has dark, yet "could happen" realism. A few of my favorite characters from the animated series and comic books are presented in this film that aren't talked about much in the other films. Gordon has a bigger role in this film than in some of the others. Lucious Fox is in this movie, played by the great Morgan Freeman, this film gives you a look into as the Joker (Nicholson) from the 1989 Batman film might say where he gets his "wonderful toys." Scarecrow and Ra's Al-Ghul are the key villains in this movie and they don't disappoint. Michael Caine arrives in the role of Alfred, my favorite actor to play this role.

What makes it # 2:  This was my favorite Batmobile, more tank-like and less like a swanky "car of the future" type design. Overall great performance from the cast, good story and the effects were pretty good too. On to number 1!

Starring: Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart

Story: Picks up a while after Batman Begins left off.  Batman and Gordon (Lieutenant now) fight the mob, who in an hour of desperation turn to the Joker for help going after Batman. Chaos ensues as the Joker wreaks havoc on Gotham City.

What makes it #1: For many of the same reasons Batman Begins was number 2. This story follows the other driving it's intensity forward building to its inevitable explosive conclusion. Two favorite villains emerge in this flick, the Joker and Two-Face. Heath Ledger played the Joker in what is arguably the best (and sadly the last) performance of his career. He brings to mind exactly what you'd expect from the Joker: insanity, intensity and a fantastic sense of humor : )  Aaron Eckhart's portrayal of Harvey Dent/Two-face was fantastic in this film as well and I might add way, way too short. With all the work they put into making him look half blown up (kudos to the effects dept. on that one!) you would think that they could have given him more, though the time they spend sending him on the road to madness almost makes it worth it.  As for vehicles, who knew he had a motorcycle in there? It was pretty cool though. Maggie Gyllenhaal picks up the role of Rachel Dawes, formerly played by Katie Holmes. While I might not suggest this Batman for younger audiences, it doesn't disappoint.