Superman Returns vs Batman Begins

[The Batman]

So, finally, The Worlds Finest have both made their big screen returns. Which movie was better?

[32CAGE]

Batman Begins

[Swordmaster]

Superman Returns

[Two-Face]

I'm probably bias as you some guys and gals gonna say but I don't care.

Batman Begins wins.

[CConn]

Superman Returns

[Aren]

Batman begins all the way

[Spike_x1]

I'm a much bigger fan of Superman than I am of Batman, but I gotta say Batman Begins. I just had way too many problems with SR. I mean, I enjoyed seeing Superman fly around and save the plane, stop the guy with the gattling gun, etc.

But the jokey protrayal of Lex Luthor, Lois having a kid, and the movie's story in general really brought the film down for me.

[Gogo Bananas]

Batman Begins all the way.
The fact that Superman Returns quality is being debated means it failed.

[cornernat]

batman begins

[Steelsheen]

they both have their flaws.

the difficult thing about comparing BB and SR is the BB was a straightforward origin story, SR was for all intents and purposes, Superman 3.

i have to think about this a little bit more.

[ShadowBoxing]

It basically comes down to who do I hate more, Katie Holmes or Superman's kid. Superman's kid was a piece of furniture, Katie Holmes actually messed with Batman's reasons for doing what he does and he revealed his identity to her. So Superman Returns.

[Katsuro]

Batman Begins all the way.
The fact that Superman Returns quality is being debated means it failed.

But... Batman's quality is being debated right here also.


My answer is Batman Begins, although both were amazing films. Superman Returns was *****ing great, Batman Begins was really *****ing great.

[LEDZEPPELIN]

SUPERMAN RETURNS has just taken BB's place as number 1 comicbook movie imo.

[Amisfitdirector]

this question shouldn't even be asked, batman was made way better than superman was. batman return back to who the character is, a dark man. superman was made purely for money. super kid!!!! i find it hard to believe not many people are angry about that, yet is spiderman doesn't use web shooter's the whole world falls apart. i don't get it i truly don't get what singer was trying to do, but it is kinda hard to live with your self when you sold your soul to the devil to make SR. superman returns was agood movie (but that damn kid). i hope no one hurts that kid for being the person who ruined superman. i don't even like superman, but i loved his 1st two movies. but of course, hollywood got it wrong...again.....*cough superman 3 and 4*.....

[CrimsonMist]

SUPERMAN RETURNS has just taken BB's place as number 1 comicbook movie imo.

i agree.

[pifpaf]

SUPERMAN RETURNS has just taken BB's place as number 1 comicbook movie imo.

that true for me

superman rules

["Iron Man"]

I just returned from seeing SR, and I have to say that even though I REALLy enjoyed it, I much more enjoyed BB, because I know more about Batman I guess.

While Routh was FANTASTIC as Clark Kent/Superman, Bale just defines Bruce Wayne/Batman.

[ToddIsDead]

I'm seeing SR a second time tomorrow, and I can't make up my mind at this moment, so maybe after I see it again I can decide. It's really close though. I loved them both.

[Lex Luthor]

No contest.

Batman Begins.

If Spacey's Lex Luthor wasnt so influenced by Hackman's Lex, and his plan actually made a bit of sense, ..... ah hell. It still wouldnt have mattered.

[Lex Luthor]

Double Post

[co2]

Definitely Begins. I don't think Returns is as good as Superman the Movie.

[Galactical]

Superman Returns: dead boring atmosphere, actions scenes are suspensless, dull music, Nice fx, Good actors, not so good script (too predictable and derivative), Passion of the clark was tasteless, overall feels more like a trip to the library or museum than a summer blockbuster, Lois has no reaction to discovering that she has a special child for some reason she's supposed to have forgotten thanks to a super-memorywipe-kiss. I wish superman would wipe my memory of this film actually...

Batman Begins: Good launching point for the new bat franchise. Not the best script but it's passable... it's an interesting story that stays quite faithful to the source and spirit of it enough. The main actor does a great job. the editors do not. the music is not very memorable but works for what's done. The action feels real and intense. Batman should have been smarter, and more of a detective. The jokes are too stupid and should never have been attempted. The little cute kid is thankfully not robin, or batmans son, but wasn't needed. The sequel will and should be brilliant. The scarecrow is poorly treated. The end is somewhat of a mess. Overall a good movie though, better than Jesus Returns.

[SuperFerret]

Batman Begins. For a very simple reason, SR was boring, BB was not.

[Sun_Down]

SR. I thought the characterization, action and plot were stronger.

[Aethea]

I am a fan of all three greats of DC. But the better movie was indeed Batman Begins. Superman could have given us something newer and different from the Donner films. Returns just seemed like a revamped plot of Superman I. I wanted to see more of the mythology, the explanation of the costume etc... and better acting. But I loved both movies. BB is still # 1.

[PWN3R]

man.....I dunno.

:(

BB was THAT good....I'm torn.

[BlueStarlight]

I like them both, but Superman Returns is my vote.

[Vigilante1785]

Batman Begins all the way.

One simple reason in my opinion, BB had stronger characterization than Superman Returns.

[hippie_hunter]

I like them both, but Superman Returns is my vote.

Same here, Batman Begins did some things better than Superman Returns, but I just got more enjoyment out of Superman Returns than Batman Begins.

[LEX]

Superman Returns.

I loved Kevin Spacey's portrayal of Lex. I loved Parker Posey's Kitty. I loved Routh as Superman. The plane sequence was just mind-blowingly amazing. And it was NOT boring. :rolleyes: It just had too much characterization and story, that's all, and I'd take story over action anyday.

But this does not mean that BB wasn't enjoyable. It was. It's truly one of the greatest superhero movies AND movies ever made. It was a great kick-off to a new Batman franchise. But I felt it dragged on a bit.

And I'm a much bigger Batman fan than Superman, to think.

[co2]

Lois has no reaction to discovering that she has a special child for some reason she's supposed to have forgotten thanks to a super-memorywipe-kiss. I wish superman would wipe my memory of this film actually...


I got the impression he has done things before and she knew already. It was her and her son's secret.

[SuperFerret]

Superman Returns.

I loved Kevin Spacey's portrayal of Lex. I loved Parker Posey's Kitty. I loved Routh as Superman. The plane sequence was just mind-blowingly amazing. And it was NOT boring. :rolleyes: It just had too much characterization and story, that's all, and I'd take story over action anyday.

But this does not mean that BB wasn't enjoyable. It was. It's truly one of the greatest superhero movies AND movies ever made. It was a great kick-off to a new Batman franchise. But I felt it dragged on a bit.

And I'm a much bigger Batman fan than Superman, to think.

Well, since I'm the only poster in this thread that said that SR was boring, I guess this must be directed at me. Allow me to elaborate on that to clarify things. Spoiler tags included as to not ruin the movie for those who have yet to see it.

I, too, enjoy story over action, and I'm insulted that you apparently assumed otherwise. I didn't see a cohesive story while I was watching it. Lex's plot was more or less clear from the beginning, it was just a question of magnitude. When Clark and Superman return, there just doesn't seem to be enough interest with where he went, nor did anyone seem to be all that upset with his abandoning Earth for selfish means.
Starting from the opening credits many scenes ran on for way too long. Kitty's driving erractically and too fast (oh, she lost control of the car), she pushes the brakes with no results (ah, I get it her brakes were cut), but she crashes again and again for a while before Superman saves her. When Superman is lifting the new landmass Lex created, it takes way too long for it to come out of the water. Okay, I get it, it's big. Okay, I get it, Superman's weakened. But come on, straining the audiences interests just so you could show another thirty seconds of rock slowly moving upwards!? It got very redundant very quickly.
One of the main things I like in a movie, and one of the most interesting things someone could do with a story is to make it thought-provoking. Much of the movie was easy to see coming. Except for the kid being Clark's, I'll grant them that. I just wish they never revealed it. When Lex presented the kryptonite to the kid, he cringed, but we wonder "was it the K, or was it because he's afraid of Lex?" and I was interested by that. Then a piano went flying, and an interesting enigma became an annoying fact. Not that I mind the fact that Clark's a dad, I just wish they would have continued the "maybe he's Clark's, maybe he's not" idea. Was it Richard who opened the door, or was it the kid's possible superstrength? Did he use telescopic vision to spot the drowning Superman, or was it because he was the only one looking out the window on that side? Much more interesting IMO.

[chiefchirpa]

SR has too many pauses from the action, while BB is more of a wall-to-wall action (although I have to admit SR SFX beats BB hands down). If I want drama, I watch South American soaps or Bollywood movies.

Verdict: BB

[daventry]

Superman Returns all the way. :supes:

[-rc2k-]

I loved Superman Returns...but I still put it right under BB though :up:

[Galactical]

I got the impression he has done things before and she knew already. It was her and her son's secret.

Not in the movie I saw. Lois would know who clark really is if she remembered the sexual encounter in the fortress. Anyway, the kid didn't know he had special abilities until he chucked the instrument and lois claims he's richard's son and looks surprised to see her son has some extra talents. My contention is that she should be wondering, "when did I do superman?" :confused:. It seems like the film makers are keeping the sex, keeping the memory wipe, but deleting the memory wipe of the sex. That's my take on it...

[J.R.]

Batman Begins

[CConn]

Well, since I'm the only poster in this thread that said that SR was boring, I guess this must be directed at me. Allow me to elaborate on that to clarify things. Spoiler tags included as to not ruin the movie for those who have yet to see it.

I, too, enjoy story over action, and I'm insulted that you apparently assumed otherwise. I didn't see a cohesive story while I was watching it. Lex's plot was more or less clear from the beginning, it was just a question of magnitude. When Clark and Superman return, there just doesn't seem to be enough interest with where he went, nor did anyone seem to be all that upset with his abandoning Earth for selfish means.
Starting from the opening credits many scenes ran on for way too long. Kitty's driving erractically and too fast (oh, she lost control of the car), she pushes the brakes with no results (ah, I get it her brakes were cut), but she crashes again and again for a while before Superman saves her. When Superman is lifting the new landmass Lex created, it takes way too long for it to come out of the water. Okay, I get it, it's big. Okay, I get it, Superman's weakened. But come on, straining the audiences interests just so you could show another thirty seconds of rock slowly moving upwards!? It got very redundant very quickly.
One of the main things I like in a movie, and one of the most interesting things someone could do with a story is to make it thought-provoking. Much of the movie was easy to see coming. Except for the kid being Clark's, I'll grant them that. I just wish they never revealed it. When Lex presented the kryptonite to the kid, he cringed, but we wonder "was it the K, or was it because he's afraid of Lex?" and I was interested by that. Then a piano went flying, and an interesting enigma became an annoying fact. Not that I mind the fact that Clark's a dad, I just wish they would have continued the "maybe he's Clark's, maybe he's not" idea. Was it Richard who opened the door, or was it the kid's possible superstrength? Did he use telescopic vision to spot the drowning Superman, or was it because he was the only one looking out the window on that side? Much more interesting IMO.Aside from the predictability matter, most of those complaints seem rather petty and unimportant, IMO. I mean, the fight editing in BB was annoying, A History of Violence was ungodly slow, but I let neither detract from my enjoyment of either film. Hell, even the legendary Seven Samurai is boring as hell for the first 45 minutes.

What I'm trying to say is even with the absolute best movies ever made, there's quirks, there's flaws, there's hindrances that we as viewers generally overlook without a second thought. Why should SR be any different? It seems like so often as fans of these movies, and these characters, we pick apart and overanalyze everything so much that it ends up being a detriment more than anything else. I don't know if that's the case with you, but I certainly think it's the case with most of the fans that declare SR boring.

[LEX]

Well, since I'm the only poster in this thread that said that SR was boring, I guess this must be directed at me. Allow me to elaborate on that to clarify things. Spoiler tags included as to not ruin the movie for those who have yet to see it.

I, too, enjoy story over action, and I'm insulted that you apparently assumed otherwise. I didn't see a cohesive story while I was watching it. Lex's plot was more or less clear from the beginning, it was just a question of magnitude. When Clark and Superman return, there just doesn't seem to be enough interest with where he went, nor did anyone seem to be all that upset with his abandoning Earth for selfish means.
Starting from the opening credits many scenes ran on for way too long. Kitty's driving erractically and too fast (oh, she lost control of the car), she pushes the brakes with no results (ah, I get it her brakes were cut), but she crashes again and again for a while before Superman saves her. When Superman is lifting the new landmass Lex created, it takes way too long for it to come out of the water. Okay, I get it, it's big. Okay, I get it, Superman's weakened. But come on, straining the audiences interests just so you could show another thirty seconds of rock slowly moving upwards!? It got very redundant very quickly.
One of the main things I like in a movie, and one of the most interesting things someone could do with a story is to make it thought-provoking. Much of the movie was easy to see coming. Except for the kid being Clark's, I'll grant them that. I just wish they never revealed it. When Lex presented the kryptonite to the kid, he cringed, but we wonder "was it the K, or was it because he's afraid of Lex?" and I was interested by that. Then a piano went flying, and an interesting enigma became an annoying fact. Not that I mind the fact that Clark's a dad, I just wish they would have continued the "maybe he's Clark's, maybe he's not" idea. Was it Richard who opened the door, or was it the kid's possible superstrength? Did he use telescopic vision to spot the drowning Superman, or was it because he was the only one looking out the window on that side? Much more interesting IMO.
I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were the only one that said it was boring. It wasn't directed at you at all. But it wasn't boring at all, IMO. You just need not worry about the outside world. I know it was slow-paced when Superman raised the NK into space, but it was worth it and it worked. It was powerful. We don't want to a blink-and-miss, of course. That was supposed to be the climax.

And I'm not going to bash BB just to make SR seem better b/c they're both great movies and also have their flaws.

Let's just agree to disagree.

[chiefchirpa]

2 to 1 vote for BB now. :)

[DOG LIPS]

They were both kickass films, but BB takes my cake.

[DeFett]

i enjoyed both and would like to see Superman Returns a couple more times to take it all in but at this stage Batman Begins.

[Mee]

Begins.

[Cal'El]

Hey! I'm new! As you can tell by my name I am one of the worlds greatest superman fans! But I was dissapointed by the the story! I mean they should have been more creative! This sholud have been the film were they kill superman! The villians sholud have been Braniac and doomsday! Kill him, have a funneral, but A GUEST apperance by christian bale, Then bring him back in the next film! That is why X3 was successful because it gave ushope that the professor was alive, and it was something we did not expect! Batman begins was better! I still love superman and the movie, but they just need to expound more! We have the technology lets crank it up! tHEY HAVE TO GIVE BRANDON ROUTH his own identiy as Superman! I mean I LOVE Chris! (R.I.P.) But what he did worked for his style! Let Brandon find out something for hisself! Everybody who has played superman has had there own thing! George was loved because he was the first, Chris because he was the first on the big screen, and he made superman cool with two identies, Dean because it was new and he made superman sexy, fun, powerful, and interesting! Tom is just amazing as a young Clark Kent! Brandon is great, but let find something in it for hisself!

[Cal'El]

Can anyone tell me how to post pics or animated video by my name?

[Spike_x1]

You need a good, large number of posts before you can get an avatar. I forget how many posts, specifically.

[comicthoughts]

My vote goes for Batman Begins, but I am anxiously awaiting more Superman movies to expand on the newly created storyline that has been created with Lois and Superman having a child.

[ToddIsDead]

They're just about dead-even in my book.

[el sensei]

Superman Returns is much better. much more fun. better action scenes and if you dont believe me superman returns has already made more money in the theaters than batman begins and i saw batman begins and i didnt like it everything was so dark you couldnt understand the fight scenes and the camera angles in the fights sucked, his training sucked. so Supes is better

[ToddIsDead]

Superman Returns is much better. much more fun. better action scenes and if you dont believe me superman returns has already made more money in the theaters than batman begins and i saw batman begins and i didnt like it everything was so dark you couldnt understand the fight scenes and the camera angles in the fights sucked, his training sucked. so Supes is better
Just for the record, Batman Begins made something like $350m worldwide while Superman Returns has made somewhere less than $100m worldwide, so you're kind of wrong. Superman hasn't even bee out a week though.

[Cdawg751]

Okay BB was way more indepth an emotional than SR. Plus It Had a Far More Superior Story i have to say...

[Katsuro]

Just for the record, Batman Begins made something like $350m worldwide while Superman Returns has made somewhere less than $100m worldwide, so you're kind of wrong. Superman hasn't even bee out a week though.

I think he mean that SR has made more money than BB did in the same amount of time after it's release. It did have a bigger opening weekend than Batman.

[Logan Reynolds]

Batman Begins

[Cats]

Just for the record, Batman Begins made something like $350m worldwide while Superman Returns has made somewhere less than $100m worldwide, so you're kind of wrong. Superman hasn't even bee out a week though.
Also count in the fact that Superman Returns had way much more publicity than Batman Begins.

[Galactical]

These are similar movies once you think about it. Of course begins is the better film unfortunately for anyone wanting superman to beat it like i was.. anyway...

At the beginning of begins, bruce is an orphan searching for some answers to his questions over a time span of 7 years. we flashback to his childhood.


In the return of superman, supes is an orphan searching for some answers to his questions over a time span of 5 years. We flashback to his childhood. (pointlessly)


Bruce spies on an old girlfriend. (not because he's a stalker like superman, but because he wants to gather information about falcone or whatever. i don't really remember.)


Supes spies on an old girlfriend.(because he's a creepy stalker.)


the villian stabs the hero and leaves him for death.


The villian stabs the hero and leaves him for death.


Bruce Returns and resumes his life without much questioning if any.


Clark Returns and resumes his life without much questioning if any.


After bruce is back, batman shows up. Nobody notices a correlation.


After clark is back, Superman shows up. Nobody notices a correlation.


The villian's plan is overcomplicated and pretty ludicrous. (Just get a big balloon like the joker did and spray gotham with the fear gas.)


The villian's plan is overcomplicated and pretty ludicrous. (Bring it on, lex? The armies of the world will, and they'll kick you right off your silly continent. Quit the realestate schemes and try something new.)

The love interest and hero exchange some corny line. "It's not who I am underneath..."


the love interest and the hero exchange some corny line. "will you be around? "



Batman flies towards the camera in the end.


superman flies towards the camera in the end.

Here's a funny parallel. The villian in begins once played a tortured superhero called darkman.

The villian in Superman once played a man who's possibly crazy or is an alien sent from his homeworld to live on earth.

That's all I can think of now. Of course they're very different in a lot of ways, one being batman not having a kid (THANK THE MAKER)

[StorminNorman]

It really pains me since Batman is by far my favorite comic character but I have to go with Superman Returns :(

[Lex Luthor]

Also count in the fact that Superman Returns had way much more publicity than Batman Begins.

That and a smaller budget as well.

[ToddIsDead]

It really pains me since Batman is by far my favorite comic character but I have to go with Superman Returns :(
Don't feel bad. Superman Returns was an absolutely fantastic movie. For me, they are dead-even.

[CConn]

That's all I can think of now. Of course they're very different in a lot of ways, one being batman not having a kid (THANK THE MAKER)Ironic since Batman now has an upwards of four children in the comics.

[hippie_hunter]

Ironic since Batman now has an upwards of four children in the comics.

Possibly 5. Depending on who you're counting.

[Flexo]

Possibly 5. Depending on who you're counting.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/CodyA/170.jpg

[hippie_hunter]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/CodyA/170.jpg

He's probally shocked at how much child support he is going to end up paying :o

[Philly Phanboy]

No contest as far as I'm concerned. Batman Begins wipes the floor with Singer's Superman. I say that WB gives $242 million to Morg and let's see what he can come up with for a Superman movie. :cool:

[Ben Urich]

Batman Begins.
Superman Returns was great, but Batman Begins was just better for me because it's the first time we've seen a live action Batman done right. Yeah, I liked the Burton movies, but they didn't feel like Batman to me. Begins had almost everything right.
I guess it just comes down to the fact that we'd seen Superman done right before, so Returns didn't seem so spectactular.

[co2]

Batman Begins.
I guess it just comes down to the fact that we'd seen Superman done right before, so Returns didn't seem so spectactular.

Very true. The Burton films were good but left a lot of room for improvement....conversely, Superman: The movie was so well done, it did not. That being said, we should keep in mind that Supes Returns was a sequel, while Begins was a restart. Begins had less weighing it down.

[Ben Urich]

Very true. The Burton films were good but left a lot of room for improvement....conversely, Superman: The movie was so well done, it did not. That being said, we should keep in mind that Supes Returns was a sequel, while Begins was a restart. Begins had less weighing it down.

Agreed. :up:

[Captain Gandalf]

Batman Begins. What really bothered me about Supes was the awful revamping of the costume; Chris Reeves' was how it should be.

[Ben Urich]

Why does everyone get so hung up on the costume? There have definitely been worse in superhero movies.
What bothered me about Superman Returns was Lex's plot and motivation, but that's really more because he had to be some moronic land tycoon in order to be consistent with his character from the first 2 Superman films.

[nolan's roll'n]

Batman Begins, hands down.

[Eddie Dean]

Begins, but Returns is great also.

[CrAzYMoFo]

Batman Begins all the way.

[haephestus]

I enjoyed Superman Returns a LOT more than Batman Begins.

But objectively, Batman Begins appears to be the better film.

Superman Returns is still my favourite though. Cannot wait for the extended cut DVD with most if not all of the deleted scenes integrated into the film (if such a thing is released).

Cheers.

[jusblaze21]

Superman Returns

[roach]

Superman Returns.
Batman Begins is plagued with an improbable doomsday device, no jaw droppin scenes(there is no scene in the movie I am watching over and over again on the DVD)

Music: The John Williams theme is legendary.......I dont even know what the Batman Begins theme is

[Psax]

I loves me some Batman, but I have to go with Superman Returns on this one.

[Amisfitdirector]

SR proved that superman is boring, out dated and has no place in this world. further more, you mean to tell me the world is not pissed about him being gone, what the ****? if some one you saw as a savior (you have to notice the millions of jesus references in there)left you and never said why, **** that i be pissed as hell. but of course why do we pick superman cas he is a safe choice, we give him so much leanway, but **** that. it is impossible to compare the two, cas one is a part one rehash *SR* the other is a reboot of a franchise *BB* so i mean think about all superman had was lex.....thats all...when will superman die? now that is what i wanna see (i cheered my ass off when superman got stabbed with kyrptonite....****ing super bleeder)