Ben Affleck or Christian Bale?

[Mrs. Wayne]

Today's hero is tomorrow's villain. It's unfortunately a typical truth.

Harvey's, "You either die a hero..." message to Bruce Wayne in TDK will never be not relevant.

 

[King23DC]

For people saying Affleck is the definitive Batman, can I ask why exactly?

I'm wondering how much of it is the superficial stuff like the Batsuit and the fight scenes. Or maybe yall really do see things in Batfleck that I just don't see. Either way, I'd like to know.

Comic stans are usually only about the superficial. Being a purely visual medium and not understand words like adaptation. Snyder self proclaiming to be a fanboy, and his movie is proof positive of this.

Bale and this isn't even close. Asking this question even is disrespectful. Bale is one of the greatest actors of his generation. Affleck isn't even close. Bale carried 1 whole film by himself. Affleck barely had any screen time. His Batman even less.

Bale was way more dimensional and believable. His projected energy through his performance that Affleck doesn't come close to ... He even had humor or moments of levity. And yes even his voice was better. It required actual acting ability.

Had the better Bat suit as well. Affleck's had cartoonish musculature, and near homoerotic undertones (same with Superman) that was a sculpted nipple or butt cheek away from being ripped straight out of a Shumacher Batman movie.

Bale's was plausible, yet still imposing. More menacing cowl and could actually turn his head.

Bale's Batman / Bruce Wayne on every front. It's not even a contest. He better balances his rage, and near homicidal tendencies with his father / Alfred's altruism. Ben's Batman wasn't likable. As a performance? It was serviceable. Nothing more. Bale owns the role. And Keaton put a larger stamp on it.

1) Bale
2) Keaton
3) Affleck

 

[schereZada]

Ok for a start show me the poll or polls post TASM where Garfield was voted for over Maguire. I can't find any.

Second it had nothing to do with the movie failing. TASM 2 was hated by fans, hammered by critics, long before the franchise was officially canned by Sony. But the only thing that was praised by the consensus was Garfield. Similar to Affleck in BvS now.

But you clearly need another example. One for Superman this time. Taken in between MOS and BvS; http://oi65.tinypic.com/2l9bnn.jpg

Done out of the MOS forum, several months after MOS, MOS did not fail financially and was getting a sequel, and Reeve beat Cavill.

Im sorry, I wasn't here when the first TASM movie came out. So I assumed Garfield was instantly liked because you compared that to the "shiny new toy" syndrome you think is happening with Affleck. So Garfield was not liked instantly but only when the second movie was released. So, it's not only NOT the "shiny new toy" syndrome but not what is happening with Affleck since he hasn't been Batman in two movies, and being liked in his second one, like what happened to Garfield.

 

[Rodrigo90]

Harvey's, "You either die a hero..." message to Bruce Wayne in TDK will never be not relevant.

That's very true!

 

[King23DC]

I think any Batman that goes into his crusade wanting it to be finite is a fundamentally flawed interpretation.

Why cause you can't keep making movies forever reverting back to the status quo like comic books with Nolan's Batman?!

Nolan took a realistic and logical approach. It should be viewed as a finite mission from Bruce to get Gotham where it needs to be. Otherwise, even as stated in direct dialogue in BvS, he's ultimately having no real impact.

The Nolan take on the character successfully cleaned up Gotham for good over 3 films. And like a realistic adaptation of Bruce Wayne, and a grueling physical / mental / emotional mission that he's undertaken, one that is even more demanding on a man then any soldier or professional athlete ... His body has a finite time to accomplish such a feat before it totally breaks down.

Bale and Nolan's take on the character is the best one. It doesn't go on for 75 years in reality. Regurgitating the same repetition over and over. It's about what he does when he is capable of being the legend that is The Batman that influences actual change. Not the amount of time he spends as the vigilante.

 

[The Joker]

Im sorry, I wasn't here when the first TASM movie came out. So I assumed Garfield was instantly liked because you compared that to the "shiny new toy" syndrome you think is happening with Affleck. So Garfield was not liked instantly but only when the second movie was released. So, it's not only NOT the "shiny new toy" syndrome but not what is happening with Affleck since he hasn't been Batman in two movies, and being liked in his second one, like what happened to Garfield.

Any new movie, which brings a new performance and story from an already established character, or a new character, is the shiny new toy. I've given you examples of both types. One from a brand new one, and one from someone who was giving an encore performance. Both show the same thing, after the dust settled, and the shine wore off, they were not the most popular in comparison to their predecessor.

Affleck is the new Batman, hot on the heels of the movie's release, and like Garfield post TASM 2 he's being praised as the best thing in a mess of a movie that's being hammered by fans and critics. He's being voted over his predecessor.

Several months later that is very likely to change, because it's happened before, and I've just given you two examples. Whether you accept it or not is your choice. But that's the way it was with two other actors, and that's why I believe history has a good chance to repeat itself here, too.

Not that I am calling everyone who has voted for Affleck fickle or just voting because he's new, but when the hype and buzz wears off, time can change people's opinions and perceptions. Which I have already shown. That's why people are saying it's far too early to do a poll like this.

 

[Steelsheen]

Christian Bale as young Bruce / Bats, Ben Affleck as gruffy, jaded, grown-too-old-to-die-young-not- for-lack-of-trying Bruce/ Bats t:

seriously though, i can see how Baleman's version of Bats can transition to Batfleck's version of Bats, despite franchise differences.

 

[DieSmiling]

Physically, in terms of the costume, voice, physical movement appearance etc it's Affleck by a mile. But in terms of characterization and performance as Bruce Wayne I'll take Bale.

 

[Saxo Cup]

For me Christian Bale is the best Batman/Bruce.

I have now seen BvS two times and i think the movie is Ok...

Regarding Ben Affleck's performance i have to say that he does a solid work, but i never realy found myself loving his incarnation of the character.

I think he looks the part and is imposing as batman, but canot express bruce's emotions like Bale did even though they are different bruce's.

Sure this movie had hands dows the better fight sequences, but after watching it the second time they did not have the same impact, simply because for me batman does not kill people (at least like this, without any hesitation).

So for me Bale's take on the caracter meant much more than Affleck's but still i am looking forward to a batman stand alone movie and hoping that Ben gets a better director and a better script to work with, in order to evolve as the Dark Knight.

 

[bapi]

Honestly for me it's quite ridiculous to vote for Affleck. Bale played that character three times in three great movies. Ben played him just onced and the movie's quite bad. Also it was released just few days ago.

 

[BH/HHH]

Harvey's, "You either die a hero..." message to Bruce Wayne in TDK will never be not relevant.

Always loved that line

 

[BH/HHH]

Honestly for me it's quite ridiculous to vote for Affleck. Bale played that character three times in three great movies. Ben played him just onced and the movie's quite bad. Also it was released just few days ago.

Or people have their own opinion, doesn't matter if you've played a character once or not. Threads are always made prematurely after films.

I wonder if you'd have a problem were Bale winning the poll.

 

[bapi]

Or people have their own opinion, doesn't matter if you've played a character once or not. Threads are always made prematurely after films.

I wonder if you'd have a problem were Bale winning the poll.

Honestly Keaton-Bale-Affleck are quite tight for me right now. Just want to see more of battfleck.

 

[BH/HHH]

Honestly Keaton-Bale-Affleck are quite tight for me right now. Just want to see more of battfleck.

For me Affleck was thebest at both roles as in he was the best joint performance but I think Keaton wil always be my Batman

 

[Rodrigo90]

Yeah. It's like a vote I did earlier on Yahoo for the best Batman film. I voted The Dark Knight, even though my favourite is B89. If that makes sense?

 

[BH/HHH]

Yeah. It's like a vote I did earlier on Yahoo for the best Batman film. I voted The Dark Knight, even though my favourite is B89. If that makes sense?

I think you can say that a certain film is better than another one but another can be your favourite. '89 is my favourite Batman film too but I know the Nolan films are better made films.

 

[PT9357]

If we're arguing characters and growth, I can't see how anyone could make an argument for Snyder's Bruce Wayne. Maybe in a couple of years when we've seen what the DCEU bats is truly, but as of now it's too small of a sample size to compare the characters.

However, I can say now that I much prefer Ben Affleck for the role than Bale. I didn't notice it until I left the cinemas, but never once in the movie did I see this as Batfleck - I just regarded them as Bruce Wayne and Batman. No other actor has had that impact on me, as subtle as it may be. I'm sure I'm alone on that, though.

 

[ZIPBAGS]

I chose Affleck. But, too me Batman Begins is the best Batman origin story and their was nothing wrong with Bale. My biggest problem with the Nolan Batman. Is that like others have said. He made Batman into a trilogy with a beginning...middle...end. But, that middle should have been so much more. Robin, Justice League, another Robin, etc.

I felt Affleck & Irons portrayed how I see an experienced Bats & Alfred.

 

[shauner111]

^Well, Justice League wouldn't fit in the middle of that trilogy or anywhere in that trilogy.

 

[shauner111]

I LOVED Ben as Bruce and he was fine as Batman. What i mean by that is, sure, the suit looked great and he filled it out well. The fighting was top notch but that's all stuntwork/choreography. The voice sounded good but it's a voice modulator and Affleck is literally speaking normally. So how is he better than Bale as Batman, just as an actor. I think Ben was kinda just playing Bruce Wayne with a cowl on his face. Which i was fine with, but Bale had a certain intensity in his eyes, a voice that felt like he transformed where you couldn't tell it was Bruce. Body language and intensity goes to Bale for me if we're strictly talking about the batman. And i find Bale's Bruce to be more heroic, selfless and well-rounded.

Ben deserves two more movies to see what he can become, but for now he's below Bale. In this movie at least, Bruce was mighty selfish and only doing it for enjoyment. To torture and kill criminals, and then his attempt to do the same to Superman. It's a breath of fresh air for the movies because we've never seen this type of Batman before so im down with it for now, but it's not the most accurate to the comics just because the guy looks phenomenal and can kick major ass. If that dream sequence in the desert is a vision from the future and not a dream at all, then that means Batman continues to kill left and right, even taking someones gun and shooting them point blank + snapping necks. In that futuristic hell, it may work. Im open-minded. But it's not my number one Batman.

Bale it is.

 

[DeadStroke]

Batman Begins Bale > BvS Batfleck > Whatever Bale was doing in TDK and TDKR

 

[jmc]

To be honest it's hard to compare because Bale had better material to work with.

 

[BatLobster]

It's so weird that I feel this way, because I genuinely loved Affleck in the role, but Bale feels even more iconic to me now as both Bruce and Batman just within the last few days. I don't know if it's just the fact that seeing another Batman has truly cemented Bale into the legacy of the character, or my mixed feelings on BvS, but that's what I'm feeling.

But Affleck in a solo film could crush it. It would great to just see him in a story where he's not being utterly consumed by hatred and paranoia. Affleck played the darker Bruce/Batman well, but I actually think he's perfectly suited to be the Justice League Batman in a way that Bale wasn't, precisely how Bale was perfect for a classic, ground-up approach in a way that Affleck wasn't when he was younger.

 

[Tony Gunk]

Bale's voice and mannerisms when speaking in the bat suit, the slurred speech etc, those alone knock him down to 3rd spot for me. It bugged me that I had to cringe so often when Batman was on screen.

Always admired his Brucd Wayne portrayal though, don't think he was helped by his awful crow suits in TDK and TDKR

 

[Saxo Cup]

For me Christian Bale is the best Batman/Bruce.

I have now seen BvS two times and i think the movie is Ok...

Regarding Ben Affleck's performance i have to say that he does a solid work, but i never realy found myself loving his incarnation of the character.

I think he looks the part and is imposing as batman, but canot express bruce's emotions like Bale did even though they are different bruce's.

Sure this movie had hands dows the better fight sequences, but after watching it the second time they did not have the same impact, simply because for me batman does not kill people (at least like this, without any hesitation).

So for me Bale's take on the caracter meant much more than Affleck's but still i am looking forward to a batman stand alone movie and hoping that Ben gets a better director and a better script to work with, in order to evolve as the Dark Knight.