Ben Affleck or Christian Bale?

[spiderral]

Saw BvS yesterday and whilst I loved Affleck in the trailers, he felt completely out of character. I only enjoyed him as Bruce Wayne in the first 10 minutes or so and his ruthlessness made it difficult for me to enjoy him as Batman; he just didn't feel like a hero, more like a big bully.

Bale looks less the part but had great writing on his side.

 

[InJustice]

It's your opinion, so it's more than fair to say. What isn't fair to say, IMO, is something stupid like "Bale Batman quit for 8 years because of Rachel".

I would have to disagree that Affleck was a better Batman, even if he has a more comic accurate suit.

I'm curious to hear your mindset. What's your favourite Batman?

Mine is a tie between BTAS and TDKT Batman.

 

[TDKR1977]

Yes, I understand his arc in the film. It doesn't make a huge difference for me. I'm not interested in a Batman who, through the unfortunate events of his life as suggested in this film, becomes cruel, hate-filled psychopath who rejects virtually all the values I associate with the character. For me, that's the kind of character Batman stops.

The Batman of this film is in line with Jean Paul Valley's Batman. Who, of course, Bruce Wayne stopped.

He was not portrayed as a psychopath. Hyperbole. How does it work?

 

[super85]

Both are very good in their roles.

I think Bale is fantastic in "Batman Begins", and I'm not sure Affleck could have pulled that off when he was younger. For that take I think Bale is fantastic and I love that movie.

This is a very different take on the character but Affleck is very good in it. I really like what Affleck did with both Bruce and Batman. Very good.

It is almost a tie, I'm just happy I can enjoy the Nolan "The Dark Knight" movies and also this very good new Dark Knight Returns version version we got with Affleck.

 

[The Batman]

I'm curious to hear your mindset. What's your favourite Batman?

Mine is a tie between BTAS and TDKT Batman.

In terms of media, BTAS Batman is definitely my overall favorite. Bale, Keaton, and West are up there in terms of live action. Batfleck has highlighted just how important being a likable Batman is for me, and West/Keaton/Bale all played likable Bruce Wayne's.

What's you favorite comic book Batman?

 

[The Chris]

In terms of media, BTAS Batman is definitely my overall favorite. Bale, Keaton, and West are up there in terms of live action. Batfleck has highlighted just how important being a likable Batman is for me, and West/Keaton/Bale all played likable Bruce Wayne's.

What's you favorite comic book Batman?

Respect. I was a Batman fan before hand due to some comics I'd read and also Batman 89, but my true love of the character started with BTAS.

 

[The Batman]

That cartoon just got it, especially the first two or three years.

 

[Saint]

He was not portrayed as a psychopath. Hyperbole. How does it work?

You're technically correct; I was using an informal definition. It doesn't really matter, though. You can get into a semantics battle with me as much as you like; we're taking about a Batman who plots to murder Superman and uses lethal force on security guards. If you're okay with that, great, but those actions are what they are.

 

[craigdbfan]

They both made my 10 year old dreams come true. I can't give a definitive answer on this one.

Bale and Affleck now top my list of best superhero performances in general. I'm a sucker for all things Batman however. The third on my list is Chris Evans as CA because the man has given a ridiculously nuanced and likeable performance. To me they represent the perfect transition from page to film.

 

[Saint]

Evans' Captain America is my favourite part of the MCU. He has the humble likability of a guy you want beer with, but he also communicates the weight of his experiences on his person. That's what I want from Superman.

 

[craigdbfan]

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.

I loved Affleck as Batman but I will forever hold Christian Bale's performance as Wayne/Batman as one of the best pieces of acting I'll ever get to see.

I don't care what anyone says (even Bale himself) but his work as Batman was legendary.

Evans' Captain America is my favourite part of the MCU. He has the humble likability of a guy you want beer with, but he also communicates the weight of his experiences on his person. That's what I want from Superman.

Yes, yes, and yes.

What's unfortunate is that Cavill actually has the capability of doing that (maybe not as well as Evan's but well enough) but isn't given the material because of Snyder's penchant for having him do anything but what you described. I enjoy the MoS Superman but I feel he can be so much better utilized, no doubt.

 

[Saint]

What's unfortunate is that Cavill actually has the capability of doing that (maybe not as well as Evan's but well enough) but isn't given the material because of Snyder's penchant for having him do anything but what you described. I enjoy the MoS Superman but I feel he can be so much better utilized, no doubt.

I agree. I never thought I would be saying the MOS had the better Superman, but here we are. I at least liked that guy.

 

[CaptainWagner]

Affleck is by far and above my favorite live action Batman. As great as Nolan's films were, and as great an actor Bale is, he just never felt as right in the role as Affleck.

 

[Demon Hunter]

I can't compare two entirely different takes on Batman. It's like different characters.

In my opinion, Bale got so many things right. He was likable, heroic, felt very personal and inspiring. Scenes like getting out of the pit were absolutely brilliant. I love him as both Bruce and Batman.

Affleck also did an amazing job. He showed us what a really dark Batman is. A character that is already broken and is suffering from his traumas every single day. Rarely do we seen trauma so well portrayed.
Usually we are told there is this huge trauma, characters feel it for like... 5 minutes and then completely forget it.
This wasn't the case with Affleck's version. He showed it all. From mercilessly killing thugs, to constantly having nightmares (loved Man-Bat coming out of Martha's coffin), to having his mind so warped that he couldn't see clearly that Superman has goodness in him. I absolutely loved this version and thought that Affleck nailed it.
I also loved how Superman managed to get to him through his trauma (mentioning Martha). The more I think about it... I don't think there was any other way to get to the goodness in Bruce. It was an excellent scene.

Conclusion: Love both for different things. Never got the Keaton love and never felt a connection with him.

 

[OutOfBoose]

Affleck is my favorite Batman by far. No contest. I don't remember the last time I was excited to see Batman on the big screen.

I'm not trashing Bale, because I liked his Bruce Wayne a lot or Keaton, who's my childhood memory, it's just Snyder's Batfleck is absolutely fantastic.

 

[hafizbat]

Evans' Captain America is my favourite part of the MCU. He has the humble likability of a guy you want beer with, but he also communicates the weight of his experiences on his person. That's what I want from Superman.

He's this generation's Superman.

 

[InJustice]

In terms of media, BTAS Batman is definitely my overall favorite. Bale, Keaton, and West are up there in terms of live action. Batfleck has highlighted just how important being a likable Batman is for me, and West/Keaton/Bale all played likable Bruce Wayne's.

What's you favorite comic book Batman?

As much as I give Frank Miller **** for his writing, Batman: Year One remains my favourite comic version of Batman/Bruce Wayne. Not just because of his character, but because of how strongly Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon carry the story. In many ways, they are parallels; young idealistic men trying to fight a war on crime. That's what drew me into the comic.

He's this generation's Superman.

It's a shame when a competitor can nail Superman without requiring the IP.

 

[The Batman]

Year One is definitely the best portrayal of Bruce that Miller ever did. That's how you do a dark, yet heroic Batman.

 

[Saint]

I'll always love DKR as a satire, but I am definitely "over" that version of Batman.

 

[hafizbat]

Year One is definitely the best portrayal of Bruce that Miller ever did. That's how you do a dark, yet heroic Batman.

I know you're a fan of Grant Morrison's Batman, and he was kinda reminiscent of James Bond. Got a bit of that vibe with Affleck's Bruce Wayne, especially at Lex's party.

 

[OcStat]

Grant Morrison did a great job on the New 52's Action Comics. Now that is a Superman I would like to see on the big screen, facing impossible situations but finding a way to solve them through his own ingenuity. I have been wanting to pick up Morrison's Batman run in trades.

I don't have a whole lot of Batman comics relative to the rest of my stash but that will be my favorite version. He's able to be everything we've seen in the movies, cartoons and games, and more still. Year One, The Long Halloween, Court of Owls are three stories I've enjoyed a whole lot.

Also, now that I really think about it, Batman has always looked better on paper than he's ever looked on the big screen. We've had some great outifts designed and worn and directed by great minds, but you can give 10 different artists one suit and they can each turn in an amazing image. Jim Lee, Neal Adams, Greg Capullo, Jason Fabok, David Mazzuchelli, to name a few. I mean, these are the guys that provide the work that is in turn put on the big screen.
..
Though the same can be said for the majority of live action costume adaptations, I imagine.

 

[FunkMiller]

Year One is definitely the best portrayal of Bruce that Miller ever did. That's how you do a dark, yet heroic Batman.

That anyone ever did. It's consummate.

 

[terry78]

Bale's Bat is more grounded and honestly I could not see dealing with otherwordly enemies. This Bat is a little more...I guess, surreal in a sense and it fits with him.

 

[The Guard]

The only kill he did for Martha was the flamethrower guy. That's it. That is his only excusable kill in the whole movie.

Nope.

Every single person he killed on the way to Martha was a kill in the service of saving Martha.

If the guys outside with their machinegun had killed Batman, or even stopped him...Martha would have been dead. The thugs inside?same deal. Many of those kills were also self defense.

 

[X-Ray]

Bale's Wayne. Affleck's Batman.