Better Bruce Wayne: Christian Bale or Ben Affleck ?

[Spider-Aziz]

 

[Mandon Knight]

You’ve stated that you think Ben Affleck is a better Batman than Christian Bale. I’d like to hear a reason, other than one based on the way he looks - because that is a terrible reason. I have no issue with you preferring Affleck, I’d just like to know if it’s based on anything beyond the superficial level of how his Batsuit looks.

Your words, not mine. I never mentioned anything about looks or suit being the basis of my decision making.

Plus, I don't have to give anyone anything in the way of a reason, other than that is my choice.

 

[Gothamsknight]

Christian Bale and its not even close. Christian Bales Bruce wayne was masterfully directed over the course of a 3 film story arc by one of the greatest directors of all time. His bruce Wayne embodied who the character has always been flawlessly and gave, in my opinion, the best superhero performances in any comic book film trilogy. Affleck, on the other hand, played a character that spit in the face of what the character actually stands for in the comics.

 

[OutOfBoose]

You’ve stated that you think Ben Affleck is a better Batman than Christian Bale. I’d like to hear a reason, other than one based on the way he looks - because that is a terrible reason. I have no issue with you preferring Affleck, I’d just like to know if it’s based on anything beyond the superficial level of how his Batsuit looks.

If we're choosing actors, I don't understand what else is there to judge outside a guy in a suit performing stunts or throwing one-liners, or fight choreography. And I think both Keaton and Affleck outperform Bale. Bale's fat mug can't fit into the cowl in BB. Fights - shaky cam and fast cuts that don't show ****. And in TDK/TDKR Batman action is even worse. From enemies refusing to open fire on Batman and constantly trying to hit him with their guns, to stupid ****ing gun bender / can opener, to embarrassing choreography, to ugly costume, to HORRIBLE batvoice...

But, but, characterization! Sure, TDK Batman is much better written, but it has nothing to do with Affleck or Bale.

 

[Brutikus]

Christian Bale definitely a better actor for Bruce Wayne but never did take to the Bat-Voice.

The microphone idea used for Afflecks Batman definitely cooler idea but that's not for Brice Wayne.

 

[Deck Rickard]

If we're choosing actors, I don't understand what else is there to judge outside a guy in a suit performing stunts or throwing one-liners, or fight choreography. And I think both Keaton and Affleck outperform Bale. Bale's fat mug can't fit into the cowl in BB. Fights - shaky cam and fast cuts that don't show ****. And in TDK/TDKR Batman action is even worse. From enemies refusing to open fire on Batman and constantly trying to hit him with their guns, to stupid ****ing gun bender / can opener, to embarrassing choreography, to ugly costume, to HORRIBLE batvoice...

But, but, characterization! Sure, TDK Batman is much better written, but it has nothing to do with Affleck or Bale.

Regarding the action sequences... everyone who loves Affleck's Batman is basing it off of ONE scene. The fight choreography during the warehouse sequence may have been impressive (though wholly unbelievable) but what about the laughable choreography that was the "Knightmare" sequence? It looked like something out of pro wrestling. And what else was there? That cartoonish sequence at the beginning of JL that looked like a Playstation cut scene? Batman fighting Superman in one dark, rainy location after another, where it was hard to see what was even going on at times?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, I just think that people have built up that warehouse fight as the end-all, be-all of Batman fight choreography when there are plenty of other sequences in Affleck's appearances that come off terribly.

 

[FunkMiller]

Your words, not mine. I never mentioned anything about looks or suit being the basis of my decision making.

Plus, I don't have to give anyone anything in the way of a reason, other than that is my choice.

Okay, that's fine. Seems a shame to not want to say why you prefer him though.

If we're choosing actors, I don't understand what else is there to judge outside a guy in a suit performing stunts or throwing one-liners, or fight choreography. And I think both Keaton and Affleck outperform Bale. Bale's fat mug can't fit into the cowl in BB. Fights - shaky cam and fast cuts that don't show ****. And in TDK/TDKR Batman action is even worse. From enemies refusing to open fire on Batman and constantly trying to hit him with their guns, to stupid ****ing gun bender / can opener, to embarrassing choreography, to ugly costume, to HORRIBLE batvoice...

But, but, characterization! Sure, TDK Batman is much better written, but it has nothing to do with Affleck or Bale.

I sort of get where you're coming from, but judging a Batman performance isn't just about stunt work and one-liners to me. And the characterisation does have a lot to do with it. You sound like playing Batman is nothing more than just the physical stuff, and I can't agree with that. Case in point would be the swat sequence that shows Batman thinking, planning and detecting, alongside punchy punchy, kicky kicky. No other Batman film has done that. And TDK Batman is well written, but Bale also gives a very committed performance, that - suit and voice aside - is by far the best rendition of the character in live action.

 

[Deck Rickard]

I also think that Bale has an intensity both as Bruce and Batman that Affleck can't match. Voice aside, you really feel like he's on the edge at times, inching ever closer to breaking his "one rule" and perhaps it's that restraint that's making him even crazier. The only scenes where Affleck came off legitimately intense were the scene with Luthor at the end of BvS and (shudder) the "Martha" scene. I know Snyder fans love his "absolute certainty" line, but to me, that just sounded forced, like he was just reading really quickly off of a cue card.

Yeah, Bale's bat voice is a little wonky, but is Affleck's Optimus Prime voice really that much better? And Bale's voice really doesn't even bother me about 80% of the time. It really only sounds bad when he's yelling with it or in that scene at the end of TDK with the Joker where he's all out of breath. When he's just talking at a low volume, I think it works.

 

[OutOfBoose]

Regarding the action sequences... everyone who loves Affleck's Batman is basing it off of ONE scene. The fight choreography during the warehouse sequence may have been impressive (though wholly unbelievable) but what about the laughable choreography that was the "Knightmare" sequence? It looked like something out of pro wrestling. And what else was there? That cartoonish sequence at the beginning of JL that looked like a Playstation cut scene? Batman fighting Superman in one dark, rainy location after another, where it was hard to see what was even going on at times?

I base it on the warehouse fight and the Harley and Joker chase from SS, however brief it was, it was still awesome from visual stand point. But you have to remember, that those films aren't batsolos. So we have what we have. I also must correct myself, that I hate nearly everything JL. Including Batman. I like Batman presentation and acting in SS and BvS, but not in JL.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, I just think that people have built up that warehouse fight as the end-all, be-all of Batman fight choreography when there are plenty of other sequences in Affleck's appearances that come off terribly.

Again, the films didn't give as many opportunities to see the classic Batman. Knightmare is some bizarre dream about daylight melee fighting against armed with firearms foes. JL - Batman vs. space invaders/aliens or whatever. Ultimately, it's only the intro with branding in BvS, saving Harley/ambushing Deadshot in SS and the warehouse fight where we can see our street level hero in action (not counting trigger finger).

 

[Rorschach2012]

If Bale had the voice modulator and Affleck’s suit, he’d be the perfect Batman

 

[Brutikus]

If Bale had the voice modulator and Affleck’s suit, he’d be the perfect Batman

Agreed.

 

[OutOfBoose]

I also think that Bale has an intensity both as Bruce and Batman that Affleck can't match. Voice aside, you really feel like he's on the edge at times, inching ever closer to breaking his "one rule" and perhaps it's that restraint that's making him even crazier. The only scenes where Affleck came off legitimately intense were the scene with Luthor at the end of BvS and (shudder) the "Martha" scene. I know Snyder fans love his "absolute certainty" line, but to me, that just sounded forced, like he was just reading really quickly off of a cue card.

I think Affleck had enough intensity. Affleck's character was completely different from Bale, though. Martha is terribly written and staged, but Affleck did everything he could there, so it's definitely not on him, IMO. Bale had MUCH better material to play with.

Yeah, Bale's bat voice is a little wonky, but is Affleck's Optimus Prime voice really that much better? And Bale's voice really doesn't even bother me about 80% of the time. It really only sounds bad when he's yelling with it or in that scene at the end of TDK with the Joker where he's all out of breath. When he's just talking at a low volume, I think it works.

I think the digitized voice is lesser evil, than the bale-voice, that's being laughed at. My favorite live action bat-voice is Kilmer.

 

[OutOfBoose]

I sort of get where you're coming from, but judging a Batman performance isn't just about stunt work and one-liners to me. And the characterisation does have a lot to do with it. You sound like playing Batman is nothing more than just the physical stuff, and I can't agree with that. Case in point would be the swat sequence that shows Batman thinking, planning and detecting, alongside punchy punchy, kicky kicky. No other Batman film has done that. And TDK Batman is well written, but Bale also gives a very committed performance, that - suit and voice aside - is by far the best rendition of the character in live action.

I exaggerate a bit, but come on. Yes, there are dramatic moments as well, like the finale of TDK or Martha scene, lol. But again, look at the difference in material...

 

[Astro13Zombie]

If Bale had the voice modulator and Affleck’s suit, he’d be the perfect Batman

Not sure about the voice modulator.
I prefer something like Keaton or Conroy for the voice.
Something like that and a less bulky BvS suit though?
That’d be perfect

 

[TheFlamingCoco]

You’ve stated that you think Ben Affleck is a better Batman than Christian Bale. I’d like to hear a reason, other than one based on the way he looks - because that is a terrible reason. I have no issue with you preferring Affleck, I’d just like to know if it’s based on anything beyond the superficial level of how his Batsuit looks.

I'm of the opinion that from a performance perspective, Affleck's Batman captures the haunted quietness of the character more than Bale, and he has the benefit of the appearance of athletic movement (a lighter suit and CGI enhancement, with possible time ramping).

But the character is almost inarguably better written for the Battrilogy.

So while I have actually answered "Affleck" for "who performed the role best in the live action movies" in at least one poll, the easy winner for representing the Knight is Bale.

Neither are on the same league as Conroy, though.

Going back to Bruce Wayne...Affleck works dramatically from time to time, but his humor doesn't really sell the character.

Bale feels different enough for the playboy persona to both feel affective enough and plausibly convincing that it isn't really a competition.

 

[Rorschach2012]

I'm of the opinion that from a performance perspective, Affleck's Batman captures the haunted quietness of the character more than Bale, and he has the benefit of the appearance of athletic movement (a lighter suit and CGI enhancement, with possible time ramping).

But the character is almost inarguably better written for the Battrilogy.

So while I have actually answered "Affleck" for "who performed the role best in the live action movies" in at least one poll, the easy winner for representing the Knight is Bale.

Neither are on the same league as Conroy, though.

Going back to Bruce Wayne...Affleck works dramatically from time to time, but his humor doesn't really sell the character.

Bale feels different enough for the playboy persona to both feel affective enough and plausibly convincing that it isn't really a competition.

The first paragraph I disagree with. Bale had that in spades in B.B. but they ditched that aspect in later movies.

BB had the best portrayal of Batman in the trilogy, he felt just like Year One Batman come to life

 

[TheFlamingCoco]

^ See, I do think Batman Begins is the best live action BATMAN depiction.


I just think Bale's style was always loud and aggressive (SWEAR TO ME!!) rather than haunting and mysterious.

Affleck's potential for Batman was way higher than the Punisher clone with fondness with maternal names that he wound up portraying.

The part where Batfleck says "Breathe it in-that's fear" is perfect. But atmosphere is not at the same ballpark as characterization, so Bale has an easy win as Wayne, and a definitive win as Batman.

For the record, I prefer Keaton's atmosphere to Bale's as well, but I also have problems with the killing spree aspect.

 

[jmc]

It's hardly a fair comparison because Affleck has had sweet #*(< all to work with. Bale wins in a landslide.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I always loved Bale as Wayne, but his Batman never measured up to his Wayne. The movies are great, but his Batman voice was always off, and the fight choreography in his films was very mixed often. My favorite Batman is probably Keaton, while Bale is my favorite Wayne. That said, Affleck didn't even show up to perform in JL.

 

[Flint Marko]

Bale is easily the best Bruce Wayne. I think Affleck is the better Batman on a purely aesthetic level, but I can't say I cared for anything other than how he looked in that costume.

For how storied and successful the Batman franchise is, I don't think any of the actors who have played Batman have (for various reasons that often aren't any fault of their own) knocked it out of the park alongside the greats like RDJ, Jackman, Reeve, and even Chris Evans. Those guys have all made their respective roles their own, both in and out of the costume.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Bale is easily the best Bruce Wayne. I think Affleck is the better Batman on a purely aesthetic level, but I can't say I cared for anything other than how he looked in that costume.

For how storied and successful the Batman franchise is, I don't think any of the actors who have played Batman have (for various reasons that often aren't any fault of their own) knocked it out of the park alongside the greats like RDJ, Jackman, Reeve, and even Chris Evans. Those guys have all made their respective roles their own, both in and out of the costume.

I can agree with this. Each Wayne/Batman has nailed one of the other, but I don't think we've had the one who is the complete package yet like the guys you named (though in Jackman's case, I don't think he became THE Wolverine until the more recent films).

 

[Deck Rickard]

Bale is easily the best Bruce Wayne. I think Affleck is the better Batman on a purely aesthetic level, but I can't say I cared for anything other than how he looked in that costume.

For how storied and successful the Batman franchise is, I don't think any of the actors who have played Batman have (for various reasons that often aren't any fault of their own) knocked it out of the park alongside the greats like RDJ, Jackman, Reeve, and even Chris Evans. Those guys have all made their respective roles their own, both in and out of the costume.

Yeah, I can see this. Keaton nailed Batman in terms of the voice and the intensity, but his Bruce was a little lacking to me and he didn't really have the physique for the role. Bale's Bruce was perfect, but his Bat-voice was certainly a step down from Keaton's. Affleck's costume is among the best (even though he looks like he can barely move in it in some scenes) but that's about all I can say for him. Kilmer and Clooney don't even register.

But anyway, yeah, all of these guys (I think) could be topped. I believe there's an actor our there who could nail every aspect of Batman and Bruce Wayne and make it feel like the comic book come to life. Because yeah, I can't see another actor taking over for RDJ or Evans without there being some friction. But I can easily see a new actor stepping into the Batman role. Though that may be because the role has been taken over by multiple actors, whereas Iron Man just has RDJ and Cap has Evans and ummm... JD Salinger's son and that guy from Space Mutiny. t:

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Bale is easily the best Bruce Wayne. I think Affleck is the better Batman on a purely aesthetic level, but I can't say I cared for anything other than how he looked in that costume.

For how storied and successful the Batman franchise is, I don't think any of the actors who have played Batman have (for various reasons that often aren't any fault of their own) knocked it out of the park alongside the greats like RDJ, Jackman, Reeve, and even Chris Evans. Those guys have all made their respective roles their own, both in and out of the costume.

Adam West.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

If we're choosing actors, I don't understand what else is there to judge outside a guy in a suit performing stunts or throwing one-liners, or fight choreography. And I think both Keaton and Affleck outperform Bale. Bale's fat mug can't fit into the cowl in BB. Fights - shaky cam and fast cuts that don't show ****. And in TDK/TDKR Batman action is even worse. From enemies refusing to open fire on Batman and constantly trying to hit him with their guns, to stupid ****ing gun bender / can opener, to embarrassing choreography, to ugly costume, to HORRIBLE batvoice...

But, but, characterization! Sure, TDK Batman is much better written, but it has nothing to do with Affleck or Bale.

I like how claim characterization had nothing to with Bale and then go on to list a bunch **** that had nothing to do with Bale as his fault. Comical.

 

[The Batman]

Adam West.

Adam West is pretty much the only live action Batman who was nearly a perfect representation of a Batman from the comics.

He's also the only one in his respective universe who felt like he was truly the world's greatest detective, IMO.

I like how claim characterization had nothing to with Bale and then go on to list a bunch **** that had nothing to do with Bale as his fault. Comical.

I also love that he mentions Bale's "fat mug" while leaving out how bloated and puffy Affleck often looked throughout his tenure, both in the suit and out of it.