As films? I definitely don’t agree with the ratings.
Batman Begins - 9 / 10
The Dark Knight - 10 / 10
TDK Rises - 8 / 10
Total: 27 / 30
90%
Batman ‘89 - 8.5 / 10
Batman Returns - 6.5 / 10
Total: 15 / 20
75%
Don’t really considering Flash as part of a unified or even segmented vision to be considered a trilogy.
Bale’s films were all objectively better and more well received. Even if 89 is still iconic and an awesome time. Now, if the direct comparison is more Keaton vs Bale and their acting performances with the same character?
Keaton in 89: 10 / 10
Keaton in Returns: 8 / 10
Keaton in Flash: 8 / 10
26 / 30
87%
Bale in BB: 9 / 10
Bale in TDK: 8 / 10
Bale in TDKR: 7 / 10
24 / 30
80%
Christian Bale was the better Bruce Wayne, but he was given significantly more material to work with.
As Batman, easily Michael Keaton. And besides thinking his Bruce Wayne take in 89 is more interesting than Bale’s, his Batman is just so much better, so much more bad ass, so much more natural with the posturing and the bad MFer walk. Keaton is just cool as Batman. And honestly for a 5 foot 9 guy, he makes this larger than life mythic character the most human and vulnerable, appearing like a quirky uncomfortable guy not in the cape and cowl, but snaps into being instantly more imposing and creepy than anybody else else to ever be Batman with the exception of one guy.
But overall in their time Keaton was very good, and Bale was just good. Michael was just naturally better and more interesting in the role, and consider him better while having far less to work with. So that’s impressive.
For full franchise comparison, Affleck was mid. Kilmer was bad. And Clooney was terrible.
I think Christian had much more potential than he delivered on. But you could make the argument Michael Keaton is a better actor anyway. Christian Bale had the better movies. Michael Keaton was the creator of the serious take of the character for the General Public and the most iconic movie in the franchise with 89. Christian Bale was the better Bruce Wayne by a touch, but had more to work with. Michael Keaton was definitely the better Batman naturally. Even when he shows up in Flash, at seven years old, he doesn’t miss a beat and as likable as ever. He’s just a more charismatic and likable guy which I think translates to his performance. Bale is also a great actor, but he doesn’t have the same level of likability and charm, which shines through in their Bruce Waynes. And Mike’s Batman is as cool and bad ass as ever.
As for the haters of Christian Bale, I get not preferring him, but these three highly successful films from both critics and general audiences doesn’t work without him being effective to downright good. That absolutely can’t be ignored.
Also, to be even more fair, you could subtract a point off of Keaton’s performance in returns and flash, and just chalk it up to likability on my end, and it’s basically neck and neck. 80% for both … but gun to my head, I like Keaton better and find his take more interesting. Simplified Keaton is the better Batman and Bale the better Bruce Wayne.
It doesn’t matter anyway, because I think both of them have now been surpassed
