Does Batman have the best track record of any superhero franchise?

[Cain]

As someone whose been a member of SHH since 2002, I can tell you that Batman Forever always had its defenders. Also, the general public has always liked Batman Forever. They don't nitpick these movies like fanboys.

I wasn't on this board that long but I been frequenting Batman fanboards since 1998 and it was the same deal there.

 

[Catman]

Yes, it's amazing to think of the sheer number of Hollywood stars who have appeared in the series.

The cast has been stellar from the start, lead and supporting.

Let's not forget the guest stars on the Adam West show.

 

[The Joker]

Let's not forget the guest stars on the Adam West show.

Absolutely. Some of the greatest talent in Hollywood appeared on that show, either as villains, or for cameos, sticking their heads out of the windows of the buildings Batman and Robin were climbing.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

Alot is always made about the batman reboot revitalizing the franchise but if you think about it out of 6 batman films only one out of the 6 is considered unequivocally bad by most people. Compare that to the superman franchise or possibly any of the modern superhero franchises.

1 out of 6 seems like a great ratio. I don't think any other franchises have been so lucky?

Yup, just 1 out of 6 that can be considered bad. The franchise has had an outstanding track record, both comercially and critically.

True. The cast has been stellar from the start, lead and supporting. For the most Batman was able to avoid that sort of negative impression of just being silly or not a worthwhile endeavor. Quality names, in terms of recognition and talent, have had interest since the 1989 feature.

Fun fact. Each Batman film has had at least 2 Oscar nominated/winning actors in its cast:

Batman - Jack Nicholson, Jack Palance
Batman Returns - Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken
Batman Forever - Tommy Lee Jones, Nicole Kidman
Batman and Robin - George Clooney, Uma Thurman
Batman Begins - Liam Neeson, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Tom Wilkinson, Ken Watanabe
The Dark Knight - Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Eric Roberts

 

[FlawlessVictory]

Another fun fact. Of the six Batman movies produced, only one film has not received any Oscar nominations or wins - Batman and Robin.

Batman - Best Art Direction/Set Decoration(Won)
Batman Returns - Best Effects/Visual Effects, Best Makeup(Nominated)
Batman Forever - Best Cinematography, Best Effects/Sound Effects Editing, Best Sound(Nominated)
Batman Begins - Best Achievement in Cinematography(Nominated)
The Dark Knight - Best Achievement in Sound Editing, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role(Won), Best Achievement in Art Direction, Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Achievement in Editing, Best Achievement in Makeup, Best Achievement in Sound, Best Achievement in Visual Effects

 

[The Batman]

As someone whose been a member of SHH since 2002, I can tell you that Batman Forever always had its defenders. Also, the general public has always liked Batman Forever. They don't nitpick these movies like fanboys.

This. And as far as the GA are concerned, Jim Carrey's Riddler is the second best Batman villain of the original series

 

[Catman]

as far as the GA are concerned, Jim Carrey's Riddler is the second best Batman villain of the original series

Maybe. Catwoman is the only thing that can unite lovers and haters of Batman Returns.

 

[The Joker]

This. And as far as the GA are concerned, Jim Carrey's Riddler is the second best Batman villain of the original series

I never really cared for Carey's Riddler. It was essentially Carey just being Carey. He was waaaaaaaaaay too energetic for my tastes. But then so was Two Face lol.

I think the Burton villains, all three of them, are the best of the original series. Schumacher's villains did nothing for me. Any good moments from the Schumacher movies revolved around, Bruce, Dick, Alfred, and Chase Meridian, IMO.

 

[The Batman]

I never really cared for Carey's Riddler. It was essentially Carey just being Carey. He was waaaaaaaaaay too energetic for my tastes. But then so was Two Face lol.

I think the Burton villains, all three of them, are the best of the original series. Schumacher's villains did nothing for me. Any good moments from the Schumacher movies revolved around, Bruce, Dick, Alfred, and Chase Meridian, IMO.

Oh, dont get me wrong...I'm not saying Carrey actually is the second best villain of the franchise--I'm just highlighting BF's rep in the GA's eyes compared to the fans opinions of schumacher's movies.

Carrey being Carrey in BF is probably why the audiencegoers loved him so much

 

[The Batman]

Maybe. Catwoman is the only thing that can unite lovers and haters of Batman Returns.

Maybe? its true. Ask a non fanboy who their favorite villain was from the old franchise, besides jack nicholson. People rarely bring up michelle's catwoman when talking about favorite villains from the old franchise. They either praise nicholson and carrey, and rip arnolds mr freeze to shreds

When it comes to the internet, you're absolutely right...but thats about it.

 

[Catman]

Ask a non fanboy who their favorite villain was from the old franchise, besides jack nicholson. People rarely bring up michelle's catwoman

Not really. Catwoman is one of those characters that has the advantage of being a villain AND a female. So, that creates a lot of discussion.

 

[The Batman]

Not really. Catwoman is one of those characters that has the advantage of being a villain AND a female. So, that creates a lot of discussion.

And none of that has anything to do with the fact that most people dont talk about michelle's catwoman as often as they do nicholson's joker or carrey's riddler. but i see this is one of those "Agree to disagree" things...

 

[The Joker]

I've never noticed Carey's Riddler getting that much attention. I always thought Jack and Michelle got more attention from the general audience.

 

[The Sarge]

Yeah, I always see Catwoman getting more attention that Riddler, but I'd maybe put him in third.
Every girl I know goddamn loves Catwoman in that movie. I'm pretty sure all the Catwoman love she got from that is why she had a ****** solo film years later.
Riddler never got that much love.

 

[Spoonman]

Are you guys serious? I don't remember any craze (nor indiference of course) for Catwoman, but I do remember the general public being all over Carrey's Riddler, comparable as how Jack and Heath stole the show in their respective films.

 

[The Joker]

I'm deadly serious. I don't remember any kind of hype for Carey's Riddler. But I remember the buzz about Catwoman and even the Joker.

 

[Ipodman]

I think the anticipation for each villain is as big in each Batman movie... (with the exception of TDK's Joker of Course... because of Heath LEdger's passing away, the publicity was huge)...
Correct me if I'm wrong, but Burton's Batman had a huge reaction for it's dark portrayal, which was totally different from the tv series

 

[akfj]

I'd say Carrey's Riddler was the reason Batman Forever outgrossed Batman Returns. You have to remember he was coming off Ace Ventura, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber. It may not have been a great portrayal, but people wanted to go see Jim Carrey be Jim Carrey, which was what they got.

 

[Ipodman]

Yea it was Batman vs jim carrey

 

[Catman]

I've never noticed Carey's Riddler getting that much attention.

Are you guys serious? I remember the general public being all over Carrey's Riddler, comparable as how Jack and Heath stole the show in their respective films.

In 1995, Carrey was over-hyped as the Riddler. Heck, the entire marketing campaign for Batman Forever revolved around the Riddler and the question symbol. And the color green. But since then I think that Catwoman out-ranks him. When people look back at the first four movies, Catwoman is one of the aspects of it that stands out as GOOD.

 

[weezerspider]

I'd have to say Batman has two bad movies. I HATE both Shumaker films. I like the Burton films a good bit and LOVE Nolan's films. Overall, I'd say it is probably the best superhero franchise, but it also has 6 movies, which is more than most. Right now I'd rank it like this:

1. Batman franchise
2. Spiderman franchise
3. X-men franchise

Batman is heading up while X-men and Spiderman seem to be heading down. I'd say Batman has it secured.

 

[Infinity9999x]

I've never noticed Carey's Riddler getting that much attention. I always thought Jack and Michelle got more attention from the general audience.

Carey's Riddler still gets big praise, especially from my age group. In fact, before TDK, Riddler was the villain most of my friends remembered from the old series.