Favorite Batman Party Scene

[RakuMon]

The Dark Knight may have been the first movie to buck longstanding live action Batman traditions (like no "suiting up" or "revealing your secret identity" scenes for example). One tradition that Dark Knight proudly continues is the famed gala/ball that gets thrown in each movie. This poll is to find out which gala scene is your favorite.

Batman
Casino Night at Wayne Manor
In Tim Burton's first flick, we meet Bruce Wayne for the first time at a benefit for the city's 200th anniversary at Wayne Manor. The most significant aspect of this scene is that it has Bruce and Vicki Vale's "meet cute" and we get a look at Bruce's "arsenal" that houses the international suits of armor that influenced Bruce's own Batsuit.

Batman Returns
Max Schreck's Christmas Costume Ball
First of all, who holds a costume party for Christmas? Why Burton didn't just set Batman Returns in October (rather than December), I'll never know. Besides, an October setting might make the whole election subplot more logical as well. Anyway, the party scene doesn't come until near the end, but it's a doozy. This scene shows Bruce and Selina figuring out each other's secret identities (Pfieffer's line "Does this mean we start fighting?" is classic). Before they can deal with this revelation, though, Penguin crashes the party.

Batman Forever
Nygma's 'Box' Launch Party
Never mind how ridiculous the concept behind Riddler's "Box" technology was, making him a mind reader (er... isn't that Mad Hatter's shtick?) was beyond lame. Anyway, the most memorable thing to take away from this party is the fact that Val Kilmer's Bruce Wayne is a moron. Why he'd unwittingly open himself up to Nygma's device (especially since he didn't trust him) is a boneheaded move that the Batman would never make. Still, it killed two birds with one stone in that it was the prerequisite "Batman Party" and "Reveal Batman's identity" all neatly wrapped up in one scene! Hooray!

Batman & Robin
Wayne Enterprises' Jungle Boogie
So Batman's brilliant scheme to lure Mr. Freeze is to have Wayne Enterprises throw a charity auction for some giant diamonds? Or something. Of course Freeze (and Poison Ivy, natch) show up. This scene is probably best (or is that worst?) remembered for the infamous "Bat Credit Card" moment. One thing that sets this party apart from the other five, though, is that it's the only one where Batman--and not Bruce Wayne--is the guest.

Batman Begins
Bruce's 30th Birthday Bash
It may have been a complete and total reboot of the franchise, but one thing Chris Nolan wanted to do was keep the obligatory party scene in place. Unlike the previous ones though, Bruce's party feels the most realistic. Plus, it features the great moment in which Bruce, pretending to be drunk, insults his guests and kicks them out of his house in order to protect them from Ducard/R'as and the League of Shadows. Also, Wayne Manor burns down. Hell of a party, Bruce!

The Dark Knight
Harvey Dent's Penthouse Fundraiser
Finally, in what is arguably the best live action Bat flick, the party scene in question happens to be a fund raiser thrown for Gotham's newest D.A. at Wayne's luxurious downtown penthouse. The highlight of this party, though, is the Joker's memorable entrance. The Joker's scene with Rachel Dawes is thick with tension that can be cut with a knife (pun intended). The scene even boasts a cameo by Vermont senator (and noted Batman fan) Patrick Leahy.

So, there you have it. Six Batman movies. Six lavish galas. So what does this tell us about Batman? Obviously, "the chicks like him for his big charity balls."

 

[The Joker]

I really love Schreck's one in Returns. It's a costume party, and Bruce and Selina are the only ones not wearing masks. That great song 'Face to face' is playing, and the conversation between Bruce and Selina while they're dancing is fantastic. I love Selina's nervous/crazy laugh when she says she doesn't know who she is anymore.
Plus, Penguin's entrance is awesome. Check out the quick shot of Schreck's face when everyone goes flying off the dance floor. Priceless.

Batman '89's was a another good one. Alfred's reaction to Knox's tip is a hoot. Gordon and his missus gambling. Vicki and Knox checking out Bruce's arsenal room, "He must have been king of the wicker people". Bruce spying on his party guests with secret cameras. Just love it all.

Last but not least for me, Harvey's fund raiser in Bruce's penthouse. Harvey and Alfred's little interaction, Bruce's arrival in a helicopter with a trio of beautiful women on his arm, and the build up in tension to Joker's great entrance. Joker sampling the food while looking for Harvey, accosting Senator Patrick Leahy, giving Rachel a different chilling account on how he got his scars, battling Batman, and capping it off with tossing Rachel out a window. Awesomeness.

 

[darkseid26]

i like the ones from Batman Returns and The Dark Knight

 

[mongoose-mania]

I'm tied between the party scenes in Returns and Dark Knight.
Returns was really symbolic and was a great moment in the film between Bruce and Selina. I thought it was really well-done and just a great, emotional scene.
But Joker actually crashed the party in Dark Knight. And Bruce actually had to don the batsuit at his own party to fight with him. That was pretty intense to me.
I don't know, really, both are great. I'll just stick with those two.

 

[Symbiotic]

TDK. Love that entire scene.

 

[AroundtheFur]

The best thing about the Batman Forever party was how Jim Carrey imitated Val Kilmer. The same hair do, tux, eye glasses, and even the mole!
But my favorite has to be The Dark Knight.

 

[BlueLightning]

Yoo forgot Mask of The Phantasm, Subzero, and Return of the Joker. (I don´t remember any party in Mystery of The Batwoman, I need to rewatch it).

My favorite: TDK.

 

[Mandalore464]

I really love Schreck's one in Returns. It's a costume party, and Bruce and Selina are the only ones not wearing masks. That great song 'Face to face' is playing, and the conversation between Bruce and Selina while they're dancing is fantastic. I love Selina's nervous/crazy laugh when she says she doesn't know who she is anymore.
Plus, Penguin's entrance is awesome. Check out the quick shot of Schreck's face when everyone goes flying off the dance floor. Priceless.

I'm with you all the way.

 

[DACrowe]

Has this really what we've come to?

Eh, The Dark Knight? Simply 'cause the Joker shows up, gives a cool little story and it climaxes with the first Batman vs. Joker encounter and paves the way for Joker making Rachel Dawes a target in the future. Also, I like Dent.

However probably the one most directly important to its movie is in Batman Returns. It is Bruce and Selina's best scene where they realize who each other are and both depends and dooms their relationship. Plus the dark humor of her losing her mind more and more and they being the only people without masks (bad masks at that) on is funny. Penguin's got a ****ing great interest as well.

Casino night in B'89 was good too, just because I liked how overly crowded it was and the ay it was photographed. Most of all Kim Basinger looked UNBELIEVABLY good in that scene.

The one in BB is only memorable because of how it ends with the drunken stupor "this is not a joke, the party's over and get out."

The one in BF sucked and I don't even remember if there was one in B&R unless we're counting that awful Bat-visa scene.

 

[TheDarkKnight08]

The Dark Knight. 2 reasons:

Bruce Wayne: The ladies, and putting Harvey in a chokehold.

Joker:... Do I have to elaborate?

 

[AmazinUncleBen]

I'm tied between the party scenes in Returns and Dark Knight.
Returns was really symbolic and was a great moment in the film between Bruce and Selina. I thought it was really well-done and just a great, emotional scene.
But Joker actually crashed the party in Dark Knight. And Bruce actually had to don the batsuit at his own party to fight with him. That was pretty intense to me.
I don't know, really, both are great. I'll just stick with those two.

I agree but I gave the edge to Returns because I've had years to love this scene while only a month for TDK.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

After years of loving the scene... I have to give this one to Batman Returns.


TDK was more intense and adrenaline pumped...

But I love Batman Returns for its emotion and metaphorical implications...

Things Burton was so subtly brilliant at.

 

[Cain]

I felt that scene from TDK while cool was for the most part filler. It lead to absolutely nothing and wasn't neccessary. I go with the one from BR because it was well crafted and felt emotional and was integral to where the movie went. The two monsters one cause of deformity and one out of pure choice (Penguin and Schreck) confront each other, two lovebirds (Bruce and Selina) have a tragic dance come to a screeching halt.

Or since this is experessionistic cinema you could also look at it as all the facets of Bruce Wayne/Batman's psyche conflicting with each other under one space. I think it's poignant, it's a very well played scene in terms of acting and symbolism. To me one of the greatest scenes in any superhero movie and the more effective and memorable out of them all because of how it affects the storyline.

 

[RakuMon]

Yoo forgot Mask of The Phantasm, Subzero, and Return of the Joker. (I don´t remember any party in Mystery of The Batwoman, I need to rewatch it).

My favorite: TDK.

Actually, as stated in the initial post, this is about the obligatory party scene in each of the live action Batman movies.

 

[Two-Face]

It has to be the TDK Fundraiser for Dent. Second is BB's Bruce 30th Birthday party.


I like BR one with Penguin crashing and says 'You didn't invite me so I crashed"

 

[Soundwave88]

it features the great moment in which Bruce, pretending to be drunk, insults his guests and kicks them out of his house in order to protect them from Ducard/R'as and the League of Shadows. Also, Wayne Manor burns down. Hell of a party, Bruce!

I miss that house

"Gotham isn't beyond saving" Best quote ever!

 

[Gilpesh]

Fake drunkie Bruce Wayne wins this one for me

 

[Gotham22]

One out of six had the villain crash the party.

off-topic but there should be Robin and Batgirl already if Bruce/Batman is 30.

 

[The Joker]

One out of six had the villain crash the party.

You mean one out of the six didn't have the villain crash the party

That's an interesting point:

- Penguin crashed Schreck's masquerade ball
- Two Face crashed Nygma's 'The box' launch party
- Mr Freeze crashed the jungle themed fundraiser party
- Ra's crashed Bruce's birthday party
- Joker crashed Harvey's fundraiser party.

The lesson? Invite the villain to the party, because they're just going to crash it anyway

 

[CFE]

Technically, "B&R" had two parties...you're forgetting the Dedication of the Telescope at Gotham Observatory.

As for my favorite, gotta be "Returns" by FAR...

The coolest aspect of that scene was the fact that for the majority of the film, Bruce and Selina are their real selves (Batman and Catwoman)...then the one moment in the film where everyone wears masks to hide their true identities, Bruce and Selina technically do the same by NOT wearing their costumes.

So beautiful!

CFE

 

[The Joker]

Technically, "B&R" had two parties...you're forgetting the Dedication of the Telescope at Gotham Observatory.

That's right. Poison Ivy was at that one. She swiped Gordon's keys.

 

[Yurka]

Man no Batman at the club getting Maroni option??
Have to go with Den'ts fundraiser.

 

[Lazlo Panaflex]

1) The Dark Knight -you have Bruce with the ladies but he gets down to business by taking out the Joker's goon like a badass mofo.

2) Batman Begins -Bruce telling his guests to get out is always a hoot, he had barely arrived and already acting drunk.

3) Batman '89 -we don't see Bruce as the suave playboy that he is since not even Vicki Vale or Knox knew who he was.

4) Batman Forever -favorite part of the party is when Batman comes crashing through the windows and flips to kick the bad guys.

5) Batman Returns -nothing really memorable here.

6) Batman & Robin -absolute worst party with the giant gorillas.

 

[dude stannis]

Batman Returns. It was character study scene.

The Dark Knight. Aaron Eckhart is on top form throughout the whole film. Here is no exception.

 

[Robin91939]

I loved the party scenes in:

Batman Returns
Batman Forever
Batman Begins
The Dark Knight

The moment with Selena and Bruce in Batman Returns was awesome and a classic "Batman" moment.

I loved the fight scene at the Nygmatech party in Batman Forever and to top it off it lead to the introduction of Robin in his uniform and a great sequence of Batman in the fire...truly great stuff.

Batman Begins had it's greatest revelation and twist in it's party scene making it insanely memorable. I love the part where Bruce is watching all of his guests leave and we can see some not moving with that eerie music playing showing the League members who infiltrated his party.

But I had to vote for The Dark Knight. The whole build up to the party was amazing. The judge and Loeb dying, inter cut with the party, with Bruce sneaking Harvey away, culminating in the Joker's entrance from the elevator was just a pure thrill ride. Then the fight that ensues after was icing on the cake.

-R