Has Christian Bale Lost Steam?

[Doctor Jones]

I think that Bale has been overshadowed in his last two major films, but I don't think that it's his fault. Heath Ledger's Joker overshadowed him I suppose, but you're talking about a character that is BUILT to steal the spotlight... even if the Joker had only been in three scenes, he would have still be what people talked about. A character who is grand and theatrical almost always grabs the attention, versus someone darker and more reserved. Thus I really think the comparison is unfair.

As for Terminator Salvation, I really don't think Sam Worthington did anything outstanding. There are two simple reasons people seemed to like him better: 1. they found his storyline more interesting and 2. people are so impressionable by bullsh** that they turned on Bale over the whole rant thing. Whether you sided with him or the "I was looking at the light" guy, don't judge the man's acting ability on something that he did off camera. Hell, there are plenty of bad things people do in this world... many that are much worse than cussing someone out.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

 

[Catman]

a "food for thought" aside, anyone else find it funny how people that complain 89's Joker overshadowed/stole the show from Batman yet the same thing happens in TDK and no one says boo?

That's how fanboys are. One day they love something and one day they don't. I remember a time when Superman was considered a classic. Now it's considered an old movie with bad visual effects, Gene Hackman playing a wacky Luthor, and a cringe-worthy romantic scene.

I think it's dumb the way as soon as someone doesn't have a blockbuster coming out every five months, people start saying "whatever happened to so-and-so anyway?"

I think it's dumb the way some people don't read the first post.

you're talking about a character that is BUILT to steal the spotlight...

My thought on this was over-looked, so I'll post it again. Yes, Joker is a more in-your-face character. But good acting, directing, and writing can allow for Batman to steal back the spotlight. In the `89 movie, look at the scene where Joker is dancing to Prince and destroying paintings at the museum. Yeah...Joker had his moments on the spotlight but arguably the most memorable part of that scene is Batman crashing through the window to save Vicki Vale.

In TDK, Batman never had a scene where he stole back the spotlight. The closest was him flipping that truck but that scene will be remembered as a truck flipping over as opposed to Batman flipping a truck.

In all fairness though, most and I mean most actors seem like themselves in most movies now days anyways.

True, but some are actually fun to watch. I'd rather watch Will Smith play himself as opposed to Christian Bale shouting for two hours. And that's all Bale does these days: shout. Seriously, go back and watch Terminator. That's all he did. Heck, I can do that. McG should have cast me as John Connor.

 

[MiniBond]

I was waiting for a not-so-great movie with Bale starring in it to see such a thread......guess that's it

 

[Figs]

I think it's dumb the way some people don't read the first post.

True, but some are actually fun to watch. I'd rather watch Will Smith play himself as opposed to Christian Bale shouting for two hours. And that's all Bale does these days: shout. Seriously, go back and watch Terminator. That's all he did. Heck, I can do that. McG should have cast me as John Connor.

Yes Bale did yell a good amount in TS but frankly that is one of the biggest exaggerations I've heard when people say that all he did was yell in TS.

Utter horse ****. Of the few scenes he had in the film, I don't recall him yelling to whoever was listening when he was on his little radio broadcast or when he was talking to his wife or some of his fellow resistance fighters in the opening scene. Whenever he yelled in the movie it was usually for a good reason, most of his few scenes did not have him yelling. So for you and a few others that hated that movie, thus you have to pull some low blows by exaggerating...no, Bale did not just yell throughout that entire film.

 

[Grommers]

Bale is no where close to losing steam, he played those roles really well, but he didn't have a whole lot work with. I mean honestly, had the bad guy been someone else than heath ledgers joker...then it would of been almost no contest..well, even harvey dent was really good so i dunno.

But you act like 2nd is bad..but the fact they expect him to match-up to some of these other great actors, and nobody has criticized his acting yet, shows he is still living up to his expectations.

 

[rogue trooper]

My thought on this was over-looked, so I'll post it again. Yes, Joker is a more in-your-face character. But good acting, directing, and writing can allow for Batman to steal back the spotlight. In the `89 movie, look at the scene where Joker is dancing to Prince and destroying paintings at the museum. Yeah...Joker had his moments on the spotlight but arguably the most memorable part of that scene is Batman crashing through the window to save Vicki Vale.

In TDK, Batman never had a scene where he stole back the spotlight. The closest was him flipping that truck but that scene will be remembered as a truck flipping over as opposed to Batman flipping a truck.

Dude, Bale did more in stealing the spotlight back from Ledger than Keaton did with Nicholson!! The interrogation scene is one that belongs to Bale as much as Ledger. And I can go on...

 

[Wiseman]

Dude, Bale did more in stealing the spotlight back from Ledger than Keaton did with Nicholson!! The interrogation scene is one that belongs to Bale as much as Ledger. And I can go on...

Yelling while sounding like a moron is not "scene stealing" it's an embarrassment. Which I blame Nolan for more then Bale since he's the director.

 

[rogue trooper]

Yelling while sounding like a moron is not "scene stealing" it's an embarrassment. Which I blame Nolan for more then Bale since he's the director.

 

[Wiseman]

You can come back with crap like that all day, doesn't change the facts. I've defended Bale in this thread already but TDK was hindered by the way he talked as Batman. There have been spoofs all over the internet about how ridiculous it was and it makes any scene he's in trying to sound scary as laughable. Like I said though, that's more Nolan's fault then Bale's. Especially since he went in after the scenes were shot and used a computer to make the voice sound even more ridiculous. If you think you can honestly defend the Batman voice in TDK feel free to consider yourself dilusional

 

[rogue trooper]

You can come back with crap like that all day, doesn't change the facts. I've defended Bale in this thread already but TDK was hindered by the way he talked as Batman. There have been spoofs all over the internet about how ridiculous it was and it makes any scene he's in trying to sound scary as laughable. Like I said though, that's more Nolan's fault then Bale's. Especially since he went in after the scenes were shot and used a computer to make the voice sound even more ridiculous. If you think you can honestly defend the Batman voice in TDK feel free to consider yourself dilusional

The fact is that BALE IS BATMAN and no one else, as you will very well see him again behind cape and cowl for a third.

.....oh, yes, Bale's voice is awesome and intimidating, just like Rorschach's.

 

[bullets]

I don't like Christian Bale very much. I'm disappointed with his Batman. He looks bland in Terminator Salvation. And to be honest he comes across as a nutcase in real life (especially after his infamous rant on the Terminator set).

I like Bale partly because I'm sure he is a nutjob.

 

[Spider-Fan83]

ya, all the great ones are alil nutty

 

[Bobber]

Granted, I'm kindof a Bale fanboy, but I really didn't think Crowe overshadowed him in 3:10 to Yuma..

 

[Johnny Drama]

Bale is awesome. Haters can suck it.

 

[Etienne]

My thought on this was over-looked, so I'll post it again. Yes, Joker is a more in-your-face character. But good acting, directing, and writing can allow for Batman to steal back the spotlight. In the `89 movie, look at the scene where Joker is dancing to Prince and destroying paintings at the museum. Yeah...Joker had his moments on the spotlight but arguably the most memorable part of that scene is Batman crashing through the window to save Vicki Vale.

In TDK, Batman never had a scene where he stole back the spotlight. The closest was him flipping that truck but that scene will be remembered as a truck flipping over as opposed to Batman flipping a truck.

It takes little to no acting for Batman to crash through a window and save Vicki Vale. That's why they pay stuntmen for that.

 

[Max J Power]

I don't like Christian Bale very much. I'm disappointed with his Batman. He looks bland in Terminator Salvation. And to be honest he comes across as a nutcase in real life (especially after his infamous rant on the Terminator set)

So? A bunch of actors are nutjobs or jerks and that doesn't make me like them less as actors. It's not like I know them in person or anything.

 

[Pittman4Two]

Russell Crowe has lost more steam that Bale.

LA Confidential and Gladiator to Body of Lies

 

[bullets]

Crowe is good but I also think he lost more steam than Bale.

 

[bunk]

They were both great in Yuma though.

 

[TheRunningMan]

just because crowe has gained a little weight doesnt mean he's lost steam

 

[dude stannis]

just because crowe has gained a little weight doesnt mean he's lost steam

The role called for a 50 year old CIA desk jockey, did anyone expect him to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Speaking of whom, the best part of this thread has been The Running Man quotes!

"I've got to score some steriods"

 

[TheRunningMan]

The role called for a 50 year old CIA desk jockey, did anyone expect him to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Speaking of whom, the best part of this thread has been The Running Man quotes!

"I've got to score some steriods"

heah have a light!

 

[tek]

No, Bale's acting has not lost steam. It is just that the TS rant has allowed the media/public to gather ammunition to attack perception. Very similar to Crowe's phone throwing incident and repercussion. However both are fantastic to watch imo. Media wank is just, well, wank!!

 

[dude stannis]

heah have a light!

"Mr. Spock, you have the com."

"Who is Mr. Spock?"

 

[TheRunningMan]

"Mr. Spock, you have the com."

"Who is Mr. Spock?"

I had da shirt but you focked it up