BvS How would you rate Christian Bale's performance as Batman?

[slumcat]

Seeing as we will shortly have a new Batman, the most obvious point of comparison would probably be the most recent iteration of the role, meaning Christian Bale.

So how does everyone feel about it, do they want a repeat or something different?

 

[Project862006]

2 out of 4 keatons

/

 

[titansupes]

Loved everything about Christian Bale's Batman and Bruce Wayne. The look, the voice, the personailty as a whole. Everything. So I'm pretty worried the new guy won't live up to him.

It's hard to move on from someone widely accepted as one of the best of actors of the generation. But I'm hopeful as well, since I loved the MoS casting.

EDIT: 1,000 posts. Finally.

 

[slumcat]

Congrats. What happens when you reach 1000 posts? Do you get some special privileges like bigger avatar pic or something?

 

[titansupes]

Congrats. What happens when you reach 1000 posts? Do you get some special privileges like bigger avatar pic or something?

Thanks. I have no idea, I should probably upload an avatar at some point.

 

[Gianakin_]

The choices are too black and white, but I'll jsut say he's by far my favorite live action Batman.

 

[FeedOnATreeFrog]

I thought he was great. Despite any stylistic quibbles, the acting itself was great.

 

[LordofhouseEl]

I thought it was mediocre and can easily be topped, whoever takes over doesn't really have a lot to worry about. Unlike Superman where an actor literally embodied the character (Reeves) that has never been done for Batman. All this new guy needs to do is read some good Batmab comics and delve into who the character is, also for the voice his just needs to alter the pitch and tone like Conroy as opposed to the gasping for air Bale did.

 

[Project862006]

I thought it was mediocre and can easily be topped, whoever takes over doesn't really have a lot to worry about. Unlike Superman where an actor literally embodied the character (Reeves) that has never been done for Batman. All this new guy needs to do is read some good Batmab comics and delve into who the character is, also for the voice his just needs to alter the pitch and tone like Conroy as opposed to the gasping for air Bale did.

bale's bruce will be hard to top tho

 

[Malcolm Reynold]

He was definitely my favourite one so far but I would definitely prefer something closer to the comics. Also I heard they edited his voice in post production for The Dark Knight and DKr so we can't blame Bale for that entirely.

 

[Krumm]

That poll is way too complicated. 1 - 10 scale anyone?

 

[StarLord]

For me, Bale is the best Bruce Wayne/Batman to date.

I thought his performances in all three movies was excellent.

 

[Smallville13]

Kind of a weird poll as all the criteria is different, so not sure what measuring.

I thought Christian Bale has defined Batman of this generation. He found a way to successfully humanize the character. Just because he's not traditionally like the comics does not make his characterization worse. I think the opposite. He found a way into the character that resonated with most people, even if comics fans weren't 'wooed'.

The problems with his characterization stemmed from outside, mainly from the character of Rachael, which really wasn't necessary to BB. But this did work out for TDK where since she was so unnecessary, she was disposable, and Nolan utilized this to show the raised stakes and actually have a love interest die, which is rare in these superhero films.

 

[Shikamaru]

Brilliant Bruce Wayne, Pretty Good Batman.

I don't think he is the definitive actor for the role in the same way RDJ and Reeve are to their respective characters. I think the Batman actor has yet to come, but Bale is the best one overall so far IMO.

 

[Double B]

Bizarrely complicated options but I wasn't a fan at all.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I think Bale is a very good actor who does his best work outside of the Bat-films. That being said I overall liked him as Bruce Wayne. I'm not over the moon for his performances in the films like some are but I like him enough to want him back for this Superman/Batman thing. If it wasn't for his more loose and interesting performance in Rises I probably wouldn't want him back as much. Let me break it down.

BATMAN BEGINS: He was pretty good/decent. Hate the Bat voice though. In general I don't get the love for Batman Begins as a film so his performance is just another part of that.

THE DARK KNIGHT: He was okay. I don't know if I should blame Bale for being the least interesting thing in his own movie. I more so blame the writers. Still hate the Bat-voice but great film eventhough I don't care when Rachel dies because I never liked the character.

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES: Bale gave a very good performance this time but I still don't like the bat-voice. The movie itself is nothing special to me but Bale and Hathaway have great chemistry.

Well those are my, I'm sure not popular, thoughts. I think his performances can be topped but I'm used to him now so I'd be excited if he came back.

 

[Deserana]

I think he was brilliant in all three films and really don't get the "bland" comments for TDK at all that I've seen everywhere. The voice was fine in BB but TDK and TDKR went a little overboard but in no way did it take me outta the film other than once.

It's probably because I grew up with this trilogy that I'm so fond of him in the role but the next actor is going to have pull some from deep into their behind in order to come close to me. And unlike RDJ in IM3 Bale actually still looked like he loved the role in TDKR and would come back if Nolan and co were involved.

 

[TheFlamingCoco]

This feels like a troll thread, with extreme examples and whatnot. I feel like Bale was robbed of the opportunity to really become the Batman we know and love. I do think his performance (in particular, his voice) felt forced at times, but I think it's because he's surrounded by such subtle performances by Caine and Oldman.

So I wouldn't be bothered if they brought him back. If they don't (as is more likely) I hope he has a really intimidating, but calm sounding voice. And of course, his characterization should be closer to the comics.

 

[kvz5]

The poll choices are weird. Anyway, he was the only one who I loved as both Bruce Wayne and Batman. Favorite actor playing my favorite superhero directed by someone who ended up being one of my favorite directors. The TDKT was a perfect storm for me. Also, I sometimes feel that his performances are under-appreciated because of issues that were not his fault.

 

[manofsteel4life]

I voted he was extremely badass, but I wouldn't want the next batman to be like him...it's kinda hard because there's really only one way to play batman.....and George clooney wasn't It lol

 

[Jim-El]

What...No love for Adam West?...

Bale was great and in my mind irreplaceable.

 

[MrMaooz]

Great.

 

[A&W]

AA deep gravely voice is only intimidating if it sounds natural. If the person sounds like they are forcing it or struglng than it is just stupid

 

[Kevin Smith]

Oh ****, I misread and accidentally voted for the voice was perfect but meant to vote that the voice was ridiculous!

Can someone fix that?

 

[Kevin Smith]

And where is the "I thought everything was good but the voice" option?