Michael Keaton: Overrated?

[Mr. Earle]

Michael Keaton is so overrated in my opinion. He's too small. His voice was edited... Pretty much the good things i can sum up was his evil smile he did as Batman, that was definatly badass.

The guy's a good actor, but i disagree with Tim Burton's vision of "no bug musculer guy needs to hide his identity" it's like casting a woman, child or a dog as Batman and saying: well you would never believe they would be Batman, so ofcourse it works.

Ditto.

He had presence and was an authoritative force without ever giving long winded speeches just relying on great body language, I liked him.

Presence? He was the shorter and most unimpressive guy in his B89 party!

It's like Clark Kent switching to contacts.

Personally i find Bale to be the best Bruce Wayne and Batman. I just wish he was taller. Kilmer certainly was imposing due to his height.

Anyway, Keaton, Jack and B89 will always have nostalgia going for them. But in the end, Keaton was short, had a receding hair line and besides the brooding he wasnt much of a Bruce Wayne. Bale on the other hand is great as Bruce Wayne. He is exactly the way Wayne is in the comics, although his public persona is still that of a drunken playboy and hasnt progressed to billionaire philanthropist yet.

As Batman, Keaton had some pretty badass moments but his suit limited his movements too much, he whispered, etc. I just never got the feel that he's the goddamn batman, whereas with Bale i got that in Begins. He was huge, agile, he was a monster, he could fight (although we couldnt see it) and his interrogation scenes are the epitome of Batmaness. People whine about the growling too much and dont notice that Nolan's Batman IS the comics Batman. And if you ask me, that's how Batman should sound anyway.

 

[Cain]

Presence? He was the shorter and most unimpressive guy in his B89 party!

Yes his Batman commanded every scene he was in.

He is exactly the way Wayne is in the comics, although his public persona is still that of a drunken playboy and hasnt progressed to billionaire philanthropist yet.

No he is not, you need to read a lot more Batman comics before saying something like that cause he's never acted like Bale does as public Bruce at all even if that was a nice interpretation for a movie. He's always come across as ditzy and aloof when putting on a naive playboy facade but NEVER a drunken jerk just genuinely likable (Ie: Kilmer, BTAS to make it clear with non comic book references.). He's not Tony Stark.

 

[Mr. Earle]

No he is not, you need to read a lot more Batman comics before saying something like that cause he's never acted like Bale does as public Bruce at all even if that was a nice interpretation for a movie. He's always come across as ditzy and aloof when putting on a naive playboy facade but NEVER a drunken jerk just genuinely likable (Ie: Kilmer, BTAS to make it clear with non comic book references.). He's not Tony Stark.

Actually he has. In Year One he was worse than he's ever been in the Nolan movies. Gordon suspects him of being Batman and pays him a visit and he appears in his underpants, drunk (not really), holding hands with a barely dressed bimbo.

That's exactly why i said that his public persona in the Nolan movies is still in the Year One phase. I think that its time he progresses it to the next level, that of the billionaire philanthropist (yet naive and aloof as you say) BW we see in the comics. Now that he's convinced people that he isnt batman, he can be more serious as BW and not only stop damaging his family name, help people as a philanthropist, but also infiltrate the top financial circles of Gotham and keep an eye on them (he cant when everyone thinks he is a male Paris Hilton).

 

[El Payaso]

but also infiltrate the top financial circles of Gotham and keep an eye on them (he cant when everyone thinks he is a male Paris Hilton).

That's exactly what would never work. If he's to be seen as a drunk celebrity - ala Paris Hilton - with paparazzis and all, he would be always missed by nights when Batman is seen somewhere else. If he's to be followed by papparazzis he'd have a lot of people on his back that he definitely doesn't need. Being a celebrity might distance himself from a heroic vigilante in personality but it wouldn't work strategically to keep him far from that very figure physically.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

The whole 'Keaton is too short' argument is ridiculous because it's not evident in the movie. However tall he is in real life doesn't matter, all that matters is what is onscreen. Does Batman look short in the movie? No. It's like complaining Christopher Reeve can't really fly.

 

[Drz]

The whole 'Keaton is too short' argument is ridiculous because it's not evident in the movie. However tall he is in real life doesn't matter, all that matters is what is onscreen. Does Batman look short in the movie? No. It's like complaining Christopher Reeve can't really fly.

Depends. I watch the movie on Blu-ray and every scene where they pull a scene to try and make him look tall makes me giggle. I like Keaton in Batman Returns but hey they're he didn't try to be taller than anyone compared to in 89 movie.

I do like Keaton, but i do find him overrated. Ofcourse he's still the 3rd Best live action Batman for me. Adam West and Bale holding the number 2 and 1.

 

[El Payaso]

The whole 'Keaton is too short' argument is ridiculous because it's not evident in the movie. However tall he is in real life doesn't matter, all that matters is what is onscreen. Does Batman look short in the movie? No. It's like complaining Christopher Reeve can't really fly.

You took the exact same example I was goping to mention. Oh no, Tobey can't actually climb walls.

 

[Mr. Earle]

That's exactly what would never work. If he's to be seen as a drunk celebrity - ala Paris Hilton - with paparazzis and all, he would be always missed by nights when Batman is seen somewhere else. If he's to be followed by papparazzis he'd have a lot of people on his back that he definitely doesn't need. Being a celebrity might distance himself from a heroic vigilante in personality but it wouldn't work strategically to keep him far from that very figure physically.

He is a male Paris Hilton right now and I said that he should become a billionaire philanthropist that the comics Bruce progressed to. With the latter persona he can befriend strong and powerful figures, pull some influence in Gotham politics and even spy on Gotham's high society.

If he's gonna have paparazzis following him, its now that he is like Paris Hilton. So i dont know what you re talking about.

 

[Mr. Earle]

The whole 'Keaton is too short' argument is ridiculous because it's not evident in the movie. However tall he is in real life doesn't matter, all that matters is what is onscreen. Does Batman look short in the movie? No. It's like complaining Christopher Reeve can't really fly.

But Keaton looks short in the movie. He is about the same size if not shorter than everyone around him.

 

[Spoonman]

You took the exact same example I was goping to mention. Oh no, Tobey can't actually climb walls.

I don't see the relation on those aspects, I do notice (altough not overly concern) Keaton's Batman having a small frame, and this comes from a big Keaton's Batman fan. I honestly don't see the relation in noting Keaton's lack of frame to "complaining" about actors not actually having supepowers, is not like there are not other actors who can be as good as Keaton is while resembling a more comicbook version of the character. Now I certainly know we can not resort to superpowered actors, we are screwed in that department.

 

[jupiieh]

i have to say the same like kevin, Michael Keaton ist the Batman Number One!! I love so much the animality in his costume with the shadow around the eyes... this costume is also my number one...

but as Bruce Wayne i think George Clooney has the best appearance as womanizer. But in the humanity, the soul with all the hopes, the dreams, nightmares, ect is again Micheal Keaton the Number One. He is the most lonely typ. Clooney is the best "callboy" - there is Michael not so believable.. He wouldn`t change every night the girls.. he loves (loved) Vicki really.

 

[El Payaso]

He is a male Paris Hilton right now and I said that he should become a billionaire philanthropist that the comics Bruce progressed to. With the latter persona he can befriend strong and powerful figures, pull some influence in Gotham politics and even spy on Gotham's high society.

If he's gonna have paparazzis following him, its now that he is like Paris Hilton. So i dont know what you re talking about.

Just about how the male Paris Hilton persona is a bad idea if you want to go untraceable while being Batman. Relax.

 

[Mr. Earle]

Just about how the male Paris Hilton persona is a bad idea if you want to go untraceable while being Batman. Relax.

I'm [BLACKOUT]cool[/BLACKOUT]!

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Keaton's performance as Batman was outstanding.

Given his size and reputation (Beetlejuice, Mr.Mom) he should've been laughed off the set. Instead he holds his own with Jack Nicholson and gives a performance that stands the test of time.

His presence as Batman is by far the strongest. Only BTAS compares and that's quite the accomplishment.

 

[30+Dark]

^ well said. When I first saw Keaton's brooding, mysterious performance of the character he completely blew me away, and to this day he is still the definitive movie Batman/ Bruce Wayne for me.

 

[El Payaso]

Keaton achieved everything with almost nothing but his presence and the suit. The mionute he appears for the first time no background was ever given to us no speech about heroism or symbols and missions and yet his presence as Batman was immense.

 

[Cain]

Keaton achieved everything with almost nothing but his presence and the suit. The mionute he appears for the first time no background was ever given to us no speech about heroism or symbols and missions and yet his presence as Batman was immense.

yes, we all believed Mr. Mom could create fear, movie magic is amazing it was a great collaboration between Burton and Keaton that performance there and David Lea too and other stunt guys. Of course better have come and will continue to come but if you say you never bought Keaton as Batman at least once you're lying to yourself.

 

[Bruce_Wayne29]

Michael Keaton to me became the Batman I've always envisioned when I read the comics. To me he is still unsurpassed. He says more in one look than Bale with 1000000 words (which to me is one of the things they've done wrong with the current franchise, they make him talk too much - with Batman less is more - and with Bale's strong accent it sounds even worse) .
And I love his Bruce Wayne, his Bruce is the one that is so obsessed with the mission, he doesn't feel well in his social duties. He does it only in last resort. It's an established version of the character, where he's already in too deep. He's also a Bruce that takes action if needed (like standing up to Schreck's plans), he's not a spineless billionnaire. And it's ok because just because he may stand up to a bully doesn't mean the rest of the world will have to suspect he's Batman.
I still think he's the actor that understood the character the most. He did an interview for a DC book some years ago (that I actually posted in a topic maybe a couple of years ago) about the character and the movies and it was brilliant. He really GETS Batman.

 

[Brother Jack]

(which to me is one of the things they've done wrong with the current franchise, they make him talk too much - with Batman less is more - and with Bale's strong accent it sounds even worse) .

Huh? Bale is great at masking his accent.

He's also a Bruce that takes action if needed (like standing up to Schreck's plans), he's not a spineless billionnaire.

Well, he is a billionaire. Not spineless? Sure, but Bale's Bruce only comes off that way when he's putting on an act for the public. And he is most certainly also a man of action, he does quite a bit of work out of the mask in TDK.

 

[redfirebird2008]

Keaton overrated? Gotta disagree with this sentiment. He is average as Bruce but great as Batman IMHO.

 

[weezerspider]

Keaton was a terrible Bruce Wayne. He was a very solid Batman though, my 2nd favorite live-action bats.

My favorite is Bale's though. Everyone complains about the growl, but the "swear to me" in BB and the whole interrogation scene really just scream Batman to me. Bale also is my favorite Wayne. Again, I think it helps Bale that his writers and director have a better understanding of the character than the guys who worked on the other films. The Nolan bros. know their stuff.

 

[The Batman]

As far as live action goes, Keaton's still the best when it comes to "Dark Batman"

i hate, hate HATE the portrayal of Batman as a psycotic figure...yet...Keaton does it beautifully. He's the only "crazy" version of Batman that actually works. Why? Cause he still has a humanity to him. Because he dosent act like an ahole 24/7. He's so human you believe that this is a damaged man who needs to beat the hell out of people...and you root for him.

His Bruce Wayne really isnt like the comics, no...but I've yet to see a live action version that has. I love his scatterbrained Bruce Wayne, because it shows just how obsessed he really is.

And I havent even gotten to his Batman persona. Badass personified. Cool, calm, and calculated. A man of few words, and when he speaks, you aint laughin at his voice. There's a reason why Bales batman is relentelessly mocked, while all people can say of keaton is this: "I'm Batman".

It's interesting...for all the flack they get, keaton and west were the only guys who managed to pull off their respective batman's perfectly...

 

[Kevin Roegele]

For me, the difference is this; the Bale Batman is practical, methodical and intense when he needs results. Keaton's Batman is mysterious, dangerous and intense all the time. As superb as BB and TDK are, no-one has come close to bringing the character himself to life like in that first movie back in 1989.

 

[IBRAH08]

People whine about the growling too much and dont notice that Nolan's Batman IS the comics Batman. And if you ask me, that's how Batman should sound anyway.

Yeah, Batman definitely talks in a scary, possibly growly, voice and this a addressed several times in several comics. Dick even talks about how it is difficult for him to get the voice down.

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

"Remember, Paul - Just stick to the shadows and put on that hoarse, grating voice Bruce uses."

-Tim Drake