Out of curiosity, is there anyone around here who disliked Michael Keaton's Batman?

[Dr. Fate]

I'm not asking for comparisons to his fellow Batmen, I'm just asking straight up is there anyone around here who did not like Keaton as Batman? Anyone? Anyone at all? No fear or reprisal here, just a simple yes or no for a simple question.

 

[Robin91939]

No, I did not like Micheal Keaton's Batman.

Physically, he was the wrong choice. I realize that Burton wanted him to be the "everyman". But, this just shows that Burton didn't understand the character of Batman. Batman IS NOT the "everyman". He is the ULTIMATE athlete, the ULTIMATE fighter, he is the pinnacle, he is quintesential man. The DRAW to Batman, is that with ENOUGH TRAINING, you can become this perfect fighting/thinking machine. Not that just any short, middle aged, balding man can put on a suit and save the city.

Acting wise, he was okay. He wasn't anything particulary great. He had some stupid scenes, mostly as Wayne, and his actual fighting wasn't that good. He delivered some lines very well ("I'm Batman" "Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moon light", "I made you? You made me first".) But he wasn't anything terrific. He was a little less than solid Batman.

His acting brought him slightly above par, it was just his physical look that made him overall unconvincing in the role of the worlds greatest martialartist/detective.

-R

 

[Whack Arnolds]

I wasn't AS big of a fan as his Returns potrayl, but I always had a fondness for his Batman. He wasn't a great Bruce though.

 

[El Payaso]

No, I did not like Micheal Keaton's Batman.

Well, your name is Robin.

 

[titan101]

keaton's batman is AWESOME!!!it reminds me of the old 1930's batman and DKR batman!!!!

 

[atomicbattery]

It's informal, it's anecdotal, but the people I know who like Keaton's Bruce/Batman either were very young when they saw 'Batman' (therefore, he was their first exposure to the character), or they had no real knowledge of or investment in Batman comics.

At my comic shop, no one was happy when he was cast, and no one- NO ONE- had their opinion changed after the movie came out.

The agony was compounded a year later when I saw Alec Baldwin in 'The Hunt For Red October', an actor who could play the intelligence, intensity, physicality- and he looked like Bruce Wayne brought to life. And he had the voice without having to force it. And I realized that he'd been in 'Beetlejuice', the film Burton had shot just before 'Batman'. Unbelievable.

 

[Dr. Fate]

It's informal, it's anecdotal, but the people I know who like Keaton's Bruce/Batman either were very young when they saw 'Batman' (therefore, he was their first exposure to the character), or they had no real knowledge of or investment in Batman comics.

At my comic shop, no one was happy when he was cast, and no one- NO ONE- had their opinion changed after the movie came out.

The agony was compounded a year later when I saw Alec Baldwin in 'The Hunt For Red October', an actor who could play the intelligence, intensity, physicality- and he looked like Bruce Wayne brought to life. And he had the voice without having to force it. And I realized that he'd been in 'Beetlejuice', the film Burton had shot just before 'Batman'. Unbelievable.

Wasn't Baldwin a candidate for the part of Batman in "Batman Forever" when Keaton left before Kilmer came on board?

 

[atomicbattery]

Wasn't Baldwin a candidate for the part of Batman in "Batman Forever" when Keaton left before Kilmer came on board?

I actually read way back then in Movieline that Billy Baldwin was a candidate. I've subsequently heard that about Alec, but it seems unlikely since he'd just done the unsuccessful 'The Shadow' the year before.

 

[Dark Guardian]

Sorry, but Keaton pulled it off with style and little effort. Sorry.

 

[El Payaso]

It's informal, it's anecdotal, but the people I know who like Keaton's Bruce/Batman either were very young when they saw 'Batman' (therefore, he was their first exposure to the character), or they had no real knowledge of or investment in Batman comics.

At my comic shop, no one was happy when he was cast, and no one- NO ONE- had their opinion changed after the movie came out.

Conclusion, comic geeks knows little of moviemaking and acting. Their opinions on those matters usually stink.

Luckily enough, most audiences are not comic geeks.

The agony was compounded a year later when I saw Alec Baldwin in 'The Hunt For Red October', an actor who could play the intelligence, intensity, physicality- and he looked like Bruce Wayne brought to life. And he had the voice without having to force it. And I realized that he'd been in 'Beetlejuice', the film Burton had shot just before 'Batman'. Unbelievable.

Conclusion, Keaton can pull off crazy comedic characters or dark superheroes with the same success. That's called talent and that's something Baldwin can't do. Watch The Shadow.

 

[Mee]

He was good. Not as good as Bale, but he was good.

 

[atomicbattery]

Conclusion, Keaton can pull off crazy comedic characters or dark superheroes with the same success. That's called talent and that's something Baldwin can't do. Watch The Shadow.[/quote]

That's like blaming Michael Keaton for 'Johnny Dangerously'.
'The Shadow', like 'Johnny Dangerously', was a mediocrity that had little to do with the ability of the lead actor to pull off either a crazy comedic character or a dark superhero.

As for acting chops, Baldwin left the Jack Ryan role for a Tony nominated turn in 'A Streetcar Named Desire' with Jessica Lange. We've yet to see Keaton grace the Broadway stage.

As for range, Baldwin's near record number of hosting performances on Saturday Night Live attest to his versatility.

Michael Keaton is a fine actor. But there is an undeniable physical component to the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. Alec Baldwin had it. Michael Keaton did not.

 

[captain_jimbo]

keaton's batman is AWESOME!!!it reminds me of the old 1930's batman and DKR batman!!!!

Too right! He was the best Batman ever and I don't think anyone will ever match him.

 

[Bat Attack]

He's still my favorite Batman/Bruce Wayne.

 

[The Chairman]

He's still my favorite Batman/Bruce Wayne.

Mine too.

 

[Bruce_Wayne29]

Michael Keaton is a fine actor. But there is an undeniable physical component to the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. Alec Baldwin had it. Michael Keaton did not.

Baldwinn was never in that good of a shape, he even had to walk curved alot of times on screen because of it. And proof of that is how much he let himself go in years after The Shadow. Keaton on the other hand was and still is in good shape. Atested by all his martial arts and kickboxing teachers for both Batman movies who said that they never had a student that had learned so much and so fast as Keaton.

 

[El Payaso]

Baldwinn was never in that good of a shape, he even had to walk curved alot of times on screen because of it. And proof of that is how much he let himself go in years after The Shadow. Keaton on the other hand was and still is in good shape. Atested by all his martial arts and kickboxing teachers for both Batman movies who said that they never had a student that had learned so much and so fast as Keaton.

Oh, I see Keaton is not on good shape.

Those smart people and their thoughts...


EDIT: Btw, I'm saving this pic and take the freedom of posting it in some other places where this "brilliant" Keaton's shape argument is somehow used to bash him as Batman.

 

[LongDong]

Keaton sucks as Batman

 

[titan101]

Keaton sucks as Batman

i do hope you are joking.

 

[El Payaso]

Keaton sucks as Batman

You suck at life.

 

[Dr. Fate]

Holy crap, he's in better shape there than he was in either Batman film. Creepy.

Michael Keaton is a fine actor. But there is an undeniable physical component to Bruce Wayne/Batman. Alec Baldwin had it. Michael Keaton did not.

Did Val Kilmer have it?

 

[The Kid]

Clooney did I guess And boy oh boy he was great!

Keaton doesn't have huge muscles... so what? he captured the soul of the character perfectly in my open onion. That's more important to me than muscles. I don't care if batman has big muscles anyway. His main weapon is in his head. And that's what keaton portrayed. Not only a batman who could hand your balls to you on a plate served with a side dish of green beans, but one who was patient and calculating. yeah.

 

[LongDong]

You suck at life.

WHat are you 12? Oh I have a different opinion than you so I suck. Grow up

 

[Bathead]

I didn't dislike him at in the role at all. I thought he was good. Good, not great, as a lot of fans think. I still think Burton could have found someone better.

 

[LongDong]

Now don't get me wrong, I ove Keaton as an actor, he is great, very entertaining.

What he lacks for the Batman is pretty obvious. He does not have the forboding presence, he does not have the physical stature and he does not have the element of danger or power that batman must possess. he was wrong for the part in every way.