Superman: The Movie vs Batman (1989)

[BH/HHH]

This is one I'm really curious about, these two are classics and two of the greatest superhero movies of all-time. Which one do you prefer?

I personally love both (as I'm sure most do) but Superman wins for me, not just because of my love for Superman over Batman. But I've always thought it was pathetic better movie and in some ways I still don't think it's been topped.

This poll will close in 39 days

 

[Rorschach2012]

this is an extremely tough one, but i'm giving the edge to Batman. even though both are in my top 10 movies of all time

 

[BH/HHH]

this is an extremely tough one, but i'm giving the edge to Batman. even though both are in my top 10 movies of all time

I was hoping it would be tough to be honest, I don't know if it's ever been done before on here in a poll.

 

[KillerMcQueen]

Yeah, this is tough for me, I love the first half of S:TM but the second half really falls apart for me due to Hackman's Luthor, but Batman 89 I just sort of consider decent throughout so it kinda evens out. Eh, I'll go with Batman, I turn off S:TM the moment Hackman shows up, I at least finish Batman every time.

 

[Rorschach2012]

STM is perfect. but it'd be even more perfect if they had a less comedic Lex Luthor.

 

[Fallen Angel]

It's a tough one as I personally enjoy the Burton films over the Nolan ones but S:TM is pretty perfect as a CBM so I'll go with that.

 

[kedrell]

This for me is easy. I vote Souperman. I didn't even like Batman'89. It's far from their worst but it still didn't click with me. That's what happens when your protagonist is largely a non-entity in the film who gets his own film stolen by the villain. I came to see them make a case for why I should like Batman as a character, not the Joker.

But to me S:TM is still the pinnacle of DC films. Superman is the main character of his own film there and it works.

 

[Boy Scout]

For me, it's not a tough choice. Although I think they're overall about even, B89 is really slow and boring at times. STM, though flawed, is at least consistently entertaining.

 

[The Joker]

Superman.

I don't think Batman '89 has aged as well as Superman has. Superman has it's flaws (Luthor is too OTT most of the time) but I think Reeve embodies Superman perfectly. Kidder is a stronger leading lady than Basinger. I prefer my Joker not to be dancing to Prince, or be stalking Vicki Vale, or be revealed as the killer of Batman's parents.

 

[Nemeres]

I like Batman as much as anyone, but the poisoned cosmetics/Vicki Vale plots weigh the movie down like lead. It gets to a point where it's like "This is what the movie is about?" Superman:TM is not perfect at all either, but it's got more going for it in my opinion.

 

[DarkSovereignty]

Tough one, since I prefer their respective sequels. It's been a while since I've watched them.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

I love both these movies.

I love Superman. It has the best, most heartfelt, superhero origin story ever put to film. Reeve was perfect. I even love the climax, time travel included.

B89 has perfect dialogue and is very ironic. And since I could watch it anytime I see it playing on tv I gave it the edge over STM.

But both are among my favorite superhero movies.

 

[Rodrigo90]

This needs an indepth analysis...and since I've watched both recently, I'm up to scratch

 

[Rodrigo90]

Superman.

I don't think Batman '89 has aged as well as Superman has. Superman has it's flaws (Luthor is too OTT most of the time) but I think Reeve embodies Superman perfectly. Kidder is a stronger leading lady than Basinger. I prefer my Joker not to be dancing to Prince, or be stalking Vicki Vale, or be revealed as the killer of Batman's parents.

I'm listening to Trust right now man

 

[DCW]

My top 2 CBM's of all time. I think Batman just edges out Superman, but they go back and forth. Nothing else comes close to these two for me.

 

[The Guard]

That's what happens when your protagonist is largely a non-entity in the film who gets his own film stolen by the villain.

I swear I wonder sometimes if people even watched this movie.

 

[Rodrigo90]

Strongest story - Batman is a tale of a man who dresses up to stalk the criminals of Gotham at night. All the while, the woman he is romancing is hot on his tracks and his alter ego's...and both of them are at the same time being hounded by th3 dastardly Joker, who happens to be the vigilante's reason of being...
Superman is the tale of an orphan from another planet, searching for his roots and purpose in life. He puts his powers to use and becomes the mighty hero, Superman, to stand up for Truth, Justice and the American way...Superman attempts to woo his alter ego's work colleague, while battling the criminal genius, Lex Luthor, his bumbling, but loveable sidekick, Otis and the gorgeous Playboy cover girl, friend with benefits, Miss Tessmacher.

Both are pretty basic, and both are entertaining with their stories, so I'm not voting for either based on that.

Best love interest -
Lois is firey, sassy and a sucker for Supes after he saves her, and who can blame her?!
Vicki is the more human character, meaning she doesn't have an over the top attitude. But therefore she's pretty basic and unremarkable, save for that scream...and she was kind of a moody stalker after one date with Bruce...

Lois wins this.

Best supporting characters -
Bob vs Otis...Bob wins hands down. Alicia vs Miss Tessmacher...Alicia, surprisingly wins for me. Miss. Tessmacher, I can't make sense out of...she hates Lex, she likes him? She betrays him, only to spring hom from the joint in the sequel, then doesn't return, I just don't get the character at all. Sure she did more, but it was confusing.
Jimmy Olsen vs Alexander Knox...Jimmy was a canny guy, but Knox asked a billionaire for a grand and got it and attacked Joker's goons...Knox wins.
Alfred vs Jonathan Kent...Jonathan had a few lines, but he's what inspired Clark to become what he was and his words inspired Supes to save Lois...Alfred was a warm and gentle father figure, who only wanted to see his master find some happiness with a woman...Yes, he showed Vicki the Batcave, but it's justifiable and it wasn't like he wasn't reprimanded in the sequel

All in all...both films had good characters, so I can't pick...I think Superman edges it though, especially with their biggest weapon..Brando...

Best Score...Again, I really can't pick because they are both brilliant...again, I think Superman edges it with the oh so classic theme that is the most identifiable with the superhero genre.

Best villain...Lex vs Joker...Lex wants land...Joker wants artistic death...Lex has Otis and Miss Tessmacher - what an idiot...Joker has Bob...Joker dances to Prince...Lex moans constantly...Joker laughs maniacally...Lex has Kryptonite...Joker has joy buzzers...Joker killed Batman's parents - doesn't bother me
Joker wins

Best hero
Batman kills...Superman saves...Batman is silent...Superman is talkative...
I like both, but Reeve edges it with his Superman...24 years old he was...wow.

Overall...Best film?
Superman is the best...But I like Batman better, so Batman gets my vote

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

Superman. I have some issues with how Burton portrayed his Bruce Wayne as another nut who isn't much different than the men he fights. Regardless of its faults, and I agree Superman is not a perfect film, it absolutely nailed the character of Superman himself. The first hour or so (from the WB logo to the first appearance of Otis) is basically perfect. I don't think I would change anything about that first hour. And of course, Christopher Reeve is absolutely brilliant and he and Margot Kidder have probably the best romance of any live action superhero film. The Keaton/Basinger romance does nothing for me and Alfred letting her in the Bat Cave just pissed me off.

I really like Batman 89, and it does have its advantages in the comparison (Nicholson's Joker is a much better villain than Hackman's Lex Luthor). But overall, I'd rather watch Superman.

 

[The Joker]

I'm listening to Trust right now man

I trust that you are

 

[titansupes]

Went with Superman.

 

[Elevator Man]

I was hoping it would be tough to be honest, I don't know if it's ever been done before on here in a poll.

It has.
http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=477623

 

[Rodrigo90]

Superman. I have some issues with how Burton portrayed his Bruce Wayne as another nut who isn't much different than the men he fights. Regardless of its faults, and I agree Superman is not a perfect film, it absolutely nailed the character of Superman himself. The first hour or so (from the WB logo to the first appearance of Otis) is basically perfect. I don't think I would change anything about that first hour. And of course, Christopher Reeve is absolutely brilliant and he and Margot Kidder have probably the best romance of any live action superhero film. The Keaton/Basinger romance does nothing for me and Alfred letting her in the Bat Cave just pissed me off.

I really like Batman 89, and it does have its advantages in the comparison (Nicholson's Joker is a much better villain than Hackman's Lex Luthor). But overall, I'd rather watch Superman.

Are you implying that just because Bruce is an introvert, with little to no decent social skills, that causes him to trip over and stumble with simple tasks because he's not used to such things, and zones out in his own little world - dissociation from reality - that causes him to ignore bullets being fired at him, causes his memory and course of action to be impaired, and turns him into a nut that smashes things, that he must be as mad as the Joker?

Cos I relate to that guy

 

[Fincher]

Batman is my favorite superhero movie, and Superman is one of my least favorites, so not a tough choice for me at all.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Easily Superman.

 

[The Batman]

I dont wanna toot my own horn, but....http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=477623


Since I didnt vote in that first thread, I'll vote for STM here.