The Dark Knight Rises The TDKR General Discussion Thread - - - Part 152

[BatLobster]

Honestly, Returns being that far above '89 is a bit of an eyebrow raiser for me. If it places high, it places high but then it makes me feel like like '89 deserved to place high too.

To be honest, I usually find that these lists wind up pretty random in a lot of places, but still entertaining to go through. Take the poll next month, you'd get some different results. Can't take 'em too seriously.

 

[The Shape]

Honestly, Returns being that far above '89 is a bit of an eyebrow raiser for me. If it places high, it places high but then it makes me feel like like '89 deserved to place high too.

Yeah, I personally find that to be pretty damn absurd.

 

[The Shape]

Joker practically says if Amazing Spider-Man 1 & 2 were on the list, it would be ridiculous (he's thinking this, and so am i). Yet you want to be an a**hole to me because i said one spot was ridiculous. I won't apologize for thinking Batman Returns is a piece of crap script/story with nice visuals. Nope. It has no business beating Batman 89 on any list.

Simmer down.

 

[Kane52630]

I'd say Batman Returns is better than 89 when it comes to rewatchability.

 

[BatLobster]

Returns has great visuals and a great score, but IMO it's also very gloomy and depressing and Devito's Penguin is an absolutely revolting character to have to take in for 2 hours. I used to be all about Returns being better than '89, but I've softened on that over the years to the point of starting to favor '89.

I think '89, while "safer", is more fun and iconic. And I think being able have more a perspective on its historical significance now boosts my appreciation of it even more.

 

[The Shape]

I'd say Batman Returns is better than 89 when it comes to rewatchability.

I feel completely the opposite way you do.

 

[shauner111]

Simmer down.

Returns has great visuals and a great score, but IMO it's also very gloomy and depressing and Devito's Penguin is an absolutely revolting character to have to take in for 2 hours. I used to be all about Returns being better than '89, but I've softened on that over the years to the point of starting to favor '89.

I think '89, while "safer", is more fun and iconic. And I think being able have more a perspective on its historical significance now boosts my appreciation of it even more.

I get the expressionism and all that crap but for me there's no real plot. It's just a bunch of characters who randomly do things and nothing really makes any sense. 89' has balance and is true to the spirit of the comics a large chunk of the time. Returns is on some other planet and it's almost as bad as Batman & Robin in places. It's the least "Batman" movie in the entire franchise even though the score, design and cinematography makes it seem stunning to watch. If Walken was wig-less (True Romance look and behavior) as Sal Maroni, Pfeiffer (in the same suit) was a human being and thief, Billy Dee Williams as Two-Face + better writing for Bruce/Batman...it would have been a fantastic sequel. But it doesn't even feel like a sequel to 89 at all. The worst part is that damn script. Whoever signed off on that should be kept in a closet for 46 years.

 

[kvz5]

I'd say Batman Returns is better than 89 when it comes to rewatchability.

I agree. t:

 

[The Shape]

Whoever signed off on that should be kept in a closet for 46 years.

Strange idea for a punishment, but hey, whatever tickles your fancy.

 

[shauner111]

A strange script/movie deserves a weirdo punishment.

 

[Travesty]

A strange script/movie deserves a weirdo punishment.

Then I guess they'd be accompanied by the Nolan bros for TDKR script.

 

[shauner111]

Then I guess they'd be accompanied by the Nolan bros for TDKR script.

 

[Snow Queen]

I can't say I agree with the order, but I do agree with quite a bit that's on there. I'm curious, what would everyone in here's top (insert however many you'd like to list here) be?

 

[The Batman]

I'm not surprised that BR ranked higher than B89, not since I noticed that B89had a 70% RT rating, while BR has an 81%.

I am also very surprised The Winter Soldier didn't make the top 10, but Guardians of the Galaxy did. Just goes to show that fanboy opinion and general public opinion are not always the same.

The BO/DVD sales for GOTG, in comparison to films like TWS and DOFP, definitely support that.

I'm curious, what would everyone in here's top (insert however many you'd like to list here) be?

1. The Dark Knight
2. Superman: The Movie
3. Spider-Man 2
4. Batman (1989)
5. The Avengers
6. X-Men: Days of Future Past
7. Guardians of the Galaxy
8. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
9. Batman Begins
10. X-Men: First Class

Honorable Mentions: X2, Iron Man, Superman 2, Spider-Man

 

[Travesty]

I can't say I agree with the order, but I do agree with quite a bit that's on there. I'm curious, what would everyone in here's top (insert however many you'd like to list here) be?

Are you asking about live action only, or could we include animated movies?

 

[Snow Queen]

Are you asking about live action only, or could we include animated movies?

I'd say animated movies count too.

 

[Victarion]

I agree. t:

Yeah, me too. I love everything about it. I don't think highly of B'89. The characters were all a bit too bland for my liking.

 

[kvz5]

I should have known this would be done: Fifty Shades Of Wayne.

[YT]UE8VpRie1Ik[/YT]

"To what do you owe your success?"

"Potent hallucinogens."

lmfao!

There's another one now with Stark and Wayne (with a side of Thor)! OMG.

 

[shauner111]

No linkski?

 

[Decepticonus]

Kick-Ass has no business being in there. I enjoyed Cage but that was it. Oooh hit girl dropped the c-word, good for her, hurray for shock value. The main character is an idiot. This is a comic book movie for 7th graders basically.

And yes, Return should NOT be that high or even on the list. I would rather watch Batman & Robin, YES Batman & Robin over it. B&R at least attempted a plot, a very stupid one but a plot. We know what both villains want. Penguin & Catwoman, not so much, it's never consistent or never fully revealed. Visuals are nice but, woppity doo. It's a hard watch, the movie ends on a note where I don't know rather to kill someone or myself, since it's so dreary. Batman & Robin at least tries to have fun, and it's fun to roast.

1.)The Dark Knight Rises
2.) The Dark Knight
3.) Man of Steel
4.) Captain America 2: Winter Soldier
5.) Guardians of the Galaxy
6.) Batman Begins
7.) The Crow
8.) Iron Man
9.) Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
10.)Thor

 

[Shikamaru]

I'm sad Mask of the Phantasm wasn't on there.

I find it to be the most underrated of all the theatrical CBM's. Shame it couldn't get more marketing back in the day.

 

[Brother Jack]

Mask of the Phantasm has the best score ever written for a Batman movie. Actually one of the best scores of all superhero films. Shirley Walker's theme is probably what I associate Batman to the most. The others work for their individual interpretations but that one is all-encompassing for me, more the overarching idea of the character.

 

[DACrowe]

Kick-Ass has no business being in there. I enjoyed Cage but that was it. Oooh hit girl dropped the c-word, good for her, hurray for shock value. The main character is an idiot. This is a comic book movie for 7th graders basically.

There is no denying that Kick-Ass has very sophomoric humor, much like last month's Kingsman. But what they both also do very well is satirizing their chosen genres (superheroes, spy movies) and while mercilessly deconstructing and mocking the cliches/conventions, they also create a sense of glee and admiration for them. Kick-Ass has some of the best most free-wheeling action scenes of any superhero movie. I'd measure Hit-Girl in the strobe light/"Sunshine music" action set-piece against almost anything else in the genre and find it preferable.

Then again, I am a sucker for Matthew Vaughn's deranged sense of humor. Kick-Ass can be crude, but it's very smart--you can see the difference with the awful sequel that lacked a sense of wit or self-awareness.

Anyway, my rankings:

1. The Dark Knight
2. Spider-Man 2
3. Kick-Ass
4. The Dark Knight Rises
5. Batman Begins
6. Batman (1989)
7. Spider-Man (2002)
8. Superman: The Movie
9. X-Men: First Class
10. The Avengers
11. X-Men: Days of Future Past
12. Iron Man

I also do not think there is too much Batman on this list. Rather, filmmakers have just better found cinematic purpose with this character than any other from comic books to date.

 

[Decepticonus]

Kick-Ass was entertaining and self-aware I'll give you that. But imo Millar is very good at violence (which I love, doesn't deter me at all) but characters and story not so much. Heck, I never was a huge fan of Civil War.

 

[DACrowe]

I also do not care much for Mark Millar. Matthew Vaughn is another story.