10 unpopular opinions about the Batman Anthology movies on Reddit
As the first four Batman movies range from fun to embarrassing, the all-over-the-place quality has led to an ocean of unpopular opinions on Reddit.The first four Batman movies released by Warner Bros. are considered the Batman Anthology. The quality of the movies are all over the place, as they go from goofy, to outrageously dark, and all the way back to goofy again. And the inconsistent quality is what has led to so many hot takes on Reddit.
As an audience member, there's a lot to love about the movies, but there's just as much to be embarrassed about, and these feelings often happen all within the same movie. Between defending George Clooney's portrayal, calling the 1989 movie flawed, and claiming the Joel Schumacher movies were comic book-accurate, the hot takes are just as all over the place like the movies themselves.
10: Batman 1989 Is One Of The Most Flawed Batman Movies
When it comes to Batman on the silver screen, the timeline properly starts with 1989's Batman, which is considered a gothic masterpiece by many. But Reddit user Broadbeck thinks it ultimately "didn't entirely succeed" in what it was trying to do.
The user admits that the movie did have a huge cultural impact, but they go on to state that regardless of how much it changed the movie industry, it's still very flawed. They cite that the main characters from the comic books, such as Harvey Dent and Commissioner Gordon, were wasted potential and way underused. However, it seems a little unfair to judge the writers on their decision when they sidelined them in order to give some completely original characters more screen time.
9: Batman Returns Is The Best Batman Movie
With there being so many Batman movies since 1989, there have been some wildly different incarnations. The general consensus is that the Dark Knight trilogy is by far and away the best, and there are even many who love Batman v Superman and Zack Snyder's Justice League.
But Redditor The shock monster that Batman Returns, the second Burton-directed Batman movie, is the best, citing "the cast, story, and effects" as to why. Returns has become more of a cult movie due to how niche it is, and though there are many people who love it, the movie is just too strange for everyone to get on board with. There are so many bizarre moments in the movie, whether it's Penguin biting people's noses off or Selina Kyle being brought back to life by a glaring of cats.
8: Joker Killing Batman's Parents Was A Stupid Idea
With the first Batman movie of the anthology seeing the caped crusader facing of against Joker in a way unlike it was ever depicted on screen before, Tim Burton took some liberties with the character. In Batman, instead of some low-life criminal murdering Thomas and Martha Wayne, it's Jack Napier (a.k.a. The Joker) who pulls the trigger.
The wrong way, as they thought that it was a "stupid change" and that the movie was too focused on the Joker's origin. However, the best thing about Batman and all of the characters in the universe is that there's so much room for creators to change the lore and take liberties with the source material, as one of the most acclaimed comic books even sees Martha Wayne as the Joker. And given the user's dislike of how much of an origin the Joker had in Batman, chances are they hated Joker.
7: Batman Forever Had Great Casting
In a post that praises Batman Forever to almost no end, Redditor Arwenismybae loves the casting decisions of the movie. They call Val Kilmer passable, Jim Carrey "the perfect casting choice" for the Riddler, and Chris O'Donnell's portrayal of Dick Grayson one of his best performances.To be fair to the user, the casting in Batman Forever is considerably better than the casting for Batman & Robin. Arnold Schwarzenegger's depiction of Mr. Freeze was so negatively received that there isn't a single unpopular opinion that praises him.
6: The Ribcage Batmobile Is Cool
With each consecutive Batman movie ever since 1989, the filmmakers have gotten increasingly creative with the way the Batmobile looks. Whether it's the bat-shaped car in the first movie, the tank-like military vehicle in the Dark Knight trilogy, or the muscle car in the upcoming The Batman, it's just as exciting to see what the Batmobile looks like as much as finding out who will play Batman next.
But one that doesn't get all that much love is the ribcage-looking Batmobile in Batman Forever. Reddit user nitro4450 is one of the few who "loves" the vehicle's jet-black body with the neon blue engine shining through the slits. Batman '89 is arguably the worst Batman movie because it isn't realistic, but Batman Forever took it to another level, and though the vehicle would make a great toy, it isn't exactly the car to drive in if the owner wants to be stealthy and surprise enemies.
5: Michael Keaton Was A Better Batman Than Christian Bale Everyone has their own opinion on which actor played Bruce Wayne best, but Redditor boxedtuna truly thinks Michael Keaton played the world's greatest detective better. The user specifically says Keaton played a better Batman than Christian Bale.
Though it's unique to Burton's version of Batman, the character is awkward in the 1989 movie. And though the gruffly voice that Bale puts on is pretty divisive, as the user calls it "off-putting" there's no denying how much of a better Batman Bale was. Bale had the physique, and he generally played the character in a more three-dimensional way, as opposed to Keaton, who quietly walked around all mopey-like.
4: George Clooney Was The Best Batman
Even more of a hot take than thinking Keaton was better than Bale, Reddit user mr_quabityassuance believes that George Clooney was, by far, the best Batman. They state that Batman will always be George Clooney to them and that they're "willing to fight anyone" who says otherwise.However, to the user's credit, Clooney did get the short end of the stick, as he was easily the best choice to play the character in the late '90s, it's just tough luck that the script and direction weren't up to scratch.
3: Two Face And The Ridler Were Accurate Portrayals
After Batman Returns saw the first blockbuster superhero movie to feature two villains, Penguin and Catwoman, Batman Forever followed suit, with Two-Face and The Riddler being the antagonists.
Reddit user Justinbc thinks they were accurate portrayals, citing that Edward Nygma wanted attention from Batman, just like he did in the comics, and that Two-Face had a "typically violent demeanour." However, for the most part, fans and critics didn't respond well to the depictions, as Two-Face is too silly and at the time, the Riddler seemed like a b-rate version of Jack Nicholson's Joker.
2: If Batman & Robin Was Released Today It Would Be Praised
It's no secret that Batman & Robin is regarded as one of the worst movies of the '90s, and easily one of the worst DC movies if the reviews on Metacritic are accurate. But a deleted user argues that if the same movie was released today, it'd be "praised as a bold homage" to Adam West's TV show from the '60s.
They posit that the movie would be welcomed today and that it simply came at a time when fans wanted a darker version of the character.
But the thing is, it is actually a joy to revisit Batman & Robin, but only in a so-bad-it's-good way, as there are just way too many ice puns and fake-looking set designs too.
1: Jack Nicholson Was The Best Joker
Redditor Gaiden_Ninja says that Nicholson's take on the iconic character is by far the best and "more iconic" than Heath Ledger's depiction. However, as fun as it is to watch the three-time Academy Award winner in the role, the character is fairly one-note, and there have been more beloved depictions of the character (Jared Leto's portrayal notwithstanding) since.Some think that Joker wasn't that great because Arthur Fleck wasn't remotely funny, and the opposite is why Jack Nicholson isn't the best Joker, because he's too funny. There needs to be some middle-ground
