Bale voted Best Batman [Archive]

Old_BenKenobi

09-01-2009, 03:24 AM

They only voted Bale due to Dark Knight hype. I wouldn't doubt it if at least a 1/3 of them hasn't seen Batman 89 or TAS.

Just look at the reasonings they gave:

MattyG1983: I voted for Christian Bale because he plays it completely straight, along with the fact that the writers/filmmakers finally got the psychology of Bruce Wayne/Batman absolutely right.

BFisch: Gotta vote for Bale, just because hes playing the Bruce Wayne/Batman the way it was meant to be played. But Adam West was an excellent comedic Batman, I have the old Batman movie, its great.

People....

ChristianBaleBatman

09-01-2009, 05:47 AM

Bale had to physically play the part, though.

I love Conroy, but it's two different categories.

Bale was better than Keaton, West, Kilmer, and Clooney.

That's why he's the best, basically.

Old_BenKenobi

09-01-2009, 06:33 AM

I'm pretty sure Conroy could have played Batman in live-action.

And when it comes to live action, Keaton is the best by far IMO.

JackWinz

09-01-2009, 06:53 AM

Keaton and Conroy easily the best Batmen.

Joe Chill

09-01-2009, 07:31 AM

Bale was my favorite live-action Batman, but Kevin Conroy is who I think of when I think of Batman.

He's easily the best choice for voice. (hey, that' rhymed :p)

ChristianBaleBatman

09-01-2009, 07:39 AM

EliteF50

09-01-2009, 07:40 AM

BS. I bet you 70% of the people who voted in that poll were no older than twelve. Kevin Conroy is BATMAN!

EliteF50

09-01-2009, 07:42 AM

Freaking MTV...

fatal shadow

09-01-2009, 07:51 AM

When I think Batman, I think Conroy.

Bale wasn't bad. My only real problem with him is his bat-voice. It was tolerable in Begins. In TDK? Not so much... to say the least.

Drazar

09-01-2009, 08:18 AM

Ofcourse people will vote Bale when he has been in the most succesful Batman movies there is and his performance is awesome. Not everyone has seen BTAS or Kevin Conroy's work to recognize him compared to big Hollywood stars. =p

Old_BenKenobi

09-01-2009, 11:32 AM

Could have, is one thing.

But, he hasn't.

I just think voice acting and live action acting are two different things and are different categories.

It's just alot harder to play the part physically.

Bale's my favorite live-action Bat, and Conroy takes the cake in voice acting. And don't think, for second that he's the "first" batman voice actor to exist. He's simply the best.

I think the only area where Bale could out-perform Conroy is in the physique.

Then again, Conroy is a cyclist according to his Wikipedia page, which means he's at least in decent shape so I'm sure in a fantasy 15 years ago he could have done it. Not to mention he isn't just a voice actor either. A shame he never got to don the cowl.

Bale is just a crappy Batman IMO. He tries too hard to be intimidating and just comes off as a goof. Look at Keaton's intimidation in the first scene. He holds a terrified thug over the edge of a roof and whispers. "I'm not going to kill you. I just want you to do one thing. I want you to tell all of your friends about me." "WHO ARE YOU?" "I'm Batman." Then he throws that mofo into a wall and leaps away. They're next shown being loaded into an ambulence wailing about a bat.

Contrast to Batman Begins, where Bale hangs a guy from a wire, drops him a few times and yells at him. Basically, tries as hard as he can to make this guy piss his pants. Keaton just whispers to the guy while holding him over the edge and throws him into a wall when he's done. Much more subtle. You don't get the sense that he's compensating for anything. All this guy has to do is whisper and he freaks people out.

stubs182

09-01-2009, 12:14 PM

Bale did sorta over do the rapsy voice in Dark knight, but hes still easily the best live action actor to play Batman. Also I disgaree that Kevin Conroy could have played Batman in live action. If he did he would have had to beef up, a lot. No offence to the guy, his voice acting is top notch, but hes hardly an imposing figure. Bale worked out and trained intensivley in martial arts to achieve the physicality of Batman. As has been said its two totally different categories and to say one is better than the other isnt really fair. However in my opinion and clearly most other peoples Bale stands out as the best physical portrayal of Batman, whilst Conroy remains my favourite voice actor.

Old_BenKenobi

09-01-2009, 12:37 PM

Michael Keaton didn't have to beef up. When you're wearing a foam rubber suit you don't need it.

Drazar

09-01-2009, 12:45 PM

hendrixws

09-01-2009, 12:53 PM

Bale = Best Bruce Wayne, he has the upper class snob personality down to the T (see American Psycho)

Keaton = Best Batman, his stature might be a little small but he has the voice and the demeanor that batman encompasses

Old_BenKenobi

09-01-2009, 01:03 PM

Yeah but Batman is suppose to be this muscular man, not a normal looking person with a Batcostume who can fight crime because.... Yeah i know people can argue that Bruce Lee was the same, with a shirt and stuff he looked like a normal guy but was really a fierce warrior, but thats not Batman! =p

But with the current costuming all that matters is presence and voice. And a strong chin.

And I'd like to see Bale pull this off:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNdWyZ--rRY

Drazar

09-01-2009, 01:11 PM

But with the current costuming all that matters is presence and voice. And a strong chin.

But he'd still look like a normal yet handsome fella as Brucie. ;) Not to mention in The Dark Knight his voice got added that raspy voice which i agree does ruin it abit, compared to how good it was in Batman Begins, and heck Terminator Salvation. =p

lukeob94

09-01-2009, 01:28 PM

They only voted Bale due to Dark Knight hype. I wouldn't doubt it if at least a 1/3 of them hasn't seen Batman 89 or TAS.

But Adam West was an excellent comedic Batman, I have the old Batman movie, its great.

lies lies horrible lies.batman isn't comedic.west wasn't excellent.and the old batman movie wasn't great.

ChristianBaleBatman

09-01-2009, 02:15 PM

I just think it's harder for an actor to physically play the part. Aside from getting in the right weight, finding the right mannerisms, getting in the suit and then dealing with the shooting dates and hours that probably tougher to deal with than in a recording studio...gotta put the two in different categories.

think the only area where Bale could out-perform Conroy is in the physique.

Then again, Conroy is a cyclist according to his Wikipedia page, which means he's at least in decent shape so I'm sure in a fantasy 15 years ago he could have done it. Not to mention he isn't just a voice actor either. A shame he never got to don the cowl.

Bale is just a crappy Batman IMO. He tries too hard to be intimidating and just comes off as a goof. Look at Keaton's intimidation in the first scene. He holds a terrified thug over the edge of a roof and whispers. "I'm not going to kill you. I just want you to do one thing. I want you to tell all of your friends about me." "WHO ARE YOU?" "I'm Batman." Then he throws that mofo into a wall and leaps away. They're next shown being loaded into an ambulence wailing about a bat.

Contrast to Batman Begins, where Bale hangs a guy from a wire, drops him a few times and yells at him. Basically, tries as hard as he can to make this guy piss his pants. Keaton just whispers to the guy while holding him over the edge and throws him into a wall when he's done. Much more subtle. You don't get the sense that he's compensating for anything. All this guy has to do is whisper and he freaks people out.

I didn't like Keaton's Batman voice. If he had to speak to anyone more than a foot away from him, suddenly Bruce Wayne was back in the room.

I think we all know that Conroy is the best Batman voice.

But, best Batman...overall? Bale. Hands down. Keaton was cool. But, his Batman was a little too Clark Kent-ish for me.

ChristianBaleBatman

09-01-2009, 02:23 PM

Michael Keaton didn't have to beef up. When you're wearing a foam rubber suit you don't need it.

He could have used lifts, too.

But with the current costuming all that matters is presence and voice. And a strong chin.

And I'd like to see Bale pull this off:

All that matters?

You're forgetting actual acting. And, atleast being somewhat in good shape to not have a heart attack pulling off the fight scenes.

And then there's Bruce Wayne....

Black-Xero

09-01-2009, 03:55 PM

Keaton and Conroy easily the best Batmen.

i think the same exact way lol.bale couldnt even play batman,all he did was growl....

lukeob94

09-01-2009, 09:45 PM

this is hardest for me cuz i grew up being able to see all cept adam west.I was shown the batman burton films all through out my childhood,so i always thought keaton as batman.But then 97 came and i kinda thought of clooney as batman(hey i was 31/2) but being a WB kid in mid-late 90's(for the most part later,96-99) i seen batman tas all the time and always associated batman as batman tas batman.i truely believ bat man tas is also the best of batman media.it displays batman and the characters wonderfully.i truley think batman animation beats batman live action anytime.thats why i'm going with connroy.i like'd bale believ me i think he is a good batmna,better than clooney or kilmer.i also think he is a good actor and personally,as much as i like keaton,he seems more bruce wayne to me.but still

animated:connroy hands down(i won't even get into the batman)
live action:tie between keaton and bale sorry
overeall: connroy is batman simply because batman tas is batman.

SolidSnake_123

09-01-2009, 10:20 PM

Personally I didn't like Bale's rendition of batman, I thought he didn't have a good batman voice. Plus, MTV ruined rock'n'roll. Uh.. I don't know if thats on topic.. but it must be said!

EliteF50

09-01-2009, 10:23 PM

But with the current costuming all that matters is presence and voice. And a strong chin.

And I'd like to see Bale pull this off:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNdWyZ--rRY

Kevin's got a beautiful voice. :)

Mistress of Fear

09-02-2009, 01:24 AM

Live action movie I would be torn between Keaton and West(Adam Weeest Adam Weeessst).....
I'm nutty like that...=) (in the end choosing Keaton).
(Bale is a good Bruce but damn do I hate his "hiding my voice thing" yes it makes since but....I hate it...)
Who I think of as Batman, Conroy.....Conroy should of won. >_>

ChristianBaleBatman

09-02-2009, 10:06 AM

You guys should really look at that again. I mean, it's very impressive that Conroy turned in second place. The fact that so many people have only heard his voice, not identified with his face (since not having seen it)...the man is still the second most popular Batman considering all the money and attention the OTHER films have gotten?

C'mon, that's a helluva a feat right there.

MTV ruined rock n roll?

I thought rock n roll ruined rock n roll...

Old_BenKenobi

09-02-2009, 10:07 AM

He could have used lifts, too.

All that matters?

You're forgetting actual acting. And, atleast being somewhat in good shape to not have a heart attack pulling off the fight scenes.

And then there's Bruce Wayne....

Did you see Christian Bale in TDK? Man was a stick.

And when you're in the suit, there's no way to express yourself. All you really do is stand there, or crouch, or whatever. Even the mask hides your emotions. The grand majority of it is voice. The rest is basic body language. And Conroy is a stage actor. He can act outside of a recording booth. I dont think he would have much trouble. He's also a cyclist and a runner. I'm sure he could handle the fight scenes. If not, that's what stuntmen are for.

And we can debate the ins and outs of how he would act as Batman, but its pretty much a fact that he would be the best live-action Bruce Wayne.

ChristianBaleBatman

09-02-2009, 10:10 AM

You're running on the idea that Conroy can phsyically play the part. I'm not convinced, and in the end...it doesn't matter, because he hasn't been given the opportunity.

I think think it's impressive that Conroy beat out Keaton by so much.

Voice actors have always been unsung heroes. The quote from the guy in the link, who v oted for him didn't even mention him by name.

I just think, that despite The Dark Knight being as massive a hit as it was, and Batman The Animated Series being off-air for so long...it's very very impressive to see Conroy in second place. Didn't he beat put Keaton by double digits?

ChristianBaleBatman

09-02-2009, 10:14 AM

And we can debate the ins and outs of how he would act as Batman, but its pretty much a fact that he would be the best live-action Bruce Wayne.

I don't know that. I can assume that, but I don't know it.

You think acting is just about standing in a spot and having you're mouth move...and then fade to black.

I've actually never seen Conroy act on stage or onscreen before. All of his work I am familar with is voice acting.

Aside from Star Wars...and The Guyver, same with Hamil. Although, he was The **** Knocker in Jay And Silent Bob, too...hmmm.

Old_BenKenobi

09-02-2009, 10:14 AM

Conroy's last series as Batman ended in 2006, so it wasnt that long ago.

And really, I don't see it as being that difficult to act Batman-ish in the suit, since everyone who wears it already looks rigid and lumpy. If they were going the grey tights version of Batman... I don't think Conroy could do it. But the current look of Batman? Yep. And even if not, stuntmen. :p

I don't think acting is standing in place and talking. Maybe in the bat suit.

lukeob94

09-02-2009, 01:00 PM

lol it's funny that people want TAS voice actor to play live action batman
but does anyone wanna see diane pershing as poison ivy?

Diane pershing for poison ivy FTW

Old_BenKenobi

09-02-2009, 01:04 PM

lol it's funny that people want TAS voice actor to play live action batman
but does anyone wanna see diane pershing as poison ivy?

Diane pershing for poison ivy FTW

From the look of her... no. :p

Maybe when she was younger though.

SolidSnake_123

09-03-2009, 12:13 AM

Yeah, when she was younger.

Hall E Woode

09-03-2009, 07:42 AM

lies lies horrible lies.batman isn't comedic.west wasn't excellent.and the old batman movie wasn't great.

Dude, yes it was. Different strokes, different folks. I like 'em all. :)

Hall E Woode

09-03-2009, 07:53 AM

Kevin Conroy is the voice of Batman.

In terms of live action, I have a hard time picking between Keaton and Bale. I do wish Batman would smile more these days. Keaton's smile is wicked bad. But Bale has the essence of Batman down more, I feel, than Keaton did. Keaton played Batman with a murderous flare, which was not true to the character in the comic books - though, how much of that is Keaton, and how much is Burton. Most likely, it's more Burton.

Then again, Keaton refused to do any Batman films without Burton, so... 50/50?

Keaton's more fun, Bale's more true to the overall character, considering the character is only six months into it at this point. I'm hoping, if Bale continues, we get to see Batman become a bit less serious. He needs to start having fun, just a bit of fun, and he needs to sort of get that this whole thing, dressing as a bat, is kinda ridiculous. That will add some much needed texture and subtext to the role. But I don't think it'll just happen. I think it's a process that Batman is on. It's how it is, always is, when you start out on something. You start hardcore, dead serious. Then, you get softer as time goes on, and can laugh a bit.

Regarding Bale's voice, I still like it. I like TDK's rendition of it. I hope they change it, just so that I don't have to listen to punks whine about it, but I liked it. Especially when he's talking to Harvey Dent in the tunnel. It sounded almost inhuman, which was very interesting.

Kevin Conroy, again, is the best Batman voice, though, because he's not constantly yelling and slurring his words together.

The only Batman I do not accept, though, is George Clooney. I barely, barely, tolerate Val Kilmer, though I haven't seen Batman Forever in ages. So maybe my memory is kind.

vicsage

09-06-2009, 02:13 PM

Keaton and Conroy easily the best Batmen.

I second this.

batfan08

09-06-2009, 03:33 PM

Conroy is amazing,Bale is amazing.Bale is the best live action Bats.My opinion.Fin.

Batman The Trailer Hunter

09-06-2009, 09:00 PM

I have to say I would have voted for Bale! Kevin did have a better voice, but he didnt really act much. Keaton was good but he killed peoples, his Bruce wayne was superior, but not batman.

Old_BenKenobi

09-06-2009, 09:07 PM

I have to say I would have voted for Bale! Kevin did have a better voice, but he didnt really act much. Keaton was good but he killed peoples, his Bruce wayne was superior, but not batman.

But Bale has an ugly voice and an ugly Batsuit.

CapedCrusader1495

09-06-2009, 09:35 PM

Kevin IS the real voice of Batman. But Bale is easily the best actor to play him in live action (although like many, I am not a big fan of the empysema voice :p).

kalle90

09-07-2009, 05:43 AM

I feel that they're all pretty equal. Kilmer is the worst and still acceptable

But I'm afraid Bale will soon become worse. At first I thought he really liked to play Batman but now he's in every top movie and his ego seems to have gotten too big. "If you use Robin, I won't be Batman". It looks like Bale was only after the reputation boost.

Batman The Trailer Hunter

09-07-2009, 08:28 AM

But Bale has an ugly voice and an ugly Batsuit.

No its just diffrent, personally i like the suit, its not very good but it fits the movie! Thats what counts! I've seen plenty of Animated series episodes and yes Conroy is a great voice actor, but Him and Bale are on to diffrent sides of a ruler. Its hard to compare.

Old_BenKenobi

09-07-2009, 09:02 AM

My point was, as ugly as Bale's voice and suit were, those were the calls of the director, not the actor. Same with Keaton's Batman killing. I could say that Keaton's Batman killing fit his movie.

You know, before it got butcher, Batman Forever was going to reference Batman's killing in the first two movies, and how it was the wrong way to do it (they sort of mention it when Bruce talks about how it's easy to take one life, and then not stop, then look in the mirror and see a monster). That would have been interesting.

Batman The Trailer Hunter

09-07-2009, 09:24 AM

My point was, as ugly as Bale's voice and suit were, those were the calls of the director, not the actor. Same with Keaton's Batman killing. I could say that Keaton's Batman killing fit his movie.

Still not killing is one of Batmans core values! In that sense Bale was closer to the true batman. The voice doesnt reflect the character unless we're talking about which strikes more fear in the prey.

kain9998

09-07-2009, 09:35 AM

I think the only area where Bale could out-perform Conroy is in the physique.

Then again, Conroy is a cyclist according to his Wikipedia page, which means he's at least in decent shape so I'm sure in a fantasy 15 years ago he could have done it. Not to mention he isn't just a voice actor either. A shame he never got to don the cowl.

Bale is just a crappy Batman IMO. He tries too hard to be intimidating and just comes off as a goof. Look at Keaton's intimidation in the first scene. He holds a terrified thug over the edge of a roof and whispers. "I'm not going to kill you. I just want you to do one thing. I want you to tell all of your friends about me." "WHO ARE YOU?" "I'm Batman." Then he throws that mofo into a wall and leaps away. They're next shown being loaded into an ambulence wailing about a bat.

Contrast to Batman Begins, where Bale hangs a guy from a wire, drops him a few times and yells at him. Basically, tries as hard as he can to make this guy piss his pants. Keaton just whispers to the guy while holding him over the edge and throws him into a wall when he's done. Much more subtle. You don't get the sense that he's compensating for anything. All this guy has to do is whisper and he freaks people out.

Your saying he just has to whisper to freak a guy out, when for one thing that guy was an actor, and for another thing, it was in the script that he was supposed to "freak out". I'm not saying hes bad, just saying your argument is that his whisper freaks people out, when its all part of the script. Same goes for begins.

Old_BenKenobi

09-07-2009, 09:54 AM

Your saying he just has to whisper to freak a guy out, when for one thing that guy was an actor, and for another thing, it was in the script that he was supposed to "freak out". I'm not saying hes bad, just saying your argument is that his whisper freaks people out, when its all part of the script. Same goes for begins.

My argument is that he's a much more effective and subtle Batman. Saying "Bale is this" and "Keaton is this" is pretty damn useless, since they have so little to do with what is actually on screen. That's up to the directors and writers. It was Nolan's call to have Batman yell at Flass. It was Burton's call to have Batman whisper to the criminal. Bale and Keaton are just the face's we associate these characters with, so we use their names for the purposes of argument. So Keaton was a much more effective Batman because he was written and directed as such. Bale was a much lamer Batman because he was written and directed as such.

kain9998

09-07-2009, 10:01 AM

My argument is that he's a much more effective and subtle Batman. Saying "Bale is this" and "Keaton is this" is pretty damn useless, since they have so little to do with what is actually on screen. That's up to the directors and writers. It was Nolan's call to have Batman yell at Flass. It was Burton's call to have Batman whisper to the criminal. Bale and Keaton are just the face's we associate these characters with, so we use their names for the purposes of argument. So Keaton was a much more effective Batman because he was written and directed as such. Bale was a much lamer Batman because he was written and directed as such.

Oh ok, sorry, misunderstood.

angleslam99

09-07-2009, 12:28 PM

What a sad, sad day. This legitimately hurts me too. It's like "let's pick Bale because he is the most recent Batman".

SolidSnake_123

09-07-2009, 04:13 PM

What a sad, sad day. This legitimately hurts me too. It's like "let's pick Bale because he is the most recent Batman".

Yep, thats apparently how these idiots at MTV.com voted..

Zombie_in_zen

09-08-2009, 01:26 PM

Stuff Bale. He made a good Bruce Wayne in the first half of Batman Begins. But the moment the cowl goes on and that voice comes out... it killed it for me.

Micheal Keaton made the best live action Batman for me. But this was mostly because of the look of the '89 movie. What ever happens... at the end of the day: Batman is still a comic hero story. when you start grounding EVERYTHING about him into some kind of reality... it looses that comic book magic.

At least for me personally...

Batman needs to be larger than life... That roof take down at the beginning of Batman '89 just captures the character so good.

There is a short you can get online called Batman: Dead End. The Batman in that has a bit more of a comic feel to it too. I like that one.

But Bale would no be my top choice.

As far as Voice goes... Kevin Conroy is the Batman. I even hear his voice in my head when I read the monthlys.

I'm not sure if this is right... but Batman the animated series was sort of a spin of off the '89 Batman movie. I think Conroy was meant to be as close as he could be to Keaton's voice.
But Conroy just made the part his own... now having played Batman for more than 15 years, longer than any one else.

Old_BenKenobi

09-08-2009, 03:38 PM

Zombie_in_zen

09-08-2009, 04:54 PM

TAS wasn't exactly a spinoff of the 89 movie. There were some aspects that there kept the same (Joker's real name and history, Penguin's flipper hands) and the mood and vibe (and even the music) is ripped from the movies, but it was largely based on the comics.

Ah well there you go...

I really like the look and feel of that animated show. That sort of Noir style...

A world where people had internet and fancy gadgets... but still watched black and white television and drove those neat 50s cars.

But yeah... stuff Bale. Every time he opens his damn mouth under that cowl it makes my brain hurt.

Old_BenKenobi

09-08-2009, 05:39 PM

The art direction on both Batman and Superman was fantastic. Batman was all art deco and really noir and dark and styled like the 30s, and Superman was based much more on a retro-future 1950s look. The styles really complimented the characters.

I thought that Justice League lacked that unified tone and looked more like a standard cartoon than the visual masterpieces that were Batman and Superman.

mothy

09-11-2009, 11:51 PM

Keaton is the best.

William

09-12-2009, 01:43 AM

I really liked Bale. I thought he suited Nolan's films and for me was believable as batman. I would rate Bale as number one and Keaton a close second place.

kalle90

09-12-2009, 02:22 AM

Bale might not be the best but I sure as hell wouldn't change him now in this Nolan series. It's like bringing Joker back. Horrible. Consistency is what makes a series, not going by the latest hip.

Old_BenKenobi

09-12-2009, 02:53 AM

Give the consistency talk to Katie Holmes. :p

kalle90

09-12-2009, 03:14 AM

Crap that was the most concerning thing about Dark Knight for me. Fortunately Rachel had so small part in both movies and now she's dead. Now the consistency can continue :) Take that Nolan, Holmes and Gyllenhaal.

For my defence, Gyllenhaal wasn't a hip choice. She was taken because someone had to take Holmes' role. It was all Holmes' fault, but I can't expect anything else from the fiancee of Tom Cruise :nut: So far that's the biggest mistake Nolan did

Just keep Bale, Oldman and Caine (Did Freeman really quit?) and this series will live past the 3rd movie.