I respect the courage it took to accurately assess Ben Affleck and put him second to last, way too many people hype him up because he had one good fight scene. I’d resubscribe if I could
An accurate assessment would put him at first place, not just because he had by far the best fight scene, but because he actually resembled the Bruce Wayne of the comics in both looks and personality. Affleck gave by far the most impassioned performance out of all the actors. His acting is leagues above the rest.
@@700Penguin What comics have you read where Batman is a pessimistic alcoholic murderer? I can think of a few Punisher comics but that’s about it. Bale nailed Bruce Wayne, both in terms of the man beneath and the mask. Pattinson nailed Batman. West nailed the campiness of the silver age and the more lighthearted Batman iterations. Affleck made for a meh punisher and that’s about it.
@@skizko6998 I said looks and personality. And the most obvious inspiration for Affleck's Batman was The Dark Knight Returns. He's almost directly lifted from that comic. None of the others were as close to any specific comic influence. And Pattinson didn't nail a thing, except cringy and whiny emo pouting with awful lines like "You're not my dad, Alfred!" Bruce Wayne would never say childish things like that.
@@700Penguin Brotha you’ve never read the dark knight returns. Other than being a bit mopier none of Afflecks performance encompasses anything the dark knight returns has to say about Batman. That’s not even mentioning the fact that it’s among the weaker of Batman’s interpretations. You clearly know nothing of the character if you think for a moment that Batfleck taunting Leto’s Joker about killing Harley Quinn is somehow more faithful and less cringey as you put it as Battingson lashing out at his father figure for not supporting his crusade. Pick up a comic next time, stop riding Zack Snyder: The Man Who thinks Batman is silly without guns Oh and looks mean nothing in terms of performance and writing. Colin Pharell looks nothing like The Penguin. But he is the best Penguin we’ve ever gotten for live action.
@@comicladspattison is literally bruce wayne (playboy) in real life just not a billionaire. He’ll nail Bruce Wayne the first movie was just to show off how good he can be as batman since he’s already a perfect bruce wayne
Bale is easily the most complete Batman so far. Full character arc, just the right amount of gadgets to not make him goofily overpowered like Arkham Knight or N52 Batman but still not under equipped, great lore, actually having a film that tries to bring out the predatory, mythical creature of the night aspect about Batman (Batman Begins, they fumbles it in TDK) and some of the best villain rivalries in all of Batman media. I know Nolan's Batman gets a lot of critique over the years, but 95% of the complaints i see are easily debunkable and usually from people with very surface level perceptions about Batman. And the other 5% are just cons outweighed by the pros.
Same also the fact that Matt Reeves had the stones to cover year 2 Batman rather than play it safe which is great to see imagine in the next movie we get Mister Freeze that would be amazing and see more of Battinson's Bruce Wayne side
What brutal calculated beat downs? You're describing Affleck. And I'm not even an Affleck fanboy, but this was pure Affleck description. Pattinson just through punches at random thugs. And he wasn't really a good detective either since his supporting cast carried him out of every stump in the case. He didn't solve too much on his own.
@@dixonb.tweenerlegs4225 he said calculated beatdowns bruh, and affleck did calculated murders in whole movies ,he violated no kill and no gun rule 1000 times and pattinson was a great detective and even solved almost every puzzle but making him flaws was an intentional decision to prove he is young rn,, even at fight he was more realistic and took some nice blows also
@@ayush9534So Affleck punching someone through the floor, outmanoeuvring entire squads of mercenaries and leaving them a pulp on the floor isn't considered a beating? Why because they died? How did they die again? Mostly beaten to death or some other form of blunt force trauma, right...? Wow...almost sounds like...a beating... Pattinson is a 30+ year old Bruce Wayne who's 2 years into ha career as Batman. Yet was defeated by not knowing what a carpet tucker was. .
Nah, I think Bale can't be number one solely because the following points: A. He is barely in TDK or TDKR B. He actively chooses not to save people C. He retires 3 times in two movies
What do you mean dude? He saves the entire city in TDKR! This is after the villains have been defeated. By flying the bomb away, he arguably has saved the most people of the live action Batmen.
Everytime I see a ranking of live action Batmen, I always think back to that one line in Big Bang Theory where Adam West says "I never had to say "I'm Batman." I showed up, people knew I was Batman."
Your guys’ list is awesome. I pretty much agree 100%. In my opinion, Pattinson is my favorite Batman and Bale is my favorite Bruce Wayne, if that makes sense.
I was born in 2000 and as a young child Val Kilmer was my favorite Batman until The Dark Knight. As an adult I can now acknowledge that Batman Begins is a better film than Batman Forever but before 2008 Batman Forever was my favorite live action Batman film with Mask of the Phantasm being my favorite overall Batman film at the time
Robert Pat is my favorite and the best interpretation of Batman! Especially down to the detective aspect of Batman where we have never seen it in any of the movies
Just subbed... Would like to talk about why I love Battinson. I love how it's still just very early on in his Batman career and he is struggling to find himself being human. He doesn't see himself as Bruce (at this current moment in his franchise) he only sees Batman. You can tell he doesn't socialize not because he is an edgy e boy but because he can't open himself up as a person. He doesn't have time to be Bruce because he's so tunnel visioned as Batman. I love how we finally get a Batman that's actually being a detective also but I think my favorite part is how in the beginning of the movie he is set on vengeance and doesn't let anyone with a criminal background get a fair chance. When he talks to Riddler and Riddler says that he is also vengeance it clicks in Batman's head that they have the same goal but are going about it in different ways. They are two heads on different sides of a coin. Batman opens up his mind to realize after failing to prevent gotham flooding that there are people behind him who believe he is doing Gotham justice and that he has to be something more than Vengeance. He has to be hope.
Would also like to include that I also love Bale a lot too as those movies more so focus on the man behind the mask. Some of the writing do take him down for me like how he just let's Raz in the first movie just die when he doesn't have a no killing rule 😭😭😭.
Personally my favourite live action is Robert Pattinson, but this list is objectively perfect. RIP Kevin, you helped save my life. Wish I could have met you
With Keaton it wasn’t so much cultural that made him great it was the time. Also he was limited to the time so you have to take that in account. At the time getting the dark Batman that no one has seen on screen till then made that movie Iconic
Bale's Batman pulling off the whole sonar thing in TDK to find the Joker is like the most Batman thing in all of the live action films. Even Lucius was like "yeeeeah, this is kinda neat, even tho it's wrong, lol".
I’d definitely say Pattinson as number 1, he nails an early career Batman to a T for me. He does this by being in the persona of Batman 24/7, he is consumed by his personal tragedy, and doles out vengeance to criminals that make Gotham & its people suffer like he did. I don’t really know why a lot of people are saying he’s too Emo-- on the contrary he’s supposed to be a dark & brooding character; those two aspects are consistently ascribed to Batman in nearly every interpretation of him. So I believe that his performance as Batman was better than the rest, in addition to the heavy detective focus for this story. I like Bale don’t get me wrong, I just feel his interpretation of Batman is a bit too perfect or too “well-adjusted” as stated in the video. In my opinion, he’s not necessarily supposed to have a perfectly sound mind; while his mind is supposed to be well-trained, he still has a broken mind if that makes sense. His mind is like a broken pane of glass that only he knows how to put together & use, even when he becomes the perfect protector of Gotham further along in his career. Bale’s Batman seems to have everything locked down, even in his first movie after his training with The League of Shadows; the rawness of Batman, the mistakes that Batman would make early on in his career, and the introspection are missing for me. Unlike Pattinson’s Batman who made several mistakes, causing him to change for the better even with his training and detective knowledge. This is why I feel like Bale’s interpretation of Batman leaves a little bit to be desired for me personally. It’s still good nonetheless though. I will say definitely say that Bale’s version of Bruce Wayne is well acted and well written; making his interpretation of that side of Bruce/Batman far surpass past anyone else’s in live action. The only thing(s) I would fix is how his Batman acts (because his personality as Batman feels a bit hollow to me), his Batman persona wouldn’t be sidelined for the many interactions he has as Bruce Wayne, making sure he has more interactions with his villains as Batman and the rest of the cast, the villains would have focus but not be the complete center of the movie, also no quitting or giving up the crusade as Batman in Gotham.
I actually mostly agree with this except for me it be: - Kevin Conroy - Christian Bale - Robbert Pattison (room for improvement if he grows out of his emo phase) - Michael Keaton - Adam West - Val Kilmer - Ben Affleck - George Clooney bonus Joker rankin: - Mark Hamill (He's perfected the character) - Heath Ledger (basically tied for 1st) - Jack Nicholson (I like that he starts as the usual Nicholson-type then progressively becomes more unhinged) - Kevin Michael Richardson (Very underrated) - Cesar Romero (The Classic) - Cameron Monaghan (Bad portrayal but a fun performance. He's at least trying even if the writers aren't) - Joaquin Phoenix (how much can a character be fundamentally changed before it is no longer considered the same character?) - Barry Keoghan (Not enough screen time to decide yet) - Jared Leto (Obviously)
Great lists for Batman AND Joker, and for Joker specifically, John DiMaggio also did a great job voicing him in Under the Red Hood🔥 Kevin Michael Richardson doesn’t get enough love either
Bale and Pattinson are at the top for me. Bale definitely benefits from being in three movies with a character arc that developed over the course of the series. Even it was just Batman Begins and no sequels, you would say “that told a full story. I understand this character.”
Been in Live Action since 1943 Batman Serial Lewis Wilson Batman and Robin serial 1949 Robert Lowery For me The Ranking for Live Action Batman are 1 West 2 Pattinson (Might be number 1 if he does a great Playboy Bruce Wayne in The Batman 2. (Only Good comic accurate) 3 Keaton 4 Bale (Mainly for Begins) 5 Kilmer 6 Affleck 7 Lowery 8 Clooney 9 Wilson
If I'm separating myself from what I enjoy subjectively than this is very close to my own ranking for most loyal/accurate live-action adaptations of Bruce Wayne/Batman and I think you guys nailed it.
As someone who loves Keaton’s Batman, it’s heavily influenced by my love for Tim Burton. Batman Returns just has that gothic style I love so much. But because this is a “who’s the greatest Batman” list, I can agree with this video. Great explanations.
I appreciate the courage it took to post this with such hot takes. I admire that you guys had opinions and stuck to your batarangs. This list is an abomination for Bale being on top and Keaton being so low, but I respect it.
I totally disagree with the list up until you named Bale as number 1 and also said so far. My top two also are 1. Bale and 2. Pattinson but the rest we totally disagree but that’s ok. Great list guys!
We gotta be around the same age. I made this list before watching and it’s identical. I really thought you’d mess it up until affleck came up, then I knew you get Batman
For me, when I assess the batmen… I assess how they bring the personality of Batman to life. Hence why I believe that batfleck is #2 to Pattinson being #1. In BVS I saw a mix of Tower of Babel and DKR Batman and I was amazed with how Affleck nailed miller’s Batman with more insanity than miller’s Batman. As well as Keaton killing not being too much of a big deal because Batman did kill back in the day. Let’s not forget and they based Keaton’s Batman off those Kane and finger stories. I get why you have Affleck so low, but he was the 1st time I clearly saw Batman and wasn’t seeing another actor playing Batman.
01: Kevin Conroy 02: Robert Pattinson 03: Christian Bale 04: Val Kilmer 05: Will Arnett 06: Michael Keaton 07: Ben Affleck 08: George Clooney Haven’t seen anything with Adam West yet.
one of my favorite scenes in any Batman media was the scene between him and Ace in Justice League Unlimited. the reason i bring that up is because to me that feels like the type of Batman were getting with Robert Pattinson. to me he’s the best Batman in live action.
I loved Batman for since I can remember and Honestly this is a great list. The only thing for me that is different is Robert Pattinson is my number 1(Beside Kevin obviously). That scene wear he comes out of the shadows slowly, then beats the clown thug brutally and says I am Vengeance. That got me so hype'd in the theater with my bros.
My Bruce Wayne ranking for live action 1. Christan Bale 2. Michael Keaton 3. Val Kilmer 4. Adam West 5. George Clooney 6. Ben Affleck 7. Robert Pattinson
My ranking for the live action Batmen 1. Christan Bale 2. Michael Keaton 3. Ben Affleck 4. Robert Pattinson 5. Val Kilmer 6. Adam West 7. George Clooney
I've got to respect this list even though I have a vastly different opinion. I'm not a super huge fan of Bale's Batman or the Nolan films in general, yeah I know, but I do appreciate the love for Val Kilmer, who is criminally underrated. I like Keaton, Affleck, and Pattinson in no particular order, they're all kind of tied.
BatFleck and Kilmer are my top 2! Bale did a great Bruce Wayne; however, his Batman wasn’t intimidating enough for me. Also his fighting wasn’t good either. That’s why Ben gets a lot of love cause people shy away from Batman’s martial arts skills!
If we're talking about live-action, I have to go with Christian Bale. But including animation into that as well, it has to be Kevin Conroy's Batman from the DCAU series.
Random question: Is this a re-upload? I feel like I've seen this exact video with the same Top 3 before. I'm not complaining (it's a great list), I just can't shake this feeling that I'm experiencing deja vu. 😂
I totally agree with this list and I really hope that Pattinson really explores the Bruce Wayne persona more into 2 because in my opinion he’s the most comic accurate version of Batman. I’ve seen on screen because you finally get to see the detective side of the character But yeah, Kevin Conroy is just Batman all around anytime. I read a comic I always think of his voice when reading it
@@comiclads true but I never really look at animation and live action in the same light and as much as I love, DC animation people look at live action and that’s typically how they’ll perceive that character because there’s so many people that don’t know about the animation or think of it for kids and stuff like that it’s getting a little better as time goes on and people are looking at it more but people really get their perspective on the character from the live action movies a lot of time or pull shit out of comics that they never read
Christian Bale was no doubt the best Batman/Bruce Wyane in live action. Bale showed many personalities of both Batman and Bruce Wyane that no other actor has, especially the don't thank me side. Batman doesn't like it when people tell him thank you. He's also not as stoic like some people claim. Batman has his emotions and struggles and Bale showed the most of that. From what I have seen, Pattinson could be a close second. I love the detective side Robert shows with his version. There's more to the character than just his intimidation level, fighting skills and no kill rule. And so far, Bale nails all of that.
Pattinson is the best as Batman, I just struggle with such a big departure for Bruce Wayne. Bale is the opposite problem where he's a perfect Bruce Wayne, but I'm not in love with his Batman. If pressed for an answer, I'd probably give it to Bale.
I'm surprised Val Kilmer is so high, but then again I haven't seen Batman Forever in like 20 years so maybe I should rewatch. Between Robin, Jim Carrey Riddler, and Two-Face there was must so much going on I probably wasn't even paying much attention to Batman.
What are we considering when it comes to what makes a great Batman? Because if we're talking comic accuracy, Kilmer and Clooney are actually pretty comic accurate. Ben Affleck is much more bitter, brutal, and jaded compared to how he's typically portrayed and some of his beliefs in BvS kinda match up with Jason and Damian, like the belief that criminals had their chance and deserve to be punished, sometimes even with death. Michael Keaton's Batman feels like he's actively looking for a fight at times, didn't treat the Joker like a threat until he learned he killed his parents, and he killed at least 2 Penguin henchmen. His Bruce Wayne is also more eccentric and anxious than the typically suave playboy we see in the comics while his Batman is more quiet and kills people at times. Adam West's take on the character, even for the time, was much more lighthearted. Battinson is a lot ruder to Alfred, his Bruce Wayne persona is a lot more reclusive like Keaton's, there is very little distinguishing Bruce Wayne from Batman, and he's more low tech. Finally, Christian Bale is less grim and his motivations are more connected to his romances with him being more committed to the women in his life than he is to being Batman. I think Batfleck had the chance to evolve into the most comic accurate version of the character if the DCEU wasn't a massive flop and I think Battinson also has the potential to give us a more accurate portrayal of Bruce Wayne, but despite the reception of the Kilmer and Clooney films, those are probably the most accurate to the characters, Bat Credit Card and all. Obviously though, Kevin Conroy beats them all, he's Batman.
A voice actor beating actual actors ??? The actors spend sometimes months making a film,most have to get into some type of shape for movies.Work tirelessly on stunts and fight scenes,voice actors can tape their voices from home,no effort.
Something I’ve been saying is, the actors they’ve picked for Marvel, have been near perfect. Like it’s hard to picture Tony Stark as anyone but Robert Downey Jr. But I don’t think we’ve gotten that for like, Batman characters. I don’t think there’s been a person who has done a perfect portrayal of Bruce and Alfred for example. They’ve done really good, but each one has done something differently and that’s not bad. But I don’t look at Christian Bale and think “That’s Batman.” For example
It could be the worst day of my life, but hating on Affleck’s Batman always makes me feel better 🥹 (And my favorite is Pattinson, because his Batman is threaded with Gotham so tightly, that you can see what the symbol means on an essential level)
Finally some respect on the Goat Christian Bale. way Too many ppl Cry about "The suit is to Samurai" "Hes too skinny" "Hes a weak Batman" Na Bale is the only batman that is actually grouded and comic accurate, (pattinson is incredible as well)
Batman Returns Keaton for me, even with the killing. The suit he has is great he has fun toys and that batmobile 👍 thank you for shouting out to Conroy as well. Good to see Val Kilmer get some appreciation, he does get lost in his own movie sometimes.
Keaton Batmobile has got to be one of the best live-action batmobiles of all time🔥 With a few tweaks, Val Kilmer definitely could’ve gone done in history 😔🦇
My personal favorite on screen Batman is Christian Bale. He brought something to that role that was so different than any actor before and he always played the role with this fire and rage. Then I personally think he’s had the best live action Batman suits too! I respect and lowkey agree with y’all’s opinion about Affleck. Because of Snyder fanboys and one amazing fight scene people have hailed Affleck’s Batman as the best Batman ever when there’s an argument he’s not even top 5. The most blasphemous take though is putting Kilmer and West over Keaton. I think Keaton played the role really well and again he brought that “it” factor to the character that Kilmer or West didn’t (sorry to any old heads in here). Also I love how serious Keaton played the role so I completely disagree about him just being himself in those two movies. Other than that one scene in Vicki’s house what other moment did he act like Beetlegeuse? I respect y’all’s opinions though 🫡🫡
Currently for me its pattinson, I loved affleck in his first appearance as batman. But I think he lost track of what the character was suppose to he in the later movies. Bale first incarnation of batman in batman begins gets the more tactlie, strategic angles of batman, but giving a hot take. That most of bales batman movies were carried by its villains acting not by bale himself. Keaton I think understood the assignment I just think the writing is a little too cartoony to take serious as a real life adaption.
I actually think this list is based as fuck. You guys explained your points well. I agree with all the rankings after hearing your arguments. Also this bit from one of the WB shows is great. I used to always say "The best live action Batman." Because we had to give Conroy is credit as the best. With the below, he plays an alternate universe broken Batman/Bruce Wayne. So he is the best Batman of animated and live action. ua-cam.com/video/e-S8RoIPw5A/v-deo.htmlsi=CSLD3LUnla1bOnCT
To me Val Kilmer is the best Bruce Wayne. I remember having a video cassette of Batman forever and Batman and robin. And even I as a 4 yr old kid knew Val was better than Clooney… wish he got more movies as Batman
Do you think Richard Madden should play Batman in James Gunn DC projects in the DCU since he is the youngest of all the possible actors to play Batman?
Its been years and people..including many "DC/Batman" fans STILL don't properly understand /intetpret what Zack Snyder did or tried to portray with Batfleck. These people unfortunately shoot themselves in the foot when they try to put Bman/Bruce into a box because they think he's this stagnant character.
Listen, it may be campy, but Adam West's interpretation was so good in my opinion. It has that goofiness from that age in the comics and even so, you could believe that Adam was acting as that Bruce Wayne/Batman would. He had a good-natured but a little smug tone as Bruce, a slower, more calculated tone as Batman, and anytime Robin, Alfred, or Aunt Harriet was in danger, you could feel his panic, his worry. Overall, he was a great Batman and his portrayal will be missed.
RIP Kevin Conroy, the man who made us believe the impossible could be made possible
I respect the courage it took to accurately assess Ben Affleck and put him second to last, way too many people hype him up because he had one good fight scene.
I’d resubscribe if I could
Thanks so much😭 we appreciate you, fellow Lad🤝
An accurate assessment would put him at first place, not just because he had by far the best fight scene, but because he actually resembled the Bruce Wayne of the comics in both looks and personality. Affleck gave by far the most impassioned performance out of all the actors. His acting is leagues above the rest.
@@700Penguin What comics have you read where Batman is a pessimistic alcoholic murderer?
I can think of a few Punisher comics but that’s about it.
Bale nailed Bruce Wayne, both in terms of the man beneath and the mask.
Pattinson nailed Batman.
West nailed the campiness of the silver age and the more lighthearted Batman iterations.
Affleck made for a meh punisher and that’s about it.
@@skizko6998 I said looks and personality. And the most obvious inspiration for Affleck's Batman was The Dark Knight Returns. He's almost directly lifted from that comic. None of the others were as close to any specific comic influence. And Pattinson didn't nail a thing, except cringy and whiny emo pouting with awful lines like "You're not my dad, Alfred!" Bruce Wayne would never say childish things like that.
@@700Penguin Brotha you’ve never read the dark knight returns. Other than being a bit mopier none of Afflecks performance encompasses anything the dark knight returns has to say about Batman. That’s not even mentioning the fact that it’s among the weaker of Batman’s interpretations.
You clearly know nothing of the character if you think for a moment that Batfleck taunting Leto’s Joker about killing Harley Quinn is somehow more faithful and less cringey as you put it as Battingson lashing out at his father figure for not supporting his crusade.
Pick up a comic next time, stop riding Zack Snyder: The Man Who thinks Batman is silly without guns
Oh and looks mean nothing in terms of performance and writing. Colin Pharell looks nothing like The Penguin. But he is the best Penguin we’ve ever gotten for live action.
Bale and Pattinson are tied right now but if Pattinson shows some more character growth and is less emo in the next movie he will be my fav
1000%- if we can just see a bit more of his Bruce Wayne side, he could easily sky rocket past Bale🦇
pattinson ruined the character
@@shambles168 Good rage bait 👍
@@comicladspattison is literally bruce wayne (playboy) in real life just not a billionaire. He’ll nail Bruce Wayne the first movie was just to show off how good he can be as batman since he’s already a perfect bruce wayne
@@shambles168you mean batfleck
I'll always remember listening to Kevin's batman's justice leagues contingency plans, it never fails to give me goosebumps
Bale is easily the most complete Batman so far. Full character arc, just the right amount of gadgets to not make him goofily overpowered like Arkham Knight or N52 Batman but still not under equipped, great lore, actually having a film that tries to bring out the predatory, mythical creature of the night aspect about Batman (Batman Begins, they fumbles it in TDK) and some of the best villain rivalries in all of Batman media. I know Nolan's Batman gets a lot of critique over the years, but 95% of the complaints i see are easily debunkable and usually from people with very surface level perceptions about Batman. And the other 5% are just cons outweighed by the pros.
Pattinson for me. I love the brutal, calculated, yet animalistic, beat downs alongside the analytical detective investigations.
Same also the fact that Matt Reeves had the stones to cover year 2 Batman rather than play it safe which is great to see imagine in the next movie we get Mister Freeze that would be amazing and see more of Battinson's Bruce Wayne side
Same
What brutal calculated beat downs? You're describing Affleck. And I'm not even an Affleck fanboy, but this was pure Affleck description. Pattinson just through punches at random thugs. And he wasn't really a good detective either since his supporting cast carried him out of every stump in the case. He didn't solve too much on his own.
@@dixonb.tweenerlegs4225 he said calculated beatdowns bruh, and affleck did calculated murders in whole movies ,he violated no kill and no gun rule 1000 times
and pattinson was a great detective and even solved almost every puzzle but making him flaws was an intentional decision to prove he is young rn,, even at fight he was more realistic and took some nice blows also
@@ayush9534So Affleck punching someone through the floor, outmanoeuvring entire squads of mercenaries and leaving them a pulp on the floor isn't considered a beating? Why because they died? How did they die again? Mostly beaten to death or some other form of blunt force trauma, right...? Wow...almost sounds like...a beating...
Pattinson is a 30+ year old Bruce Wayne who's 2 years into ha career as Batman. Yet was defeated by not knowing what a carpet tucker was.
.
Nah, I think Bale can't be number one solely because the following points:
A. He is barely in TDK or TDKR
B. He actively chooses not to save people
C. He retires 3 times in two movies
Retiring 3x in 2 movies is insane numbers💀
I think he plays an amazing Bruce Wayne not a Batman
@@Kira-exo agreed
What do you mean dude? He saves the entire city in TDKR! This is after the villains have been defeated. By flying the bomb away, he arguably has saved the most people of the live action Batmen.
@@dr.s8972 he meant not saving villains, which is an important part of batmans character
I think Kevin Conroy, Robert Pattinson and Michael Keaton play the best Batman.
My thoughts exactly
I unsubscribed just to resub
Thank you for including Kevin Conroy my GOAT
You can’t have a Batman ranking and not at least MENTION his greatness😂🫡🦇
Kevin Conroy 🐐 in JLU/Arkham Series 2009-2015 is BY FAR THE BEST ADAPTATION OF THE CHARACTER.
Peak Batman, ‘nuff said
Everytime I see a ranking of live action Batmen, I always think back to that one line in Big Bang Theory where Adam West says "I never had to say "I'm Batman." I showed up, people knew I was Batman."
Your guys’ list is awesome. I pretty much agree 100%. In my opinion, Pattinson is my favorite Batman and Bale is my favorite Bruce Wayne, if that makes sense.
I was born in 2000 and as a young child Val Kilmer was my favorite Batman until The Dark Knight. As an adult I can now acknowledge that Batman Begins is a better film than Batman Forever but before 2008 Batman Forever was my favorite live action Batman film with Mask of the Phantasm being my favorite overall Batman film at the time
Robert Pat is my favorite and the best interpretation of Batman! Especially down to the detective aspect of Batman where we have never seen it in any of the movies
My favorite live-action Batman actors? Simple.
1. Robert Pattinson
2. Adam West
3. Christian Bale
4. Michael Keaton
Just subbed... Would like to talk about why I love Battinson.
I love how it's still just very early on in his Batman career and he is struggling to find himself being human. He doesn't see himself as Bruce (at this current moment in his franchise) he only sees Batman. You can tell he doesn't socialize not because he is an edgy e boy but because he can't open himself up as a person. He doesn't have time to be Bruce because he's so tunnel visioned as Batman. I love how we finally get a Batman that's actually being a detective also but I think my favorite part is how in the beginning of the movie he is set on vengeance and doesn't let anyone with a criminal background get a fair chance. When he talks to Riddler and Riddler says that he is also vengeance it clicks in Batman's head that they have the same goal but are going about it in different ways. They are two heads on different sides of a coin. Batman opens up his mind to realize after failing to prevent gotham flooding that there are people behind him who believe he is doing Gotham justice and that he has to be something more than Vengeance. He has to be hope.
Would also like to include that I also love Bale a lot too as those movies more so focus on the man behind the mask. Some of the writing do take him down for me like how he just let's Raz in the first movie just die when he doesn't have a no killing rule 😭😭😭.
Personally my favourite live action is Robert Pattinson, but this list is objectively perfect.
RIP Kevin, you helped save my life. Wish I could have met you
With Keaton it wasn’t so much cultural that made him great it was the time. Also he was limited to the time so you have to take that in account. At the time getting the dark Batman that no one has seen on screen till then made that movie Iconic
4:08 I was actually waiting for years to see Batman pick up the metal & do The Lord’s Work. 😅
Bale's Batman pulling off the whole sonar thing in TDK to find the Joker is like the most Batman thing in all of the live action films. Even Lucius was like "yeeeeah, this is kinda neat, even tho it's wrong, lol".
You guys were losing me at your placement of Batfleck but you reeled me back in with Conroy. I 100% agree, he is THE GOAT!
Literally love seeing your guy's videos!!!
Thanks for watching!☺️
I’d definitely say Pattinson as number 1, he nails an early career Batman to a T for me. He does this by being in the persona of Batman 24/7, he is consumed by his personal tragedy, and doles out vengeance to criminals that make Gotham & its people suffer like he did. I don’t really know why a lot of people are saying he’s too Emo-- on the contrary he’s supposed to be a dark & brooding character; those two aspects are consistently ascribed to Batman in nearly every interpretation of him. So I believe that his performance as Batman was better than the rest, in addition to the heavy detective focus for this story.
I like Bale don’t get me wrong, I just feel his interpretation of Batman is a bit too perfect or too “well-adjusted” as stated in the video. In my opinion, he’s not necessarily supposed to have a perfectly sound mind; while his mind is supposed to be well-trained, he still has a broken mind if that makes sense. His mind is like a broken pane of glass that only he knows how to put together & use, even when he becomes the perfect protector of Gotham further along in his career. Bale’s Batman seems to have everything locked down, even in his first movie after his training with The League of Shadows; the rawness of Batman, the mistakes that Batman would make early on in his career, and the introspection are missing for me. Unlike Pattinson’s Batman who made several mistakes, causing him to change for the better even with his training and detective knowledge. This is why I feel like Bale’s interpretation of Batman leaves a little bit to be desired for me personally. It’s still good nonetheless though.
I will say definitely say that Bale’s version of Bruce Wayne is well acted and well written; making his interpretation of that side of Bruce/Batman far surpass past anyone else’s in live action. The only thing(s) I would fix is how his Batman acts (because his personality as Batman feels a bit hollow to me), his Batman persona wouldn’t be sidelined for the many interactions he has as Bruce Wayne, making sure he has more interactions with his villains as Batman and the rest of the cast, the villains would have focus but not be the complete center of the movie, also no quitting or giving up the crusade as Batman in Gotham.
I actually mostly agree with this except for me it be:
- Kevin Conroy
- Christian Bale
- Robbert Pattison (room for improvement if he grows out of his emo phase)
- Michael Keaton
- Adam West
- Val Kilmer
- Ben Affleck
- George Clooney
bonus Joker rankin:
- Mark Hamill (He's perfected the character)
- Heath Ledger (basically tied for 1st)
- Jack Nicholson (I like that he starts as the usual Nicholson-type then progressively becomes more unhinged)
- Kevin Michael Richardson (Very underrated)
- Cesar Romero (The Classic)
- Cameron Monaghan (Bad portrayal but a fun performance. He's at least trying even if the writers aren't)
- Joaquin Phoenix (how much can a character be fundamentally changed before it is no longer considered the same character?)
- Barry Keoghan (Not enough screen time to decide yet)
- Jared Leto (Obviously)
Great lists for Batman AND Joker, and for Joker specifically, John DiMaggio also did a great job voicing him in Under the Red Hood🔥 Kevin Michael Richardson doesn’t get enough love either
Bale and Pattinson are at the top for me. Bale definitely benefits from being in three movies with a character arc that developed over the course of the series. Even it was just Batman Begins and no sequels, you would say “that told a full story. I understand this character.”
15:16 Damn 🤔. You & Chris S are right. 15:38 Even more here.
Yes, do an Alfred video!
But I agree with your assessments on the best live action Batman.
Love the vids ❤
Been in Live Action since 1943 Batman Serial Lewis Wilson
Batman and Robin serial 1949 Robert Lowery
For me The Ranking for Live Action Batman are
1 West
2 Pattinson (Might be number 1 if he does a great Playboy Bruce Wayne in The Batman 2.
(Only Good comic accurate)
3 Keaton
4 Bale (Mainly for Begins)
5 Kilmer
6 Affleck
7 Lowery
8 Clooney
9 Wilson
If I'm separating myself from what I enjoy subjectively than this is very close to my own ranking for most loyal/accurate live-action adaptations of Bruce Wayne/Batman and I think you guys nailed it.
As someone who loves Keaton’s Batman, it’s heavily influenced by my love for Tim Burton. Batman Returns just has that gothic style I love so much. But because this is a “who’s the greatest Batman” list, I can agree with this video. Great explanations.
I appreciate the courage it took to post this with such hot takes. I admire that you guys had opinions and stuck to your batarangs. This list is an abomination for Bale being on top and Keaton being so low, but I respect it.
You guys should definitely do a podcast
I totally disagree with the list up until you named Bale as number 1 and also said so far. My top two also are 1. Bale and 2. Pattinson but the rest we totally disagree but that’s ok. Great list guys!
We gotta be around the same age. I made this list before watching and it’s identical. I really thought you’d mess it up until affleck came up, then I knew you get Batman
1. Kevin Conroy as Voice
2. Christian Bale
3. Michael Keanton
4. Robert Pattisson
5. Ban Affleck
6. Val Killmer
7. George Clooney
For me, when I assess the batmen… I assess how they bring the personality of Batman to life. Hence why I believe that batfleck is #2 to Pattinson being #1. In BVS I saw a mix of Tower of Babel and DKR Batman and I was amazed with how Affleck nailed miller’s Batman with more insanity than miller’s Batman. As well as Keaton killing not being too much of a big deal because Batman did kill back in the day. Let’s not forget and they based Keaton’s Batman off those Kane and finger stories. I get why you have Affleck so low, but he was the 1st time I clearly saw Batman and wasn’t seeing another actor playing Batman.
Ben Affleck
Michael Keaton
Val Kilmer
Christian Bale
Adam West
Robert Pattison
George Clooney
01: Kevin Conroy
02: Robert Pattinson
03: Christian Bale
04: Val Kilmer
05: Will Arnett
06: Michael Keaton
07: Ben Affleck
08: George Clooney
Haven’t seen anything with Adam West yet.
one of my favorite scenes in any Batman media was the scene between him and Ace in Justice League Unlimited. the reason i bring that up is because to me that feels like the type of Batman were getting with Robert Pattinson. to me he’s the best Batman in live action.
I loved Batman for since I can remember and Honestly this is a great list. The only thing for me that is different is Robert Pattinson is my number 1(Beside Kevin obviously). That scene wear he comes out of the shadows slowly, then beats the clown thug brutally and says I am Vengeance. That got me so hype'd in the theater with my bros.
To add onto the list, I really love the Batman in the DCAU movies.
This is probably the best list I've seen for Batman rankings
Thanks so much!!
@@comiclads yeah, I love that finally someones calling put Keaton and to a further extent Batfleck. That is NOT Batman.
My Bruce Wayne ranking for live action
1. Christan Bale
2. Michael Keaton
3. Val Kilmer
4. Adam West
5. George Clooney
6. Ben Affleck
7. Robert Pattinson
My live action Bruce Wayne Ranking
1. Christan Bale
2. Michael Keaton
3. Ben Affleck
4. Adam West
5. Val Kilmer
6. Robert Pattinson
7. George Clooney
I love Bale, but I think he does Bruce better than Bats, Pattinson is my Batman, Bale is my Bruce, Conroy is *The* Batman though
Conroy will always be the untouchable #1
You should actually rate every on screen Alfred
My live action Batman Ranking
1. Christan Bale
2. Robert Pattinson
3. Ben Affleck
4. Michael Keaton
5. Val Kilmer
6. Adam West
7. George Clooney
My ranking for the live action Batmen
1. Christan Bale
2. Michael Keaton
3. Ben Affleck
4. Robert Pattinson
5. Val Kilmer
6. Adam West
7. George Clooney
0:48 Rolling with Ben Afleck.
I've got to respect this list even though I have a vastly different opinion. I'm not a super huge fan of Bale's Batman or the Nolan films in general, yeah I know, but I do appreciate the love for Val Kilmer, who is criminally underrated. I like Keaton, Affleck, and Pattinson in no particular order, they're all kind of tied.
5:53 Yeah Keaton's Batman had no character whatsoever beyond being slightly more unhinged than most Batmen.
His name ryhmes with Bail
Keaton and Pattinson
I grew up with Kevin Conroy as Batman, he is and always will be the number one Batman. RIP Kevin Conroy.
BatFleck and Kilmer are my top 2! Bale did a great Bruce Wayne; however, his Batman wasn’t intimidating enough for me. Also his fighting wasn’t good either. That’s why Ben gets a lot of love cause people shy away from Batman’s martial arts skills!
If we're talking about live-action, I have to go with Christian Bale. But including animation into that as well, it has to be Kevin Conroy's Batman from the DCAU series.
Random question: Is this a re-upload? I feel like I've seen this exact video with the same Top 3 before. I'm not complaining (it's a great list), I just can't shake this feeling that I'm experiencing deja vu. 😂
Please do this but with Captain America or any marvel superhero video IDE love the content you guys have a great day
Thanks so much, you too!!🤝
Thank You for including Adam in your list! even though I'm Gen Z he was my childhood!
Ours too! Thanks for watching😁
Keaton is my favorite all time but much love to Conroy and Pattinson
I agree with you
Kilmer is underrated
I totally agree with this list and I really hope that Pattinson really explores the Bruce Wayne persona more into 2 because in my opinion he’s the most comic accurate version of Batman. I’ve seen on screen because you finally get to see the detective side of the character But yeah, Kevin Conroy is just Batman all around anytime. I read a comic I always think of his voice when reading it
We always hear Conroy and Hamill when Batman and Joker are on the panel🐐🐐
@@comiclads true but I never really look at animation and live action in the same light and as much as I love, DC animation people look at live action and that’s typically how they’ll perceive that character because there’s so many people that don’t know about the animation or think of it for kids and stuff like that it’s getting a little better as time goes on and people are looking at it more but people really get their perspective on the character from the live action movies a lot of time or pull shit out of comics that they never read
Christian Bale was no doubt the best Batman/Bruce Wyane in live action. Bale showed many personalities of both Batman and Bruce Wyane that no other actor has, especially the don't thank me side. Batman doesn't like it when people tell him thank you. He's also not as stoic like some people claim. Batman has his emotions and struggles and Bale showed the most of that. From what I have seen, Pattinson could be a close second. I love the detective side Robert shows with his version. There's more to the character than just his intimidation level, fighting skills and no kill rule. And so far, Bale nails all of that.
I'm okay with Pattinson's Batman, but his Bruce Wayne looks and acts like Bill Hader playing Stefon.
I will put some respect on Adam West's Batman. The portrayal is hilarious, and i love the classic show. That's always my go-to arkham knight suit
Such a good time, and the Arkham Knight suit is incredible
My favorite always has been Christian Bale, but when I saw Battinson😂 it's a tie for me
Kevin Conroy, Bale, West, Keaton, Kilmer, Pattinson, Clooney
Pattinson is the best as Batman, I just struggle with such a big departure for Bruce Wayne. Bale is the opposite problem where he's a perfect Bruce Wayne, but I'm not in love with his Batman. If pressed for an answer, I'd probably give it to Bale.
favorite liveaction batman is Adam West and Robert Patterson
West, Kilmer,Affleck, Bales, Pattinson Keaton, Clooney
I'm surprised Val Kilmer is so high, but then again I haven't seen Batman Forever in like 20 years so maybe I should rewatch.
Between Robin, Jim Carrey Riddler, and Two-Face there was must so much going on I probably wasn't even paying much attention to Batman.
What are we considering when it comes to what makes a great Batman? Because if we're talking comic accuracy, Kilmer and Clooney are actually pretty comic accurate. Ben Affleck is much more bitter, brutal, and jaded compared to how he's typically portrayed and some of his beliefs in BvS kinda match up with Jason and Damian, like the belief that criminals had their chance and deserve to be punished, sometimes even with death. Michael Keaton's Batman feels like he's actively looking for a fight at times, didn't treat the Joker like a threat until he learned he killed his parents, and he killed at least 2 Penguin henchmen. His Bruce Wayne is also more eccentric and anxious than the typically suave playboy we see in the comics while his Batman is more quiet and kills people at times. Adam West's take on the character, even for the time, was much more lighthearted. Battinson is a lot ruder to Alfred, his Bruce Wayne persona is a lot more reclusive like Keaton's, there is very little distinguishing Bruce Wayne from Batman, and he's more low tech. Finally, Christian Bale is less grim and his motivations are more connected to his romances with him being more committed to the women in his life than he is to being Batman.
I think Batfleck had the chance to evolve into the most comic accurate version of the character if the DCEU wasn't a massive flop and I think Battinson also has the potential to give us a more accurate portrayal of Bruce Wayne, but despite the reception of the Kilmer and Clooney films, those are probably the most accurate to the characters, Bat Credit Card and all.
Obviously though, Kevin Conroy beats them all, he's Batman.
A voice actor beating actual actors ??? The actors spend sometimes months making a film,most have to get into some type of shape for movies.Work tirelessly on stunts and fight scenes,voice actors can tape their voices from home,no effort.
@@kerry-j4m it's not that deep
My picks are Kevin Conroy and Christan Bale.
If you put Adam west down a few (like after Keaton) then this is literally my list
Something I’ve been saying is, the actors they’ve picked for Marvel, have been near perfect. Like it’s hard to picture Tony Stark as anyone but Robert Downey Jr. But I don’t think we’ve gotten that for like, Batman characters. I don’t think there’s been a person who has done a perfect portrayal of Bruce and Alfred for example. They’ve done really good, but each one has done something differently and that’s not bad. But I don’t look at Christian Bale and think “That’s Batman.” For example
i would swap Keaton and Kilmer but aside from that perfect list
It could be the worst day of my life, but hating on Affleck’s Batman always makes me feel better 🥹
(And my favorite is Pattinson, because his Batman is threaded with Gotham so tightly, that you can see what the symbol means on an essential level)
The 80s to 90s Batman is the same Batman just recasted 3 times
Finally some respect on the Goat Christian Bale. way Too many ppl Cry about "The suit is to Samurai" "Hes too skinny" "Hes a weak Batman" Na Bale is the only batman that is actually grouded and comic accurate, (pattinson is incredible as well)
Conroy, Bale and Pattinson are my favourites too.
Id switch 1 and 2 but the rest i agree with.
Adam West second to last even tho I love that type of Batman and I grew up on those reruns . Clooney and Affleck is the only bad one imo .
Batman Returns Keaton for me, even with the killing. The suit he has is great he has fun toys and that batmobile 👍 thank you for shouting out to Conroy as well. Good to see Val Kilmer get some appreciation, he does get lost in his own movie sometimes.
Keaton Batmobile has got to be one of the best live-action batmobiles of all time🔥 With a few tweaks, Val Kilmer definitely could’ve gone done in history 😔🦇
I liked batfleck but despised that stupid flat chunky thing he drove around @@comiclads
My personal favorite on screen Batman is Christian Bale. He brought something to that role that was so different than any actor before and he always played the role with this fire and rage. Then I personally think he’s had the best live action Batman suits too! I respect and lowkey agree with y’all’s opinion about Affleck. Because of Snyder fanboys and one amazing fight scene people have hailed Affleck’s Batman as the best Batman ever when there’s an argument he’s not even top 5. The most blasphemous take though is putting Kilmer and West over Keaton. I think Keaton played the role really well and again he brought that “it” factor to the character that Kilmer or West didn’t (sorry to any old heads in here). Also I love how serious Keaton played the role so I completely disagree about him just being himself in those two movies. Other than that one scene in Vicki’s house what other moment did he act like Beetlegeuse? I respect y’all’s opinions though 🫡🫡
Which all actors do you think is capable of playing the Adam West type of Batman?
The dark night trilogy one is my favorite
Currently for me its pattinson, I loved affleck in his first appearance as batman. But I think he lost track of what the character was suppose to he in the later movies. Bale first incarnation of batman in batman begins gets the more tactlie, strategic angles of batman, but giving a hot take. That most of bales batman movies were carried by its villains acting not by bale himself. Keaton I think understood the assignment I just think the writing is a little too cartoony to take serious as a real life adaption.
10:59 no Adam West and Ben Affleck were both some of the most faithful. He wasnt accurate to batman of that era though. The silver age of that era.
I actually think this list is based as fuck. You guys explained your points well. I agree with all the rankings after hearing your arguments.
Also this bit from one of the WB shows is great. I used to always say "The best live action Batman." Because we had to give Conroy is credit as the best. With the below, he plays an alternate universe broken Batman/Bruce Wayne. So he is the best Batman of animated and live action.
ua-cam.com/video/e-S8RoIPw5A/v-deo.htmlsi=CSLD3LUnla1bOnCT
We need to see a live action adaptation of the batman from all star batman and robin boy wonder, would be hilarious
We can’t speak this idea into existence😭💀
To me Val Kilmer is the best Bruce Wayne. I remember having a video cassette of Batman forever and Batman and robin. And even I as a 4 yr old kid knew Val was better than Clooney… wish he got more movies as Batman
Pattison's batman has a really good atmosphere and vibe. But his bruce wayne is kinda mid
His Bruce needs some more cooking time, for sure
I think they'll develop the Bruce Wayne side of his character in a sequel.
can you link the music that Ur using? it's so good!
You guys should watch the Batman Forever Red Book Edition cut.
Yeah that’s the cut with the giant metaphysical bat, right? Awesome scene
Do you think Richard Madden should play Batman in James Gunn DC projects in the DCU since he is the youngest of all the possible actors to play Batman?
Its been years and people..including many "DC/Batman" fans STILL don't properly understand /intetpret what Zack Snyder did or tried to portray with Batfleck. These people unfortunately shoot themselves in the foot when they try to put Bman/Bruce into a box because they think he's this stagnant character.
Bro Michael Keaton is so good
Affleck is my number 1 and Pattinson is my number 2
Listen, it may be campy, but Adam West's interpretation was so good in my opinion. It has that goofiness from that age in the comics and even so, you could believe that Adam was acting as that Bruce Wayne/Batman would. He had a good-natured but a little smug tone as Bruce, a slower, more calculated tone as Batman, and anytime Robin, Alfred, or Aunt Harriet was in danger, you could feel his panic, his worry. Overall, he was a great Batman and his portrayal will be missed.