I agree about TAS. For films:
Mask of the Phantasm used to be my #1.The reason it fell slightly was because it just doesn't have that full arc of a narrative film. At time it does feel like the direct to video movie it was originally meant to be. That said, it is still brilliant and I usually flip flop between my top two choices.
Virtual tie: 1. Returns 1. Mask of the Phantasm
3. Forever-has it's problems, but I like some of the elements that remained from the original Burton influenced version. And I think Kilmer is possibly the best live action Batman and Bruce Wayne.
4. Batman-still too much of a corporate product and lacking in the depth of Returns.
5. Batman '66-"Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb!" Completely ridiculous satirical look at comics, but I watched this 500 billion times as a kid since the series got pulled into rights hell.
6. Batman Begins-I didn't want another origin story, but I was surprised at how well this one worked. I enjoyed it while it lasted as another version of the character and looked forward to see what would be next.
Actively dislike:
7. The Dark Knight-took all of the elements from the first film I didn't like and did away with any of the one I did. I kept waiting for this film to go somewhere, but it didn't. And this lack of nearly anything somehow gives it the pretense of "importance"? Batman always has well thought out storylines so that even in their most convoluted state they don't seem like random snake pits and double crosses with a random line run through at the end to tie it together. Bad story construction, some editing and sound mixing mistakes, and they didn't know how or where to end the darn thing. IMO a mess. If they had really wanted to make a tortured realistic hero story, just show how Batman never can stop and how Bruce doesn't really exist and that in the end it doesn't really matter if there is such a vigilante. Okay, it's not bad-but it certainly does not in any circumstance deserve its reputation.
8. Batman & Robin-I was tempted to put this at #7. I don't loathe it oddly enough. I saw it theatrically and even as a 7 year old wondered what the heck had happened to the franchise. It's got production values. And some people talking. And some colors. And neon. And ICE! The thing that nagged at me was just how much was simply recycled from Forever: the sets, lighting, costumes, styles, neon, music, setpieces and so on. It is by no means the worst film ever made, but it is just a complete waste of time. An absolute waste, and you will feel disgusted with yourself by the time you finish because you realize you'll never get those two hours back again.
Then there are the other animated "movies". They usually feel just like extended episodes of the animated series. This usually hurts them because they really don't have enough story to pad that 60 minute or so runtime.
1. Return of the Joker uncut. Here's a movie. Not one for kids, but an actual storyline with depth and darkness and is not one you've seen before as a Batman fan. Really well done. And go for the Uncut edition. (now on Blu! Hah!) It has killings, deaths, and stuff deemed too intense for the kiddies. The Joker was not pleased.
2. The Batman versus Dracula. I tried this one on a longshot. What can I say? I'm a sucker for decent animated superheroes. The anime influenced designs work for creating a different Gotham, but what surprised me is storyline didn't suck. For example, there is a scene where BATMAN MUST FIGHT THE JOKER (WHO HAS BECOME A VAMPIRE) IN A DARKENED BLOODBANK WHERE HE CONSTANTLY FEEDS ON ALL OF THE BLOOD SUPPLY TO MAKE HIMSELF STRONGER! If that doesn't whet your appetite... Yeah, the story can be pretty cheesy at times but it is for kids after all. And there is a bit stolen from Son of Dracula. A nice find in a dollar bin.
3. Subzero. TAS Mr. Freeze is a brilliant creation, but this story really stays on ice. Gets tepid after a short time.
4. Mystery of the Batwoman. Can anybody say a random series episode that got extended for no apparent reason?
And the 40's serials! Okay, I haven't seen them. They're supposed to be pretty bad.
