Well, I’ve just re-evaluated all the Batman films, and I’ve come up with a new list, quite different from my older one.
- Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993): 9/10
It’s only real problem are that it feels a little rushed, probably as a result of keeping in a 70-80 minite runtime, and it’s pacing suffers as a result. - Batman (1989): 7/10
Very fun, Keaton and Nicholson are perfectly cast, and it has a great visual asthetic, though the plot is a little muddy, and I feel Bruce Wayne’s character could have been developed more (e.g. when he has that outburst to the Joker, it feels out of character compared to what we’ve seen of him so far). - Batman: The Movie (1966): 7/10
The plot is pretty stupid, and the acting is hammy, but that’s what it’s meant to be. The film tries to be an entertaining, irreverent watch, and succeeds with flying colours. - Batman Begins (2005): 7/10
Best of the Nolan trilogy, though sometimes it’s more silly elements (Scarecrow gas, hallucinogenic tea), gets in the way of the gritty, realistic route the rest of the film takes, and Katie Holmes is more than questionable. - Batman Returns (1992): 6/10
Though the tone suffers throughout, and the Penguin is pretty lame, Burton’s direction is great, and Max Shreck and Catwoman are entertaining as hell. - The Dark Knight (2008): 6/10
The visuals are quite boring, a little too realistic (if I wanted to see a regular city, I would go into a regular city), the Joker’s plan is completely stupid, he himself is underdeveloped, and the entire thrid act seems forced, but this is still a pretty good watch. - The Dark Knight Rises (2012): 5/10
Numerous plot holes and silly moments that don’t go with the realistic tone, and once more the villains motives are completely contrived, but for every bad moment, there is a good. - Batman Forever (1995): 4/10
Okay visual style, though very over the top, and the plot is extremely silly and stupid, though Val Kilmer’s Bruce is fairly interesting, and has a nice arc. - Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016): 3/10
Very poor. Stupid character decisions, poor direction, overload of CGI, tacked on story elements, and a horrendous ending. Characters are also very boring. - Batman and Robin (1997): 2/10
It’s sort of fun during the over the top action sequences, but otherwise it’s just plain bad.
What a change in opinion.