Ranked lists on Batman are always fun, but what about the man behind the mask? So many have criticized and compared the various Batman performances of actors over the years, yet so few look to the Bruce Wayne portion. Batman, while awesome, is rather one-dimensional compared to the headspace one has to have to play Bruce Wayne. From worst to best, here's a definitive ranking of the best Bruce Wayne performances based on the actors who played him in live action cinema.
6. George ClooneyGeorge Clooney's fleeting performance as Batman has never gotten a lot of love, and I can't say his performance as Bruce Wayne is any better. Sure, he's got the good looks, but there's not much else to love about Clooney's Wayne. His public persona is rather lacking, as evidenced by his television interview in Batman & Robin that he stumbled through in what feels like a Jeff Goldblum impersonation?
Now I know the scenes between George Clooney's Wayne and Michael Gough's Alfred have some appeal, but that's more a product of Gough's acting than anything. Most of the emotional weight in the scenes comes from Gough's delivery, while Clooney's Wayne has this smug smirk on his face seemingly inappropriate for a man so mentally scarred by the death of his parents that he's been driven to vigilantism. Without question, he's the gold standard for how not to play Bruce Wayne.
5. Adam WestThere's an argument that can be made that the late Adam West may be the best Bruce Wayne of them all, but that's not the case here. West's performance ranks above Clooney because he represents the classic Batman to a "t", and for all the Bat merchandising he did create he never went to the bank and got a credit card in his name.
Here's the thing though, Adam West's Bruce Wayne and Batman are practically identical. This makes it impossible to tell if the man is always on as Batman, or as Bruce Wayne. If it's the latter, then it's a damn good performance and worthy of a higher ranking on this list. Without a clear way of knowing, however, he's gonna have to hang out near the bottom with George Clooney.
4. Michael KeatonMichael Keaton's Bruce Wayne, while leagues above the aforementioned performances, is still somewhat lacking compared to the three above him. Keaton's Wayne has the brooding and anger down well enough, but can never really break out of that shell into the deeper personas of Bruce Wayne. He couldn't even chill out long enough to have an honest conversation with Vicki, and ended up shoving her and telling her to "shut up."
In truth, Michael Keaton's Bruce is perfect for the actual Bruce. It's a fine persona to have in the presence of Alfred, but a bit more problematic when dealing with the general public. After all, if the town's billionaire is always acting tough and staring down supervillains out of costume, people might put two and two together as to who he really is. It worked for Keaton's films, but is far from a perfect performance as Bruce Wayne.
3. Val KilmerBatman Forever may be one of the lesser films of the franchise, but Val Kilmer's performance as Bruce Wayne was actually pretty solid. While the actor could never reach the same level of acclaim for the Batman portrayal of his predecessor, Kilmer struck a better balance between Wayne in private and Wayne in public than Keaton ever could.
The public persona of Kilmer's Wayne is best showcased when he first met Edward Nygma. The professional nature, the boss-like attitude, the smile on his face despite his clear annoyance, that's the Bruce he puts out there for people to see. Conversely, the argument with Robin in the Batcave is much more unrestrained and more honest. Kilmer never quite reaches the intensity or sadness of the character, however, so I can only give him so much credit.
2. Ben AffleckThere are certainly shades of Michael Keaton's performance in Ben Affleck's Bruce Wayne, but he saves that for Alfred or people that piss him off. He's capable of playing the billionaire Playboy rather well, but equally as capable of letting his gruff, no-nonsense personality show on a dime. The party scene between Clark and Bruce in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a great showcase of this, and exemplified the difference between Keaton and Affleck's Wayne.
The conversation started with Affleck trying to quickly end things with who he thinks is just some journalist. He cracked a joke to justify his attention to Diana, which falls in line with his playboy persona. Once Clark started taking shots at Gotham and Batman though, Bruce flips the script and let him know he didn't know what he was talking about. It's a brilliant scene that should have everyone crossing their fingers he'll return to the role.
1. Christian BaleWas there ever any question Christian Bale would top the list? His performance may have an unfair advantage considering he had three films to build his Bruce Wayne persona, but honestly, Batman Begins featured plenty of evidence he understood Batman's secret identity from the jump. The plot presented a clear understanding that Bruce must maintain a certain public persona to keep from arousing suspicion about his life as Batman and executed it perfectly with the hotel scene.
Christian Bale's performance doesn't just take the #1 spot for publicly displaying his extreme wealth and fake carefree persona either. Bale's Bruce almost appeared to be having fun, which ground to a halt after a chance reunion with Rachel Dawes. Bruce tried to keep the act up, but eventually dropped it and tried to show more of his true self to his old friend. It's the epitome of what it means to play Bruce Wayne, thus deserving of the top spot.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, of course, so those with different ideas on where each Bruce Wayne falls and whether Bale's performance surpasses even that of DC Comics' vision should share their thoughts in the comments below. For more on Batman, be sure to check in on the latest news regarding Matt Reeves' solo film by visiting and bookmarking our what we know so far guide.
Will There Be Any More 'X-Men' Movies After 'Dark Phoenix'? With Disney now in possession of the "X-Men" property, the franchise's future is uncertain Phil Owen | June 8, 2019 @ 12:53 PM
X-Men 5: What's the future of the X-Men franchise after Dark
A film about pop cultural references? This has to be Doug and Rob's dream! Find out if Spielberg's latest adventure, Ready Player One soars into a new reality. Go to our Store for Awesome Stuff
Yes, James Wan Is Nervous About Aquaman Competing With Mary
This week we discuss the Netflix original Triple Frontier from director J.C. Chandor starring Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal, Garrett Hedlund, Adria Arjona, and the rest of
Triple Frontier (film) - Wikipedia
'Midnight Texas' Finale: Boss Talks Switching Up That Sexy Ending and Cueing the Danger Up for Season 2 Her love interest Bobo (Dylan Bruce) has other ideas though, and realizes that if he
Why A Wrinkle In Time Had To Cut Aunt Beast Out Of The Movie
Following Star Trek Beyond, Star Trek 4 is seemingly in limbo. This uncertainty has been going on for a while now, and according to Doctor Leonard "Bones" McCoy actor Karl Urban, there is still no movement that he is aware of, as he explained. I know nothing about Star Trek, I wish I did… No news, apparently there is no news.
Karl Urban Says Star Trek 4 News Is Still At A Halt
In Disney's "Mary Poppins Returns," an all new original musical and sequel, Mary Poppins is back to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder missing in their lives
It turns out that Jean-Claude Van Damme was allegedly on a lot of cocaine while making Street Fighter. Subscribe To Jean-Claude Van Damme Allegedly Was Coked Out Of His Mind While Filming Street
Jean-Claude Van Damme Was 'Coked Out of His Mind' During
Murder on the Orient Express was a solid hit last year, and that has greenlit a sequel that is building an equally star-studded cast. Subscribe To Armie Hammer Joins Murder On The Orient Express
Armie Hammer Joins Gal Gadot in 'Murder on the Orient Express
Action movies that have the best action scenes of all time! WatchMojo presents the top 10 Movies that have the absolute greatest action sequences ever! But what classic film will take the top spot
The 10 Best Movie Action Sequences Of 2018 - newslanes.com
Notice: Lucasfilm Ltd. strives to foster an inclusive, diverse and safe environment for our fans and we ask the same of our fan community. Fan organizations, websites, blogs, clubs, podcasts, social media accounts, etc. are not owned, endorsed, sponsored, controlled, or in any way affiliated with Lucasfilm Ltd. or The Walt Disney Company, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of
Star Wars Petition Wants Game of Thrones Creators Axed from
Actor Jude Law recently compared the level of secrecy that Marvel Studios demands versus that of the Harry Potter franchise. Law is currently apart of both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Harry Potter franchises, as he's starring in Captain Marvel and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
Jude Law says Marvel security was way more intense than on
watch movie online new south in hindi
watch movie online twilight
watch movie online sanam teri kasam
must watch movie online
dhadak watch movie online dailymotion
fukrey returns full watch movie online
bollywood watch movie online
laung laachi watch movie online
must be love kathniel full movie watch online
god must be crazy full movie watch online
pari watch movie online
zindagi na milegi dobara watch movie online
agnathavasi watch movie online
watch movie online lipstick under my burkha
free watch movie online
force 2 full watch movie online
vikram vedha watch movie online
newton watch movie online
watch movie online app download
geetha govindam watch movie online free
watch movie online youtube
i don't know how she does it movie watch online
watch movie online free
how do you watch movie online
how to watch movie online free
watch why did i get married too movie online free
watch movie online sonchiriya
yuddham saranam movie watch online
watch movie online no sign up
watch movie online querelle
hello watch movie online
watch movie online yeh jawaani hai deewani
watch movie online free streaming
til death do us part watch movie online
watch movie online blackia
watch what's the worst that could happen movie online
kalank watch movie online
malli raava watch movie online
how much gb does it take to watch a movie online
majili watch movie online
watch movie online hichki
watch movie online kis kisko pyaar karoon
watch movie online watch
watch movie online no registration
aiyaary watch movie online
good will hunting watch movie online
love ni bhavai watch movie online
watch movie online crackle
fifty shades freed full watch movie online
chalo watch movie online
watch this is it free online full movie
where to watch sanju movie online
top gun watch movie online
venom watch movie online
watch movie online paid
top 10 watch movie online
watch movie online quiet place
how much gb does it use to watch a movie online
baaghi 2 full movie watch in online
watch what would you do for love movie online free
queen watch movie online
padmavat watch movie online
jab tak hai jaan watch movie online
lkg watch movie online
it watch movie online free
watch i do i did movie online for free
watch movie online indonesia
watch movie online english free
watch movie online asees
watch hindi movie online watch movie online free
watch movie online yamla pagla deewana phir se
online watch movie online
guddiyan patole watch movie online
watch movie online on 123
gully boy watch movie online
ee nagaraniki emaindi watch movie online
kalakalappu 2 watch movie online
watch movie online lucifer malayalam
watch movie online great grand masti
watch movie online uri hindi
gold watch movie online
watch movie online uri the surgical strike
whose life is it anyway movie watch online
#MyDeshFilmidesh #greaselightning #ComedyMovies #deadly #film #tinafey #filmreview #usa #entertainment #nollywoodactress #newmovies #cyalive #america #tgif #meangirls #teencomedy #sunday #watch #Events #slumberparty #nollywoodstar #weddings #pinkladies #Plays #cya #mothersdaygifts #musicals #flix #movies #classic #milanacoco #live #gregoryblair #didiconn #WatchMoviesOnline #canada #newnollywoodmovies #newnollywoodmovie #invite #watchtogether #Filmidesh #grease #summernights #pinkjacket #newnollywood #musical #shugabanmedia #online #Entertainment #Movies #weekendmovies #gomorra #hollywood #Marathi #billoberst #paramount #nollywoodactor #movienightlive #featurefilm #horror #social #LuciferNetflix #dance #nyc #Cast #onj #fun #LuciferSeason4 #thatsofetch #JohnSingleton #watchmoviesonline #thrillflix #movie #mothersday #pinklady #fetch #movielovers
0 comments:
Post a Comment