ROTTEN TOMATOES: Total Recall: It's the Bat! Comments

Total Recall: It's the Bat!

by Tim Ryan and Alex Vo | July 16, 2008

Summary

With The Dark Knight dropping this Friday, evacuating America of its pent-up superhero demand like teenage timebombs, Rotten Tomatoes is exploring the storied theatrical history of Batman. Back to Article

(1-53 of 53 posts) | Reply

NEO-NOIR2X2 writes:
on Jul 16 2008 06:26 PM

WOW its amazing looking back at the many "BATMAN" films that has graced the big screen. Out of all of these Batman classics and flops (Batman & Robin) my favorite one will have to be definitly BATMAN RETURNS that was such a great movie Tim Burton did a bang up job with this sequel. It captured the dark and errie atmosphere of Gotham City and who can forget Michelle Pieffer as Catwoman I know I cant. Oh and thanks Rottentomatoes for including the animated film BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM that ranks among my list of the best Batman films but of course on July 18th The Dark Knight Iam sure will be my all time favorite Batman film.

(Reply to this)

CaptainFalcon writes:
on Jul 16 2008 07:28 PM

Epic.

(Reply to this)

Some guy you dont know writes:
on Jul 16 2008 07:44 PM

Wow 12 Batman movies... And not one Flash, Wonder Woman, Lobo, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, Aquaman or Green Airow movie. Way to be a team player, Batman.

(Reply to this)

Ice Monkey writes:
on Jul 16 2008 08:18 PM

Heh, I remember when I was 5 and Batman and Robin was mind-blowing. 10 years later, I think it is terrible. Batman Begins is the best one of course. Until The Dark Knight comes out that is.

(Reply to this)

tuswraith writes:
on Jul 16 2008 08:19 PM

So goood......I'm just appalled at Batman and Robin........and Batman Forever.......who thought Joel Schumacher could ever do a good job?

(Reply to this)

Wallcloud writes:
on Jul 16 2008 08:42 PM

Tim Burton's Batman is the most iconic cuz the dark superhero had not been done before that so I LOVE everything about Batman and Batman Returns - can't wait to see TDK tho!!

(Reply to this)

duckmanx88 writes:
on Jul 16 2008 09:49 PM

honestly these were all just not good, except of course for batmanbegins and mash of the phastam w/e. i watched the cartoon and found it to be pretty good it's just the animation felt dated. but honestly, i didn't like tim burtons movies. i used to. but they fail epicly in comparison with batman begins.

(Reply to this)

Zeppelin047 writes:
on Jul 16 2008 10:01 PM

the batman movies and the cartoon provided me alot of entertainment when i was growing up in the 90's. I was 7 when Batman Forever came out and at the time, that was the biggest thing ever and i loved that movie. The cartoon was also amazing and i watched it as often as i could, thank you for reminding me that Mask of Phantasm existed, i remember really enjoying that movie. Batman and Batman Returns were not that memorable for me at the time, cause well frankly those damn penguins scared me when i was 6 or whenever i watched it for the first time.

(Reply to this)

KingSigy writes:
on Jul 16 2008 11:11 PM

I remember seeing Mask of the Phantasm when I was about 6. I was scared since it was definitely more violent than the TV series. It was an awesome movie though and was crazy with how it showed the cops chasing Batman for half of it.

(Reply to this)

PlanBFromOuterSpace writes:
on Jul 16 2008 11:16 PM

As horrible as "Batman and Robin" was, the commentary on the DVD is pretty fascinating. Schumacher rightfully accepts part of the blame for the flick, but he also gives a pretty good explanation of how pretty much EVERYONE at Warner Brothers was out their minds when it came to what to do with the movie, as it seemed to exist solely for the purpose of selling merchandise, which explains the dozens of costume changes, the 48,000 new characters, and why everything in the movie looked like it could be made into a toy.

Having not seen the movie since it's theatrical release, I can honestly say that I didn't remember like 80% of it or so when I finally saw it again on DVD when the Batman Legacy set came out a few years back.

In the movie's defense (OK, not really), I still think that Clooney could have been a decent Batman. It's just that the movie wasn't even ABOUT Batman. He would have been alright in any of the previous installments...

(Reply to this)

buttamack writes:
on Jul 16 2008 11:45 PM

69 percent for BATMAN? Really? That is kind of surprising. I thought that was the best "super hero" movie until Spider-Man (and subsequently, X2, Spider-Man, Batman Begins and Iron Man) came out. Well My favorite Batmans are in this order

Batman Begins
Batman
Batman Mask of the Phantasm
Batman Returns
Batman Forever
Batman (Adam West)
Batman and Robin

and on a side note, that planned 4th sequel would have been trash. The title alone makes me sick!

(Reply to this)

digi writes:
on Jul 17 2008 02:44 AM

In reply to this comment (#1881112)
yes batman returns was awesome. not to mention the first batman,too.

(Reply to this)

duonayoyo writes:
on Jul 17 2008 04:33 AM

I read the related news at free inter-racial dating club ' blackwhitefriends.com' where thousands of new members to join daily to meet dream date. Many sexy girls are discussing it and wanna seek for good man

(Reply to this)

mightyfooda writes:
on Jul 17 2008 05:22 AM

Joel Shumacher, what the hell was up with Batman and Robin?? I think that The Dark Knight will be far and away the best, but I do love the old Tim Burton ones and anything to do with the Animated Series.
The thing that drives me nuts is how people are fawning over these new comic books movies, being so different and full of new ideas, like the way they are portraying the Joker. When in reality this is the way that the comics have been for years and how the characters have been in the books. Don't praise guys like Nolan, Favreau and Raimi for thinking of "new ways of telling a superhero story", praise them for actually telling the stories they were told in the comics!! That's why the ones that are great lately are great is because the source material was great and they were being true too it, and I think that all 3 of those guys did a great job of doing that.
Anyone who doesn't believe me should read the Killing Joke by Alan Moore Frank Miller's the Dark Knight Returns and Batman Year one.

(Reply to this)

Sly Shaitan writes:
on Jul 17 2008 06:04 AM

I think that the Batman movies have very much been reflection of the times they were made in. The same thing is true for the other film franchise that spans over four decades - James Bond. Once again, we see a transition from a good (well great actually - Sean Connery the best Bond hands and all other limbs down) start to a campy mid term to a bold new beginning with a darker and more realistic tone. And in this sense, these movies are increasingly becoming an actor centric affairs as opposed to solely effects driven flicks, which I think is a very good thing.

(Reply to this)

fullmetalnek writes:
on Jul 17 2008 07:13 AM

Awesome list guys!!!! I love the 1966 movie. The scene where Adam West tries to get rid of a bomb is so hilarious; one of my all time favorites!!!

I'm seeing TDK tonight!! yay!!! Greatest thing about living in a latin-american left-winged third world country is that big premiers are on thursdays!!!! Can't Wait!!!!

(Reply to this)

opTIMus Nerd writes:
on Jul 17 2008 08:22 AM

Man o man, I have blocked out most of my memories of 'Batman & Robin' the movie is so terrible that I can't even watch it MST3K style because it just hurts. 'Batman Forever' is also painful but at least is semi-watchable ESPECIALLY in comparison to 'Batman & Robin.' Though I agree with Plan B above that Clooney could've been a good Batman had the series maintained any style or script and so on.

(Reply to this)

Zed'sDead writes:
on Jul 17 2008 09:20 AM

I thought Batman Forever was ok...Tommy Lee Jones' and Chris O'Donnell's poor, poor acting killed that movie. And to think that he has an Oscar... But I will testify to how great Batman Returns was...great acting, action, and villains. Plus Pee Wee Herman was in it!

(Reply to this)

Scorpio82 writes:
on Jul 17 2008 09:22 AM

Man, look at Sega CD Batman waste that thing with the axe! The live-action film versions are never that bad-***!

(Reply to this)

~*Admiral Snowstorm*~ writes:
on Jul 17 2008 09:28 AM

You know Saitan, that's a pretty apt comparison. I never thought of it like that.

(Reply to this)

crossouttheD writes:
on Jul 17 2008 09:50 AM

I hated the animation in the cartoon TV series. Gotham Knight is the best Batman animation i've ever seen, you should check that out, its very,very good. I highly recommend it.

(Reply to this)

mattchew86 writes:
on Jul 17 2008 10:50 AM

i loved the michael keaton films. it dissapoints me to see such low scores for them. but MOTP was amazing!! tim burton did an amzing job with the character, and the series. and batman begins is sweet too. i hope the dark knight will be good. i have really high hopes for it....

(Reply to this)

headbanger32894@hotmail.c writes:
on Jul 17 2008 11:38 AM

I went to The Dark Knight world premiere on Monday, but am seeing it again tomorrow. It was too great of a film not to see one or more times.

(Reply to this)

headbanger32894@hotmail.c writes:
on Jul 17 2008 11:41 AM

All the hype everyone has is worth it. Trust me, this film will live up to your expectations...and MORE. It was a brilliant film. Ledger's performance was disturbing...in a good way, if you know what I mean. Everyone did such a great job. I love all these Batman films except Batman Forever and Batman and Robin. The Dark Knight is my favorite Batman film.

(Reply to this)

theperfect3rd writes:
on Jul 17 2008 11:53 AM

Okay so here's my comment. Nolan is a GOD!

(Reply to this)

theperfect3rd writes:
on Jul 17 2008 11:54 AM

okay maybe not a GOD but he's pretty cool. I hope we see the Riddler in the next one. They can really do a great story for him.

(Reply to this)

ginsu writes:
on Jul 17 2008 12:38 PM

Im glad theyre remaking Dark Knight. the Frank Miller comic is the real work of art that made Batman hip again. Wish he directed the new one but whatever. Spirit should kick azzzz.

the only Batman flick Ive enjoyed thus far is the 60s Batman: the movie. love the surreal psychedelic fun. if you hate it, you dont get it. its your loss. that movie is CLASSIC.

(Reply to this)

Warheart1188 writes:
on Jul 17 2008 04:16 PM

Uhg, I just saw the trailers for the Bat-flicks on the Reelz Network and I must say, I don't know why people saw Batman and Robin judging by this trailer. I saw it because it's Batman. I do believe that Nolan's Batman is what we've been waiting for. Batman Begins was fantastic and in 24 hours, I'll be seeing TDK in IMAX.

(Reply to this)

Warheart1188 writes:
on Jul 17 2008 04:18 PM

In reply to this comment (#1884333)
They're not remaking anything with this new movie.

(Reply to this)

JohnnyJonJon writes:
on Jul 17 2008 05:21 PM

There is no greater experience than watching Adam West's Batman movie while drunk!

(Reply to this)

JohnnyJonJon writes:
on Jul 17 2008 05:22 PM

Oh wait, I can think of a better one... excuse me while I "have a word" with my woman!

(Reply to this)

E. Freezy writes:
on Jul 17 2008 06:12 PM

Tim Burton is a freakin' genius...I absolutely love his depiction of Gotham City in all it's Gothic beauty. Batman Begins would have to come in a close second next to Batman 89'. I love the brooding character Bale plays almost as much as Keaton's take on Batman.

(Reply to this)

RawIsRamsey writes:
on Jul 18 2008 01:05 AM

Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb.

Best line ever.

(Reply to this)

martinscorsese25 writes:
on Jul 18 2008 09:31 AM

just watched the dark knight...

what a movie!!! it is really a best pivture type of film..

(Reply to this)

Pickie writes:
on Jul 18 2008 02:43 PM

In reply to this comment (#1881258)
Batman didn't choose to be in 12 movies, the producers did.

(Reply to this)

Valandil08 writes:
on Jul 18 2008 04:35 PM

In reply to this comment (#1881258)
Ice Monkey, the film also came out when I was about 5, and for a couple years, it was my favorite movie. Now, however, it's last.

(Reply to this)

omelette writes:
on Jul 19 2008 03:24 AM

Batman movies, my favorite to least favorite (keep in mind that I haven't seen any of the animated films or the 1966 one):

1. The Dark Knight (LOVED it)
2. Batman Begins (loved it)
3. Batman Returns (loved it)
4. Batman (loved it)

...and then there's a gigantic drop in quality...

5. Batman Forever (it's barely okay)
6. Batman & Robin (hated it)

(Reply to this)

Testicular_Cancer writes:
on Jul 19 2008 12:41 PM

I would've liked to have seen the two 1940s serials mentioned, although I can see why they weren't. They were also children of their time, and the first serial, "Batman," produced in the midst of WWII, is loaded with hair-raising racism against the Japanese. The ludicrous cliffhangers and sloppy production (at one point Batman draws back his cape to reveal a HUGE acetylene torch rig tucked into his pocketless belt that obviously wasn't there earlier) may have been inspiration for the Adam West TV series. (The second serial, "Batman & Robin," is somewhat more polished and free of racial content.)

For all that, the serials deserve a little respect, for without them, the Batcave may never have come to be; the comic-book version was based on the serial's original creation. And the first serial's Alfred is fun as the way-over-the-top comic relief (replaced by a far more serious character in the second serial).

Ten years or so before the Adam West series, MAD Magazine ran "Bat Boy And Rubin," a parody that has so much in common in both content (our heroes lose momentum while swinging around the city--you see, Bat Boy had a can of momentum in his utility belt, but dropped it) and appearance (right down to Rubin's flesh-colored leggings!) that I can only assume it was ALSO a major inspiration for the show. (Not to be confused with MAD's parody of the show itself, "Bats-Man.")

(Reply to this)

mark marrone writes:
on Jul 19 2008 03:03 PM

I will always like Batman

(Reply to this)

Rio14 writes:
on Jul 19 2008 08:48 PM

After seeing the Dark Knight Batman always needs help. Whether from Gordan, Fox or the wisdom of old Al, he needs help. This movie proved to me that he has weaknesses and they need to bring in Robin. Not the yellow tighted pants one, but the follower that Batman needs to influence. A dark revengeful character that brings the story to a whole new level. Robin would be the best thing for the third film as long as he's dark, strong, modern, and compliments Nolan's great perspective of these films. Also he would be the perfect addition to end the trilogy as well as bring in the Penguin, The mansion w/ Batcave, the Batwing, and even sneak in the Riddler. And i pray after the Halle Berry catwoman movie never bring that character into the story ever.

the end

(Reply to this)

RETyrant writes:
on Jul 20 2008 04:19 AM

The Dark Knight is a crime masterpiece! (To read my review, click here.

It seems that people dislike Tim Burton's view of Batman be cause it's "too dark" or more oddly "too weird". I think people just like to be spoon-fed BS hollywood drivel which causes them to produce crap like Batman & Robin. Open your mind and expand your horizons - try something new. The Burton movies may seem weird, but if you gave them a chance you would see that they're actually great.

My Top 5 Live Action Batman Films:
1. The Dark Knight
2. Batman Begins
3. Batman (1989)
4. Batman Returns
5. Batman (1966)

(Reply to this)

RETyrant writes:
on Jul 20 2008 04:21 AM

In reply to this comment (#1899761)
I messed up the HTML. My review for The Dark Knight: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=311458351&blogID=416402346

(Reply to this)

ninja13 writes:
on Jul 20 2008 02:56 PM

I like the 1966 Adam West one way more than the Tim Burton ones.
I've never seen the mask of the phantasm but would like to.
My order of the ones I've seen all of wold be:
Batman Begins(87%)
Batman the movie(80%)
Batman(78%)
Batman Forever(39%)
Batman & Robin(15%)

(Reply to this)

kap2310 writes:
on Jul 20 2008 11:08 PM

I can't believe Joel Schumacher almost single-handedly killed the Batman movie franchise. Thank God for Chris Nolan and Batman Begina!

(Reply to this)

BlueLineKing7 writes:
on Jul 21 2008 02:30 AM

The Dark Knight really blows every superhero movie out of the water, even the other Batman films. If I was ranking my favs it would go something like this:

1. The Dark Knight - Has forever changed the way people will look at comic hero movies!
2.Batman 89' - I remember watching this in theaters when I was 6 years old. I thought it was great then, and I can watch it today and think its still great.
3. Batman - Although Burt Ward and Adam West were so very tongue-and-cheeky, its filled with memorable 1-liners and really was a good movie to watch and enjoy.
4. Batman Returns - Even darker than Burton's 1st installment, it was really at the time what I had always thought Batman and his villians should be more like.

I didnt add in Batman Begins or Mask of the Phantasm mainly because I have only seen both once, and couldnt clearly give you what I consider a 'real' review. I will say, Id have Batman Begins #2 overall on my list, but that will take a 2nd viewing to make sure.

(Reply to this)

Shatter24 writes:
on Jul 21 2008 07:45 AM

In reply to this comment (#1883526)
I guess this is where I respectfully disagree. I love the Batman animated series animation and hate most of the different styles in Batman Gotham Knight. I suppose its a matter of taste.

(Reply to this)

Derbeste writes:
on Jul 21 2008 08:29 AM

Odds and ends thoughts and personal rankings....

1. TDK...just...duh. Not just the best Batman, but one of the best MOVIES ever made (and I'm usually a Marvel fan).

2. Batman begins...once again....duh. It was the Batman everyone wanted to be made but everyone seemed afraid to grapple.

3. Return of the Joker....The first Batman that truly portrayed what a sadistic psychopath, the Joker, is really capable of. It the first Batman flick that I felt could truly be called "disturbing" (if only mildly). Plus, I have a soft spot for animation and Mark Hamils interpretation (yes...even over Nicholsons) which brings me too....

4. Mask of the Phantasm.....It could portray things no live action Batman could at the time. Plus once again, Mark Hamil's Joker is the best portrayal to that point (only Ledger's can say it is better imo).

5. Batman Forever.....Ok..I have a soft spot here too. Yes it was campy and anything but DARK, but I was 13 and it was one of the few movies I had ever been to up to that point as I was living in Germany. And as you may remember, most preteens were in love with Jim Carrey who really stole the show. I STILL chuckle when I recall the line "That will never heal if you don't quick picking." Comedy gold.

6. Batman returns....I was quite young and didn't really get it, but I do remember liking the Catwoman.

7. Batman....I really need to go watch this again. I know i've seen it, but I was WAY to young to understand it.

8. Batman Begins.....I shudder that I am even mentioning this film. And this is from someone that ENJOYED Batman Forever. This is the movie even NON Batman fans want to forget if they ever saw it. It ended a franchise. It ended careers.

If you read all that, you must really like me. That's good. I need the validation only the Internet can bring. ;-)

(Reply to this)

Ccook writes:
on Jul 21 2008 09:44 AM

I watched about five minutes of "Batman & Robin" on TNT yesterday. Five minutes I will never get back.

I digress, "The Dark Knight" is worthy of its high marks. More a morality play than a comic book movie, and nothing more I can add to Heath Ledger's incredible Joker performance.

(Reply to this)

donwillymoisangry writes:
on Jul 22 2008 11:39 AM

Okay, so this is the way it's going to be. Jack Nicholson the best joker there is/was/and ever will be! Everybody's like Ledger's Joker is more serious and darker and demented. AND JACK WASN'T!? Could they have made someone more demented especially in the early 90s? Ledger was good, yes, I'll admit but Jack was pratically born and bred for the Joker role. Look at his freakin face! His smile alone is the Joker. Okay Ledger's dead but that doesn't mean it adds value to his roles. All of you better respect your elder's because TRADITION RULES! TM One final thought for you young'ns, Nolan had all the previous batmans to follow when he made his movies so it wasn't like he was the first and had to develop the character from stratch like burton had to do, he saw the pros and cons from the previous Batman's and had that to his advantage. BALES BAT GROWL SUCKS! HE SOUNDS LIKE HE'S TAKING A DUMP!

(Reply to this)

joeovip writes:
on Jul 23 2008 01:25 PM

Wow! that was amazing! LOL! THE SHARK THING, just killed me! Movie�s obviously have progress in the these 40 years, but do you think that the batman movien in 40 years will be even more darker or heavy than the actual "batman dark night"...

(Reply to this)

Chelsea B. writes:
on Jul 25 2009 10:43 PM

Christian Bale is definitely the SEXIEST batman so far, and now that the dark knights out i can honestly say its my all time favorite. heath ledger will always haunt me (:

(Reply to this)

Chelsea B. writes:
on Jul 25 2009 10:44 PM

Christian Bale is definitely the SEXIEST batman so far, and now that the dark knights out i can honestly say its my all time favorite. heath ledger will always haunt me (:

(Reply to this)

Chelsea B. writes:
on Jul 25 2009 10:55 PM

to donwillymoisangry, (love the name btw lol) i see what you mean. both ledger and nicholson were incredibly dark. i think there are a few reasons everyone sees ledger's as darker: first, TDK, in general, WAS a much darker movie than Batman. Batman had romance and humor, while TDK was basically bombs, rachel dies, and 3 great men are corrupted and broken down. so the atmosphere makes ledgers role 10X more sinister. second, nicholson's joker stabbed people with feather quills and sprayed gotham with killer gas. creepy, but not too realistic. ledger's joker was blowing up buildings, pitting people against each other, and pushing batman's limits to their breaking point. and third, nicholson never gives reasons for what he's doing. there are no dark, bitter speeches given, like ledger's joker had. so with nicholson your not thinking, "man, i hate this guy, but he makes some morbidly valid points" your thinking "man, this guys straight off the loony truck" which is also creepy, but not as satisfying. (:

(Reply to this)

Related Links

The Dark Knight

Related Articles

Most Discussed

Latest News

Latest Interviews

Latest Features

Sponsored Links