# Should I watch Batman? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 25, 2005, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607 "2005-01-25T17:01:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/21 "2005-01-25T19:48:49Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > Heh. That’s a better way to put it, **tdn**. Comparing it to AIDS is obviously a bit over the top but I couldn’t think of anything more appropiate at the time. Keep in mind that when I say they were all terrible, that’s my official position. The fact that I still watch them all on occasion is… …uh, research. Yeah, that’s it. But I don’t think your comparison of Batman and Robin to the Black Death is at all inappropriate. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/22 "2005-01-25T19:56:16Z")
If you want a good Batman theatrical release, try _Batman: Mask of the Phantasm_. Or if you don’t mind direct-to-video releases, try _Batman: Sub-Zero_. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/23 "2005-01-25T20:03:31Z")
> [@CaveMike](#): > > The one you should really watch is the move from '66. “Some Days You Just Can’t Get Rid Of A Bomb!” and you have to leave “inconspicuously…out the window” The first one is good, and fun, and had the Prince soundtrack. They got progressively worse. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/24 "2005-01-25T20:17:10Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I’m going to swim upstream here and say that Batman Returns was my favorite. Look for Pee Wee and Dottie in Scene I. And I thought that Danny DeVito was brilliant. And Michelle Pfieffer? I love that pussy! THAT was Dottie!? Cool! I liked II also, loved the first, was very disappointed by Val Kilmer in III & didn’t think George Clooney sucked in IV but that Alicia Silverstone’s Batgirl did (and not in the good way). They totally changed the character (she’s not Commisioner Gordon’s daughter Barbara, but Alfred’s pseudo-niece.) Soooo, definitely go for the first two w/ Michael Keaton, check out III if you love Kilmer so much, & IV is totally up to you. I know they aren’t titled I-IV, but that’s how I list them. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/25 "2005-01-25T20:22:48Z")
The first movie was cool. The second movie was weird. The rest of 'em were stupid as hell. Stick with the first. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/26 "2005-01-25T20:26:31Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > If you want a good Batman theatrical release, try _Batman: Mask of the Phantasm_. > > Or if you don’t mind direct-to-video releases, try _Batman: Sub-Zero_. Good idea. The animated Batman, in my opinion, is the best recent adaptation of the comic book. I think the cartoon just got released on DVD. Batman Beyond is nearly as good as the first series. You may want to try that one also. ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/27 "2005-01-25T20:26:35Z")
_Batman Returns_ is easily my favorite. It’s a lot more fun than the first one (which has aged terribly) and Michelle Pfieffer’s Catwoman alone is reason enough to watch it. The first one is okay, but mostly it’s just boring. There are some standout scenes, but also a lot of time spent with characters that you really don’t care about. The third one could have been very good if they’d bothered to actually use The Riddler and Two-Face instead of ressurecting the Joker, cloning him, and having him wear different outfits. I don’t think this one has aged really well, either. It looks way too 1995 with its goofy neon colors and dumb Riddler TV thing. Chris O’Donnel is hot, so there’s that. It’s worth noting that _none_ of the live-action movies really have anything to do with the Batman you’d know from reading comic books. Burton’s Batman kills people without a thought, can barely move, and isn’t a very impressive physical specimen. The Batmen from the last two movies are basically just updated versions of the Adam West Batman (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I’m just saying that it has little if anything to do with Batman the comic book character). If you want to see a more “authentic” Batman, check out the animated series and animated movies (including the Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker DVD) if you haven’t already. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/28 "2005-01-25T20:32:05Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > _Coyote Ugly_ is one of my favorite movies so what the hell do I know? :eek: Wow! I’m a young, red-blooded male as hetero as they come and even with all the eye candy in that movie I could barely stand to watch it through to the end. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/29 "2005-01-25T20:43:19Z")
Heh, well, I’m not hetero and I liked it for its story. The eye candy \*was \*nice though. Mm… Bridget Moynahan. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/30 "2005-01-25T20:48:12Z")
My favorite part of the movies is that Batman’s secret identity and secret hideout are well-kept secrets from everyone in the entire world except EVERY FUCKING CITIZEN OF GOTHAM. ---
**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/31 "2005-01-25T20:50:27Z")
If prepared. ---
**Author:** ![Kaitlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/73ab20/32.png) [@Kaitlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaitlyn)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/32 "2005-01-25T20:52:51Z")
The only good version of **Batman** ourside of the comics is the animated series. The first season is available on DVD, and you must go buy it, not rent, so that Warner will release the other seasons, and I can buy those. ---
**Author:** ![ussentinel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ce7236/32.png) [@ussentinel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ussentinel)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/33 "2005-01-25T21:11:35Z")
> [@Kaitlyn](#): > > The only good version of **Batman** ourside of the comics is the animated series. The first season is available on DVD, and you must go buy it, not rent, so that Warner will release the other seasons, and I can buy those. As if on cue … Volume 2 was just released today. One of my favorite episodes, “Almost Got 'im” is included with this 28 episode set. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/34 "2005-01-25T22:32:55Z")
> [@shy guy](#): > > Burton’s Batman kills people without a thought, He does? when? He might kill someone at some point, but only bad guys who are attacking him with lethal force. He never just goes nuts with an uzi. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/35 "2005-01-25T22:46:21Z")
I have very high hopes for the new one, “Batman Begins.” Christian Bale is a great actor, the other casting looks great, and Christopher Nolan is an excellent choice to direct. The treatment is supposed to be more serious than the last few movies, which is key if you’re trying to sell the idea that dressing up like a bat and beating people up is a neato thing to do. If I remember correctly, Keaton’s Batman killed some thugs he strictly speaking didn’t have to kill with some exploding hubcaps. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/36 "2005-01-25T23:39:25Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > He does? when? He might kill someone at some point, but only bad guys who are attacking him with lethal force. He never just goes nuts with an uzi. At one point, he remotely pilots the batcar into a factory filled with people, and blows the entire building up, people included. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/37 "2005-01-25T23:45:12Z")
I definitely recommend the first one. The second one was only OK. I can’t recommend the others. ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/38 "2005-01-26T05:18:20Z")
> [@](#): > > At one point, he remotely pilots the batcar into a factory filled with people, and blows the entire building up, people included. Thank, plus he kills the guy in the clocktower in the first one by letting him fall to his death, at least one member of the clown gang in the second one (the one with the bomb strapped to his chest) and indirectly causes the death of Two-Face in the third one. Yeah, they were villaisn, but comic book Batman (or animated Batman) would never, _ever_ do that. ---
**Author:** ![Kaitlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/73ab20/32.png) [@Kaitlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaitlyn)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607/39 "2005-01-26T06:27:13Z")
Batman has indirectly and unintetionally killed opponents, but I agree that killing intentionally is out of character. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-watch-batman/286607.md?page=1)