The Batman cinematic output has been largely a mixed bag. Tim Burton's two Batman movies came at a time before the superhero movie onslaught, so while considered great at one point, more entries in the superhero genre have caused viewers to compare the first two Batman movies with a greater critical eye.
While some have nostalgia for the first two versions of Batman on-screen, others still see its flaws. Neither movie is perfect, with each one having some cringe-worthy moments, as well as some great moments that have remained in audiences' minds throughout the years and all the Batman iterations that have come since.
Best: What Are You? (Batman)
Batman was one of the most highly anticipated movies of all time. Up until that point, there was skepticism, given that comedic actor Michael Keaton had been cast in the role.
That all changed when, in the first few minutes, Batman appears on-screen in all his glory, beating up two criminals. When face to face with the Bat, one thug, in complete terror, asks, "what are you?!" Batman pulls the thug close and vocalizes "I'm Batman" with the perfect combo of deep pitch and menace. With that, fans put aside their fears regarding Keaton's casting. Michael Keaton was Batman.
Worst: Let's Get Nuts! (Batman)
With Michael Keaton's casting, audiences became worried that Batman would be a comedy. Keaton was mostly known for being Mr. Mom and Beetlejuice. While Keaton does a great job playing Batman straight and serious, there's one moment where a totally different performance emerges.
When confronted with the Joker as Bruce Wayne, Bruce bizarrely threatens Joker by saying "You wanna get nuts?! C'mon, let's get nuts!" This moment makes audiences think normally cool Bruce is frightened and panicked that he's with the Joker and lacking his gadgets. Or maybe he's trying to throw off Vicki and Joker from thinking he's Batman. Either way, it's a bizarre moment.
Best: A True Batman (Batman Returns)
Batman Returns has gotten a lot of flack over the years for not depicting Batman accurately. Many fans hated that he kills a thug in cold blood, since, in the comic books, Batman doesn't kill.
One of Batman's most badass moments in the whole series is one where he doesn't kill at all. Instead, he enforces the law. In the finale, odious Max Shreck is about to be killed by Catwoman, when Batman swoops in. Schreck's vocal relief is cut short when Batman pushes him aside and says "Shut up, you're going to jail." Now, that's Batman.
Worst: Poodle (Batman Returns)
While audiences considered Batman Returns a very dark movie, there are many moments of silliness and a lot of them happen during the fight scenes. It seems the action scenes were the last thing Burton cared about since they don't contain many stakes.
In one moment, goons, including a poodle, surround Batman. He takes the moment to program his Batarang to strike each goon before flinging the 1992 CGI Batarang, easily knocking each one out until it's intercepted by the poodle. The Batarang knocked goons out at eye level, yet the poodle was easily able to leap up and catch it with its teeth.
Best: Joker Begins (Batman)
It wouldn't be thought possible that a villain dressed like a clown could be so menacing. After murdering his boss, Joker sits down at his desk, with the Gotham City skyline behind him. He looks at a newspaper proclaiming Batman as a "terrorizing winged-freak."
In a moment of insanity, mixed with ego, Joker menacingly declares "wait til' they get a load of me." He's saying that if people think Batman is scary, they haven't seen anything yet. It's terrifying and darkly funny, and perfect coming from the Joker via Jack Nicholson's great performance.
Worst: Poor Batcave Security (Batman)
An odd moment in Batman is when, for some reason, Alfred awkwardly lets reporter Vicki Vale into the Batcave. This scene has been such a bone of contention among fans for years that, according to the DVD, even the original screenwriter denies any involvement in conceiving it. Originally, this scene took place in Bruce's study, which makes more sense.
It's a bold choice for Alfred to make. And there is nothing leading up to this scene that is going to suggest he'd do this and there is no reference to it afterward until Batman Returns when Bruce decides to jokingly ridicule Alfred about it.
Best: Costume Party (Batman Returns)
While character development in the Tim Burton Batman films was always criticized, it cannot be said that he didn't understand's Batman duality. The greatest example is at a costume party where Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle share a dance.
Audiences can notice that they are the only guests not wearing any costumes. Or are they? For Bruce and Selina, Batman and Catwoman are who they really are, and their unmasked faces are their costumes. It's a beautiful moment that says so much about them without saying anything.
Worst: Murderous Batman (Batman Returns)
Perhaps the most controversial moment in the Burton Batman movies is when Batman kills a thug in cold blood. In the film, Batman encounters a thug, punching him, but he barely moves, causing him to laugh confidently. However, Batman smiles and gestures down, for, in that impossibly quick moment, he placed dynamite in the thug's belt. Batman takes much joy from this and strides away as the thug explodes behind him.
Batman fans hated this since Batman's rule is that he doesn't kill. This could reinforce Tim Burton's characterization of Batman, that he's just as big a psychopath as the villains he fights. However, it's odd that a random henchman gets the worst death out of all the Batman movie villains.
Best: Bat-Signal (Batman)
One of the most indelible moments in any Batman movie is the final shot of Batman. Batman has gifted the city the Bat-Signal to call upon him "should the forces of evil rise again." Gordon flips on the signal and so begins composer Danny Elfman's brilliant end theme.
The camera travels up a building to find Batman standing on the ledge gazing at the signal as if embracing his destiny and purpose as the music heroically crescendos. At this moment, Batman dedicates himself to this signal and all it represents.
Worst: An Odd Distraction (Batman)
A lot of Batman was written on set, so some moments feel like they weren't well thought out. This is evident when it's perceived that Vicki Vale strangely decides to distract the Joker by pretending to be about to perform a sexual act on him.
Even stranger, Batman appears and in a conversational voice asks Joker "Excuse me, have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?" before punching him. The recitation of Joker's famous phrase back to him is a great idea, but Keaton recites it normally. It goes against the portrayal that Bruce Wayne is the disguise, not Batman.