FRANCHISE RANKING: The "BATMAN" Movies
Below is my ranking of the six "BATMAN" movies from my favorite to my least favorite. Two of them were directed by Tim Burton, two by Joel Schumacher and the last two by Christopher Nolan. At least four actors portrayed the Caped Crusader in these movies - Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney and Christian Bale. Here are my rankings:
FRANCHISE RANKING: The "BATMAN" Movies
1. "Batman Begins" (2005) - This reboot of the BATMAN movies that centered on the Caped Crusader's beginnings as a costumed superhero and his battle with Henri Ducard/Ra's al Ghul, Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow and the Mob. Christian Bale and director Christopher Nolan breathed new life into this franchise, which is why it is my favorite. The movie co-starred Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine as Alfred.
2. "The Dark Knight" (2008) - In this saga, Batman deals with a new force of nature in Gotham City - namely the Joker. A favorite of mine, although not as tightly written as the 2005 film. Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart and Oscar winner Heath Ledger gave superb performances. Christopher Nolan directed.
3. "Batman Forever" (1995) - Val Kilmer took up the role of Batman in this story about the Dark Knight's battle against Two Face Harvey Dent and the Riddler. He also forms a partnership with Dick Grayson aka the Robin for the first time. Directed by Joel Schumacher, the movie co-starred Chris O'Donnell, Jim Carey, Nicole Kidman and Tommy Lee Jones.
4. "Batman" (1989) - Director Tim Burton and actor Michael Keaton struck gold at the box office in this origin tale in which Batman meets the Joker for the first time, in the form of Jack Nicholson. The cast - including Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl and Jack Palance - was great and the story was not bad.
5. "Batman Returns" (1992) - Michael Keaton returned as the Caped Crusader in this shaky tale about the superhero's battles with the Penguin and Catwoman. As much as I loved their performances, Danny DeVito and Michelle Pfieffer could barely save this movie for me. Tim Burton directed and Christopher Walken co-starred.
6. "Batman and Robin" (1997) - Let me be frank. I do not like this entry in the BATMAN franchise at all. George Clooney took up the role of the Caped Crusader and probably regretted that he did it. Directed by Joel Schumacher, the movie featured Chris O'Donnell as Robin, Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl, and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Uma Thurman as the villains - Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy.