Batman Begins Newsarama's Top 10 Comic Book-Based Movies of All Time: Guess Who's #1? Not TDK!!

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10. A History of Violence (2005)
9. Batman (1989)
8. Men in Black (1997)
7. X2: X-Men United (2003)
6. 300 (2006)
5. Superman: The Movie (1978)
4. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
3. The Dark Knight (2008)
2. Iron-Man (2008)
1. Batman Begins (2005)

By Michael Doran, & Newsrama Staff
posted: 26 November 2008 01:03 pm ET

9. Batman (1989)

Studio: Warner Bros. Director: Tim Burton. Stars: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger.

What Makes It Great:

Almost lost in the wash between the triumph of Christopher Nolan's latest two Batman epics (more on those later) and the stink of the two near franchise-killing Joel Schumacher entries is the fact that Tim Burton's first effort in '89 is a darn good movie and was the box office phenomena of its time.

Though now dated slightly by the back-lot exterior sets, the by-now way too familiar Danny Elfman score, and the heavy-handed inclusion of Prince songs (what the hell was that about?), Michael Keaton's Batman was a surprising but highly credible one, and Jack Nicholson's the Joker was a sensation.

And the film had a high bar to clear in its day. True-blue comic book fans were still newly basking in the glow of the original publication of perhaps the two definitive contemporary Batman stories, Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns" (1986) and Alan Moore's "The Killing Joke" (1988).

Stand-Out Scene:

Nicholson's presumably improvisational moment of making peculiar random noises to no one in particular before cracking up in the character's famous maniacal cackle.

3.) The Dark Knight (2008)

Studio: Warner Bros. Director: Christopher Nolan. Stars: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart.

What Makes It Great:

Perhaps one of the best reviewed comic book movies of all time, and certainly the most financially successful, a strong argument could be made to place "Dark Knight" in the top spot. But the reasons for its third place standing have more to do with the strengths of the Top 2 entries than any weakness on its own part.

It goes almost without saying Heath Ledger's final, transformative performance as the Joker is "The Dark Knight's" calling card. Nicholson's Joker was still very much Nicholson. Ledger disappeared into the role and completely made the 70 year-old character entirely his own.

The super-solid story, direction, and performances of the original mostly simply carry over here, although special mention also goes to Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon. While a small handful of actors in Nolan's two efforts received higher billing than the veteran character actor, he's the glue that holds them together.

Stand-Out Scene: With all due respect to Bale, Cain, Eckhart, et al, pretty much any scene Ledger is in, including the inventive bank robbery opening sequence.

1.) Batman Begins (2005)

Studio: Warner Bros. Director: Christopher Nolan. Stars: Christian Bale, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes.

What Makes It the Best Comic Book Based Movie of All Time:

Okay, so why "Batman Begins" over "The Dark Knight", when the latter has all the Academy buzz and box office clout? By re-invoking the "groundbreaking" rule one last time (a decision we can maybe revisit if "Dark Knight" takes home some of those Oscars). And what ground did "Batman Begins" break? It was the first comic book superhero movie that didn't play like a comic book superhero movie.

Executed almost entirely without even a trace of camp, "Begins" runs over an hour before a costumed Batman makes a first appearance, yet even the most hardcore comic book fan couldn't complain. Almost more "Bourne" than Batman, "Begins" opened the comic book-superhero genre to not necessarily a bigger audience, but definitely a broader one.

Need proof?

Consider "Batman Begins" made $205 million in its theatrical life, compared with "Dark Knight's" $530 million. While some of the sequel's strikingly superior box office performance can be attributed to the aforementioned Ledger-factor, much of the credit should also go to the then Bat-weary audience "Begins" actually drew to the franchise over the three years in-between on DVD, Pay-Per-View, and cable - a home video audience so enthralled they were motivated to go see the sequel at the theater.

Ledger or not, "The Dark Knight" was always poised to be a monster hit because of "Batman Begins" post-box office trailblazing.

Stand-Out Scene:

Christian Bale claiming the Batman role as wholly his own with his growling, high-wire interrogation of Flass, or the artfully directed Batmobile car chase, one of best put on film since the car chase heyday of the 70's.
Link to the full article:
http://www.newsarama.com/film/081126-top-10-comic-book-movies.html
 
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...No way!

List sucks! Bad!

Men in Black..Really...

300...Really...

:dry:
 
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Begins??? Give me a break. TDK is a total masterpiece; a whole new level for the genre. Begins was just an attempt. And I love Iron Man but in no case is better than TDK.
 
I loved Iron Man, but it is NOT better than TDK. Seriously. You're going to tell me that the charcaters of Iron Man are deeper and more interesting? Obidiah is more interesting than The Joker? Stark/Iron Man more interesting than Wayne? Rhodes more than Dent? Come on. Iron Man had more of a "fun" aspect to it than TDK, but hell, so did Ghost Rider but that doesn't make it a better film. Iron Man is a great popcorn flick and a good movie. But TDK was just a masterpiece. Proving once again the Newsarama fails at being a good website.
 
No way in hell Iron Man is better than TDK thats just ridiculous.
 
Personally, it sounds like they just wanted to be different to get some more readers. Iron Man, while an excellent movie, isn't even close to TDK.
 
the first comic book movie that didn't play like a comic book movie must be films like the crow or blade, surely...
 
I consider The Crow a masterpiece, but find Dark Knight superior.

This list is...odd.
 
Iron Man is great, but it was played "safe." The direction didn't take it to new places, just places that have been successful in the past.
 
Iron Man is great, but it was played "safe." The direction didn't take it to new places, just places that have been successful in the past.

Agreed. A solid film but nothing special.

As for Batman Begins as number 1, I don't necessarily agree but BB is one of my favourite films of all time. It probably sits around no. 2 after TDK simply because TDK is a better film. But I enjoyed BB more because it was the Batman film that I was waiting for for over ten years. And as this author points out, it set all the necessary groundwork for TDK to shine.

BB was a huge hit on DVD and grew its audience there. The same people who didn't show up in the cinema after becoming disenchanted and tired of the Batman series. If you give credit for films reinvigourating the comic book franchise (not just how "good" the films are), then the best films of all time are:

1. Superman The Movie. The most important comicbook film introduced Superman as an epic tale with an all star cast, screenplay, special effects and score. The film that set the standard in the 70s.

Influenced: Every comicbook film ever made.

2. Batman 89. Personally not my favourite of the Bat films but absolutely essential for introducing the "dark" comicbook film to the mass audience only familiar with light or camp versions.

Influenced: Batman Begins, TDK, X-Men, X-Men 2.


3. X-Men. Not as good as X-Men 2 but this film was the first to create a universe which played by the rules, felt like our world, and toned down the theatrics for character development. This is probably the most important shift for comicbook films and it happened with one of the hardest comicbook franchises to take seriously on the big screen (yellow spandex etc).

Influenced: X-Men 2, Batman Begins

4. Batman Begins. Made the "reboot" popular. Here we have a film not confined to the world of comics. We have a fantastic scope of story and locations. A director not afraid to cast A-list stars in smaller supporting roles. Nolan took what Singer tried to do with X-Men and made it work even better by creating a film that centred on character and respected the origins of Batman without it turning into a freak show.

Influenced: TDK, The Incredible Hulk

5. Spiderman. Whilst most comicbook films became ultra serious, Raimi returned us to the fun genre of comicbook characters, creating humour and colourful characters. Most importantly, he gave the Spiderman franchise a big heart and relatable characters who appealed to young and old, males and females.

Influenced: Iron Man, Fantastic Four, The Incredibles
 
This is an example of why I have no use for lists like this.

Batman Begins was a dream, a miracle in my eyes, BUT Dark Knight's a masterpiece, a classic, and the most loved of any on that damn list. Oh and not only TDK > Iron Man, but Spidey 2 > Iron Man. I dig Iron Man but chill out.
 
I actually know a lot of people who liked Iron man More than TDK. Personally, I liked TDK more, but truthfully not all that much more than IM.

Not a fan of that list though.
 
the list isnt the best but Spider-Man 2 is better than Iron Man....and TDK....well that movie should be number 1 without hesitation...Batman Begins at 2 or 3....
 
You know, there are a couple friends of mine that borrowed Batman Begins a couple days before seeing TDK, and they both liked Begins more. Personally, I think both movies have pretty much everything going for them, but I'd still have to give the edge to TDK. Begins, TDK and Iron Man. My favourite 3 comic book movies, but I agree with you guys, it should be TDK at the top of them.
 
Not that terrible of a list, I cant really complain too much.
 
...No way!

List sucks! Bad!

Men in Black..Really...

300...Really...

:dry:

I know. 300 was a good movie, but nowhere near as good as some people made it out to be. It was the Iron Man of 2007.

Newsarama and Wizard both really screwed the pooch with their lists. I mean, really?! Come on... in no way is Iron Man superior to The Dark Knight. It wasnt a better film for 2008 and it wasnt a better comic book movie. Sorry, but its just not gonna happen. Iron Man was a good movie. I really, truly enjoyed it. But it's, slowly but surely, becoming massively over-rated. TDK was a better film, overall.
 
Iron Man is great, but it was played "safe." The direction didn't take it to new places, just places that have been successful in the past.

TDK did the exact same thing. That movie didn't go to any new places either. Why does TDK get a free pass? Because it took itself ultra-serious? Because it borrowed from successful crime films like Heat? Borrowed the execution of its plot twists from movies like "Saw"? Those films were successful in the past too. When people start throwing around words like "masterpiece" and "perfect" for TDK I can't help but think the film is vastly overrated. Without Heath Ledger's Joker the film is pedestrian at best.
 
X2 #7:huh: I luv X2
I can see the point that usually the first movie isn't so awesome cause of the origin part and all the stuff for people who don't really know the characters. I see where Iron Man came in so high. It's a highly rewatchable first film. Begins @ #1...I guess.
300 should not have been there except in the top 20 or MIB at all.

Wizard changed over the past few years, It's more like a damned celeb pop mag w/ comic content. It ain't been real to fans for years.
 
I've got no problem with TDK being behind Begins on a list like this. I view the two pretty much on the same level. The only thing that might make me give a slight edge to TDK is Ledger's Joker. Otherwise, they are my two favorite movies and I love them equally. Basically, flip a coin on any given day and that's about how I would decide which one I like better on that particular day. Iron Man was an excellent movie but it's not on the same level as Nolan's Batman movies. I'd put it on the same level as X2: X-Men United, just a notch or two below Begins and TDK. Basically, if BB/TDK are 10's in my book, Iron Man and X2 are in the 9 or 9.5 range.
 
TDK did the exact same thing. That movie didn't go to any new places either. Why does TDK get a free pass? Because it took itself ultra-serious? Because it borrowed from successful crime films like Heat? Borrowed the execution of its plot twists from movies like "Saw"? Those films were successful in the past too. When people start throwing around words like "masterpiece" and "perfect" for TDK I can't help but think the film is vastly overrated. Without Heath Ledger's Joker the film is pedestrian at best.

Now that's ironic. Without Downey, Iron Man isn't even pedestrian. It's mediocre. You cannot discount great acting though. It's part of the film. And it's what makes both TDK and Iron Man great movies. Not necessarily masterpieces or perfect. They have plenty of flaws. But I enjoy the hell out of them.
 
I've got no problem with TDK being behind Begins on a list like this. I view the two pretty much on the same level. The only thing that might make me give a slight edge to TDK is Ledger's Joker. Otherwise, they are my two favorite movies and I love them equally. Basically, flip a coin on any given day and that's about how I would decide which one I like better on that particular day. Iron Man was an excellent movie but it's not on the same level as Nolan's Batman movies. I'd put it on the same level as X2: X-Men United, just a notch or two below Begins and TDK. Basically, if BB/TDK are 10's in my book, Iron Man and X2 are in the 9 or 9.5 range.

Agreed. All these movies have their flaws but, on the whole, BB and TDK are in a different class.
 
Now that's ironic. Without Downey, Iron Man isn't even pedestrian. It's mediocre. You cannot discount great acting though. It's part of the film. And it's what makes both TDK and Iron Man great movies. Not necessarily masterpieces or perfect. They have plenty of flaws. But I enjoy the hell out of them.

Without Downey Jr Iron Man is still a good story told without any false pretention. No morals or larger-than-life hollow speeches. And Downey wasn't the only good acting job there.

Now, flaws more or less, TDK is a masterpiece.
 
Without Downey Jr Iron Man is still a good story told without any false pretention. No morals or larger-than-life hollow speeches. And Downey wasn't the only good acting job there.

Now, flaws more or less, TDK is a masterpiece.

The term "masterpiece" kinda loses its meaning when it's assigned to films like B89...:hehe:
 

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