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Robert Pattinson Vs. George Clooney: Here's Who Played The Better Batman

posted 3 years ago by TMC-4 (20495)
9 replies | jump to latest

https://www.looper.com/792507/robert-pattinson-vs-george-clooney-heres-who-played-the-better-batman/

George Clooney's tongue-in-cheek Batman is just as accurate to the comics (just not the same comics)

So how does George Clooney's Batman compare to the intensity of Robert Pattinson's brooding hero?

Well, the only DNA they share is a similar name and vaguely similar costume — because Clooney's smoldering Dark Knight is a much more lighthearted hero, full of quips and with no brooding to speak of. These two Batmen are at the opposite ends of the scale, as Clooney shares more in common with Adam West version of the character from the 1960s ... Bat-credit card, and all. There's an inherent campiness baked into Joel Schumacher's "Batman & Robin," but while fans have never stopped criticizing this, it's important to remember that it's no less accurate to the comics than "The Batman" or "The Dark Knight," because Batman comics have often been very silly. "Batman & Robin," rather than looking at Dennis O'Neil's Batman, is merely leaning into the original fun nature of the character's Silver Age comics.

But realistically, from a character and acting standpoint, Clooney's Batman doesn't really hold up compared to Pattinson's modern vigilante, and there's a reason "Batman & Robin" isn't heralded today as a camp classic. Over two decades later, DC fans remain quick to blast Clooney's tongue-in-cheek performance after watching the 2022 movie, with @_infamouslegacy tweeting "[The Batman] was very impressive, [Robert Pattinson] definitely did a better job than George Clooney lol" and @AaronBlack1814 says "George Clooney was the worst batman/Bruce Wayne ever. In the history of ever!!!"

You can see where this is going already, can't you?

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

Didn't the 'fun' nature really start later on, in the 1960s? The early Batman comics are pretty grim.

[–] MickyMac (3254) 3 years ago

Clooney was just playing Clooney in a Batsuit.

[–] Patman111196 (1898) 3 years ago

Very true. You could tell he wasn't taking his role seriously during campy or humourous moments. The only parts he ended up being credible were straight serious or dramatic scenes like when fighting Mr. Freeze and defrosting Gotham. I actually heard a few times there is a rumor that he deliberately didn't take his role seriously because of how bad the script was and only took it for the money. I think he could have taken it on if the movie wasn't a campfest.

[–] MickyMac (3254) 3 years ago

Also he doesn't disappear in costume like other Batman actors with his dead face expression and head bobbles which is a dead give away Bruce Wayne is Batman.

This is one of the few times they didn't make an effort to distinguish Bruce Wayne from Batman, aside from Ben Affleck none of the Batman actors when playing Bruce Wayne look like a tank or superhero what so ever, they just have to the suit to make them look bigger or change persona like Christopher Reeve Superman where he's hunched and dorky as Clark Kent and up straight as Superman, Clooney doesn't have any of that, Clooney is a flashy starry guy.

[–] Patman111196 (1898) 3 years ago

TBH I think it was probably intentional. When he says "Hi, Freeze" in the trailer, he says it in a serious tone of voice. But in the actual movie, he says it like he's very casually talking to a friend. I wonder if it's a direct reference to the 60s show, where they talk like buddies.

[–] MickyMac (3254) 3 years ago

Forever and B&R were only trying be like a comedy with the villains since they portrayed as Joker knock offs or comic actors playing themselves.

Don't think it was all that intentional since B&R had a rushed production so not much time or thought was put into writing or casting, making sure everything was dealt with appropriately.

The 60's TV show elements don't exactly work for the 90's very well, some of them feel very 60's-ish and it feels awkward and clunky in a modern film like this.

[–] Patman111196 (1898) 3 years ago

well putting as much camp in it while downplaying the seriousness was certainly intentional. At least they actually tried making a movie rather than a toy commercial or pure campfest for BF.

[–] MickyMac (3254) 3 years ago

Compared to the first three films they weren't making a proper movie or quality one they were making a two hour toy commercial by having toy companies be involved in how the costumes, gadgets and vehicles are gonna be, that's pathetic because if someone is asked to make the best film possible it will sell toys anyway.

The film was written by Akira fucking Goldsman who writes a lot of shit like fucking Star Trek Picard.

[–] MickyMac (3254) 3 years ago

Clooney also suffered because it was another recasting so soon right after we got one with Kilmer.