10 Batman Elements from Michael Keaton’s Era That Haven’t Aged Well

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Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Batman remains an icon, yet it’s fair to say that some aspects of his film performances don’t hold up as well as they used to. Despite not being the initial live-action Batman actor, Michael Keaton is often recognized as the pioneer of the “serious” Batmen, shaping the dark and vengeful image we associate with him today. This is quite ironic given that Keaton was more known for comedy when he was cast in the role.

Initially, some spectators had doubts about whether Keaton could convincingly portray a serious Batman. However, he has undeniably left an impactful mark on the character, making him a topic of conversation even decades later. Nevertheless, the passage of time is evident in certain aspects of his tenure as The Dark Knight, and portions of his recent reappearance in The Flash appear dated already within a few years. Although many of these issues may not be directly related to Keaton, they are worth considering when discussing his Batman persona.

10. Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne Hair Doesn’t Exactly Scream Billionaire Playboy

A small detail, but a hard one to ignore

1989’s movie wardrobe is quite bold compared to modern standards, and it’s so distinctly 80s that it sometimes makes the serious scenes seem less believable. This is especially true of Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne as Batman, where his hairstyle doesn’t exactly scream billionaire playboy.

For nearly as long as Keaton has been a well-known actor, he’s had a significant hairline recession, and his hairstyle in ‘Batman’ didn’t improve his situation. The tall, pouffy tuft of hair rising from his crown, ending in a style resembling a mullet at the back of his neck, isn’t exactly conveying the image of Gotham City’s most eligible bachelor as we understand it today. In the 80s, Bruce Wayne’s appearance in those early films could have benefited from a more modern touch.

9. Michael Keaton’s Batman Is Willing To Kill

And even takes some sick pleasure in it

A common mistake movies make regarding Batman is portraying him as carefree when it comes to taking lives. In the comics, Batman’s strict no-kill policy is a well-known aspect of his persona; however, it wasn’t until recently in live-action films that this principle was accurately depicted in a serious narrative. Christian Bale’s character had loophole killings, while Ben Affleck’s portrayal featured open massacres. It wasn’t until the movie “The Batman,” played by Robert Pattinson, that Batman managed to go through an entire film without killing anyone explicitly.

In the initial Batman film starring Michael Keaton, a regrettable precedent was established, as he showed little concern for criminals’ welfare or safety, even going so far as to brutally kill the Joker by hurling him off a gargoyle. In Batman Returns, his enthusiasm for these fatal acts was evident, delighting in explosions, pushing thugs from great heights into sewer shafts, and setting them ablaze with the Batmobile’s afterburner. To put it mildly, Keaton’s portrayal of Batman bore a striking resemblance to The Punisher.

8. Michael Keaton’s Batman Doesn’t Have Much Of An Arc

He’s Batman, and that never really changes

What makes a hero-centric tale captivating is the iconic heroic journey, where the protagonist undergoes a transformative experience as a result of their trials. In Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Batman, the most substantial transformation for him takes place before the narrative begins, in the form of the well-known origin story about Bruce Wayne witnessing his parents being murdered when he was just a child. Subsequently, Batman’s character development isn’t extensive throughout the story.

It might be pointed out that the storylines of Michael Keaton’s Batman, such as his confrontation with his parents’ killer in “Batman” or his comeback to crime-fighting after years of retirement in “The Flash,” make for compelling arcs. However, it’s challenging not to notice a lack of depth when observing his character in his film appearances, largely because he seems more like a responder to events rather than an active shaper of them, and often saving the day from the newest supervillain. Modern films have since given more emphasis to Batman as a character who evolves over time.

7. Michael Keaton’s Chemistry With Vicki Vale

Chemistry is hard to come by in Keaton’s movies

Despite his impressive comedic skills, Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne as suave and charming was undeniable. Yet, this charisma didn’t consistently resonate in his on-screen love life. Some of his romantic interests as Batman seemed underdeveloped at best. Particularly, the character Vicki Vale in the initial movie appears to be a hastily added plot device, serving merely to fulfill a predetermined Hollywood requirement rather than contributing significantly to the storyline.

It’s true that Michael Keaton’s Batman has a stronger connection with Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman compared to other pairings. Their playful flirting, whether in or out of costume, is certainly captivating. However, when it comes to the relationship between Batman and Selina Kyle, portrayed by Christian Bale and Robert Pattinson respectively, those partnerships appear more convincing. It seems that romantic relationships aren’t something Michael Keaton’s Batman handles particularly well.

6. Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne Sleeps With A Drunk Vicki Vale

A skin-crawling creepy moment in Batman’s movie history

Discussing the early stages of Bruce Wayne’s romance with Vicki Vale, it culminates into one of the most cringe-worthy scenes in Batman film lore. At a swanky social gathering, an inebriated Vicki Vale shares a passionate kiss with Bruce Wayne, evidently lacking self-control. They eventually spend the night together, creating an uncomfortable situation when Bruce attempts to keep Vicki at arm’s length from his private life.

It’s just as underhanded to disappear on someone the day after spending time together, as it is to engage in a relationship with someone who’s obviously drunk. While there might be some suspicion that Bruce was also intoxicated in this scene, given Batman’s commitment to crime-fighting and his unlikely tendency to suffer hangovers, it seems unlikely. At the very least, it appears that Bruce and Vicki weren’t equally affected by alcohol, which casts a shadow of doubt on their initial encounter and raises some uncomfortable truths about their first meeting.

5. The Stiff Bat-Suit

Clearly an early iteration of a serious Bat-Suit

In a daring move, Tim Burton essentially winged it when designing the first “serious” Batman suit in the movie, given the quirky eyebrow arch of Adam West’s Baman and the unconventional ears of earlier live-action Batmen. The design, which remains iconic to this day with its slick black color scheme contrasted by yellow highlights, menacing muscle and mask sculptures, came with a notable drawback related to the mask.

In the Bat-Suit worn by Michael Keaton, turning his head proved challenging because the suit’s stiff rubber construction wouldn’t allow it without causing damage. This meant that when he needed to look at something, he had to twist his entire upper body instead. This awkward maneuver is hard to ignore once noticed, and although the Bat-Suit looks fantastic in still photos, in motion, it clearly shows signs of being an early model of a functional Bat-Suit.

4. Michael Keaton’s Batman Is Now The Least Physically Imposing By Far

Keaton doesn’t stack up well against more recent Batmen

It might have been one factor that made comic book enthusiasts initially hesitant when they learned Michael Keaton would play Batman, as he is quite a bit shorter in stature compared to the imposing figure of at least 6 feet tall portrayed in the comics. In fact, with his height of 5’9″, Keaton remains the shortest actor to have brought the World’s Greatest Detective to the big screen.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but notice the towering stature of each Batman portrayed on screen, with every incarnation standing at least 5’11” or taller. Initially, this physical trait might seem insignificant, yet it significantly boosts their intimidating presence. For instance, even Adam West, donning his iconic 6’2″ Batman suit sans ears, exuded a more formidable presence in reality compared to Michael Keaton in full costume. It may be a trivial detail, but once noticed, it’s challenging to overlook – making those clever camera tricks used to conceal Keaton’s height all the more apparent.

3. The Cartoonish Villains

Batman never has a truly captivating foil

A persistent issue across Michael Keaton’s Batman duology and the initial four Batman films is the scarcity of compelling, serious villains. The villains created for these films by Tim Burton, particularly in his distinctive gothic style, are often overly noticeable. For instance, The Penguin portrayed as a squawking mutant and Catwoman’s character being excessively sexualized fail to provide Batman with formidable opponents worthy of his screen presence.

Among all portrayals, I must confess that Jack Nicholson’s interpretation of the Joker in Batman comes exceptionally close to capturing the essence of the iconic DC character. Initially, his performance is enthralling, exuding an enigmatic charm and a sense of foreboding. However, in the film, his actions, such as disrupting a museum with a boombox playing Prince, seem to diminish his on-screen presence. Subsequent actors who took up the role unfortunately surpassed Nicholson’s portrayal, leaving a noticeable void in terms of depth and complexity for the character.

2. Michael Keaton’s Batman CGI In The Flash Is Distractingly Bad

The Flash aged poorly in a very short time span

Although “The Flash” was only released in 2023, it appears to have aged rapidly, with its visual effects being remarkably outdated, as if they were from two decades past, almost comically so, when the movie premiered. This is particularly noticeable when Michael Keaton’s Batman reappears on screen.

It seems rather unbecoming to Keaton’s legacy when a digitally-animated stunt double performs acrobatics in combat scenes and attaches bombs to Kryptonians, all within cold, computer-generated environments. In contrast, when Keaton appeared as an old man in Wayne Manor, the use of more stunt doubles and practical effects was employed, which would have been beneficial later on. Unfortunately, the subpar special effects in The Flash cast a shadow over Keaton’s portrayal of Batman.

1. Michael Keaton Is One Of The Flash’s Many Cringeworthy Cameos

Perhaps he would have been better off staying retired

In the movie The Flash, Michael Keaton’s rubbery CGI likeness isn’t the only problem with his appearance in the film. Essentially, many actors who played or could have played Superman and even George Clooney’s Batman become awkward digital characters as The Flash delves into various alternate realities. By the end of the movie, it seems like a circus of cameos is what The Flash transforms into.

By making Keaton merely one face among many, his lasting impact on the Batman legacy may be less potent, despite his exceptional portrayal outshining other famous roles. The idea of resurrecting Keaton as a worn-out Bruce Wayne mentoring Terry McGinnis in a live-action Batman Beyond film would have been a more fitting farewell than The Flash. Regrettably, this final act for the waning franchise may be all that we see of Keaton’s Batman performances from here on out.

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2025-04-25 17:19