John 2,032 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Which film and score do you prefer; Superman: The Movie or Batman? When it comes to the films, I feel Superman: The Movie is the superior movie. For all its atmosphere and distinctive production design, Batman ultimately feels somewhat hollow. As with nearly all of Tim Burton's movies, it is a film of style over substance. I feel Keaton fails to own the role of the Caped Crusader, while Reeves completely owns the characters of both Clark Kent and Superman. The Bruce-Vicki relationship is empty and emotionally vacuous, and while Jack Nicholson's turn as the Joker is entertaining to watch, it ultimately is little more than an iconic celebrity doing his well-worn shtick in a villain costume. All this is not to say Superman is a perfect film, but it has a lot of heart, and I feel it does a lot right, arguably hitting higher highs than Batman. Both scores are excellent and undoubtedly iconic. While I concede that Williams' Superman may be the superior score, I've always preferred Elfman's Batman, which I firmly believe to be his magnum opus, and in my top ten favorite film scores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,479 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Batman AINEC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mstrox 6,661 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na BATMAN BATMAN BATMANAAAAANAN If I could pick just the first half of Superman or its score, they'd win. Or just themes vs. themes, it's Superman. But as whole pieces, nananananananananananananananana. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,364 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 1 minute ago, mstrox said: If I could pick just the first half of Superman or its score, they'd win. That's enough to make it a winner. Ricard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Preserving this moment of cultural equality I voted Batman for movie, Superman for score. Bayesian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holko 9,595 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 I love Batman. I never really cared to watch Superman. Lately from the many threads and comments, I sometimes wonder whether I should give it a try, but I always put the thought down because I'm not at all interested in the character (truth be told, the main pulling power of the Batman stories for me isn't Bats himself, either, but his villains), and what I've seen of the movie is a bunch of bad effects and a laughably stupid old-comic-book-logic of a climax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chen G. 4,011 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 11 minutes ago, Holko said: a laughably stupid old-comic-book-logic of a climax. You're not wrong, I'm afraid. I'm not particularly taken with either of the two films. There's charm to Christopher Reeve's Superman, but the film as a whole adheres way too closely to its comic-book origins in its aesthetic and theatricality. The Superman score is aces, though. jwalk713 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mstrox 6,661 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Superman is a character I'm very much in love with, and I don't think any movie has really nailed the character. The Animated Series does the closest job. Donner's movie nails Clark Kent, but doesn't really bring it all together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post #SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 16, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted May 16, 2018 Superman: The Movie for both, without question or hesitation! Maglorfin, Nick1Ø66, Ricard and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Batman & Robin. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maglorfin 196 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 3 minutes ago, Stefancos said: Superman: The Movie for both, without question or hesitation! Same for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 4 minutes ago, Margo Channing said: Batman & Robin. I'm still waiting for an Alicia Silverstone Batgirl movie!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo 3,709 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 I think I’m too young for the movie question. I didnt see either as a as a child so it’s hard to enjoy either as an adult. As for scores... eh. It’s not my favourite Williams and I do quite like Batman... I can’t decide... Chen G. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 I disagree with Bilbo Stupid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundlefly 2,385 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Superman has the same problems as Hook: A movie messing around between different genres, unable to decide what kind of movie it wants to be. Although, like the first two Harry Potter movies, The Green Mile and Hook it is a lovely movie, despite its flaws. Batman is almost entirely overshadowed by Jack Nicholson, but it got substance, Tim Burton's distinct style and great performances. The studio meddling prevents that it is as good as Batman Returns. I voted the latter. I'm neither a fan of Danny Elfman's composing techniques and style, nor am I a fan of John Williams' Superman score, but for me it wins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Wow, you just kinda threw Green Mile in there didnya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundlefly 2,385 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 I did. Disco Stu 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,949 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 One is the greatest comic book film of all time, the other is a really okay batman film. One has a top 3 JW score the other has Prince. jwalk713 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Prince is a pop music genius and he provided outstanding songs for that film. I still put on "Partyman" when I just want to feel good. SteveMc and JoeinAR 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkissimo 1,973 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Superman for film and Superman for score. Now if it was Batman Returns, that'd be a very different outcome. jwalk713 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Kockroach 2,345 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Batman Returns, both film and score. So far, it remains the only superhero film I genuinely love. jwalk713 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 1 hour ago, JoeinAR said: One has a top 3 JW score the other has Prince. A celebrity death match for the ages. Although I am rather partial to some Prince. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt S. 499 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 For all four films in their respective series, I'd vote the same way for films and scores: Superman over Batman Batman Returns over Superman II Batman Forever over Superman III Superman IV over Batman & Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Naïve Old Fart 9,698 Posted May 16, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted May 16, 2018 For cryin' out loud! BATMAN is a tremendous achievement. It's a thriller, it's a psychodrama, it's a satire on the "me" culture, that was prevalent in the late 80s. It's also wonderfully dark, brooding, and with an arid wit...and SUPERMAN shits all over it, from a very great height. Jurassic Shark, Jay and Ricard 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Imagine if Joe Dante managed to make Batman, it would have been a very different film, plus a guaranteed score by you-know-who. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,949 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 1 hour ago, Quintus said: A celebrity death match for the ages. Although I am rather partial to some Prince. I have considered a finale celebrity death match to end them all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundlefly 2,385 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 3 hours ago, JoeinAR said: [Superman: The Movie] is the greatest comic book film of all time, No, not at all. Chen G. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mstrox 6,661 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 But it IS the all-time greatest live action origin story of Superman! Probably! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,949 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 15 minutes ago, Brundlefly said: No, not at all. Oh yes. Perfect entertainment. No superhero film is better acted. None is better scored (this particular isn't even open to debate), Greatest opening credits, greatest comic prologue. And the total embodiment of the greatest superhero of all time. Sure there are films with better effects but thats easy. Ricard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricard 2,245 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 3 hours ago, Richard said: For cryin' out loud! BATMAN is a tremendous achievement. It's a thriller, it's a psychodrama, it's a satire on the "me" culture, that was prevalent in the late 80s. It's also wonderfully dark, brooding, and with an arid wit...and SUPERMAN shits all over it, from a very great height. This! jwalk713 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,493 Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveMc 2,674 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Superman all the way, missteps notwithstanding. Christopher Reeve is Superman. The best superhero movies of all time, however, are Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pellaeon 593 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 8 minutes ago, Steve McQueen said: The best superhero movies of all time, however, are Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. They didn’t leave much of an impression on me. Gruesome Son of a Bitch 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,493 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 I prefer my Batman movies a bit more nuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John 2,032 Posted May 17, 2018 Author Share Posted May 17, 2018 The Dark Knight movies are more of a crime/drama saga than a trilogy of superhero films. Chen G. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Kockroach 2,345 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Can we add this to the poll? I'd vote for it, film-wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 1 hour ago, John said: The Dark Knight movies are more of a crime/drama saga than a trilogy of superhero films. They're very dark and disturbing, which makes them more realistic and relatable. Pieter Boelen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Kockroach 2,345 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 "It's darker, which means it's more important". Ricard and Pieter Boelen 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filmmusic 1,884 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 funny, I just watched Superman yesterday (after many years), the theatrical cut with original mono soundtrack and i really enjoyed it. Frankly I can't choose in this poll. I love both films and scores. 5 hours ago, Pellaeon said: They didn’t leave much of an impression on me. I was especially bored in the first one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Mr. Big 4,655 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Batman is ok, Superman is more ok. Superman wins! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,698 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 4 hours ago, kaseykockroach said: "It's darker, which means it's more important". The yellow BATMAN, or the darker one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Tbh I saw most of Batman again sometime last year, and well it just struck me as being more than a little... excessive. It suddenly seemed obvious where Joel Schumacher looked for ideas and even style. The poor guy just forgot to include the "broody" part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chen G. 4,011 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 6 hours ago, John said: The Dark Knight movies are more of a crime/drama saga than a trilogy of superhero films. Kinda, yeah. I have to say, though, if that trilogy is at fault of being too serious (at least to the liking of some of the members of the board), than the original Superman is way too light. Even when you set out to make a fun, escapist, comic-book, kid film - you always need to have some moments of darkness and gravity, because it creates a sense of contrast that only alevates the rest of the film. Its true of all great kids films (think how tragic the Lion King gets) and 80's adventure films: there are moments of darkness in the original Star Wars, in Indiana Jones films, etc - not so much, however, in Superman. First lesson to be learned: never ever make your villain the comic relief! John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Yeah, obviously Richard Donner knows nothing about film making. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chen G. 4,011 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 That's besides the point: those issues stem largely from the screenplay, which Donner did not write. They just wanted to make it very much in the style of the actual comics: monologing, mustache-twirling villains; moronic hencemen, etcetra... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 And this is wrong, you feel? Superman: The Movie is obviously a film of its era. But its a very good film of its era. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chen G. 4,011 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Like I said, even a fun, light movie needs moments of seriousness. Otherwise, it just becomes a constant. Other films of that era did a much better job of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Hackman's Lex Luthor is one of my most memorable movie villains from when I was growing up. He's also one of the most quotable, which is normally the mark of great villainhood. Mind you, I never really cared much about "gritty" villains in the superhero genre anyway. It's largely a corny genre to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chen G. 4,011 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 I said nothing about gritty, but villains should be at least somewhat threatening. Gene Hackman is scarier as the protagonist in The French Connection than he is an antagonist in this film. jwalk713 and Matt C 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Apples versus oranges! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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