David Moya
Aside from the amazing technology and in-depth philosophy behind Bruce Wayne and Batman, what makes his on-screen presence so entertaining is the style in which he goes about his crime-fighting. But Batman is also known for having some of the most definitive moments in his live-action portrayals. Moments that have added to his long-running legacy and have made him into the brutal, terrifying and inspirational hero that he is today. That being said, we are excited for more to come in future installments that include the Caped Crusader. These are the best Batman moments in his live-action films. Caution if you haven’t seen any of these films, there will be spoilers!
Also Read: Can WB Make A Live-Action Batman TV Show?
“Deshi Basara” (The Dark Knight Rises, 2012)
More of a Bruce Wayne moment rather than a Batman moment, that being said it is still a powerful and important scene in regards to the moral of Batman. After being defeated by the terrorist Bane, Bruce is taken to prison where the only way out is to climb out. With a broken back, Bruce has to heal himself and muster up the strength to get out of the pit and back to Gotham. What makes this scene so memorable is the intensity of his final climb, since during his previous attempts he would keep falling. Finally, he realizes what he has to do and finds the confidence in himself to make it out of the pit, while at the same time the other inmates are chanting the words “Deshi Basara” which means “Rise Up”. This scene gave us a perfect example of the sheer willpower that is within Bruce Wayne, and why he is the only person who can do what is necessary to be Gotham’s protector.
“Step away from the edge” (The Dark Knight, 2008)
This scene shows Batman’s more strategic side to him. Joker makes his next terrorizing attack when he has kidnapped doctors and has his men holding them hostage. As Gordon and the GCPD try to make an attempt to save the hostages, they are met with the assistance of Batman. Now with his new sonar vision, Batman makes his way onto the scene to save the hostages. Batman discovers the hostages are the henchmen and the henchmen are actually the hostages, as the GCPD infiltrates the situation Batman quickly tries to subdue the GCPD. Confused by Batman’s attack, the soldiers turn their guns towards Batman. Batman manages to tangle all of them up and just when a helicopter circles around the building, they think they finally have Batman. As Batman raises his hands, signaling he is giving up. He has one last act – he kicks a solider off the edge, pulling all the other soldiers off the cliff and dangling from the side of the building, giving Batman his chance to apprehend the Joker.
“It’s Still Here” (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, 2016)
We all knew when Zack Snyder announced the appearance of Batman in his next DC Comics film, it would be something new and unique. The Batman he gave us was not only comic accurate, but terrifying as well. As two officers are discovering a crime scene that had the appearance of a Bat like creature, they find themselves what appears to be a human trafficking operation. When they go to free the people inside they tell the officers in a foreign language that there is a devil in the building and he was still there. The officers hear screaming upstairs, they proceed to investigate and come across a man with a bat symbol branded into his chest. As the camera pans to the right, we see a man in the top corner of the room and when the officer sees him he starts firing his gun, forcing Batman to quickly crawl across the wall like some sort of creature and escape. This scene gave us the first look at the fear and brutal Batman that awaits us.
“I’m Not Wearing Hockey Pads” (The Dark Knight, 2008)
Christopher Nolans Batman Trilogy isn’t known for its humor, but we tend to accept them on a case to case situation. After the memorable introduction from Heath Ledgers Joker to the spectacular film, shows Scarecrow returning and making deals with Gotham’s criminal underground. When suddenly the criminals start being taken out by what appears to be Batman, the criminals are confused when Batman reveals a shotgun. To ease the confusion of the criminals, the tumbler bursts onto the scene and in the words of Dr. Jonathan Crane “That’s more like it”. Batman then starts suppressing all of the thugs and copycats until at the end when one of them finally asks him “What gives you the right? What’s the difference between you and me?” and Batman simply responds “I’m not wearing hockey pads” reminding us all what makes him Gotham’s Protector and why there can only ever be one Batman.
“We are the same” (Batman Returns, 1992)
In the follow up to 1989 Batman film. Keaton is back in the title role with the supporting cast of Christopher Walken as Max Shreck and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman. This scene gives us a perfect example of Batman’s feelings for Selina Kyle and the relationship they have had throughout the film as well as in their comic book romance. When Batman makes his last attempt to help Selina from killing Max Shreck, he explains to her that she doesn’t need to kill him, because he understands and how they are both the same. Selina stares at him in confusion before Batman removes his cowl to reveal his identity. This is scene shows us the dynamic between the Bat and the Cat, how despite their differences they are still very much the same. Even when Bruce offers her the chance to stop come with him and live her life with him, she refuses. Showing us that despite their feelings for each other, they are still damaged people who live their life seeking redemption.
“Light It Up” (The Dark Knight Rises, 2012)
Referencing out the previous entry from The Dark Knight Rises, after Bruce manages to escape the pit and begin his pursuit after Bane in Gotham. Gotham City is in shambles as Bane has presented anarchy among the city, leaving it in the hands of the criminals. After Gordon and his men are sentenced to Death by Exile by Dr. Crane, they are forced to walk across a sheet of ice blanketed over the Gotham bay. Just as they begin their trudge across the ice, Gordon discovers a flare on the ground. Suddenly, Banes soldiers are subdued and off-screen we hear Batman’s voice tell Gordon “Light it up” Gordon ignites the flare and tosses it on a wire that engulfs a massive bat logo on the side of the Gotham bridge, declaring that Batman has returned and is coming for Bane. Providing us with the excitement and satisfaction of the return of our hero.
“I Believe You” (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, 2016)
A scene that Batman fans have been asking for, this scene brings out the brutality and power of the Batman Ben Affleck and Zack Snyder wanted to bring to the big screen. After a mutual agreement between Batman and Superman, they decide to work together to stop Lex Luthor and his evil plan. Superman explains to Batman that Luthor has his mother, sending Batman to rescue her. Batman arrives on the scene in such a spectacular fashion, first eliminating their firearms before he begins to pummel his way through the henchmen. Giving us one of the best Batman fight scenes in live-action films. In a desperate attempt, the remaining men in the next room where they have Martha hold their guns to the door, assuming Batman would be coming through there next. However, Batman plows through the wall and grabs one of the soldiers and his gun. Batman aims it at the other soldier who proceeds to threaten Batman saying “I’ll kill her! Believe me, I’ll do it!” Batman gives his simple answer “I believe you” and fires at the flamethrower, igniting the man as Batman jumps to cover Martha. Once again, Zack Snyder takes the comic pages and puts them on the screen recreating on the best scenes from Frank Millers The Dark Knight Returns.
“Back Up” (Batman Begins, 2005)
Taken from the pages of another Frank Miller story Batman: Year One. This scene takes place after Batman confronts Scarecrow who has poisoned Rachel Dawes and is slowly losing her mind. The GCPD has Batman surrounded and wait for SWAT to arrive on the scene, impatiently Gordon makes his way into the building but is swooped up by Batman. When SWAT finally arrives and begins entering the building, Batman needs a way to escape while also getting Rachel to the Batcave to stop the toxin in her body. Batman removes a sonar device from his boot and when Gordon asks what it is for, Batman’s response is “Back Up”. Suddenly, his back up arrives in the form of a swarm of bats as they inflict terror among the GCPD and allowing Batman to make his escape. The imagery from the comics commands the screen as we are shown the technological and tactical prowess of Batman, making this scene of the coolest to grace the screen.
“I want you to tell all your friends about me” (Batman, 1989)
The scene that kicked off the unforgettable 1989 film Batman. After two thugs rob a family, they sit on the rooftops counting the loot they pulled as they discuss the potential of “The Bat” finding them. Unfortunately for them, they are about to discover if that myth of a Batman is real or not. When Batman appears to the two men, they attempt to shoot him and make an escape. Just to realize that the bullets did nothing and the Batman is still coming after them. Batman kicks one and wrangles up the other with his grapple, pulling him closer and closer. The man pleads to Batman not to kill him, as Batman dangles him over the edge of the roof. Batman responds that he isn’t going to kill him but instead asks for a favor, asking “I want you to tell all your friends about me” the man cries “What are you?!” as Batman replies “I’m Batman” the scene that solidified Keaton as his generations Batman and his a contender for the debate of who delivers the best “I’m Batman” line.
“WHERE ARE YOU?!” (Batman Begins, 2005)
It was difficult not trying to include two entries that are both introductions to the Caped Crusader, however, this is scene is just too good to miss. Having completed his training and collected an arsenal to clean the streets of Gotham, Batman makes his first appearance stopping the transportation of drugs at the Gotham Docks. Stealthily, he is taking out his enemies one by one and inflicting terror among the other goons. As one starts to panic and frantically fire his weapon, he finally shouts out “WHERE ARE YOU?!” and being greeted behind him by Batman as he whispers “Here” and grabbing the man. Shortly after, Batman attacks the rest of the men taking them out one by one before landing on top of Carmine Falcone’s car. Falcone asks “What the hell are you?” as Batman breaks through the ceiling window, pulls him up, and responds “I’m Batman” then knocking him unconscious. Getting us hyped and ready for what Bale and Nolans Batman had to offer not just in this film, but in its other two sequels.
There is no doubt, Batman has got style. He can be incredibly cool in one moment, inspirational in the next and horrifying in another. But one thing is for sure, we will never get tired of seeing more moments like this in future Batman films. What did you think about these Batman moments from his live-action debuts? What are your favorite Batman scenes?
