Which movie is darker?

Started by Burtonite_08, Tue, 8 Jul 2008, 16:22

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Hi everyone. I know i have asked this in another thread but i think it deserves one of it's own.

Anyway which movie do you believe to be darker? Imo, B89. It is just a very dark, sinister and atmospheric movie and seems to have more of an edge to it compared to Returns. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks

Visually I feel 89 is a darker movie. More noir-ish.

Returns I feel is darker in overall themes.

I agree. the dark visuals in 89 are stylistically very Tim Burton

Depends which kind of darkness is darker to you.

BATMAN begins with two gangsters robbing a family. One of them looks like a junkie who's been through hell. Gotham City looks like an uncomfortable place. New York gone wrong.

Batman Returns starts out with a wealthy family disposing abominous first born son in a river leading to the sewer.

I find it hard to answer which movie is darker.


Well scenes in Batman such as The Joker talking to a corpse and the scene in the surgery are to me dark and disturbing.

I'd say BR:

1.  More violent, i.e.  fire-eater flamed with Batmobile, Strongman blown-up by Batman, baby Penguin tossed into river/sewer, Penguin's intent to kill babies.

2.  Much more Tim Burton, i.e. Penguin's appearance & black bile, Gotham's appearance even seems darker to me than B89, the Nosferatu influence with Max Shreck's office having coffin lining, and Shreck wearing human molars for cufflinks.  The mood of the film is more somber, especially the brooding Bruce Wayne in Wayne Manor when the Batsignal is struck.  I also think the darkness of the film juxtaposed with Christmas theme was a goal Burton had.

Overall, in terms of all (currently 5) Batfilms, I'd rank them in the following order from Darkest to Lightest:

1.  BR
2.  B89
3.  BB
4.  BF
5.  B&R

One can actually make a "Darkness Continuum" starting with B&R (Light) on the left and BR (Dark) on the right, with the others fitting in between.  I suspect TDK to rank 3rd on my continuum above BB when if comes out, at least from what I'm hearing/seeing so far.
I appreciate ALL dark, serious, and faithful Batman films.

B89 is darker in terms of visuals and atmosphere, BR is darker in terms of character and theme.

Quote1.  BR
2.  B89
3.  BB
4.  BF
5.  B&R
I'd agree with the BB ranking.  It's not a playful romp but it doesn't the same kind of bleakness that oozed from Burton's films (that's not a criticism or a praise of BB, just an opinon).

I'd say
1.BR
2.B89
3.BB
4.BF
5.B&R

Quote
I'd agree with the BB ranking.  It's not a playful romp but it doesn't the same kind of bleakness that oozed from Burton's films (that's not a criticism or a praise of BB

I agree wih that 100% alot of people say that BB is the darkest but i just don't see it it was gritty and had a crime movie type feel to it but it was no where near as dark as Batman or Returns, but The Dark Kight looks to be alot darker then Begins but prob still not beating out burtons movies in terms of darkness but i will wait to se it before i rank it.

In terms of aesthetics?  Batman Returns.
Theme?  Batman Returns.
Ending?  Batman Returns.
Villain origins?  Batman Returns.
How Batman treats baddies?  Almost a draw.

I would say:

Batman Returns
Batman
Batman Begins

I think Dark Knight may give 'Batman 89' a run for its money in some of these areas, but I want to see the film, first.  :)

Is it true that at the time of production for Batman, movie execs were nervous of the success of the film because of how dark and serious the tone was?

Thanks