quote of the day (July 9, 2008)

The billionaire creates a Bat-suit loaded down with the muscles that he doesn't really have. Holy insecurity, Batman!

After Adam West, the bar was set pretty high for future Batmen. The specter of Mr. West hung over the Batman franchise for 21 years until Michael Keaton reprised the role in 1989's aptly-titled Batman. Best known at that point for his roles in comedies like Gung Ho and Mr. Mom, his choice as the Caped Crusader was widely questioned at the time. He was thought not to have the imposing physique required for the role (especially when compared to the Herculean frame of West's Batman). Even so, he did an admirable job, and emerged as an excellent Batman.

In this clip Michael Keaton shows how eccentric billionaire Bruce Wayne lets off some steam when he's not fighting crime

Michael Keaton, Batman 1989, Batman Returns 1992

Typical quote: "You wanna get nuts? Come on, let's get nuts!"

Strengths: his wonderful toys, the ability to get it on without removing his Bat-costume, potent scowl, exceptionally adept/phallic motor vehicle.

Weaknesses: When wearing Bat-costume, has inability to turn his head without turning his whole upper-body, has hair in a permullet, falls for the empty-headed reporter Vicki Vale.

Overall Rating (0-100): 81. Michael Keaton was a pretty generic Bruce Wayne, but a very good Batman. He gets docked points for his infatuation with the shrill, vacuous Vicki Vale, but then makes them back by falling for the infinitely more interesting Catwoman in the second film. He also loses points for being in Herbie: Fully Loaded and not punching busty junkie Lindsey Lohan. Not even once.