Batman Villians: From best to worst

Batman Villians: From best to worst

EDITORIAL: I grade each actor's portrayal of the Dark Knight Detective's villains

Editorial Opinion
By sonofsamadams - Jun 23, 2011 08:06 PM EST
Filed Under: DC Comics

As i looked over my enormous movie collection, i spotted my batman movies. Then it got me thinkin' Who was the best? Who was the worst? See my ratings below.

1. Heath Ledger's Joker


Dark, michevieous, creepy and just damn good acting won the late Heath Ledger a best supporting role for his portrayal of the villianous joker. He was one of the few characters in the movie where you loved him, but you wanted him to die. In the best scene of the whole movie that frankly pissed me off, the Joker is tossed over the side of a building where he laughs manicially before Batman saves him! Why the hell would you save him, damnmit?! Oh well, Heath is the best.
A+

2. Danny Devito's Penguin

When i watch this, i tend to forget thats actually Danny playing the penguin. He's creepy, psychotic and very memorable. It was disturbing and entertaining to watch the Penguin's final moments in Batman Returns
A+

3. Cillian Murphy-Scarecrow

While not as creepy as the ones listed before him, Cillian is as smart as Danny and Heath, playing the villian that seems way too overconfident and likes the 'mind's power over the body'
A

4. Liam Neeson-Henri Ducard

While befriending Bruce Wayne and training him to be Batman, Liam Neeson has always had that 'father' feeling. But when he turns on Bruce, that's when he gives a very good performance as the worthy villain.
A-

5.Jim Carey-Riddler

Now you're probably thinking, 'WHAT? JIM CAREY?!' But hey, his campy, crazy performance was hilarious and for me it was memorable. All I have to say is JOYGASM!
A-

6. Aaron Echart-Two Face

Not too much screen time, and when he did, he was mildly evil and misguided, Aaron Echart really wasn't the villain, just a man who lost his way. But he did far better than the people that come next.
B

7. Jack Nicholson-Joker

Over the top, and at times he could be funny, but not scary or evil enough, Jack didn't strike me as the villain type.
C+

8. Michelle Pfeiffer-Catwoman

Apart from looking very attractive in the poorly made suit, Michelle really wasnt too much of a villain for me. Six Seven, this isn't Heaven.
C+

9. Tommy Lee Jones-Two Face

Way, way, way, way too over the top for my taste and kinda campy too.
C

10. Uma Thurman

Well, she did look sexxy a few times, but seriousy, white trash trying to seduce Batman and Robin and to top it off, a cat fight with Batgirl in the end?
And I said, CURSES!
C-

11. That guy who played Bane

Drawn in veins, bad make up and a Mexican macho wresting mask really do intimidate me.

12. Arnold Schwarzenegger-Mr Freeze

*Sigh* What can one say about this travesty? OH I KNOW!
No matter what they tell ya, its always the size of your gun that counts...or something like that.
F-

Well, that's my opinion.

Thoughts?
Comments?
Let me know.

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marvelguy
marvelguy - 6/23/2011, 11:10 PM
To an extent, you're comparing apples and oranges. Camp/Schumacher versus Nolan's films are completely different. Riddler and Two-Face were lame versions of the Joker (Nicholson).
Wherein you are inaccurate, Catwoman's costume wasn't poorly made. It was supposed to look like she stitched together a leather jacked or two. At the time, she was sex-kitten on wheels. She played both sides as I understand the character to be.

This is just a comment. Your analysis was interesting to read. I'll look forward to your next article.
Superheromoviefan
Superheromoviefan - 6/24/2011, 12:14 AM
Aaron Echart as Two Face is 2!
Jack Nicholson as Joker is 7?! he should be atleast on top three. Carey was shit
Ethic
Ethic - 6/24/2011, 12:47 AM
While Arnie is the greatest person who ever lived, ever, his Freeze gets my vote because that character could have been amazing.
yankeemanf
yankeemanf - 6/24/2011, 1:15 AM
is this just based on acting or how well it was adapted from the comix cuz if its the latter than nicholson's joker is way better than heath's while heath did a better acting job jack was the joker while heath was playing alex de large in the crow/joker makeup
marvel72
marvel72 - 6/24/2011, 7:43 AM
1.jack nicholson - joker

2.michelle pfeiffer - catwoman

3.danny devito - penguin

4.aaron echart - two face

5.heath ledger - joker

6.liam neeson - henri ducard

7.cillian murphy - scarecrow

8.jim carey - the riddler

9.tommy lee jones -two face

10.uma thurman - poison ivy

11.arnold schwarznegger - mr.freeze

12.whomever played bane
LP4
LP4 - 6/24/2011, 8:43 AM
I noticed on some other article from months ago, people kept hating on DeVito's Penguin...but I LOVED his version of Penguin more than the comics version. lol

It was more depraved...more disgusting and most of all- MORE ANIMALSTIC. =D

"Batman Returns" was my most favorite Batman film even moreso than The Dark Knight. Had the best story and villains. Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman gave me wet-dreams as a child growing up in the 90's and DeVito's Penguin made me afraid to sleep at night, in fear that he'd kidnap me and throw me into the toxic sewage like in the film. lol ;D

Plus I loved his final moment when he tried to kill Batman one last time by reaching for his umbrella...too bad he chose the "cute one" LOL and the music was just sooo beautifully orchestrated and set the perfect tone for the film's climax.

Plus I loved what he said to Batman "You're just jealous because I'm a genuine freak and you have to wear a mask!" lol

Best movie version Batman villain and by far the most superior Batman film of all time.

So I appreciate that you ranked DeVito's Penguin at 2nd but I disagree with Pfeiffer's Catwoman being at 8th...she was one of the best.
superbatspiderman
superbatspiderman - 6/24/2011, 9:13 AM
All of Nolans Villains should be the first ones other than Nicholson. Devito, Pfeiger, Carey, Jones,Schwarzenegger,Thurman(who I thought was worse than Freeze),and the dude who played Bane all sucked (some more than others).
LP4
LP4 - 6/24/2011, 9:23 AM
I think the guy who played Bane gets my vote for the worst. Freeze was crap but at least he talked and did more. Bane did nothing...just a mindless bouncer. In the comics and cartoons he is much, much more. An actual ASSASSIN. But in the movie he didn't seem like an assassin at all.

=(
CaptainDC
CaptainDC - 6/25/2011, 8:39 AM
To tell you the truth I do not agree with this at all. First of all, Liam Neeson played Ra's Ah Gul, one of the greatest superhero villains of all time. Not even to mention IGN ranking Ra's Ah Gul #7 on greatest villains of all time. And second of all, you have Jack Nicholson second, how?! Nicholson's role was amazing, charismatic, and most of all, enjoyable. My list goes as followed:

1) Heath Ledger- Joker
2) Jack Nicholson- Joker
3) Liam Neeson- Ra's Ah Gul
4) Michelle Phiefer- Catwoman
5) Danny Devito- Penguin
6) Aaron Echart- Two-Face
7) Cillian Murphy- Scarecrow
8) Jim Carrey- Riddler
9) Tommy Lee Jones- Two-Face
10) Uma Thurman- Posion Ivy
11) Jeep Swenson- Bane (Were you really to lazy to go and look up who played him?)
12) Arnold Schwarzenegger- Mr. Freeze
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