The Common Core

The live action picture portrayals of Batman have been undeniably different in every movie, which is a given considering the fact that the character had many different faces in its long comic book history. There is no such thing as the "right" portrayal of Batman, but that has been touched upon in the 'Batman in 2000s' article, among others. This time lets take some time to briefly shed some light on the similarities between those different portrayals. While there were different approaches and characterizations, in some portrayals the signature core characteristics of the Batman character are preserved, mainly in the Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan movies, while others shine away from general outlines of the Dark Knight, the modern age definition of the caped crusader. The TV series is left out from this article since its been targeting a vastly different approach, reflecting Batman of only one specific era period, whilst the motion picture movies took something from various portrayals, even if primarily focusing on one era or another (while adding their original touches as well). While there's a few similarities as far as gadgets, batcave, the depiction of the city and even some basic story ideas, let's focus solely on Batman only.

Even including the cheerful Silver Age, Batman has moved, stood or took poses like a bat, since it's earliest days (although  in the Silver Age when he did took spooky vampire poses as well, he did it comparatively rarely). His cape was often spread to resemble bat wings, and his silhouette often looked like that of a bat. Such approach is clearly taken by both Burton and Nolan..

Spreading and casting a shadow to strike fear

and the cape spreading and forming a batwings shape when gliding through air

..however discarded by Schumacher. In his movies, we never see Batman with a wing span or a shape of a bat during his flight. Schumacher took a more superheroic approach and portrayed Batman in a flowing cape. The one instance where Batman spread his wings was in Batman & Robin in so called "pose" shot

Batman often stayed in the shadows, which is very fitting for a creature of the night.

..and has been very often portrayed as a shadow, silhouette or a descending bat

Schumacher did not share those features and presented Batman who had no problem showing in bright public places among the crowds and cameras,

nor did his Batman took any dramatic or Gothic poses

Modern Batman has also been known to casually watch over the city from the rooftops, waiting for a crime to happen

This was completely absent in Schumacher's movies
The common ground isn't just limited to the visuals. Perhaps one of the two most recognizable features in Batman character is his hard to constrain fury that he keeps locked inside. There were many moments when Batman was close to snapping, and times where he needed someone to stop him. If he didn't his unmatched fury could go extremely far.

 

Christian Bale: I just went with as much aggression and rage as I could, bordering on appearing like a bad guy when he’s got the suit on. That you should be unsure when you’re faced with him
He could do good things but man, he could just as easily flip over and become like the ultimate villain. (Rebecca Murray int. 2005)
Batman's anger and occasional lack of control appears in both Keaton's and Bale's portrayals...

and even Adam West's version had his moments of madness

 

..however is completely absent in Kilmer's and Clooney's takes. Kilmer specifically remains unusually stoic and in control, unlike any other incarnation of the character. He remains absolutely relaxed and calm in almost every situation, not even showing any emotions after his cave had been devastated and his love interest kidnapped or when facing people responsible.

Clooney, by his own admission, wanted to completely go past pain and anger, and he did

It is then no surprise that Christian Bale's favorite portrayal of Batman is that of Michael Keaton, since, even though they reflected different worlds and genres, shared important core characteristics of the Modern Age era Batman

Media References Part II: Tim Burton Movies

The Tim Burton movies forever changed the perception of Batman in mass media and to this day remains a golden classic and a milestone in Bathistory. Because of its stature and success, many TV shows, series' and movies featured homages, nods and spoofs of Batman and Batman Returns. The following list is by no means a full one of all the references and spoofs of the show as the list goes insanely long, but collects the most interesting and memorable ones from the late 1989 to date.

* In Full House "Divorce Court", Stephanie and DJ dress as Batman and Joker from the movie

* Batman appeared numerous times on Tiny Toons. In 1990's "Gang Busters" an obvious Batman lookalike character encounters Bugs and Duffy entering his cave by mistake. He says "First that blonde and now this. Ah cheesh Alfred, why dont you just tell the world we're down here!"

In 1990's "Hollywood Plucky", Batman visits a Hollywood restaurant. Hamton tries to valet park his Batmobile

Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman also made an appearance in one of the episodes (although in TV show's costume)

And so did an animal version of Joker

Tim Burton made a cameo too

* Batman, referred to as Mr. Keaton, appeared numerous times on Animaniacs. Noticeably in 1993's "Taming of the Screwy" when he appears at WB party. Some of the other guests included were other movie icons of the times like the T-1000 and the Lethal Weapon cast

Penguin also made an appearance as the guest at the party

In "Twas the Day Before Christmas", Keaton exits the WB studios greeted by the guard saying "Goodnight Mr. Keaton, that's a lovely sedan!"

* In the beginning of the Batman: The Animated Series episode called "Off Balance", Batman meets an informant named Twitch on the tower of the statue of Liberty. The informant has black hair, a long face, and has been confirmed by the producers to be "Tim Burton". The series itself made a great deal of references to the movies

*The Simpson also made numerous references to the movies. Here are the most interesting ones. In "Last Exit to Springfield" the scene with the surgeon is recreated with Lisa. Same scene was also reenacted with Krusty before in "Homie The Clown"

In "Marge vs Monorail" the Flugelheim Museum rescue scene is reenacted with Mr. Burns and Smithers

*There were also references in Family Guy as well

*Nicholson's Joker made an appearance in South Park's "Imaginationland"

* In 2007's Shaggy and Scooby Doo Get a Clue episode "Operation Dog and Hippie Boy", the villain - CatLady - is an obvious homage to Pfeiffer's Catwoman

*Keaton's Batman made several appearances in the MAD cartoon

Classic phrases like "I'm Batman" and "You Wanna Get Nuts? Lets Get Nuts" made it into many, many TV shows and movies, most notably Seinfeld and American Dad in which the character pickups up a sign, breaks the glass next to him and screams "You wanna get nuts?! C'mon! Let's get nutsss"

Any interesting and worthy additions welcomed