Summary
TheDC Universeboasts some of the most successful comic book movies ever made, but even these movies featured some comparatively less favorable scenes. The DCU is littered with incredible, groundbreaking movies, from the early days of Superman to the critically acclaimed blockbuster epics ofthe DCEU timeline. However, even these revered examples have weak points, whether it’s through flat performances, awkward moments, or anticlimactic scenes that somewhat tarnish an otherwise perfect reputation.
The verybest DCU moviesare a mix of nuanced character portrayals and nail-biting action. Though some of these have proven themselves divisive, they have each been celebrated for leaving an indelible mark on the superhero genre. Even the very worst scenes in these movies are perhaps not as awful as some otherinfamous DCU moments,but they struggle to match the rest of the movie.
DCU Chapter One Gods And Monsters: Every Movie & Show In The New DC Universe
James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe begins with six movies and six shows that open the DCU’s first chapter, “Gods and Monsters”.
10The Catwoman Epilogue
Batman Returns
The worst scene inBatman Returnsis undoubtedly the epilogue where Catwoman is revealed to be alive, looking up at the Bat-Signal illuminated against the moonlit sky. This scene undermines the ambiguity of the previous climactic moments, where Selina Kyle’s fate was left uncertain after her confrontation with Max Shreck. The uncertaintylent a poignant and haunting quality to her character arc, allowing viewers to draw their own conclusions about her ultimate fate.
By resurrecting Catwoman in the epilogue,Batman Returnsweakened its ending. Thisepilogue was added toBatman Returnsto tease a potentialCatwomanmovie starring Michelle Pfeiffer, a project that sadly never materialized despite Pfeiffer’s captivating performance that had enthralled audiences. Theunfulfilled promise of a Pfeiffer-led Catwoman film, which could have been an amazing exploration of one of DC’s most complex antiheroes, makes this epilogue even more frustrating.
Cast
Batman Returns sees the return of Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne after his victory over the Joker. This time, the Dark Knight faces a new threat in the form of The Penguin, an outcast who wants revenge on Gotham City. Featuring Danny DeVito as Oswald Cobblepot, Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle a.k.a. Catwoman, and Christopher Walken as Max Schreck, Batman Returns is Tim Burton’s second and final movie based on the iconic DC comics character.
9The Dress Shopping Scene
Wonder Woman
In an otherwise powerful and inspiring film, the shopping scene inWonder Womanstands out as a misstep. Amid the riveting action sequences and poignant character moments, this scene feelsout of place and unnecessary. Taking place after Diana and Steve Trevor arrive in London, the scene drags as it shows Diana trying on various outfits to blend in with early 20th-century society. While it aims to provide some comic relief and highlight Diana’s unfamiliarity with the world outside Themyscira, the execution falls flat.
With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, the detour into lighthearted wardrobe trials seems trivial and out of sync with the film’s overall tone. Itfails to contribute significantly to character development or plot progression, rendering it mostly pointless. GivenWonder Woman’s strength, this scene feels like an unnecessary filler, detracting from the momentum built up by the preceding and subsequent scenes.
Wonder Woman is directed by Patty Jenkins and introduces Diana, an Amazon princess, who ventures into the world of Man during World War I to combat the forces of evil and strive for peace. This film is a part of the larger DC Extended Universe.
8The Thinker Dies
The Suicide Squad
James Gunn’sThe Suicide Squadis a standout film in the DCU. However, theThinker’s death scene felt extremely anticlimactic. The Thinker is a fascinating and sinister villain, whose intelligence and manipulation skills add a unique dynamic to the narrative. The Thinker’s death occurs during the climactic battle at Jotunheim, where he meets his end at the hands of Starro the Conqueror.
Instead of a memorable showdown or a clever twist befitting his character, the Thinker is unceremoniously killed, almost as an afterthought. This abrupt and unimpressive ending is disappointing, given the build-up of his character throughoutThe Suicide Squad. Itlacks the dramatic weight and impactthat a villain of his caliber deserves. In a movie known for its bold and unexpected moments, the Thinker’s death stands out as a missed opportunity, undermining what could have been a more satisfying resolution for the character.
The Suicide Squad: Released in 2021, The Suicide Squad features supervillains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, and Peacemaker, among others, as they join Task Force X. The team embarks on a mission on the enemy-held island of Corto Maltese under the direction of Amanda Waller in this entry of the DC Extended Universe.
7"Let’s Get Nuts!"
Batman
Tim Burton’sBatman(1989) remains a seminal film in the superhero genre blemished by the infamous"Let’s get nuts!“scene. In this scene, Bruce Wayne confronts the Joker in Vicki Vale’s apartment, delivering the now-infamous line with a sudden burst of manic energy. This momentfeels clunky and out of character for the typically composed Bruce Wayne, making the scene more cringe-worthy than compelling.
The abrupt shift in tone disrupts the scene’s tension, leaving audiences bewildered rather than impressed. The scene was intended to tease the idea that the Joker killed Batman’s parents, but it just became distracting,rendering it more of an oddity than a pivotal moment. The scene has gained notoriety over the years and was referenced when Michael Keaton reprised his role as Batman inThe Flash.Regardless, it stands out as a rare misstep in an otherwise excellent movie.
Batman is a 1989 superhero movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. The film features Jack Nicholson’s chilling portrayal as Jack Napier, who turns into the Joker and reigns terror on Gotham. Kim Basinger also stars in the film as Vicki Vale, along with Michael Gough as Bruce’s trusty butler named Alfred.
10 Best Batman Gadgets In Michael Keaton’s Movies
Michael Keaton’s Batman used many iconic gadgets throughout Tim Burton’s Batman movies, helping to foster some of the most iconic depictions ever.
6Turning Back Time
Superman (1978)
Superman(1978) is a groundbreaking film that set the standard for superhero movies, with Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal of the Man of Steel. The film’s ending, on the other hand, where Superman flies around the Earth to reverse time and save Lois Lane, stands out as a major flaw. This scene, intended to showcase Superman’s love and desperation, insteadcomes off as ridiculous and scientifically implausible. The concept of reversing time by altering the planet’s rotation defies even the most basic understanding of physics, stretching the suspension of disbelief too far.
Thisdeus ex machina solution feels lazyand undermines the film’s carefully built narrative tension. Rather than relying on Superman’s strength, intelligence, or other abilities, the film opts for an easy fix that lacks coherence within its established universe. Despite its intent to deliver an emotionally charged climax, this ending detracts fromSuperman’s overall impact.
Superman
Superman, directed by Richard Donner, stars Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent, an alien from the planet Krypton living on Earth who adopts the persona of Superman to protect humanity. Released in 1978, the film features Gene Hackman as the villain Lex Luthor, who creates a plan that threatens millions of lives. Margot Kidder co-stars as Lois Lane, a journalist at the Daily Planet and Clark Kent’s colleague.
5The Joker Flashforward
Zack Snyder’s Justice League
The Knightmare sceneat the end ofZack Snyder’s Justice Leaguehad the potential to be an intriguing and powerful glimpse into a dystopian future, setting the stage for future conflicts. This post-apocalyptic vision, featuring Batman in an uneasy alliance with Jared Leto’s Joker, wasintended to heighten the film’s dramatic tension and expand its narrative scope. However, the scene is marred by the Joker’s cringe-worthy"reach around"joke, which significantly undermines its impact.
Jared Leto’s portrayal of the Joker has always been polarizing, but in this particular scene, his attempt at dark humor falls flat. The"reach around"joke feels out of place and inappropriately timed, breaking the serious and tense atmosphere that the Knightmare sequence aims to create. Instead of contributing to the menacing and unpredictable nature of the Joker, itcomes off as forced and juvenile, diminishing the overall gravitasof the moment.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League is a reimagining of the 2017 film, where Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince assemble a team of metahumans, including Aquaman, The Flash, and Cyborg, to defend Earth from a looming cosmic threat, following Superman’s previous sacrifice. Released in 2021, it continues the DC Extended Universe narrative.
4Training With Ra’s Al Ghul
Batman Begins
Batman Beginsrevitalized theBatmanfranchise with its gritty realism and compelling origin story.Christian Bale’s portrayal of Batmanand the movie’s intricate narrative earned it notable acclaim. However, the training sequence featuring Liam Neeson’s Ra’s al Ghul is perhaps the film’s weakest point. The training sequence iscrucial to the narrative inBatman Begins, as it shapes Bruce Wayne’s transformation into Batman.
It is meant to be intense and enlightening, revealing the philosophies and skills that define the Caped Crusader. Unfortunately, Neeson’s portrayal of Ra’s al Ghullacks the charisma and gravitas expected from such a pivotal character. His delivery is often flat, failing to convey the depth and complexity of a mentor who profoundly influenced Bruce Wayne’s path. This lackluster performance diminishes the impact of the training scenes, making them less engaging and memorable compared to the rest ofBatman Begins.
Batman Begins is the inaugural film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, featuring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne. Released in 2005, it follows Wayne as he transforms into Batman to combat the pervasive corruption in Gotham City, creating a new identity to fight crime outside the system.
3Meeting Bruce Wayne
Joker (2019)
Todd Phillip’sJokeris a haunting and intense character study, with Joaquin Phoenix delivering a tour-de-force performance as Arthur Fleck. The scene where Arthur meets a young Bruce Wayne, on the other hand, feels a bit pointless. This encounter, taking place at Wayne Manor, is mostly unnecessary to the plot, detracting from the film’s otherwise tightly woven narrative. It servesno essential purpose in Arthur’s journeyor the development of his character.
Instead, it feels likea contrived attempt to tie the Joker’s story more directly to Batman, which ultimately weakens the film’s standalone strength. Moreover, this interaction undermines the scene where Bruce Wayne’s parents are murdered during the Joker riots. The scene was less surprising and compelling after the Wayne Manor scene, and the ending would have been more shocking if it had been omitted.
Joker
Directed by Todd Phillips, Joker is an origin story for Batman’s most iconic villain. Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is a down-on-his-luck clown who is trying to become a successful stand-up comedian. When things don’t go according to plan, and Arthur feels Gotham is oppressing him and others with mental illness, Arthur sparks a violent revolution within the city.
2Talia’s Death Scene
The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Risesis a strong conclusion to Christopher Nolan’sDark Knighttrilogy and is themost financially successfulBatmanmovieever. Talia al Ghul’s death, on the other hand, is a notable low point. After the grandeur and complexity of her schemes, Talia’s quick andanticlimactic demise feels jarring and unsatisfying. Talia is revealed as the mastermind behind Bane’s plan, inheriting her father’s vision for Gotham’s destruction. Her character is built up throughout the film, making her sudden and unceremonious death feel incongruous.
Talia’s final moments inThe Dark Knight Rises, where she slumps awkwardly in the driver’s seat, come off as unintentionally silly rather than poignant or dramatic. The reaction shot of Batman, Catwoman, and Commissioner Gordon witnessing her death adds to the awkwardness. Their expressions are meant to convey shock and relief but appear almostcomedically mismatched with the gravity of the situation.
The Dark Knight Rises follows Batman as he returns to Gotham City eight years after the death of Harvey Dent. Now pursued by law enforcement, he faces new challenges from Selina Kyle and Bane, a formidable terrorist leader who threatens the city’s safety, compelling Batman to defend a city that sees him as a foe.
1The Boat Scene
The Dark Knight
The Dark Knightis widely regarded as a masterpiece of superhero cinema, anchored by Heath Ledger’s mesmerizing performance as the Joker. The boat scene, where the Joker has planted bombs on two ferries filled with civilians and prisoners, stands out as a slightly ineffective moment in an otherwise flawless film. Compared to the Joker’s earlier acts of chaos and psychological warfare,the boat scene lacks the same level of tension and dramatic payoff.
The moral dilemma presented to the passengers of both boats - whether to detonate the other boat to save themselves - ultimately resolves in a somewhat predictable and anticlimactic manner. While it explores themes of human nature and moral choices, itpales in comparison to the intensity and unpredictability of the Joker’s earlier schemes. Despite this,The Dark Knightremains a landmark achievement in filmmaking, delivering an unforgettable cinematic experience and the bestDCmovie ever.
The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, is the second installment in the Batman trilogy starring Christian Bale as Batman. Released in 2008, the film follows Batman’s alliance with Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent as they combat the organized crime that threatens Gotham, facing the menacing Joker.
