13 Gloriously Hammy Performances In Comic Book Movies
13. Christian Bale (The Dark Knight Trilogy)
Christopher Nolans reinvention of Batman for the current film-going generation intentionally bears very little resemblance to the far hammier Tim Burton interpretation, but thats not to say that the film is a master class in understatement. Neither Heath Ledger, Cillian Murphy nor Tom Hardy holds back in their respective villainous roles, but Christian Bale is a rarer example of a heroic character who regularly propels spittle into his opposite numbers face. Its not just the voice, but it is mainly the voice, isnt it? Bale as Bruce Wayne is strangely composed, at odds with his more flamboyant persona in some versions, while as Batman he is all imposing physicality and that gargling voice which he uses for basic conversations and interrogations alike. Most actors in this list are ranked for only one film, but Bale apparently realised that his interminably angry and/or choking Batman was becoming a meme and decided to up the ante for the sequels. Hes never quite unintelligible, but hes never far from it, either.
