10 of the Best Michael Keaton Performances
I just want to say off top don't think because Batman Returns doesn't appear on this list that I didn't want to put it on this list. That movie and performance goes hard!
Having said that let's get into the 10 times Michael Keaton proved he was the goods on the big screen!
Role/Rank:
#10- As Ken in... Toy Story 3 (2010)
Why, Though:
While I appreciate Toy Story 3, it's not my favourite Pixar movie. What I did enjoy though, was Michael Keaton breathing life into a Ken doll, though! My initial reaction to his character was that he was bringing a new style of comedy to the franchise and it was much appreciated.
Role/Rank:
#9- As Betelgeuse in... Beetlejuice (1988)
Why, Though:
I'm definitely not a fan of this movie, but you can't deny that Michael Keaton is great in the 10 minutes he gets. The movie is about Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis and still most people, like Ian, like to reference Betelgeuse and the possessed dinner scene with Catherine O'Hara. Seriously, check how much screen time Michael as the titular character actually gets. It's impressive that people love the character so much. I still don't get why people love the movie though.
Role/Rank:
#8- As Ray Nicolette in... Jackie Brown (1997)
Why, Though:
Finally a movie I actually love! Don't believe me, listen to episode 15 of season 4 of LDF Podcast to hear me discuss the finer details of this movie. For this post's purposes, though, let me just say that I really liked Michael Keaton as Ray in this movie. So much so that I was happy to see him pop up again in Out of Sight as the same character! Michael plays Ray as a cop that maybe is just lucking into his busts or maybe he's smarter than he's letting on? I don't know but I like the way it works on screen!
Role/Rank:
#7- As Ray Kroc in... The Founder (2017)
Why, Though:
I have yet to see a movie that puts me off of McDonald's. This movie shows me how Ray Kroc came in and broke up the good thing the McDonald brothers had going and all I could think was, I'm rooting for you Ray and I can't wait to get a Quarter Pounder after this movie. Michael made it way too easy for me to cheer for him even though I knew he was doing terrible things to his business partners and family.
Role/Rank:
#6- As Captain Gene Mauch in... The Other Guys (2010)
Why, Though:
The running gag about the Captain quoting TLC. Plain and simple. The way Michael Keaton pulled off the delivery of any line where he denied any knowledge of TLC was amazing. Also when Will and Mark catch up with Captain Gene working his second job, it's simply sublime.
Role/Rank:
#5- As Doug Kinney/Clones in... Multiplicity (1996)
Why, Though:
I think this was like the second thing I saw Michael Keaton in. And I loved his ability to make each clone feel distinct. I'm not going to rewatch this movie lest it ruin my fond memories. I just know that it consistently made me laugh in theatres and on home video. Also the subplot about one of the clones' love of pizza developing into a full grown business for the clones was the best happy ending ever!
Role/Rank:
#4- As Walter "Robby" Robinson in.. Spotlight (2015)
Why, Though:
I remember thinking, there's no way you're going to get another Birdman-like performance out of Michael Keaton. He should have got that Oscar instead of Eddie Redmayne right? Well Spotlight proved that Michael Keaton has still got it and he'll bring it in a movie about uncovering corruption in the church through journalism and make it hella interesting!
Role/Rank:
#3- As Adrian Toomes/Vulture in... Spider-Man Homecoming (2017)
Why, Though:
I didn't want to like Vulture. I hated the idea of Adiran Toomes being the villain in a Spider-Man movie and then they announced Michael Keaton. I was feeling better about it. Little did I know Michael Keaton's performance would make Vulture one of the best cinematic Spider-Man villains! The fact that you have to kind of respect Vulture's M.O. comes down to the writing, but it's Michael's performance from the moment he opens the door to Peter and all the way to the school parking lot that clinches this spot for me! Listen to me gush about the role on episode 49 of Spoiled Rotten!
Role/Rank:
#2- As Riggan in... Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
Why, Though:
I feel like this movie has become known for the "gimmick" of having "no cuts" like 12 years a Boy didn't have a gimmick attached to it. But this movie is way more than that. Michael took this movie, put it on his back and carried it to victory. I find that this movie could have come off as way more self indulgent and navel gaze-y without Michael Keaton's performance at the center of things. I really love this movie, if you can't tell. Listen to me really get into it on episode 3 of season 3 of LDF Podcast!
Role/Rank:
#1- As Bruce Wayne/Batman in... Batman (1989)
Why, Though:
Of course it's Batman! If you're not familiar with how I feel about Batman, you can get familiar with this post about the 10 best comic book characters. Honestly, without this role, I probably wouldn't care about Michael Keaton the way I do. I saw his Batman when I was 4 or 5 and it stuck with me. But don't think it's just because Keaton was the first cinematic Batman I met. It's because he seemed like he had a very specific take on Batman and Bruce Wayne. To go from Beetlejuice and Mr. Mom to this shows that Michael has got range and can be believable in anything he puts his mind to.
-YG