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Is this the worst line of dialogue in the entire history of superhero movies?

posted a year ago by RustyShacklefurd (2026)
54 replies | jump to latest

When discussing Superman, Batman tells Alfred that "if we believe there is even a 1% chance that he is our enemy we have to take it as an absolute certainty". That looks like an absolutely terrible line written on paper and sounds like an absolutely terrible line when spoken. Even in a non-superhero movie it would sound absolutely terrible. How did it ever make it into this movie?

Why would you ever have to take something with a 1% chance as an absolute certainty? Especially with something as malleable as a person, which is what Superman is. That logic would inevitably lead to all kinds of mistakes and failures.

That line sounds completely unbecoming of a superhero. I don't understand how a superhero could be so unforgiving of another person who's anything less than an outright villain. It just makes Batman sound like a total jerk. Batman used to have values but this version doesn't seem to have any.

[–] millsey72 (9655) a year ago

Nah, I'd say "with great power, comes great responsibility." That has to be the worse line of dialogue in any superhero movie

[–] Crapshoot (150) a year ago

It’s a reference to something Dick Cheney said.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Percent_Doctrine#

[–] RustyShacklefurd (2026) a year ago

And why would they have Batman repeat a line from Dick Cheney? Batman is supposed to be a superhero. Dick Cheney is not generally seen as a hero. This might be part of the reason this line in the movie sounds terrible.

[–] Crapshoot (150) a year ago

The line is meant to highlight how Batman has become consumed by fear and paranoia, much like how many Americans felt in the aftermath of 9/11. You’re not supposed to agree with him. That’s the point. He’s in the wrong, and Alfred calls him out on it.

[–] RustyShacklefurd (2026) a year ago

Like I said before, Batman is supposed to be a superhero. He's supposed to be above such fear and paranoia. At the very least he would be required to actually follow Alfred's advice. Instead, he goes ahead with his plan to try to kill Superman. How is the audience supposed to root for a guy like this? And Batman just saying the line itself still sounds absolutely terrible.

[–] Crapshoot (150) a year ago

The whole point of his arc in the movie is how he’s lost his way. If superheroes were never allowed to be flawed, there wouldn’t be much conflict in a story.

[–] RustyShacklefurd (2026) a year ago

That's too flawed for a superhero. Especially since we never got to see this version of Batman earn his credibility as a superhero in the first place. The credibility that he would need for him losing his way to really mean anything. And for him to really come back from this descent he would have to actually listen to Alfred's advice instead of actually going through with his plan to try to kill Superman and then give up at the very last second all because Superman said the name "Martha". And the line itself still just sounds really terrible.

[–] GreenGoblinsOck8 (7452) a year ago

I'll definitley take that line and this movie over anything in Superman 3.

[–] ChiefAlex (26) 7 months ago

I thought Batman was a vigilante not a superhero? It's been a while since I've seen the movie though so I could be wrong. I thought he was angry about Superman and General Zod fighting in the middle of the city. Damaging buildings and property, and he felt superman put people's lives at risk or something like that? He somehow felt that superman was responsible or something like that from his point of view.

[–] RustyShacklefurd (2026) 7 months ago

Batman is both a vigilante and a superhero. Most superheroes are more or less vigilantes.

[–] Kowalski (60828) 7 months ago

THE LINE JUST NEEDED A TINY TWEEK...

IF WE BELIEVE THERE IS EVEN A 1% CHANCE THAT HE'S NOT ON OUR SIDE, WE HAVE TO TREAT HIM AS IF IT WERE AN ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY THAT HE'S OUR ENEMY.

[–] ak47wong (483) 7 months ago

WOULD HE HAVE TO SHOUT IT TOO?

[–] Kowalski (60828) 7 months ago

IT WOULDN'T HURT...IT'S DAMN COOL!😎

[–] RustyShacklefurd (2026) 7 months ago

I don't see how that tweek would have changed any part of what made that line so terrible

[–] Kowalski (60828) 7 months ago

THEN YOU SHOULD PROBABLY GO BACK TO COLORING.🖍️

[–] RustyShacklefurd (2026) 7 months ago

I don't know what you're talking about

[–] BenStrousers (486) 7 months ago

Neither does he.

[–] Kowalski (60828) 7 months ago

SURE I DO...I EDITED A LINE OF DIALOGUE AND WHEN A SILLY MAN SAYS HE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND PLAIN ENGLISH... SUGGESTED HE COLOR ME A PRETTY PICTURE....FAIRLY SELF EXPLANATORY.

[–] RustyShacklefurd (2026) 7 months ago

I grew up with a lot of coloring books so when you told me to "go back to coloring" I assumed you meant that I should go fill in pictures in coloring books with crayons. However, I still don't understand why you responded by telling me to draw you a picture. I assume that's just part of your usual shtick that is the essence of what makes you Kowalski.

[–] BenStrousers (486) 7 months ago

I was speaking in general terms.

[–] Kowalski (60828) 7 months ago

YOU ARE OBSESSED WITH ME...I LOVE IT.

[–] BenStrousers (486) 7 months ago

Its your honesty that keeps me coming back. Never in my life have a met such a transparent and candid person.

[–] Martoto (4342) 7 months ago

That's not even a new thing. It's just a different version of the cliche, "When in doubt, have no doubt." It just means that it's too important to hesitate.

Batman is a jerk. He fights the criminals he chooses to fight in a manner that he clearly enjoys.

Adam West's Batman was the only real boy scout caped crusader. He's the exception. Not the rule.

[–] JFZ (1459) 7 months ago

It's a superhero movie written for children. Grow Up.