Why do people love Batman and the Dark Knight movies so much?

I really need to sleep lol….

But seriously, why? And for other reasons besides “Because it’s Batman”.

I have never understood the hype. While I liked the Batman movies, I really didn’t think any of them were all that and they were nothing that I would want to watch multiple times. But people continue to go on and on about how awesome Christopher Nolan is. Personally, I know my dislike is a mix of me disliking the film(s) as well as Batman as a comic book character in general.

C. Nolan is a great director, I can admit that. But my favorite film of his is “The Prestige”. I loved that movie. “The Dark Knight” on the other hand just doesn’t feel like a superhero movie to me. Then again, I just find Batman to be an overall boring comic character with no personality. Yes his parents were killed blah blah but it’s just so…....I don’t know…...just dark. Too dark for me to really just LOVE and obsess over, you know? I feel that a hero/movie does not have to be dark and serious all the time for it to be enjoyable. It’s a superhero universe so I want to see a fantastical movie, not a crime drama.

So if any of you are just in love with these films, could you please clearly and concisely tell me why? I have friends that are all Batman lovers, but they are too clouded in their fandom to be able to clearly tell me what is so awesome about it aside from the fact that “most critics agree” and “he’s Batman”. And don’t even get me started with all of the plotholes in the last film….....

Yes, I’m a little biased…....okay a lot biased. I think in a fight, Iron Man would kick Batman’s ass (though Bruce Wayne would kick Tony Stark’s butt in hand to hand combat). Thusly, I will also say that I’m in love with Robert Downey Jr. and his Tony Stark. But please, I need a little convincing to understand the other side lol