In honor of Disney’s attempt-to-take-over-the-entertainment-world-buy-purchasing-the-only-decent-comic-book-company-worth-noting brouhaha, I have compiled a list of the greatest superhero films ever created for cinema. Now, there are more superheroes then one would think, and they are most certainly not limited to only the Marvel or DC realm. While there have been many many comic book movies over the years, there’s still plenty of room for improvement, and hundreds of characters to be introduced to audiences around the world. In the meantime, here are the 10 you should definitely watch:
Special Mention:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (So, so close, but you must give this movie a watch. Its 80s campy fun)
#10: Wanted
Year: 2008
In this deliciously painful film, we follow a cynically sarcastic blue-collar worker rise above the ranks to become an incredible assassin. However, his superhero skills took forever to take off because of his inability to see anything special in himself. Then add to that the brutal beatdowns he had to participate in. Wanted works because it’s a nice blend of subtle sarcasm with comic book action, intense car chases, and juicy plot twists. If none of that excites you, there’s always Angelina Jolie….
#9: The Mask of Zorro
Year: 1998
Of all the movies on this list, Mask of Zorro has easily the best chemistry of them all. The interactions between Zorro and Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones..mmmm…) alone makes this a delightful viewing. I guess we can add the wonderful fights, excellent music, good acting, and beautiful cinematography…right?
#8: Iron Man
Year: 2008
Sometimes, all it takes is a very good lead to carry a superhero flick. In this case, the highly underrated Robert Downey Jr. gives us the performance of a lifetime as he blends the suave and egotistical mannerisms of a playboy with the gritty determination of a man who wants to save the world. Iron Man’s appeal is because of the everyday-man persona; Tony didn’t develop powers or obtained them by birth. He built his powers from the ground up, and the movie does an excellent job showcasing his rise to hero-hood. Here’s to hoping that Iron Man 2 can contain twice as much action though.
#7: The Dark Knight
Year: 2008
Now I know everyone is going to go bananas on this pick. The Dark Knight, not the best? And at a low #7? Here’s the truth: I did not enjoy the movie as much as everyone else did back in 2008, and in 2009 the opinion remains. The Dark Knight is an intense movie full of memorable performances and incredible moments. Of course, Heath Ledger gives his most amazing performance here. Despite all that, this Batman movie isn’t the best (Continue reading list), isn’t the darkest (Batman Returns), isn’t the most accurate (Batman: Mask of the Phantasm), and overall, isn’t even the most visually appealing Batman (See: 1989 version). It is good, and it’s the 7th best I’ve ever seen, but it won’t go any higher.
#6: Batman Forever
Year: 1995
Instead of explaining why its #6, I shall explain (because I am sure everyone is asking for it) how it’s better than Dark Knight:
1) Better soundtrack
2) In this movie there is at least an attempt to create a version of Gotham
3) Batman doesn’t have a raspy voice
4) More action
5) More accurate
6) Better Batmobile
7) Better 1-2 villain combination (Dark Knight had an amazing Joker, but a superbly sub-par Two-Face and Scarecrow)
8) Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones does an even better job scene-stealing than Heath Ledger, whether you like it or not
9) Better ending
Batman Forever isn’t perfect, but its still a very fun comic book movie with some serious undertones and an overall whimsical package of action, comedy, romance, and drama. Would have been even better if Warner Brothers hadn’t edited the extra 22 minutes that does a better job explaining the movie and Batman’s motives.
#5: Spider-Man
Year: 2002
After years of fighting, legal mumbo-jumbo, and constant attempts, 2002 was finally able to see a serious attempt at a Spider-Man film. The movie definitely worked, and its mostly because of the special effects, Sam Raimi’s directing skills, and the ability to blend action, comedy, romance, and drama to the tale. The New York flavor only enhances the movie, and the Green Goblin was definitely no joke. While the movie is easily not the most realistic of the superhero genre, its emotional impact is just as effective as any Batman movie. It was a grand start to a money-making franchise with many hits, and few misses.
#4: Unbreakable
Year: 2000
The most underappreciated, underrated, and least popular in the list, Unbreakable is a deep engaging drama about a man who could potentially be a nearly-invincible superhero with many powers. Before M. Night became a joke and a hack, he delivered a remarkable story that asks what would happen if Superman is unaware that he is Superman. Samuel L. Jackson and Bruce Willis provide some of their best performances here, as this film is not to be missed.
#3: The Incredibles
Year: 2004
Watchman, a mediocre movie that came out earlier this year, is a look at the life of superheroes after the superhero stuff is over. The Incredibles is what Watchman should have been. While this movie isn’t based off of any comic book or DC/Marvel creation, The Incredibles has all the elements needed for a grand superhero film: massive action set pieces, deep engaging storylines, a bit of drama, good amount of humor, and a down-to-earth attitude that we can all loosely relate to. The Incredibles isn’t exactly Pixar’s best, but it does stand tall as one of the better comic book movies of all-time. Plus, any movie with Edna Mode earns more points.
P.S. The villain was also awesome.
#2: Batman
Year: 1989
The movie is dated. I know. There is Prince music. I know. Batman does have a gun. I know. However, this is the best of the Batman movies, and does the best job resembling Batman whether you like it or not. We can start with the incredible set pieces and scenery that resembles a hellish city full of gothic and borderline-demonic colors and shades. Then we can throw in the Joker and Jack Nicholson’s spell-binding performance. While Ledger’s Joker was quite sinister, the 1989 Batman had literally the first really gothic and grim interpretation of the Joker, whom was usually more of an immature street punk criminal prior to this. Then there’s the soundtrack, my goodness could Danny Elfman weave a good theme song. Last but not least, there’s Michael Keaton whom can pull off an intimidating Batman and a charismatic (in a weird kind of way) Bruce Wayne.
This Batman is the best, remains the best, and shall continue being the best until Warner Brothers learns to drop the Godfather-crime drama-like storylines and give us stories that more resemble the comic books. Of course, after making a billion, I doubt they will change a thing. In the meantime, this is the one Batman movie that started it all, and remains one of the better American movies of all-time.
#1: Spider-Man 2
Year: 2004
Excellent villain? Check. Borrows from a great comic book storyline? Check. Plenty of drama and tension? Check. Unpredictability? Check. A bit of horror? Check. Plenty of humor? Check. Great acting? Check. Improving upon the original in every possible way? Check.
Spider-Man 2 is one of the best sequels of all-time, and remains the top dollar of the superhero movies. Peter Parker, despite having something we can’t relate to, goes through a barrage of emotions that we can definitely relate to. Spider-Man 2 has it all: great music, incredible action, Oscar-winning special effects, and an overall funfactor that just beats any other superhero film out there. It’s the complete package, and is a must-see film. Such a shame that Spider-Man 3 turned out to be such a disappointment and also managed to ruin some of the dramatic issues in part 2. I usually neglect the existence of part 3, and continue praising part 2. This is Sam Raimi at his best, and comic book movies at its peak.
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