Superheroes On Screen

Well, I got around to seeing Superman Returns this past Friday, and despite certain distractions (spanish subtitles and annoying talking moviegoers), I thouroughly enjoyed this movie. I wasn't quiet sure what to expect. I was a little up in the air on the casting on the Man of Steel (seemed too young), and Bryan Singer's choice for Lois Lane seemed a bit farfetched. (Erica Durance, anyone?) But I am here to say that I gladly eat my words. The casting couldn't be more perfect, and pretty soon you lose track of the actors, and you become deeply entrenched with the characters. The story was great, and Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor was pure genius. He was the perfect balance of camp and menace. This is easily one of the greatest comic book genre movies ever made. But where does it place on my list?? We'll, I've given that a lot of thought, and here's my Top 10 List of Superhero Movies:


#10: Hellboy
For never having read the comic book or having been intimately familiar with the characters, I enjoyed the HELL (pun intended) out of this movie. Ron Perlman as Hellboy is very enjoyable, and the overall tone of the film was enjoyable.





#9: Batman Returns
Having dealt with the origin and backstory in the original Batman, Tim Burton manages to create a darker toned sequel, that still maintains a whimsical, yet menacing auora about it. The Penguin and Catwoman characters create an ecclectic triptych with Batman that was not achieved by the Joker alone. Here we see Batman and Bruce Wayne deal with the villains in both their lives simultaneously. (With sexy results!)




#8: X2: X-Men United
Like with Batman Returns, the origin and backstory are readily out of the way, letting you jump right into the action without backpedaling. My favorite new character was by far Nightcrawler, played to perfection by Alan Cumming. (I was sad to not see him in X3). The story was much more developed and intriguing than the original X-Men, and the human factor was handled brilliantly. (And Wolverine still kicks so much ass!)



#7: X-Men
The original is still the best. You cannot argue the brilliance of Bryan Singer after watching this film. He managed to take a completely ludicrous concept and infused it with pure believability and humanity. He was able to ground the story in our world, and made us accept everything we saw as fact. Hugh Jackman as Wolverine was brilliant casting.




#6: Superman (1978)
The one that started it all. You cannot have a list like this and not have this movie be on it. When I first saw this movie, I truly believed a man could fly. And even though the costume seemed a bit ridiculous, you never question the respect that you give it. Superman is an icon because of this movie, and because of Christopher Reeve. Amazingly enough, he managed just earn just as much respect and admiration in real life, as he did in the movie. That's what makes legends.



#5: Batman (1989)
Tim Burton, Micheal Keaton, and Jack Nicholson. The holy trinity of comic book movies. It was very difficult to see anyone else as Batman since Keaton donned the cape and cowl. And I don't think anyone will ever be able to touch Nicholson's Joker. This movie was dark, campy, and thoroughly enjoyable. I remember standing for hours at the theatre with my mom waiting to see this movie. That's the first moviegoing experience I remember.



#4: Superman Returns
Just released, and it is already this high up on my list. This movie further establishes Bryan Singers moviemaking prowess, especially with such a tricky genre. He managed to do the seemingly impossible, by resurrecting a franchise that was thought long dead, despite numerous failed attempts to revive it. I honestly believe that this film was waiting for Bryan to make it. It was amazing to look at, emotionally involving, and extremely compeling. Can't wait for a sequel!


#3: Batman Begins
Again, the resurrection of a seemingly dead franchise. Ever since the stench-ridden corpse that was Batman & Robin was laid down by Joel Schumacher, fanboys have feared a reappearance by the Dark Knight. But again, just like with Superman Returns, this movie was just waiting for the right director. And THANK GOD that they decided to go with a reinvisioning of the Caped Crusader, rather than a revisit to the camp that were the last 2 Batman movies. This film gave the comic book movie genre a sense of respectability and believability. This world was very much real, and plausible, not like the surrealistic Gotham that Tim Burton gave us. This gives us proof positive that a man dressed up as a giant bat is no laughing matter.(Unless you're the Joker that is, which is vaguely alluded to as a possible villain in the sequel!)


#2: Spider-Man
What can I say? Spider-Man has been one of my all time favorite comic book characters ever since I can remember. There is something so appealing about the concept of swinging through skyscrapers and catching crooks in webs. Spider-Man/Peter Parker seems to be the polar opposite of Batman. He's a poor, young, kid with nothing but super smarts on his side. He survives on his wits, and he never lets the glory of his superheroics get to his head. He's the everyman within us all, and that is why most people identify with him. Thank God for Sam Raimi. He understood the appeal of the comic book, the nature of the character, and the burden of his inner conflict, and managed to completely convey all those elements in a feature film. It still gives me goosebumps to watch Spidey swinging through New York, especially the last few minutes of the film culminating on the flagpole. This film is awe-inspiring, and, until my #1 pick came along, the epitome of the comic book superhero movie. So, what can topple Spider-Man off the top of the list?? Well, none other than it's sequel!!




#1: Spider-Man 2
Sam Raimi did the impossible. He created a masterpiece with the original Spider-Man, and not only tackles the prospect of a sequel, but far surpasses it. Like most of these sequels, he eliminated most of the origin and backstory (you can't have Spidey without Uncle Ben), and helped to flesh out the character of Peter Parker, his battle with his dual identities, and the balance (or lack thereof) with his numerous relationships. In this movie we see Peter begin to lose his powers, confess to his aunt that his uncle is dead because of him, see a mentor become a villain, lose his best friend, and have his identity discovered by Harry, Mary Jane, and an elevated train full of people. What's a hero to do? This movie is what all these comic book movies should aspire to be. Faithful to the source material, straightforward with the story and characters, and respectful to the moviegoers. Most moving scene: When Peter saves the elevated train from certain doom, and his body is passed along by the grateful passengers as they stare in awe that Spider-Man is "Just a Kid". (And again, the last few minutes of the movie where Spidey swings through New York amongst the rescue helicopters...Simply Amazing!)


Well, that's my list. Feel free to disagree, but that's how I see it. In case you're wondering what's on the other side of the spectrum: Daredevil, Elektra, Fantastic Four, and Hulk just to name a few. All comments and opinions are welcome.