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I just finished watching Thor on Blue-Ray and I enjoyed it a lot. Who would have ever thought that a live-action Thor movie would ever be made. Especially if you had ever seen the Thor aspect in one of the Incredible Hulk TV movies years ago. The conception of Green Lantern is amazing but I never thought that a movie would be made. So while I’m waiting for a live-action version of the Legion of Super-Heroes I thought that I would mull over what I believe are the finest films in the ever-expanding genre of super-hero movies. I’ve fixed myself to live-action films even altho a lot of of the animated stuff is actually cool. I think it would be cheating to mix animated films with the live-action films. I’ve likewise fixed the number of “best” films to 10 other than as supposed or expected I quickly venture over into the realm of Return of the Swamp Thing and Steel. So here I go. 10. The Rocketeer (1991) Any movie with Jennifer Connelly in it can’t be too bad unless that movie is Hulk. The Rocketeer perfectly captured the look and spirit of the Dave Stevens comic book. Super-Heroes and Nazi’s always go well together, like peanut butter and jelly. 9. The Incredible Hulk (2008) Not to be confused with “Hulk” which was cited above, this 2008 soft re-boot of the Hulk franchise is actually in truth good. While not a sequel this film moves forward without invalidating anything from the former film. The movie explores the fragile psyche of Bruce Banner; evokes the best of the Bill Bixby television series and has unbelievable (no pun intended) fight scenes with the Abomination. Plus the love story with Betty Ross is held to a minimum. What more may any individual ask for in a super-hero movie? The only thing I may think of would have been a been a cameo from Wolverine. 8. Blade (1998) I didn’t recognise a lot with regards to Blade when I saw this movie. I still don’t recognise a whole heck of a lot with regards to Blade the comic book reputation but Blade the movie super hero is awesome. Martial arts, swords and vampires. So cool it is scary. 7. Batman (1966) Sure it’s campy; sure Adam West is a little pudgy; sure Cesar Romero would not shave his mustache but this movie is just fun. Has there ever been a better Penguin or Riddler as played by Burgess Meredith and Frank Gorshin respectively? For that matter Lee Meriwether is #2 on the list of best Catwomen behind Julie Newmar and above Michelle Pfeiffer. In this movie we of course see the classic Batmobile but likewise the Bat-Copter, Bat-Bike and Bat-Boat. We also learn that Batman carries anti-shark repellent in his utility belt. This movie would make the top ten list just for the scene with Batman running around the pier with a bomb in his hands. 6. Superman II (1980) Fifteen minutes of this movie is in all likelihood the greatest super hero movie ever made. The fight with Superman versus General Zod, Ursa and Non over Metropolis still stands up to this day. If only Richard Donner had been permitted to finish the movie. We would have been spared much of the camp (this is bad camp not similar to the good camp in the Batman movie) added by Richard Lester. The cellophane “S”; teleporting Kryptonians in the Fortress of Solitude and the mind-altering “super-kiss” at the end of the movie (as if Superman didn’t already have sufficient powers someone thought it was necessary to add a few more) unluckily forces me to keep this movie out of my top five. 5. Spider-Man 2 (2004) Simply a good movie. No longer bogged down by the requisite origin story Peter Parker may just go and fight crime as Spider-Man. The scene with the passengers on the monorail protecting Spider-Man chokes me up a bit inside. “Spider-Man” in all likelihood would have made this list but no matter how much I liked Willem DaFoe as Norman Osborn I actually disliked the Green Goblin costume in that movie. 4. Iron Man (2008) Robert Downey Jr. playing a narcissistic self-absorbed self-destrucive person with a substance abuse problem…awesome casting. In one movie Iron Man went from B-list hero whom not a single soul but a comic book geek had ever heard of to a unfeigned cultural icon and being featured conspicuously on each Marvel kid’s toy right next to Spider-Man. That’s the goal for all of these movies (see Green Lantern above). Iron Man not only accomplished it but it is a very good movie on top of it. The only drawback to the entire movie is the closing fight scene amid Iron Man and Obadiah Stane. I feel like the hero has to fight a bigger, badder version of himself has been done to death. For example it was done in the same year in Marvel’s other film the Incredible Hulk. Ultimately, I thought the movie was more interesting when it concentered on Tony Stark rather than Iron Man. It made for a good movie but I’m not sure if that is a great thing for a “super hero” movie so Iron Man only makes it to #4 on my list. 3. The Dark Knight (2008) This movie made a bazillion dollars. Heath Ledger was astounding as the Joker. It’s a fantastic movie. It’s just so long (2 1/2 hours) and Christian Bale is screaming all around the entire movie. I’ve always imagined Batman to have a stoic coolness…like Clint Eastwood. Any complaints I have in regards to this movie, however, are quickly mitigated by a Batman and Robin flashback. 2. Captain America (2011) What did I say before with regards to super heroes and Nazis? Well it’s even more unfeigned when the super hero is dressed up in an American flag. The Nazis don’t stand a chance. I loved everything regarding this movie. Chris Evans was very convincing as Captain America and as Steve Rogers. Even the Red Skull didn’t seem cheesy. All this and the Cosmic Cube too, I loved this movie. Captain America: The First Avenger is a great movie and well deserving of my #2 spot. There is only one movie that could beat it out. #1. Superman (1978) This is it. The Grand-daddy of them all. It may not be the firstborn super-hero movie but it is unquestionably the basi movie that you think of when you think regarding a super hero movie. Where Chris Evans was convincing in the role of Steve Rogers/Captain America, Christopher Reeve IS Superman and at the same time he delivers the definitive portrayal of Clark Kent. Others have played the role before and after Reeve but none have worn the cape more convincingly or confidently. Christopher Reeve veritably made me believe that if a man could fly it would be him. |
