Movies: 10 Best Superhero Films

by Veronica Belmont 

I have never drunk the kool-aid, but I have sipped it.

That is my experience with comic books.

I did some occasional collecting when I was 12; and from time to time may read a graphic novel. Oh, I can do pretty well on some trivial pursuit questions when they come up, but I am no avid fan and I admit it. What I do love about superheroes and comic books is the mythology and when I am around my friends who are more in tune with that “world,” I will usually ask a hundred questions, trying to discover the new imaginative twists and turns (good and bad) the characters have taken. (Did you know they had zombie superheroes a few years ago!?)

The thing is that now I have a toddler; a toddler with a Superman picture on his wall, Batman bed sheets, and a Flash T-shirt. While he can not see any of these movies until he is much older, I am going to put my film critic hat on and share my opinion on this still evolving meeting of the artforms.

 

1.         The Dark Knight.

Why this film was not nominated for Best Picture is beyond me. If anything Christopher Nolan should have won for Best Director. Where other superhero directors will rely on CGI and special effects to sell their tickets, he focused on story, motivation, and character development (Why this is a new concept is beyond me). What makes me keep returning to this movie is the little moments in it: Alfred talking about the mentality of the Joker, the Joker when he is being held by the police, etc.  There is one thing that all of these moments have in common; they are not the action scenes but the scenes built around great acting, direction, and, more importantly, writing.

 

2.         Justice League- New Frontier.

Usually the DC animated films get it wrong.  They typically abandon the “talkie” bits about purpose (etc.) for another action sequance that can sometimes feel like a scene from Matrix 2 (in other words, the bad guy and good guy can punch each other as much as they want, but it really doesn’t matter- no one really gets hurt! It can get so monotonous, on and on and on again…). The greatest disappointment with these animated films is the missed opportunity that was All-Star Superman (I’m still frustrated by that)… But for all of the missed opportunities, this one was as a masterpiece. If it wasn’t for Heath Ledger’s performance in The Dark Knight, this might have been number one. For those not in the know, this is a serious 1950’s period piece on superheroes as if they were part of our history. Through the story we see the character growth of Green Lantern (more in line with the character than the recent movie) and the founding of the Justice League. I never expected to like this film this much, truly well done.

 

3.            Captain America.

What a great surprise. I expected to enjoy the film, but not this much. It is a wonderful orgin story of the hero that captures the period of WWII.  Chris Evans really sold the character. I can’t imagine the film being as strong in another actor’s hands. (DC should really take some time to learn how Marvel does it; for example, Ryan Reynolds is the Flash, not Green Lantern… I’m just saying.) A fun film that doesn’t really try to be more than what it is, and, in a way, very refreshing.

  

4.            Superman.

For all of its ridiculousness (poems while flying in the air, for example), as a child of the 70’s, it’s hard not to have fond memories of this film. To this day, hearing the John Williams’ score can make my heart race. I wish I didn’t love this film. I wish the Lex Luthor scenes were enough for me to dismiss the entire entrprise, but Christopher Reeves is very winning as the Man of Steel. He is Superman and watching him become the hero and save Lois for the first time is a taste of childhood for me.

5.             Batman.

From the gothic city to the over-the-top performance of Jack Nicholson, this film survives in its own universe. It is the snowglobe of superhero films. And, as the sequels proved, it is pretty easy to break a snowglobe and make a mess of it. However, if you forget all those later films (like nipples on batsuits and a Riddler that asks only one riddle in an entire film), this movie, from the stirring opening credits to the final shot, is one heck of a cool graphic novel come to life.

 

6.         Iron Man 1

The first of the movies working towards The Avengers, and like with Captain America it is all about casting. Robert Downey, Jr. is a lot of fun to watch. Every scene he is knocking it out of the park. If this film has any fault it is a fault shared with many other superhero films; the problem of making a bad guy that is equal to the hero. Another bad guy in armor to fight. Sigh….

7.             Spiderman 2

This film is on the list for one scene and one scene alone. It is the scene on the subway after Spiderman saves the day. It is probably the most heart-wrenching and tender moment in any of the films listed.  I don’t know if it justifies Peter dancing in the third movie, but it definitely puts this movie on the list. Let me repeat, this is here because of one scene.

8.         Thor

Casting, casting, casting. Marvel really knows how to handle their properties and getting a director like Kenneth Brangh only makes it that much more interesting. In any other hands (and with any other cast) this might have killed any interest in the character and the future The Avengers movie because of the amount of cheese.  Instead it is a fun two hours with no rotting cheese in sight.

9.            Batman Begins

People forget how daring this series and movie is in the list of superhero films, but this is our world, our reality. There are no giant people made of sand or giant yellow evil creatures like in Green Lantern. Batman is real; the effects of the drugs of the Scarecrow are real. Crashes are real. A harsh and brutal telling of the Batman story. I can’t imagine another series about Batman ever being able to go darker.

10.            Superman Returns

This may be controversial. Fine. I’ll take it. Maybe I wish the villian was more than just Lex Luthor circa 1970 again (Seriously, who are these people that like this verison of Lex?! Why a villian would surround themselves with idiots is beyond me. Not that I am planning world domination, but if I was I would want the brightest minds around me not people who would get lost on the way to a Tea Party rally). And Lois could have had a little more spunkiness, but this film had heart. Honest heart. And that got me. Sentimental fool that I am… Plus, you get to hear the John Williams score again.

Honorable Mentions:  X-Men 1, X-Men 2, and Superman/Batman Public Enemies