Jordan T. Maxwell
May 5, 2008, 07:04 pm
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/comixfanpresents.gif" align=left border=0 hspace=10 alt="Comixfan Presents logo">The Top Ten Comic Book Movies
By: Jesse Baer, Will Carper, Nick Costanzo, Phil Hunn, Anand Khatri, Alan Lynch, T. Martin, Jordan T. Maxwell
Editor: Jordan T. Maxwell
The weather's getting warmer, the days are getting longer and most importantly the geeks have begun to line up at the multiplex. Yep, summer's upon us again and with it comes a sampling of brand new comic book movies to delight us...until we get home and sign on to the internet to talk about how much we hated them. It's a strong list of contenders with Iron Man opening this past weekend (and already seemingly destined to take its rightful spot near the top of this list someday), followed in the coming months by The Incredible Hulk, Hellboy II: The Golden Army and The Dark Knight. To celebrate the ever increasing quantity...and, on occasion, quality...of film adaptations of the comics we love so dearly, we here at Comixfan have poured over the library of movies adapted from comic books and after much pain staking toil and deliberation, come up with our list of the top ten (or so) comic book movies of all time! So grab your popcorn, tell the obnoxious guy behind you to shut the hell up already and enjoy as Comixfan Presents...The Top Ten Comic Book Movies!
(And a quick aside...while limiting ourselves to only ten slots meant depriving some incredible films of recognition, one film in particular suffered due to our production timeline as when we first started working on this column, Persepolis had not yet been released in the United States, thus robbing several of our staffers of the opportunity to consider this heart breaking and absolutely artful adaptation for inclusion. But then again, I suppose the Golden Globe win and Academy Award nomination will provide the film and graphic novel's creator Marjane Satrapi with some small solace. ;) )
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/supermanreturns.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/supermanreturns.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Superman Returns"></a>#10 Superman Returns
Director/Writer: Bryan Singer/Mike Dougherty, Dan Harris, Bryan Singer
Adapted From: Superman line of comics (DC Comics)
Creators: Jerry Siegel/Joe Shuster
The writing/directing team that lifted X2: X-Men United to such great heights reunited not to tell the next installment of Marvel's Merry Mutants, but instead to resurrect DC's Man of Steel in the realm of celluloid. After years of failed pitches and scripts (including such talents as Kevin Smith and JJ Abrams), Bryan Singer took an incredibly back to basics approach by quite literally taking over where Richard Donner left off after the first two films (the third and fourth movies are, mercifully, ignored). Structurally, it mirrors the first movie so closely that many accused it of merely being a rehash of that iconic film...but upon closer inspection, each element reveals itself as a darkly subverted version of its predecessor. Superman and Lois' rooftop interview and flight together are no longer a fanciful flirtation of wonder and magic, but a longing and bittersweet moment of "what might have been." Luthor's latest real estate plot is both grander and more destructive, while his use of Kryptonite to incapacitate Superman is a study in cruel brutality compared to the camp silliness of draping it upon him as a necklace. The visual spectacle of it all introduces us to a whole new world of "wow"! The plane sequence in particular combines action packed special effects with visual poetry so neatly that you can't help but feel like a kid again, seeing movies for the first time. Newcomer Brandon Routh calls upon the spirit of Christopher Reeve while also making the role(s) subtly his own, while Kevin Spacey out-Luthor's the great Gene Hackman with a slyly sinister but still very fun take on the villain. And Kate Bosworth's Lois Lane represents the viewpoint of an increasingly cynical audience...questioning whether we need a Superman in our world while desperately needing one to emerge. And we are blessed to know that he can...and will...return, always.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/blade.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/blade.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Blade"></a>#9 Blade
Director/Writer: Steven Norrington/David S. Goyer
Adapted From: Blade (Marvel)
Creators: Marv Wolfman/Gene Colan
Let’s be honest: prior to 1999, most comic book fans’ lists of Marvel heroes who would be eligible for their own movie would not have included Blade, the half-human/half-vampire slayer of the undead. In fact, in terms of his popularity as a character, he probably ranked somewhere below Howard the Duck...and then Goyer, Norrington and Wesley Snipes collaborated to bring an absurdly kinetic, high-octane version of Blade to the silver screen. The film falters a little when it has to provide more than a brutal punch-up, but clearly Goyer, Norrington & Snipes did not want to make the film too complicated. Indeed, to have Blade emote too much would sap a great deal of the unquenchable fury of the character, so the film doesn't suffer much from the apparently truncated approach to introductions. When compared to some of its contemporaries, Blade is not a great movie. But taken on its own terms, it’s bloody brilliant (pun fully intended), and a great deal of fun (perfect for a Friday night in sharing a pizza and a six-pack with your buddies, in fact). You’ll likely forget ninety percent of it when it’s finished, of course, but there are enough “wow, that was cool, dude” moments during the course of the movie which more than make up for that.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/300.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/300.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="300"></a>#8 300
Director/Writer: Zack Snyder/Kurt Johnstad, Zack Snyder
Adapted From: 300 (Dark Horse)
Creators: Frank Miller/Lynn Varley
Whoever thought a decapitated head flying through the air would look so beautiful? Based upon Frank Miller's graphic novel by the same name, 300 recounts the historic Battle of Thermopylae, with a healthy dose of stylistic flair. On one side, a mere 300 of the finest Spartan warriors led by the mighty King Leonidas (Gerard Butler). On the other, the brooding and innumerable hordes of the Persian Empire, led by the strangely androgynous King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro). Funneled into a tight valley where numbers count for naught, the resulting battle is a gorgeous display of, well, gore. The film, like the graphic novel itself, is unapologetic in its show of violence. Man and beast alike are ripped apart with savage fury, as the dark legions of the Persian army fall again and again to the glorious Spartans in their efforts to preserve democracy and freedom. Historically, it's hardly the most accurate portrayal of the battle, but what certainly does come through is the heroism of the doomed Spartan soldiers and the passion that ultimately led Greece to become the cornerstone of Western Civilization. The cinematic portrayal of 300 is visually stunning. The human body, as well as its grisly destruction, is as much a work of art as the stylized environment within which the story is set. Made all the more haunting and effective by David Wenham's narration (from the perspective of Delios, the lone Spartan survivor of the battle), 300 retains its impact long after the initial adrenaline rush wears off.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/ahistoryofviolence.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/ahistoryofviolence.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="A History of Violence"></a>#7 A History of Violence
Director/Writer: David Cronenberg/John Olson
Adapted From: A History of Violence (Paradox Press/Vertigo)
Creators: John Wagner/Vince Locke
A History of Violence is one of the rare instances in which the film may, in fact, be superior to the original source material. While John Wagner and Vince Locke’s graphic novel is certainly a beautiful and touching examination of violence and redemption, David Cronenberg’s film adaptation is a much more complex and thoughtful work. With amazing performances by Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello and Ed Harris, the film delves deep into the core of one man’s desperate attempts to leave behind his violent, amoral past and never lets up. Is such a goal even possible, the film asks and, to the gall of some viewers, never fully answers. From its brutal beginning to its ponderous, understated conclusion, A History of Violence dares its audience to consider this question: Can we ever truly break free of our pasts? And: What happens if we can’t?
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/superman.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/superman.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Superman"></a> #6 Superman: The Movie
Director/Writer: Richard Donner/Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, Robert Benton
Adapted From: Superman line of comics (DC Comics)
Creators: Jerry Siegel/Joe Shuster
There are some movies that transfer their source material directly to the screen and there are other movies that adapt it for the language of a different medium. And then there are movies that truly transcend their source material, transforming it in turn. Richard Donner’s Superman is one of those rare films. Donner juxtaposes Superman’s idealism against some of the darker elements of 70s cinema: there are echoes of disaster movies like The Poseidon Adventure and Towering Inferno, John Williams’ score sounds like a joyous retort to the threat of his music in Jaws and Margot Kidder's Lois Lane betrays a post-Watergate cynicism about elected politicians and the "American Way." But the darkness is never in the foreground for long, thanks to a script full of wit and heart. Lois isn’t a crusading journalist but stands in the tradition of wisecracking reporter-broads that dates back to movies like His Girl Friday. Nor is she the only character to be given some great lines. Even "boy-scout" Superman and "mild-mannered" Clark are given one-liners to add playfulness and edge to the powerful protagonist as portrayed by Christopher Reeve, who is a revelation in not one, but both roles. As Superman he stands up straight and his voice is resonant. As Clark, he slouches and speaks with a nasal whine. But Reeve never pulls the two performances too far apart. There are always signs of one identity in the other, most noticeably a sly smile that both share. Reeve could play confidence and vulnerability with equal skill and had great comic timing to boot. Superman: The Movie is practically a textbook for how to make a great comic book film: draw your inspiration from both media, write a clever, killer script and, of course, put a fantastic actor in the central role.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/akira.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/akira.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Akira"></a>#5 Akira
Director/Writer: Katsuhiro Otomo/Izo Hashimoto, Katsuhiro Otomo
Adapted From: Akira (Kodansha/Dark Horse)
Creator: Katsuhiro Otomo
Akira is an unflimable book, and if anyone other than the original creator had even tried then the project would likely have never gotten off the ground, even in Japan. Yet somehow Otomo managed it, by basically excising most of the plot. Now we have a story which takes place over a few days and involves far fewer characters, but retains enough to remain a proper adaptation. So while the scale of the original (which included musings on the creation of life, of all things) is lost, what remains is surprisingly faithful. By keeping the focus on the rivalry between Kaneda and Tetsuo, the movie is able to deal with themes like the potential of youth and their isolation from authority, and the dangers of unchecked government power, while also keeping the narrative simple. The animation helps keep things consistent as well; very few of the designs for the movie are different from Otomo’s own drawings, and since the manga used a lot of cinematic-style storyboarding, Otomo is able to make the movie look almost identical to the source material in places, linking both works. Akira is a comic which could never be adapted with absolute faithfulness, but Otomo's insight results in a movie where the new material fits alongside the adapted with ease.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/hellboy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/hellboy.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Hellboy"></a>#4 Hellboy
Director/Writer: Guillermo del Toro/Guillermo del Toro, Peter Briggs
Adapted From: Hellboy line of comics (Dark Horse)
Creators: Mike Mignola
The pulpy thrills and creature filled adventures of Mike Mignola's Hellboy and BPRD world of comics are brought to glorious life by master storyteller Guillermo del Toro in this fun, if not entirely faithful, adaptation. del Toro is an unabashed fan of the character and knows his way around monsters and in many ways improves upon Mignola's original stories. Loosely based around the first storyline, Seed of Destruction, the film elaborates and explores relationships and characters that the book had neglected. Professor Broom's heightened role (performed with weathered brilliance by the always great John Hurt) punches home the paternal relationship with the film's eponymous hero...and renders his death all the more tragic. Liz Sherman, little more than a plot device and cool set of powers in the books initially, is transformed through the unconventional beauty and wry wit of Selma Blair and through the strange but beautiful love story with Hellboy. Abe Sapien's role in the action is downplayed, but his friendship and role as the odd heart of this muddled together family are brought charismatically to the screen by Doug Jones (and voiced in an uncredited role by David Hyde Pierce, who modeled his performance so closely on Jones' on-set vocal performance that he refused credit so that Jones would receive the proper amount of recognition). And the villains...more than merely cool looking place holders, Rasputin, Ilsa and especially Kronen become genuinely sinister threats. Spearheading it all, of course, is Ron Perlman, whose immense frame and resonant voice bring Hellboy to large screen life as a crimson cross between Tom Waits on steroid and a pit bull you can't help but love. Combined with incredible action, creature effects and comedy (much provided by the comedic genius of Jeffrey Tambor), Hellboy is a rare film...a movie about a giant red guy with a giant stone hand who shoots monsters for a living that's also a love story, a coming of age story, and the origin of one of the greatest and coolest heroes of our time.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/x2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/x2.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="X2: X-Men United"></a>#3 X2: X-Men United
Director/Writer: Bryan Singer/Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris, David Hayter, Zak Penn, Bryan Singer
Adapted From: X-Men line of comics (Marvel)
Creators: Stan Lee/Jack Kirby
The original X-Men film was certainly a fun movie. It provided competent (and at times wonderful) acting, some great visuals, and quite a few good fight scenes. It expanded on the idea of Xavier's "school" in a way that wouldn't be seen in the comics for well over another year, and thankfully dropped the spandex in favor of more fashionable leather. Still, it felt like a lot of setup, as if something much bigger and better was on the horizon. X2 is the kind of beautiful sequel that takes the characters and themes from the original and expands upon them. Characters like Xavier and Magneto gained a level of cunning and depth that was only hinted at in the first installment. Others, such as Iceman and Pyro, went from cameo status to major players whose impressive displays of power made for some of the most memorable scenes. Best of all, the human/mutant tensions go from an implied conflict to being the very forefront of what the X-Men are all about. We see why the X-Men are needed, and we gain some sympathy for why Magneto pursues his own more violent methods. And though the immediate threat is ultimately resolved, it is not without casualties on both sides. X2 elevates the X-Men beyond simple superhero theatrics, blurring the line between good and evil and showing that the tensions driving Xavier, Magneto and even the mutant-hating Stryker aren't going to be solved by a flashy fight scene. The film hints at the level of tragedy and destruction that would follow any all-out race war, and by the end of the film, the need for a peaceful resolution is felt more greatly than ever before.
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Before we introduce our number 2 spot, it's important to note the historical relevance here as we encountered something never before seen in our long and storied history of Top Ten lists...a tie! That's right, two films were of such high quality and appeal that when the final votes came down, they both shared the same ranking for second place. Rather than go through the arduous process of a tie breaker, we've decided instead to preserve the will of the people and present to you BOTH of our second place films!
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/spiderman2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/spiderman2.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Spider-Man 2"></a>#2 (TIE!) Spider-Man 2
Director/Writer: Sam Raimi/Alvin Sargent, Alfred Gough & Miles Millar and Michael Chabon
Adapted From: Spider-Man line of comics (Marvel)
Creators: Stan Lee/Steve Ditko
What makes Spider-Man 2 special is that it is not only a great comic book movie, but a great film in its own right as well. As a comic book adaptation, it stays pretty close to the “Spider-Man No More” story of Amazing Spider-Man #50, blended into several other storylines lifted straight from the 40-plus years of Spider-Man comics. All of it is mixed with a modernized Doctor Octopus origin story, one that makes him more of a tragic figure brought low by his own hubris and loss than the arrogant mad scientist of the comics. But the true quality of this film springs from the fact that Raimi and the writers understand exactly what makes Spider-Man a great character: Peter Parker. The film spends more time with Peter and the problems Spider-Man brings into his life than it does on action, and the story is just as satisfying as the Academy Award winning special effects are spectacular. The original cast is still fantastic, as is newcomer Alfred Molina, simply one of the best casting choices ever made in a comic book movie, playing one of the best versions of the Doc Ock character ever written, with the special effects that film allows providing the best Spider-Man vs. Doctor Octopus battle that we are likely to ever see. With Raimi's apparent love of the characters and faithfulness to the comics, it's a comic book movie that Spider-Man fans can love. With a perfect melding of a great script, a highly talented director, outstanding special effects and great performances, it's a film that anyone can love.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/sincity.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/sincity.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Sin City"></a>#2 (TIE!) Sin City
Director/Writer: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino/Frank Miller
Adapted From: Sin City: The Hard Goodbye, Sin City: The Big Fat Kill, Sin City: That Yellow Bastard and Sin City: The Customer is Always Right (Dark Horse)
Creators: Frank Miller
This is how it’s done. At least this is how it should be done. Sin City creator Frank Miller and seasoned director Robert Rodriguez did an excellent job of adapting one of the most popular comics ever published. Watching this film, it’s very hard to find something to complain about. Every scene and bit of dialogue is taken directly from the books, which works very well and keeps the movie true to its source material. Miller’s stories already have a strong cinematic quality to them, making it very easy to transfer from staple-bound comic books to a multimillion dollar big screen production. The soundtrack is amazing, the CGI is great, and the casting...oh, the lovely casting! To name just a few from the star studded cast: Bruce Willis takes on the role of betrayed cop Hartigan; Clive Owen is the desperate but clever hero Dwight; and Mickey Rourke was born to play the brutal street warrior Marv. Just remember, this one isn’t for the kids. It’s brutal, it’s vulgar, there’s nudity, and a **** load of violence. But what else would you expect from a town called Sin City?
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/batmanbegins.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/batmanbegins.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Batman Begins"></a> #1 Batman Begins
Director/Writer: Christopher Nolan/David S Goyer, Christopher Nolan
Adapted From: Batman line of comics (DC Comics)
Creators: Bob Kane
Nolan and Goyer just lifted him off the pages. They could’ve put this Batman into almost any plot and he’d still feel like the real article. He’s terrifying, psychotic, dangerously single-minded...and the movie doesn’t shy away from that, nor does it try and justify setting this guy up as the hero. He’s not pleasant, but neither is Gotham City. This is very much a necessary evil. Building a Batman as believable as this, as easily recognizable to fans of the books, is key to what makes Batman Begins a successful adaptation. And by taking inspiration from a select few Batman stories, the whole setting feels as “right” as the main character himself. Gotham is unmistakable, equal parts bustling metropolis and gothic nightmare. Jim Gordon is the perfect anchor for viewers not already familiar with the world they’re thrown into, and in Ra’s Al Ghul the film offers a genuinely credible alternative to Batman’s own efforts to clean up Gotham. Ra’s has always been at odds with the majority of Batman’s rogues gallery: a calculating, methodical and, most interestingly, rational villain, he presents the kind of threat that the likes of the Joker could never dream of. He forces us to think about Batman’s methods in a way none of the other movies have, which is quite brave considering how flawed the “wear a mask and punch people” approach actually is. Batman Begins is not a straight adaptation. It’s a wholly original story, with elements pulled from select comics over the years. But what brings it all together, what makes it a truly great comic book movie, is the way everyone involved managed to link these disparate plots and characters into a cohesive and ultimately brilliant whole.
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And there you have it! Sequels and Supermen, monsters and mutants, high flying heroics and moral ambiguity. A reflection of the diversity available in both media. So whether you're a fan of bombastic blockbusters or indie arthouse flicks, we hope you've found something on this list you agreed with, something on this list that made you think...and more than anything, something on this list you might like to sample from your local video store or comic book shop. Until next time, we'll see you...at the movies!
(And yes, I do have a giant book of cliches right next to me to draw from...:D)
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300, X2: X-Men United: Nick Costanzo
Akira, Batman Begins: Alan Lynch
Hellboy, Superman Returns: Jordan T. Maxwell
Spider-Man 2: Jesse Baer
A History of Violence: Will Carper
Blade: Phil Hunn
Sin City: Anand Khatri
Superman: T. Martin
Contributors: Anthony Devlin, Alex Groff, James Groves, Stephanie Kay, Marty P, Janne Pietikainen, Erwin Rafael, Michael Regan, Greg Reeves, Omar A. Safi
Image Assistance: Michael Regan
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The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writers involved, and are not reflective of Comixfan or its other staff in general.
By: Jesse Baer, Will Carper, Nick Costanzo, Phil Hunn, Anand Khatri, Alan Lynch, T. Martin, Jordan T. Maxwell
Editor: Jordan T. Maxwell
The weather's getting warmer, the days are getting longer and most importantly the geeks have begun to line up at the multiplex. Yep, summer's upon us again and with it comes a sampling of brand new comic book movies to delight us...until we get home and sign on to the internet to talk about how much we hated them. It's a strong list of contenders with Iron Man opening this past weekend (and already seemingly destined to take its rightful spot near the top of this list someday), followed in the coming months by The Incredible Hulk, Hellboy II: The Golden Army and The Dark Knight. To celebrate the ever increasing quantity...and, on occasion, quality...of film adaptations of the comics we love so dearly, we here at Comixfan have poured over the library of movies adapted from comic books and after much pain staking toil and deliberation, come up with our list of the top ten (or so) comic book movies of all time! So grab your popcorn, tell the obnoxious guy behind you to shut the hell up already and enjoy as Comixfan Presents...The Top Ten Comic Book Movies!
(And a quick aside...while limiting ourselves to only ten slots meant depriving some incredible films of recognition, one film in particular suffered due to our production timeline as when we first started working on this column, Persepolis had not yet been released in the United States, thus robbing several of our staffers of the opportunity to consider this heart breaking and absolutely artful adaptation for inclusion. But then again, I suppose the Golden Globe win and Academy Award nomination will provide the film and graphic novel's creator Marjane Satrapi with some small solace. ;) )
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/supermanreturns.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/supermanreturns.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Superman Returns"></a>#10 Superman Returns
Director/Writer: Bryan Singer/Mike Dougherty, Dan Harris, Bryan Singer
Adapted From: Superman line of comics (DC Comics)
Creators: Jerry Siegel/Joe Shuster
The writing/directing team that lifted X2: X-Men United to such great heights reunited not to tell the next installment of Marvel's Merry Mutants, but instead to resurrect DC's Man of Steel in the realm of celluloid. After years of failed pitches and scripts (including such talents as Kevin Smith and JJ Abrams), Bryan Singer took an incredibly back to basics approach by quite literally taking over where Richard Donner left off after the first two films (the third and fourth movies are, mercifully, ignored). Structurally, it mirrors the first movie so closely that many accused it of merely being a rehash of that iconic film...but upon closer inspection, each element reveals itself as a darkly subverted version of its predecessor. Superman and Lois' rooftop interview and flight together are no longer a fanciful flirtation of wonder and magic, but a longing and bittersweet moment of "what might have been." Luthor's latest real estate plot is both grander and more destructive, while his use of Kryptonite to incapacitate Superman is a study in cruel brutality compared to the camp silliness of draping it upon him as a necklace. The visual spectacle of it all introduces us to a whole new world of "wow"! The plane sequence in particular combines action packed special effects with visual poetry so neatly that you can't help but feel like a kid again, seeing movies for the first time. Newcomer Brandon Routh calls upon the spirit of Christopher Reeve while also making the role(s) subtly his own, while Kevin Spacey out-Luthor's the great Gene Hackman with a slyly sinister but still very fun take on the villain. And Kate Bosworth's Lois Lane represents the viewpoint of an increasingly cynical audience...questioning whether we need a Superman in our world while desperately needing one to emerge. And we are blessed to know that he can...and will...return, always.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/blade.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/blade.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Blade"></a>#9 Blade
Director/Writer: Steven Norrington/David S. Goyer
Adapted From: Blade (Marvel)
Creators: Marv Wolfman/Gene Colan
Let’s be honest: prior to 1999, most comic book fans’ lists of Marvel heroes who would be eligible for their own movie would not have included Blade, the half-human/half-vampire slayer of the undead. In fact, in terms of his popularity as a character, he probably ranked somewhere below Howard the Duck...and then Goyer, Norrington and Wesley Snipes collaborated to bring an absurdly kinetic, high-octane version of Blade to the silver screen. The film falters a little when it has to provide more than a brutal punch-up, but clearly Goyer, Norrington & Snipes did not want to make the film too complicated. Indeed, to have Blade emote too much would sap a great deal of the unquenchable fury of the character, so the film doesn't suffer much from the apparently truncated approach to introductions. When compared to some of its contemporaries, Blade is not a great movie. But taken on its own terms, it’s bloody brilliant (pun fully intended), and a great deal of fun (perfect for a Friday night in sharing a pizza and a six-pack with your buddies, in fact). You’ll likely forget ninety percent of it when it’s finished, of course, but there are enough “wow, that was cool, dude” moments during the course of the movie which more than make up for that.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/300.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/300.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="300"></a>#8 300
Director/Writer: Zack Snyder/Kurt Johnstad, Zack Snyder
Adapted From: 300 (Dark Horse)
Creators: Frank Miller/Lynn Varley
Whoever thought a decapitated head flying through the air would look so beautiful? Based upon Frank Miller's graphic novel by the same name, 300 recounts the historic Battle of Thermopylae, with a healthy dose of stylistic flair. On one side, a mere 300 of the finest Spartan warriors led by the mighty King Leonidas (Gerard Butler). On the other, the brooding and innumerable hordes of the Persian Empire, led by the strangely androgynous King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro). Funneled into a tight valley where numbers count for naught, the resulting battle is a gorgeous display of, well, gore. The film, like the graphic novel itself, is unapologetic in its show of violence. Man and beast alike are ripped apart with savage fury, as the dark legions of the Persian army fall again and again to the glorious Spartans in their efforts to preserve democracy and freedom. Historically, it's hardly the most accurate portrayal of the battle, but what certainly does come through is the heroism of the doomed Spartan soldiers and the passion that ultimately led Greece to become the cornerstone of Western Civilization. The cinematic portrayal of 300 is visually stunning. The human body, as well as its grisly destruction, is as much a work of art as the stylized environment within which the story is set. Made all the more haunting and effective by David Wenham's narration (from the perspective of Delios, the lone Spartan survivor of the battle), 300 retains its impact long after the initial adrenaline rush wears off.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/ahistoryofviolence.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/ahistoryofviolence.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="A History of Violence"></a>#7 A History of Violence
Director/Writer: David Cronenberg/John Olson
Adapted From: A History of Violence (Paradox Press/Vertigo)
Creators: John Wagner/Vince Locke
A History of Violence is one of the rare instances in which the film may, in fact, be superior to the original source material. While John Wagner and Vince Locke’s graphic novel is certainly a beautiful and touching examination of violence and redemption, David Cronenberg’s film adaptation is a much more complex and thoughtful work. With amazing performances by Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello and Ed Harris, the film delves deep into the core of one man’s desperate attempts to leave behind his violent, amoral past and never lets up. Is such a goal even possible, the film asks and, to the gall of some viewers, never fully answers. From its brutal beginning to its ponderous, understated conclusion, A History of Violence dares its audience to consider this question: Can we ever truly break free of our pasts? And: What happens if we can’t?
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/superman.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/superman.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Superman"></a> #6 Superman: The Movie
Director/Writer: Richard Donner/Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, Robert Benton
Adapted From: Superman line of comics (DC Comics)
Creators: Jerry Siegel/Joe Shuster
There are some movies that transfer their source material directly to the screen and there are other movies that adapt it for the language of a different medium. And then there are movies that truly transcend their source material, transforming it in turn. Richard Donner’s Superman is one of those rare films. Donner juxtaposes Superman’s idealism against some of the darker elements of 70s cinema: there are echoes of disaster movies like The Poseidon Adventure and Towering Inferno, John Williams’ score sounds like a joyous retort to the threat of his music in Jaws and Margot Kidder's Lois Lane betrays a post-Watergate cynicism about elected politicians and the "American Way." But the darkness is never in the foreground for long, thanks to a script full of wit and heart. Lois isn’t a crusading journalist but stands in the tradition of wisecracking reporter-broads that dates back to movies like His Girl Friday. Nor is she the only character to be given some great lines. Even "boy-scout" Superman and "mild-mannered" Clark are given one-liners to add playfulness and edge to the powerful protagonist as portrayed by Christopher Reeve, who is a revelation in not one, but both roles. As Superman he stands up straight and his voice is resonant. As Clark, he slouches and speaks with a nasal whine. But Reeve never pulls the two performances too far apart. There are always signs of one identity in the other, most noticeably a sly smile that both share. Reeve could play confidence and vulnerability with equal skill and had great comic timing to boot. Superman: The Movie is practically a textbook for how to make a great comic book film: draw your inspiration from both media, write a clever, killer script and, of course, put a fantastic actor in the central role.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/akira.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/akira.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Akira"></a>#5 Akira
Director/Writer: Katsuhiro Otomo/Izo Hashimoto, Katsuhiro Otomo
Adapted From: Akira (Kodansha/Dark Horse)
Creator: Katsuhiro Otomo
Akira is an unflimable book, and if anyone other than the original creator had even tried then the project would likely have never gotten off the ground, even in Japan. Yet somehow Otomo managed it, by basically excising most of the plot. Now we have a story which takes place over a few days and involves far fewer characters, but retains enough to remain a proper adaptation. So while the scale of the original (which included musings on the creation of life, of all things) is lost, what remains is surprisingly faithful. By keeping the focus on the rivalry between Kaneda and Tetsuo, the movie is able to deal with themes like the potential of youth and their isolation from authority, and the dangers of unchecked government power, while also keeping the narrative simple. The animation helps keep things consistent as well; very few of the designs for the movie are different from Otomo’s own drawings, and since the manga used a lot of cinematic-style storyboarding, Otomo is able to make the movie look almost identical to the source material in places, linking both works. Akira is a comic which could never be adapted with absolute faithfulness, but Otomo's insight results in a movie where the new material fits alongside the adapted with ease.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/hellboy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/hellboy.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Hellboy"></a>#4 Hellboy
Director/Writer: Guillermo del Toro/Guillermo del Toro, Peter Briggs
Adapted From: Hellboy line of comics (Dark Horse)
Creators: Mike Mignola
The pulpy thrills and creature filled adventures of Mike Mignola's Hellboy and BPRD world of comics are brought to glorious life by master storyteller Guillermo del Toro in this fun, if not entirely faithful, adaptation. del Toro is an unabashed fan of the character and knows his way around monsters and in many ways improves upon Mignola's original stories. Loosely based around the first storyline, Seed of Destruction, the film elaborates and explores relationships and characters that the book had neglected. Professor Broom's heightened role (performed with weathered brilliance by the always great John Hurt) punches home the paternal relationship with the film's eponymous hero...and renders his death all the more tragic. Liz Sherman, little more than a plot device and cool set of powers in the books initially, is transformed through the unconventional beauty and wry wit of Selma Blair and through the strange but beautiful love story with Hellboy. Abe Sapien's role in the action is downplayed, but his friendship and role as the odd heart of this muddled together family are brought charismatically to the screen by Doug Jones (and voiced in an uncredited role by David Hyde Pierce, who modeled his performance so closely on Jones' on-set vocal performance that he refused credit so that Jones would receive the proper amount of recognition). And the villains...more than merely cool looking place holders, Rasputin, Ilsa and especially Kronen become genuinely sinister threats. Spearheading it all, of course, is Ron Perlman, whose immense frame and resonant voice bring Hellboy to large screen life as a crimson cross between Tom Waits on steroid and a pit bull you can't help but love. Combined with incredible action, creature effects and comedy (much provided by the comedic genius of Jeffrey Tambor), Hellboy is a rare film...a movie about a giant red guy with a giant stone hand who shoots monsters for a living that's also a love story, a coming of age story, and the origin of one of the greatest and coolest heroes of our time.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/x2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/x2.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="X2: X-Men United"></a>#3 X2: X-Men United
Director/Writer: Bryan Singer/Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris, David Hayter, Zak Penn, Bryan Singer
Adapted From: X-Men line of comics (Marvel)
Creators: Stan Lee/Jack Kirby
The original X-Men film was certainly a fun movie. It provided competent (and at times wonderful) acting, some great visuals, and quite a few good fight scenes. It expanded on the idea of Xavier's "school" in a way that wouldn't be seen in the comics for well over another year, and thankfully dropped the spandex in favor of more fashionable leather. Still, it felt like a lot of setup, as if something much bigger and better was on the horizon. X2 is the kind of beautiful sequel that takes the characters and themes from the original and expands upon them. Characters like Xavier and Magneto gained a level of cunning and depth that was only hinted at in the first installment. Others, such as Iceman and Pyro, went from cameo status to major players whose impressive displays of power made for some of the most memorable scenes. Best of all, the human/mutant tensions go from an implied conflict to being the very forefront of what the X-Men are all about. We see why the X-Men are needed, and we gain some sympathy for why Magneto pursues his own more violent methods. And though the immediate threat is ultimately resolved, it is not without casualties on both sides. X2 elevates the X-Men beyond simple superhero theatrics, blurring the line between good and evil and showing that the tensions driving Xavier, Magneto and even the mutant-hating Stryker aren't going to be solved by a flashy fight scene. The film hints at the level of tragedy and destruction that would follow any all-out race war, and by the end of the film, the need for a peaceful resolution is felt more greatly than ever before.
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Before we introduce our number 2 spot, it's important to note the historical relevance here as we encountered something never before seen in our long and storied history of Top Ten lists...a tie! That's right, two films were of such high quality and appeal that when the final votes came down, they both shared the same ranking for second place. Rather than go through the arduous process of a tie breaker, we've decided instead to preserve the will of the people and present to you BOTH of our second place films!
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/spiderman2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/spiderman2.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Spider-Man 2"></a>#2 (TIE!) Spider-Man 2
Director/Writer: Sam Raimi/Alvin Sargent, Alfred Gough & Miles Millar and Michael Chabon
Adapted From: Spider-Man line of comics (Marvel)
Creators: Stan Lee/Steve Ditko
What makes Spider-Man 2 special is that it is not only a great comic book movie, but a great film in its own right as well. As a comic book adaptation, it stays pretty close to the “Spider-Man No More” story of Amazing Spider-Man #50, blended into several other storylines lifted straight from the 40-plus years of Spider-Man comics. All of it is mixed with a modernized Doctor Octopus origin story, one that makes him more of a tragic figure brought low by his own hubris and loss than the arrogant mad scientist of the comics. But the true quality of this film springs from the fact that Raimi and the writers understand exactly what makes Spider-Man a great character: Peter Parker. The film spends more time with Peter and the problems Spider-Man brings into his life than it does on action, and the story is just as satisfying as the Academy Award winning special effects are spectacular. The original cast is still fantastic, as is newcomer Alfred Molina, simply one of the best casting choices ever made in a comic book movie, playing one of the best versions of the Doc Ock character ever written, with the special effects that film allows providing the best Spider-Man vs. Doctor Octopus battle that we are likely to ever see. With Raimi's apparent love of the characters and faithfulness to the comics, it's a comic book movie that Spider-Man fans can love. With a perfect melding of a great script, a highly talented director, outstanding special effects and great performances, it's a film that anyone can love.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/sincity.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/sincity.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Sin City"></a>#2 (TIE!) Sin City
Director/Writer: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino/Frank Miller
Adapted From: Sin City: The Hard Goodbye, Sin City: The Big Fat Kill, Sin City: That Yellow Bastard and Sin City: The Customer is Always Right (Dark Horse)
Creators: Frank Miller
This is how it’s done. At least this is how it should be done. Sin City creator Frank Miller and seasoned director Robert Rodriguez did an excellent job of adapting one of the most popular comics ever published. Watching this film, it’s very hard to find something to complain about. Every scene and bit of dialogue is taken directly from the books, which works very well and keeps the movie true to its source material. Miller’s stories already have a strong cinematic quality to them, making it very easy to transfer from staple-bound comic books to a multimillion dollar big screen production. The soundtrack is amazing, the CGI is great, and the casting...oh, the lovely casting! To name just a few from the star studded cast: Bruce Willis takes on the role of betrayed cop Hartigan; Clive Owen is the desperate but clever hero Dwight; and Mickey Rourke was born to play the brutal street warrior Marv. Just remember, this one isn’t for the kids. It’s brutal, it’s vulgar, there’s nudity, and a **** load of violence. But what else would you expect from a town called Sin City?
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/batmanbegins.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/top10comicmovies/batmanbegins.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=150 alt="Batman Begins"></a> #1 Batman Begins
Director/Writer: Christopher Nolan/David S Goyer, Christopher Nolan
Adapted From: Batman line of comics (DC Comics)
Creators: Bob Kane
Nolan and Goyer just lifted him off the pages. They could’ve put this Batman into almost any plot and he’d still feel like the real article. He’s terrifying, psychotic, dangerously single-minded...and the movie doesn’t shy away from that, nor does it try and justify setting this guy up as the hero. He’s not pleasant, but neither is Gotham City. This is very much a necessary evil. Building a Batman as believable as this, as easily recognizable to fans of the books, is key to what makes Batman Begins a successful adaptation. And by taking inspiration from a select few Batman stories, the whole setting feels as “right” as the main character himself. Gotham is unmistakable, equal parts bustling metropolis and gothic nightmare. Jim Gordon is the perfect anchor for viewers not already familiar with the world they’re thrown into, and in Ra’s Al Ghul the film offers a genuinely credible alternative to Batman’s own efforts to clean up Gotham. Ra’s has always been at odds with the majority of Batman’s rogues gallery: a calculating, methodical and, most interestingly, rational villain, he presents the kind of threat that the likes of the Joker could never dream of. He forces us to think about Batman’s methods in a way none of the other movies have, which is quite brave considering how flawed the “wear a mask and punch people” approach actually is. Batman Begins is not a straight adaptation. It’s a wholly original story, with elements pulled from select comics over the years. But what brings it all together, what makes it a truly great comic book movie, is the way everyone involved managed to link these disparate plots and characters into a cohesive and ultimately brilliant whole.
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And there you have it! Sequels and Supermen, monsters and mutants, high flying heroics and moral ambiguity. A reflection of the diversity available in both media. So whether you're a fan of bombastic blockbusters or indie arthouse flicks, we hope you've found something on this list you agreed with, something on this list that made you think...and more than anything, something on this list you might like to sample from your local video store or comic book shop. Until next time, we'll see you...at the movies!
(And yes, I do have a giant book of cliches right next to me to draw from...:D)
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300, X2: X-Men United: Nick Costanzo
Akira, Batman Begins: Alan Lynch
Hellboy, Superman Returns: Jordan T. Maxwell
Spider-Man 2: Jesse Baer
A History of Violence: Will Carper
Blade: Phil Hunn
Sin City: Anand Khatri
Superman: T. Martin
Contributors: Anthony Devlin, Alex Groff, James Groves, Stephanie Kay, Marty P, Janne Pietikainen, Erwin Rafael, Michael Regan, Greg Reeves, Omar A. Safi
Image Assistance: Michael Regan
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The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writers involved, and are not reflective of Comixfan or its other staff in general.