OFF PANEL / ON SCREEN #8: 2005- DON'T LOOK BACK IN ANGER

[raul grau]

<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/offpanelonscreen.jpg" hspace=10 align=left border=0 alt="Off Panel / On Screen logo">By Seth Kim, loki@darkhorsemail.net

2005: Don't Look Back in Anger

I'm one of those people who almost automatically become grumpy when the decor starts to show hints of green and red. The reasons why I don't like the holidays could fill the length of an entire column, which is why I won't be getting into that particular topic here. Instead, I will get into one of the few things that I look forward to near the end of the year. I mean, of course, reading what people have written about what they have and have not enjoyed throughout the year. Naturally, I thought that I too would try my hand at this practice.

According to Wikipedia, we have witnessed no less than ten films based on comic books in the year 2005. That I had to consult Wikipedia at all, instead of simply counting them off, pretty much sums up my attitude towards the state of comic book movies (although I think that I've given off a good vibe of my indifference in the body of my work here at Comixfan.com). What struck me as I looked at the list was that while 2005 had some of the greatest comic adaptations up until this point, the year itself was rather lackluster. Save those two films that I have mentioned above, namely Batman Begins and Sin City, the majority of 2005 was marked by lackluster efforts that were neither remembered for their greatness nor remembered for their horridity. So let's take a look at those efforts that graced (or not) the year. I will classify those films as we often (should not) do for reading convenience, namely by comic publisher.

Hail to the King?

Without writing a separate installment, I believe that I've been vocal enough on the state of Marvel Films. Single-handedly responsible for the rise and popularity of the comic-to-film adaptation, Marvel has released film after film that have been successful both at the box office and with the critics. Personally, the Spider-Man and Blade films were exciting ventures that made me look forward to whichever property they would bring to life next, even though film after film failed to capture that same magic. While initially it seemed that Marvel, and Avi Arad in particular, had the formula down pat, with films helmed by directors who cared about the property, and actors who could actually perform the parts, with each passing film it seemed that Marvel had lost the Midas touch, and the renaissance they had begun would move to other hands. 2005 was no different.

I'm actually embarrassed to admit that I watched Elektra in theatres. In fact, I believe that I threw away my stub to Elektra, something that I hadn't done since 1993. In retrospect, I believe the problem with Elektra was that it was a spin-off of a movie that wasn't all that great to begin with. Without getting into a lengthy tirade on why Daredevil semi-sucked, I'll just say that it had very few, and I mean very few saving graces. Elektra, on the other hand, had none. You may ask what there was to dislike about Elektra and I would answer, "Plenty." But I'll get to that in a moment. What gets me most about Elektra is the potential that the project had. Now this is a problem that plagues many an adaptation, whether it be comic book, novel, or video game. While the property to be adapted is one that has the potential to become screen gold, the people behind the adaptation lack either the vision or the skills to realize that vision. Now when it comes to Elektra, I truly think that a kick ass film is pretty much a no-brainer. The formula's there, and it's been put to good use several times, especially in Hong Kong and Japan. They didn't even have to use an existing plot, all they had to do was stay within the boundaries of the character while exploiting that connection to martial arts films. Had they played the character, and the film, straight, without the annoying kiddy, Elektra could have easily been one of the best comic adaptations to come out of Marvel... Especially if you consider some of their past films...

With no wall-crawler or mutant in sight, Marvel's powerhouse of the year had to have been Fantastic Four. If this is indeed the truth, then it would have been hard to tell from the advertising campaign, at least from an international standpoint. Even though it wouldn't be the first time that I've spoken without having any idea as to what I was talking about, I can only touch on Fantastic Four rather lightly, because I have yet to see the film. I can't stress this point enough. While I may say that I was busy at the time, and had other things that required my immediate attention, it still all comes down to one thing: I just wasn't interested enough. Why is this important? Well, for one, I am a comic fan and a film nut, a dangerous combination in itself. And don't forget that it's actually a part of what I'm expected to do here at Comixfan. It could be that I've come to believe that there are few reliables in the world of comic film, and that there are relatively few surprises. Fantastic Four just didn't seem like it would be one of those rare cases. For one, the cast seemed all wrong, and while it did hold the glorious promise of Jessica Alba's underwear, I don't believe that I've ever gone to the movies just to see a celebrity's lingerie. I have the internet for that now. While I may not have seen Fantastic Four, I wouldn't be surprised if I was right about it. And if it does turn out that I was indeed right, then it would also confirm my fears: that the King is indeed dead.

I hope you'll understand if I don't get into Man-Thing.

Don't Call It a Comeback

As I mentioned above, if 2005 was a significant year for comic movies, it was because of two films, and one of those was Batman Begins. Batman Begins proved that DC was indeed alive and well, and ready to take the reigns that Marvel had dropped. Sure, Catwoman was an atrocity, and everyone involved deserves to be dragged out into the street and beaten to a bloody pulp, but at least it made us forget the stench of Batman and Robin. While many turn their noses upward when it comes to DC's other 2005 comic film, Constantine, I still believe that it was a solid outing and a step in the right direction. Without going too deeply into the film, Constantine was enjoyable even if it wasn't the most loyal adaptation of the source material. Look at this way. Elektra was neither loyal nor enjoyable. When it comes to comic films, I've learned that you take what you can get.

Even so, the crown jewel of DC and the one that the suits at Marvel undoubtedly sweated over was Batman Begins. What more can be said about Batman Begins that hasn't been gone over in length already? In the span of 140 minutes, Christopher Nolan and co. managed to do the impossible: reinvent the Batman films. With the first true ensemble cast that any comic film has seen (followed up by Sin City), Batman Begins was truly the Batman film that fans had been craving for years. Sure, people were a bit taken off guard when they saw Christian Bale (who, I might add, was everyone's ideal choice for the part) speak in that oh so forgettable tone (Kevin Conroy will always voice the definitive Batman) when donning the cowl. Ironically it was the bits where Bale wasn't in costume that made Batman work; while the action was deliberately choppy and hard to grasp, the human drama was anything but, offering a tangible story and real relationships, something that was relatively new to comic films. Whatever it was that audiences enjoyed about Batman Begins, it was certain that they did enjoy it. DC was indeed back.

The Big Fat Kill

Independent comics have always served as material for films, and 2005 was no different. Two of the more successful independent comic films to date saw sequels this year, both rather lackluster. I wouldn't be surprised if several readers actually forgot that both The Crow: Wicked Prayer and Son of the Mask saw release this year. However, I sincerely doubt that anyone forgot that it was the year 2005 when we first set foot into Basin City. Much as with Batman Begins, I don't believe that there is anything left unsaid when it comes to Sin City. Sin City was truly a revolution of the comic adaptation, a visceral experience like one we had never seen before. Sin City was not only one of the best comic adaptations ever, it was also a decent film, a statement that applies to very few comic movies. Sin City truly proved what many of us already knew, that the world of comics wasn't just limited to Marvel and DC. Insert gasp of surprise here.

This was further proved by A History of Violence. It is with great regret that I admit that I have not yet seen A History of Violence, as the film wasn't released over here. I do believe that the film deserves mention on the basis of feedback and critical response from those lucky few who have seen the film. If any movie deserves the "I can't believe this was based on a freaking comic book" award, it would be this one. (Previous winners would include Road to Perdition and Ghost World) Helmed by horror king David Cronenberg, and starring Strider himself, Viggo Mortensen, with Ed "Kids seem to only remember me from The Rock" Harris, A History of Violence was a head scratcher in terms of "What are these people doing in a comic film?" In any case, from where I'm standing, I don't think it would be too much of a stretch to say that Indies beat out the big two in 2005 with this one-two punch. Just by a bit when it comes to DC. Marvel... Entirely different deal.

So there you have it. The obligatory year in review. I don't find it surprising that this turned out to be the shortest installment of Off Panel/On Screen to date. This could be because I can no longer get by on what shred of writing talent that I may have feigned to have, but I'll just say that it's because there isn't that much to say about the year, and, consequentially, the medium that is the comic-to-film adaptation. Save the return of DC (which was pretty much expected anyways), 2005 was pretty much the same ole', same ole'. With a time of looking back comes a time of looking forward, so what does the year 2006 hold for you and I, the ever loyal and ever vocal comic/film/comic film fan? That my friends, is the stuff for another time and another installment. Happy New Year's!

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Seth Kim could probably have written about 2006 in this installment, but that would have left him stuck for his next one.

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The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writer, and are not reflective of Comixfan or its other staff in general.

[Tan K.]

Though Batman is far and away the best comic movie in a while....possibly the best solo character (if not all encompassing) comic movie....I thought FF was a very good movie. It wasn't a suspense nor did it have any surprises. However, it had a very good feel and it did a very good job of selling the characters and their relationship, which I felt was lacking in the X-Men movies (which I did like as well). Even my wife, who is a non-comic person, really liked it.

I may be in the minority, but I thought Sin City stunk. I may feel that way because I didn't read the comic, but I only watched the whole thing out of a comic geek's obligation. Hell, I even fast forwarded through parts and didn't miss out on anything.

Elektra had potential but fell very short on the suspense payoff. The action scenes were very short and the defeat of the baddies was easy. That IMO is why it failed.

[Ovid]

Nice article, Seth. I especially liked your assessments of the movies you didn't see. You're right - you probably could have done the article on 2006!

Originally Posted by Tan K.

I may be in the minority, but I thought Sin City stunk. I may feel that way because I didn't read the comic

Then you're in a minority of at least two. And I read the comic.

[clawsofwolverine]

Batman Begins showed everyone how it SHOULD be done.

Fantastic Four was a Fantastic bore. It was especially cheesy how Reed was was always "reaching beyond his grasp" Ben felt "solid" and Sue felt " invisible"

What was up with THAT version of Doom? What were his powers?It was never clearly explained. The character interaction was ok in this movie but the action sequence at the end was unclimactic. The Thing looked very fake and I too, think it was miscast.

Sin City? Good, but some of the effects were a bit much, like when Marv gets run over by a car and gets thrown 10 feet in the air every time. I liked this one a lot however.

Catwoman? A read the descrition of the movie. Based on THAT I knew it wouldnt be any good and still haven't seen it.

Consantine. I was pretty bored but I do agree it was a move in the right direction, Vertigo properties have great film potential.

A History of Violence. Great movie. Loved it.

Elektra? I was interested to see this. The first five minutes were good. After that the character of Elektra dissapeared in this movie.

[Andrew Stoneham]

Great article I do agree with everything said about Elektra. I mean this was probably one of the easier cahracters to translate to the screen. But they manage to mess it up. The first 5 minutes held may attention then the story just went down hill from there. And yes I wasn't expectign much considerign how bad Daredevil was.

Constantine was a great film...althoguht it wasn't that true to the comic they still mange to make it a good film.

Fantastic Four- wasn't bad and wasn't great it was good. I enjoyed I didn't like the cast cept for Chris Evans I think it was. He hit Johnny character right on the head. Jessica Aba was one of the weriest casting choice ever for Sue Storm right up there with Antonei Bandaris (sp) in Interview with a Vampire.

Sin City-was the best adaption thus far I really loved it.

Batman Begins- was awsome maybe Christopher Nolan should direct more comic book movies he seems to know what he is doing.

[MrGreen]

Very good article. I didn't love any of the comic book movies this year.
I dislike Christian Bale, Katie Holmes, and the word fear being used over 50 times in one movie. I also hate the BatTank so I didn't like Batman begins.
I don't think Jessica Alba should have played Sue Storm, the guy that played Doctor Doom sucked, and the guy that was supposed to play the HUman Torch acted even stupider than Johnny Storm so I couldn't even stomach watching the whole Fantastic Four movie.
Sin City was...interesting but a little too unnecessarily gory, someone should seriously shoot Frank Millar in the arm so he would know what a bullets actually feels like.
Elektra was a joke.
History of Violence was very good but I don't consider it a comic book movie even though it was first a graphic novel.

[hagakure]

Am I the only one that thought Batman Begins was kind of overrrated? That one scene where he refuses to kill one of Al Goul's henchmen in the cabin, because that's what he's all about----but moments later cause an explosion while trying to escape that probably kill everybody but himself. I thought Morgan Freeman was mis-cast as the techguy, because he's such a strong actor, but that's just my opinion. The Scarecrow, an excellent villain, was taken out too easily and in a stupid kind of way. There were other moments that made me say WTH but I have to see it again to rememeber the which parts.

Batman Begins is still a good movie and I did enjoy it for what it's worth, but the Tim Burton Batman were my favorite back in the early 90's.

Sin City is my favorite comic-book film of this year though.

[Northstar79]

Originally Posted by hagakure

Am I the only one that thought Batman Begins was kind of overrrated?

Nope. I didn't like it either. It was nice to see the 'tortured soul' of Bruce Wayne but the movie really wasn't good IMO.
I rented Fantastic Four last week. I actually had the opportunity to go on the set while Fantastic Four was being filmed. I asked the person who took my friends and I on if it was going to be good. She said "No." And she was right. It wasn't good at all. Nothing even really happened in the movie. They got their powers. Then they had a crappy final fight in the end. Yawn.
Hopefully X-Men 3 can keep movie adaptions of comics going as there is a lot of potential. And Hollywood could really use the fresh ideas.

[Phasmal]

I liked Elektra. All I had to do to accomplish this feat was go into the movie KNOWING I wouldn't see the true character (Oh yeah, when I think Elektra, I think Jennifer Garner) and I tried to look at it as new-age kung-fu theatre. Not a lot of plot, just people doing impossible martial arts moves. See it like that and it's a fun way to kill a couple of hours.