Back to Basics

Lists and movies always seem to center me. Having just seen Ironman I was discussing what my list of the top superhero movies of all time would be. At first it was an easy list, but like most lists it gets harder the more you think about it…

1. The Incredibles: Come on, Pixar has made masterpiece after masterpiece and this is one of their best. Not only is the animation amazing but as usual the characters and story are phenomenal. As a hero movie it tackles some classic themes like public relations, the mental need to be a hero, supervillian/hero dynamics, and the effect on relationships. Even though Mr. incredible is the poster-boy and he propels the story, it’s Helen (Elastigirl) who carries it! I also love the creativity with which the heroes use their powers, both individually and in teams. I really look for this in any hero story! Dash running inside his sister’s force-field bubble to propel them, Elastigirl slinging the manhole cover using the lamppost as leverage, or Mr. Incredible throwing her at the end. And to top it off it’s riddled with classic hero references and jokes like monologueing and power-puns (“you need to be more flexable”). This movie also proves that you can ignore the origin story and still have a good hero movie.
Interestingly a lot of elements should be recognizable to Watchmen fans such as the banning of heroes and cape dangers, to name a few.

2. Superman/Superman 2: Rather than separate sequels I’M going to treat them as a single entity, and yet allow myself to ignore the bad ones! Hey it s my list and thus my rules. But to get back on point, come on, Superman is the classic! It was perfect casting, great effects for the time, good story, and absolutely true to the myth. Reeves WAS superman to all of us after that movie. The first movie had the great origin story as well as a wonderfully creative plot by a superbly executed Lex Luthor played by Gene Hackman. Good humor, and good action considering that no one in the story has the physical ability to compete with Superman. The second movie was a little long on love story, which to be honest we all really wanted to see after so many years of tension (and they played it out well!) but that still didn’t take away from a classic comic-style conflict plot. I mean three criminals from his home world with equal powers and seeking revenge on the son of their nemesis. In the end mind wins over muscle and normality is restored. Both movies stand up to time and myth and they even pulled off the tights with out looking silly! Proof that body armor is not necessary…

3. Unbreakable: This one is gonna surprise a lot of you and I admit it’s a little unorthodox. But still, you have to admit this a classic origin story re-envisioned and updated by M. Night. In fact it’s a dual-origin – hero and villain! Well cast, well acted, well written and directed with interesting visuals, this movie is just good. I love the direct connection the comics that is made through the character of Julius, but I especially love the impact that the unrealized power and desire to help has on the entire Dunn family. It’s got a good emotional draw and even though there is not a clear conflict plot the story still finds a few good ways to show off his powers…and weaknesses.

4. Batman Begins: Batman, like superman is such an established myth that I’ll admit it’s hard for anymovie, or comic to get it right. Especially with all the re-envisioning that’s gone on over the years. However just where all the previous movies failed (imho) this one was awesome! The version presented was clearly built the version defined by Frank Miller and some contemporaries which was satisfying. It combined the modern grittyness with some classic traits can characters. The use of Ras al Ghul and Scarecrow was a nice nod to hardcore fans. While they still went with body armor, I think they justified it well and, well, this was the coolest batmobile ever! (Watch the dvd features – it was real!) Bale finally had the physique, physical skill, and style to pull off both the prince of Gotham and the dark night. With the exception of Holmes as Dawes, all the supporting roles were extremely well cast and executed. Gary Oldman, in particular, seems like an amazing choice for Gordon, but Michael Caine as Alfred seems inspired as well.
Oh, and previews for the sequel look so cool!

5. Spiderman: If I have to stop at a top five it gets really hard, but I have to admit that when it came out Spiderman was…amazing! I liked all the casting, though I know some don’t. To me Spidey was always a bit goofier than some of the other heroes, maybe because I read him as younger than most, and Toby did that well. J. K. Simmons as J. Jonah was as perfect as anyone has ever been in any role!
Mostly I think this was a success because it was essentially a comic book in real time. The look, the coloring, the pace, the dialogue, the action, the plot, and the villain were pure comic book. I bet if you could took stills from the movie and layed them out on paper and it would look like Stan Lee had done it himself. Spiderman hit all is classic poses, used his webs in all the classic ways, and made all the classic jokes. He even wore a mostly spandex suit and looked ok doing it. You can argue about Kirstan Dunst if you want, but she held her own. Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin, on the other hand, earned a spot next to Rickman’s Gruber and Oldman’s Zorg, even if its not quite Nicholson’s Joker or DiNero’s Max Cady.

I do have to admit that the new Ironman is arguably deserving of the 5 spot. Its also really well cast and acted, great direction, action and effects, good visuals, and holds true to the comic mythology. I think the love story is successful in that it’s its left undeveloped and relies more on tension than on action. The suit is damn cool! I also loved the humor of this movie…not just Robert Downey Jr’s dialogue, but the whole tone of certain scenes (like when she plucks the magnet from his chest). The scolding of his assistant robots actually made me laugh out loud. Over all this was well executed origin story. I think the only thing that bothered me was the final villain. While Jeff Bridges played him well, I think the timeline of his suit construction and appearance was rushed and threw me off. Still I walked out thinking the movie was everything it should have been.

There’s one other movie I think is worth mentioning and would love to be able to list is my top 5…Mystery Men. This spoof on hero culture and the underground comic genre in particular was so well done that I never get tired of watching it! This film is hilariously funny, creative, unexpected, and yet it hits all the classic hero story highpoints. It is the quintessential genre parody in the same way that Blazing Saddles or Spaceballs are.

And the losers? I think I can list the bottm five and not have to explain why, but tell me if you disagree…Shaquille O’neil’s Steel; Dolph Lundgren’s The Punisher; Billy Zane’s The Phantom; Halle Berry’s Catwoman; Damon Wayans’ Blankman. Nuff said?

Others considered include Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, Batman and Robin, Daredevil, Elektra, Hulk, Sky High, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, The Punisher (Thomas Jane), Superman Returns, X-Men (1, 2, 3), Blade (1, 2, 3), The Crow, The Rocketeer, Flash Gordon; League of Extraordinary Gentleman, Hellboy, Fantastic Four, The Mask, Swamp Thing, Darkman, Spawn, TMNT, Supergirl, Ghost Rider, Zoom, Thunderbirds, and even Underdog.


Whew, I feel so more at ease now!