Best live-action superhero film
- Thread starter Ensign_Redshirt
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He's the Master of Quack Fu.
Steve Gerber wrote that story. Remember, Gerber was also writing THE DEFENDERS at the time, so it was a natural crossover.
Gerber's run on THE DEFENDERS is still the high point of the series, IMHO. Seriously weird and wacky stuff . . . as when Nighthawk's brain was transplanted into the body of a cute baby dear. Or when the Hulk defended his new friend.
"Hunters kill Bambi's mother! Hulk smash!"
Great stuff. Trust me, Howard fit right in.
As perfect. Not, as I stated more perfect.
I'm not even going to get into this argument.
Looks like I need to start TPB shopping.
Nowhere Man
Commodore
It was a hard decision, but I went with other: Hello? Superman II? 
TDK takes a close second only because i'm a bigger Superman fan. TDK may take first place in another ten years, but i'm still in love the Donner films. I also must say that the first Superman movie sort of set the standard for all other superhero/comic book movies. Superman II set the standard for sequels along with TWOK.
TDK takes a close second only because i'm a bigger Superman fan. TDK may take first place in another ten years, but i'm still in love the Donner films. I also must say that the first Superman movie sort of set the standard for all other superhero/comic book movies. Superman II set the standard for sequels along with TWOK.
Dark Knight, Followed closely by the first two Superman films.
Although flawed, I enjoyed the Watchmen movie a lot as well.
Although flawed, I enjoyed the Watchmen movie a lot as well.
Wow... This was a tough choice.
But I have to give it to Unbreakable - for its interesting spin on the genre, plus it is so damn well executed. (Where has the Shyamalan who made this film gone???)
(It edged out Batman Begins, V for Vendetta, Iron Man (2008), and The Dark Knight)
But I have to give it to Unbreakable - for its interesting spin on the genre, plus it is so damn well executed. (Where has the Shyamalan who made this film gone???)
(It edged out Batman Begins, V for Vendetta, Iron Man (2008), and The Dark Knight)
Other: Mystery Men.
Watchmen is close, and would probably win for moxie, though.
It's a huge chasm between those two and the next one down, whatever it would be. Maybe Iron Man.
Edit: I just realized, Mystery Men is the probably closest to a JLI movie we're ever likely to see; that helps explain why it's so awesome.
Watchmen is close, and would probably win for moxie, though.
It's a huge chasm between those two and the next one down, whatever it would be. Maybe Iron Man.
Edit: I just realized, Mystery Men is the probably closest to a JLI movie we're ever likely to see; that helps explain why it's so awesome.
As much as I like TDK, I had to vote Superman. It just is.
C'mon, guys. Superman, really? A bloated introduction to Krypton and the three exiles that serves no purpose whatsoever to the story at hand? A hammy Gene Hackman who clearly doesn't care about the movie's tone one bit? An absolutely soporific pace? Granted, there are some classic moments, but the movie as a whole kind of blows. "Can you read my mind?" 
Greg Cox;4404551 And where is STEEL? :)[/QUOTE said:Playing professional basketball for the Boston Celtics.
(and the first Iron Man FTW.)
Greg Cox;4404551 And where is STEEL? :)[/QUOTE said:Playing professional basketball for the Boston Celtics.
(and the first Iron Man FTW.
But what about TANK GIRL and BARB WIRE?
Meanwhile, I originally voted for X2, but I'm having second thoughts. I'm torn between X2 and Tim Burton's BATMAN.
X2 is very, very good.
I believe "X2: X-Men United" is still the greatest superhero/comic book movie ever put to screen. Engaging from start to finish (okay, it drags a little at the end, but not much), perfectly cast, brilliantly acted, and beautifully written. Funny, exciting, touching, and action-packed. This movie has everything I could ever want in a superhero comic book movie from awesome action sequences, to characters with interesting personalities that arouse both affection and sympathy, to dialog with wit and humour, to a delightfully menacing villain, to conflict and morality with substance, and an appealing cast from top to bottom.
Unlike many other movies of the genre, it also has a story that manages to be simple, yet enthralling and resonant. More of these movies should realize less is more and be economical with storytelling instead of jamming so many characters/character arcs/and arbitrary events into their stories. Even with such a huge cast, X2 succeeds at creating many characters that are all equally fascinating. It's not perfect. The Cyclops crying scene is horrible and that whole character was underused, but its flaws are incredibly minor compared to those of the other movies in this poll.
Superman (1978) - Lame plot developments/special effects in the second half.
Batman (1989) - A few cool moments from Nicholson, excellent production design, that's all.
Batman Returns (1992) - See above, but replace 'Nicholson' with 'Pfieffer'.
Blade (1998) - Entertaining, but immature.
X-Men (2000) - Plot is too silly, Mckellan hasn't mastered playing Magneto yet (he will nail it three years later).
Unbreakable (2000) - Second best on poll after "X2", but just not as fun, has a more dour tone.
Spider-Man (2002) - Villain is too cheesy. Good performances, but weak dialog and production design.
Hellboy (2004) - Looks great. Can't care about characters or story.
Spider-Man 2 (2004) - Admirable acting, writing, and action sequences. Amazing direction. Fantastic villain. Too melodramatic to be perfect.
Batman Begins (2005) - Bad action sequences, a few instances of bad dialog/acting. Solid overall.
V for Vendetta (2006) - Haven't seen it.
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) - Shittier version of X2.
Iron Man (2008) - Too similar to "Batman Begins" in certain parts, anti-climactic final battle. Otherwise very impressive.
The Incredible Hulk (2008) - Serviceable, generic.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) - Haven't seen it.
The Dark Knight (2008) - Overwritten. Too much plot. Terrible performance by Bale as Batman. Overdone special effects (particularly the sonar). Tremendously entertaining despite these problems because of beautiful cinematography, top notch directing, and fantastic dialog/acting from the rest of the male cast.
Watchmen (2009) - Magnificent...but too long, pretentious, and disjointed to invite many repeat viewings. Also suffers from very bad casting of Ozymandias.
Kick-Ass (2010) - Humour and love story are nicely done. The brutality of the violence doesn't fit with the lighter tone of everything else, making it feel weird. Therefore, it's only half good.
Iron Man 2 (2010) - Too smug and repetitive, but has a few great moments.
I am disappointed that "Superman II" and "The Rocketeer" were left off this poll. In my opinion, they're the next best comic book/super hero movies after "X2".
Unlike many other movies of the genre, it also has a story that manages to be simple, yet enthralling and resonant. More of these movies should realize less is more and be economical with storytelling instead of jamming so many characters/character arcs/and arbitrary events into their stories. Even with such a huge cast, X2 succeeds at creating many characters that are all equally fascinating. It's not perfect. The Cyclops crying scene is horrible and that whole character was underused, but its flaws are incredibly minor compared to those of the other movies in this poll.
Superman (1978) - Lame plot developments/special effects in the second half.
Batman (1989) - A few cool moments from Nicholson, excellent production design, that's all.
Batman Returns (1992) - See above, but replace 'Nicholson' with 'Pfieffer'.
Blade (1998) - Entertaining, but immature.
X-Men (2000) - Plot is too silly, Mckellan hasn't mastered playing Magneto yet (he will nail it three years later).
Unbreakable (2000) - Second best on poll after "X2", but just not as fun, has a more dour tone.
Spider-Man (2002) - Villain is too cheesy. Good performances, but weak dialog and production design.
Hellboy (2004) - Looks great. Can't care about characters or story.
Spider-Man 2 (2004) - Admirable acting, writing, and action sequences. Amazing direction. Fantastic villain. Too melodramatic to be perfect.
Batman Begins (2005) - Bad action sequences, a few instances of bad dialog/acting. Solid overall.
V for Vendetta (2006) - Haven't seen it.
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) - Shittier version of X2.
Iron Man (2008) - Too similar to "Batman Begins" in certain parts, anti-climactic final battle. Otherwise very impressive.
The Incredible Hulk (2008) - Serviceable, generic.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) - Haven't seen it.
The Dark Knight (2008) - Overwritten. Too much plot. Terrible performance by Bale as Batman. Overdone special effects (particularly the sonar). Tremendously entertaining despite these problems because of beautiful cinematography, top notch directing, and fantastic dialog/acting from the rest of the male cast.
Watchmen (2009) - Magnificent...but too long, pretentious, and disjointed to invite many repeat viewings. Also suffers from very bad casting of Ozymandias.
Kick-Ass (2010) - Humour and love story are nicely done. The brutality of the violence doesn't fit with the lighter tone of everything else, making it feel weird. Therefore, it's only half good.
Iron Man 2 (2010) - Too smug and repetitive, but has a few great moments.
I am disappointed that "Superman II" and "The Rocketeer" were left off this poll. In my opinion, they're the next best comic book/super hero movies after "X2".
I guess I would include Superman II next time. (But not any of the other "others". 
)
Haven't voted so far myself... but I think I will simply go with the flow and vote for The Dark Knight. But I also like X2 very, very much.
I'm not that much of a Iron Man fan myself, but at least I can say that I was entertained by that movie. And it must have been ages (more than 10 years?) since I last saw Superman and I definitely have to check it out again... as it stands now, I barely remember the film.
Movies on that poll that I own on DVD: Batman, X-Men, X2, Batman Begins, V for Vendetta, X-Men: The Last Stand, The Dark Knight, Watchmen. Yes, I'm mostly a Batman/X-Men fan myself. Well, and a Alan Moore fan, since I have the V for Vendetta and Watchmen DVDs as well as both comics.
)Haven't voted so far myself... but I think I will simply go with the flow and vote for The Dark Knight. But I also like X2 very, very much.
I'm not that much of a Iron Man fan myself, but at least I can say that I was entertained by that movie. And it must have been ages (more than 10 years?) since I last saw Superman and I definitely have to check it out again... as it stands now, I barely remember the film.
Movies on that poll that I own on DVD: Batman, X-Men, X2, Batman Begins, V for Vendetta, X-Men: The Last Stand, The Dark Knight, Watchmen. Yes, I'm mostly a Batman/X-Men fan myself. Well, and a Alan Moore fan, since I have the V for Vendetta and Watchmen DVDs as well as both comics.
That's one of my favourite moments of acting...ever.
I cannot pick one in terms of films. The best superhero movies ever, in no particular order, because they are all equal to me;
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
X2
Superman: The Movie
Spider-Man 2
Watchmen
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