Comments on: Ten Essential Superhero Films http://commentarytrack.com/2007/05/02/ten-essential-superhero-films/ movie reviews, news and discussion Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:07:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Helen http://commentarytrack.com/2007/05/02/ten-essential-superhero-films/#comment-214 Helen Mon, 07 May 2007 15:30:56 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/2007/05/02/ten-essential-superhero-films/#comment-214 The Crow is a wonderful movie and far superior to Blade (not a big Blade fan). However, I agree with Blade's inclusion on the essentials list for the reasons Rishi gives in his post. I wish that The Crow had been the movie to revitalize and influence the genre the way Blade did, but sadly it wasn't. Best of list is a different matter. The Crow is a wonderful movie and far superior to Blade (not a big Blade fan). However, I agree with Blade’s inclusion on the essentials list for the reasons Rishi gives in his post. I wish that The Crow had been the movie to revitalize and influence the genre the way Blade did, but sadly it wasn’t. Best of list is a different matter.

]]> By: James http://commentarytrack.com/2007/05/02/ten-essential-superhero-films/#comment-213 James Mon, 07 May 2007 14:56:22 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/2007/05/02/ten-essential-superhero-films/#comment-213 As much as I loved "V for Vendetta," I'm hesitant to leave it on a list of ten essential superhero films. Alan Moore's original tale was, in all likelihood, riffing on superhero tropes like several other stories of his do. But I think its thematic presence is small compared to the larger social commentary of the piece, particularly in the film version. "V for Vendetta" encompasses so many different ideas that it seems almost limiting to say its a superhero film. And bare in mind, this is coming from a man who owns approximately seven long boxes full of comics. I'd remove "V for Vendetta" and replace it with "Darkman." "Darkman" is in many ways the precursor to the current spate of movies in this genre. Sam Raimi did a quintessential superhero story years before they became vogue. Look at all you're given in "Darkman" that are staples to the superhero stories of the medium: dynamic camera angles, heightened drama, secret identities, headquarters creation, elaborate origin based around obscure science, etc. I'm also mulling on replacing "Blade" with "The Crow" since they're both moody supernatural pieces w/ thrilling action except that "The Crow" came out four years earlier. As much as I loved “V for Vendetta,” I’m hesitant to leave it on a list of ten essential superhero films. Alan Moore’s original tale was, in all likelihood, riffing on superhero tropes like several other stories of his do. But I think its thematic presence is small compared to the larger social commentary of the piece, particularly in the film version. “V for Vendetta” encompasses so many different ideas that it seems almost limiting to say its a superhero film. And bare in mind, this is coming from a man who owns approximately seven long boxes full of comics.

I’d remove “V for Vendetta” and replace it with “Darkman.” “Darkman” is in many ways the precursor to the current spate of movies in this genre. Sam Raimi did a quintessential superhero story years before they became vogue. Look at all you’re given in “Darkman” that are staples to the superhero stories of the medium: dynamic camera angles, heightened drama, secret identities, headquarters creation, elaborate origin based around obscure science, etc.

I’m also mulling on replacing “Blade” with “The Crow” since they’re both moody supernatural pieces w/ thrilling action except that “The Crow” came out four years earlier.

]]> By: Mike Button http://commentarytrack.com/2007/05/02/ten-essential-superhero-films/#comment-212 Mike Button Sun, 06 May 2007 22:39:15 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/2007/05/02/ten-essential-superhero-films/#comment-212 I would still replace The Hulk with Superman 2 (which is superior to Superman), Drop Superman, and replace with something else. Maybe "the Mask". Although Superman 1 & 2 deserve a place I would still replace The Hulk with Superman 2 (which is superior to Superman), Drop Superman, and replace with something else. Maybe “the Mask”.
Although Superman 1 & 2 deserve a place

]]> By: Helen http://commentarytrack.com/2007/05/02/ten-essential-superhero-films/#comment-211 Helen Fri, 04 May 2007 17:19:59 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/2007/05/02/ten-essential-superhero-films/#comment-211 Your essentials list is a very fair survey of the genre. However, in the true superhero spirit of fighting the good fight even in the face of overwhelming odds, I will accept your challenge! V for Vendetta should definitely give way to Mystery Men. No, Mystery Men isn't a great movie, but then V for Vendetta is decidedly mediocre. Both made me laugh, but Mystery Men was the only one of the two that was supposed to be funny. More significantly for "essentials" consideration, Mystery Men shows how deeply superheroes are embedded in American pop culture. Becoming the subject of mainstream parody is an important benchmark of universal cultural recognition. Your essentials list is a very fair survey of the genre. However, in the true superhero spirit of fighting the good fight even in the face of overwhelming odds, I will accept your challenge! V for Vendetta should definitely give way to Mystery Men. No, Mystery Men isn’t a great movie, but then V for Vendetta is decidedly mediocre. Both made me laugh, but Mystery Men was the only one of the two that was supposed to be funny. More significantly for “essentials” consideration, Mystery Men shows how deeply superheroes are embedded in American pop culture. Becoming the subject of mainstream parody is an important benchmark of universal cultural recognition.

]]> By: Ben http://commentarytrack.com/2007/05/02/ten-essential-superhero-films/#comment-210 Ben Fri, 04 May 2007 14:47:42 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/2007/05/02/ten-essential-superhero-films/#comment-210 the Hulk did suck and not a fan of V for Vendetta, what about a blind Ben Afflex in daredevil the Hulk did suck and not a fan of V for Vendetta, what about a blind Ben Afflex in daredevil

]]> By: Rishi http://commentarytrack.com/2007/05/02/ten-essential-superhero-films/#comment-209 Rishi Thu, 03 May 2007 00:55:49 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/2007/05/02/ten-essential-superhero-films/#comment-209 Well, actually, you can't replace it with Superman 2 because that violates the "One film per series" rule. Given that constraint, since I have your Top Ten list, I suspect you'd get rid of Superman in favor of Superman 2 and replace Hulk with Hellboy. Well, actually, you can’t replace it with Superman 2 because that violates the “One film per series” rule. Given that constraint, since I have your Top Ten list, I suspect you’d get rid of Superman in favor of Superman 2 and replace Hulk with Hellboy.

]]> By: Mike Button http://commentarytrack.com/2007/05/02/ten-essential-superhero-films/#comment-208 Mike Button Wed, 02 May 2007 23:41:19 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/2007/05/02/ten-essential-superhero-films/#comment-208 I still say hulk sucked. While I like the comic panel look and feel of the Hulk, my main problems are: 1) Eric Banna made a terrible Banner. Too GQ prettyboy, not enough 98lb weakling. Someone like Steve Buscemi is what I think of when I think of Banner. 2) Enough of the Father/Son Angst all ready. This movie could have played much better if you cut 20 minutes of the "I had a bad childhood with my mean old father". I get it. Quit beating me over the head with it! 3) Too much "talkie, talkie" not enough "smashie, smashie". Honestly, does anybody REALLY care about Bruce Banner? No they don't. The comic is called the Incredible HULK, not nerdy science guy. Some movies are high art, and some are popcorn fun. Ang Lee tried to mix the 2 and the result was a mess. Frankly I was bored to death till the hulk showed up. When the was beating the crap out of the tanks in the desert, I was as giddy as a 10 year old. I wanted 2 hrs of THAT hulk. The Transformers falls under this same category as far as I'm concerned. I just want a giant robot smackdown for 2 hrs. Don't even need people. Hulk is the same for me. I would replace with Superman 2. This is THE movie against which all other superhero movies are STILL being judged. I still say hulk sucked. While I like the comic panel look and feel of the Hulk, my main problems are:
1) Eric Banna made a terrible Banner. Too GQ prettyboy, not enough 98lb weakling. Someone like Steve Buscemi is what I think of when I think of Banner.
2) Enough of the Father/Son Angst all ready. This movie could have played much better if you cut 20 minutes of the “I had a bad childhood with my mean old father”. I get it. Quit beating me over the head with it!
3) Too much “talkie, talkie” not enough “smashie, smashie”. Honestly, does anybody REALLY care about Bruce Banner? No they don’t. The comic is called the Incredible HULK, not nerdy science guy. Some movies are high art, and some are popcorn fun. Ang Lee tried to mix the 2 and the result was a mess. Frankly I was bored to death till the hulk showed up. When the was beating the crap out of the tanks in the desert, I was as giddy as a 10 year old. I wanted 2 hrs of THAT hulk. The Transformers falls under this same category as far as I’m concerned. I just want a giant robot smackdown for 2 hrs. Don’t even need people. Hulk is the same for me.
I would replace with Superman 2. This is THE movie against which all other superhero movies are STILL being judged.

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