"Everyone loves a great hero!" (Aunt May, Spider-Man 2) It is very true, but what would our great heroes be without great villain? Well, it wouldn't be that great of a movie would it?? Join me today as I look over what I consider to be the five best comic book movie villains of all time.
5. Tom Hiddleston as Loki
(Thor, The Avengers, Thor: The Dark World)
Taking the fifth place spot on my list is the Asgardian god of mischief known as Loki, played by the truly excellent Tom Hiddleston. Loki is the only villain from the recent vein of Marvel Studios movies that is worth mentioning on a best list. That is for good reason too, the filmmakers have proven that they know this character all too well. Loki is easily the most well written character within the Marvel Cinematic films. Loki grew up living in the shadow of Thor's greatness, which instills a disdain for Thor and a resentment towards Odin his father. All of this drives him to do such radical things, it drives him to gain the love and the attention of his father. But that is just the beginning of his descent into hate and villainy. Odin reveals to him in the first Thor that he is the child of a Frost Giant. Loki soon recognizes where he has always been wrong, he previously believed that there was always a reason behind everything Odin did. That everything Odin did was noble, and almost perfect. Loki soon fades into his deep resentment towards Asgard. It shows in the two films that follow. What I find most interesting about him is that in Thor: The Dark World and The Avengers Loki seems to be some kind of an idealist. Even though he is viewed as a monster. People are always searching for peace and order in life, Loki understands this because he himself is searching for the same. He wants to better the world by conquering it, and bringing mad scrambling fearful people to order. Thereby bringing them a misguided sense of peace and security. In Thor: The Dark World when he again points out all of Odin's faults. Loki recognizes and makes a point out of Odin's hypocrisy. How Loki is viewed as a monster while Odin has killed millions more and is regarded as some kind of hero. It's Loki's misguided sense of idealism as well as his interactions with other characters that make him so interesting. Tom Hiddleston's performance does not hurt it at all either. His acting in all three movies is Shakesperian, which fits the character perfectly. You can really see when Marvel puts a lot of effort into writing a great villain, mashing it with a great performer can bring one of the best villains of all time to the screen. However, that only makes it all the more painful when they don't do it with any other of their villains.
4. Sir Ian Mckellen as Magneto
(X-Men Trilogy)
Taking fourth place on my list is the master of magnetism known as Magneto. Played by the brilliant Sir Ian Mckellen. Just want to say that Michael Fassbender's Magneto does not count. Because he was never really a villain in the movie. That said, Ian Mckellen's Magneto is much better anyways. Magneto has always been one of the best villains in the comics. So it's only natural that they'd do their best to give him a great film adaptation as well. Boy, did they do it. I'm fully aware of the hate towards Bryan Singer's X-Men movies. But one thing is for sure that Magneto is the best part of the series alongside Wolverine. Magneto, like Charles, brings a feeling of idealism to the series. However, unlike Charles, Magneto has seen the dark side of life and believes only a radical solution can solve the problem. The problem is racial discrimination. Something Erik knows all too well. As he was a Jewish refugee from the German holocaust. As a child he was persecuted because he was viewed as inferior by the ruling body. He has tried to cope with humanity, but when humanity again persecutes his kind for being inferior he rises up and takes a stand for what he believes. Magneto is one of the most deep, complex, well written movie villains of all time. His twisted idealism and pure badassery make him one of the best. Sir Ian Mckellen's excellent job at bringing him to life should be commended as well. Let's also not forget how many badass scenes we can find Erik in. Like his glorious escapade from his plastic prison. Or his badass lifting of the Golden Gate Bridge. Magneto is a gem in the X-Men series that should not be forgotten.
3. Liam Neeson as Ra's Al Ghul
(Batman Begins)
Taking third place on my list is the leader of the League of Shadows known only as Ra's Al Ghul. Played by one of my personal favorite actors Liam Neeson. Ra's Al Ghul makes it into my list not because he is the most complex villain out there. But he IS one of the most well acted. Let's also not forget he is arguably the one who played the biggest role in our hero's life. I mean think about it, everything Batman is and will become is due mostly to Ra's Al Ghul and his actions. Ra's Al Ghul has the greatest affect on Batman than anyone else in the entire series. It is Ra's' morals and twisted sense of justice that instill the same within Bruce. Batman also learns most of his martial arts ability from Ra's and his followers. Do not forget that it was Ra's who taught Bruce both to face and to control his fear. Ra's Al Ghul taught Bruce everything he needed to know. He became the father figure that Bruce had craved for years. Ra's gave Bruce a purpose, a reason to live. That is what made it all the more painful when Batman realized how radical Ra's is and what he must do to stop him. Ra's, like Bruce, recognizes Gotham's filth and wickedness. But Ra's is the one who seeks out a radical and sadistic way of putting an end to Gotham. Just that, an END to Gotham. Ra's wants to see Gotham pay for it's deep crimes against humanity, whereas Batman wants to see it repent and turn away from it's evil ways. The emotional and psychological connection makes the decision to do the right thing that much harder when it comes time to end Ra's' wickedness. Liam's performance is beyond legendary, it was absolutely perfect. The training scenes and the fight at the end are still awesome action scenes if you ask me. Ra's is amazing because of his connection to Batman and the threat he presents to his ideals as a human being.
2. Willem Dafoe as The Green Goblin
(Spider-Man)
The runner-up to all time best on my list is the nefarious Green Goblin, played by the immensely talented Willem Dafoe. I am well aware of the general dislike for this iteration of the Green Goblin, as well as the disdain towards Willem Dafoe's acting and the suit. But frankly, I don't give a damn. This was the definitive version of the Green Goblin and it always will be. Willem Dafoe's iteration of the character is pulled straight out of the comics. I mean the backstory, is like a perfect adaptation from the source material. Willem Dafoe's acting may have been way over the top, but I think that is what it was supposed to be. Green Goblin is Marvel's Joker, he is insanity personified. Yet he also has great taste in theatricality. The last three placements on my list were a different kind of villain. Loki is a sociopath who wants to change the world Magneto and Ra's Al Ghul are misguided idealists that have grown into radical terrorists. The Green Goblin is nothing like them. He does everything he does, just for the hell of it. For the kicks and for the thrills he performs wicked deeds. The tragic arc of the character is told beautifully. His tale of going from Peter's father figure and a great friend to a demented schizophrenic and Peter's greatest enemy. Willem Dafoe's acting and dialogue is easily the best thing about the character. But that costume wasn't too bad either. I really don't see what people hate about it. It was totally badass. The Green Goblin as portrayed in Spider-Man is great, easily the villain closest to the source. But that doesn't make him the best.
1. Heath Ledger as The Joker
(The Dark Knight)
First place goes to the legendary performance of the Joker, played by the late great Heath Ledger. Well duh! What else was it gonna be? Huh? While it may seem cliche and kinda overdone. Heath Ledger is obviously the best choice for first place. The performance and the acting itself is easily the best thing about the character, and about the film as a whole. The Joker, particularly this version, is one of the most intriguing characters in all of fiction. The Dark Knight is no exception, Heath Ledger's acting was icing on the beautiful cake that was The Dark Knight. The character is so interesting, I can't find words to do him justice. I mean he brings everything a villain is and should be to a whole new level. He combines misguided idealism with pure batshit craziness. Which delivers to us one of the best film characters to ever grace the screen. Heath Ledger's wild and crazy, yet deeply meaningful performance brings The Joker to the all time top of the list. Heath Ledger's Joker is the best villain ever, I cannot find words that can do the character justice. Everything has already been said.
Even with these five, there are still many others that are great! Bane, Doctor Octopus, Deacon Frost and the first Joker are a few honorable mentions that couldn't make the cut. Thanks for taking the time to check it out! I appreciate any feedback from those who read!