To be honest, I had to give some deep thought about this because this changes from time to time. My favorite listed could change in the near future, or it couldn't. Who knows. I felt a top 10 wouldn't do justice, so here's my top 15:
15 Superman 2
Fitted with a much better villain than its predecessor and a clearer sense of danger, Superman 2 gets my #15 spot. The scene where Superman breaks Zod's hand is frickin' awesome and iconic. I can't wait for Synder's depiction of Zod.
14 Thor
When I first saw the set photos and such almost a year ago for this movie, my expectations were extremely low. It looked like a terrible movie. BUT-the first trailer blew me away and silenced my doubts. My favorite part in the whole movie comes with their fight scene on the ice realm. After the Frost Giant calls Thor a little princess, the god of thunder knocks him dead and turns to his foes and says, 'Next?'. Love that scene. Thor's humor, action, and clean cut acting make this an awesome comic book movie, but not the best.
13 Batman Returns
Before the Nolan era, this Batman stands out as the best. I loved Danny Devito's Penguin, and Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman was pretty good as well. With a beautiful iconic score by Danny Elfman and a dark and gloomy tone from Tim Burton make this my third favorite Batman film, but my 13th favorite CBM.
12 Spider-man
A bit campy compared to some movies nowadays, but Sam Rami (famous director who directed the great Evil Dead 2) gave us what we wanted from Spidey. Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin as freaky, interesting, and badass. A great Origin story indeed.
11 X2
X-men was good, but X2 was so, so much better. Just like Superman 2, the threat is much greater, the heroism much stronger, and the action is amplified. Its a shame Bryan Singer left to do Superman Returns instead of X3.
10 V for Vendetta
The only feeling of a CBM this film has is that the lead character is a vigilante. This is more of a thought provoking drama than it is a CBM. I can believe the whole idea that when our world goes to shit, America could be in another Civil War, and one of the bigger capitalist countries would be left still marching on strong but would eventually become a ruthless goverment and someone would end up revolting. Hugo Weaving was the perfect choice as V, and this gave Natalie Portman credit after Star Wars. Fantastic film.
9 Watchmen
Critics and audiences gave it mixed reviews, while fanboys and I loved it. I think people who didn't read the Graphic Novel found it boring and confusing since they went in expecting it to be a graphic, bloody superhero flick throughout. While not perfect, Watchmen does follow the Graphic Novel well, (not entirely, but still good enough) and has enough action to satisfy the occasional action junkie.
8 Green Lantern
I don't know why, but I just adore this movie. I really do. As a kid I waited a long time for GL to get his shot at the big screen and he finally got it. It met up to most of my expectations, and thus is my favorite CBM of the year so far. I just love the whole space venture (even though it was brief in the theatrical release) and the superpower to create anything from a mythical ring. Reynolds was an awesome Hal Jordan, and Strong was a fantastic Sinestro. Seriously; He was born to play the guy. the only reason I want a sequel is to see Reynolds and Strong beat the living crap out of each other. That would be nice. So would a Director's cut to which I've heard contains at least 40+ minutes of extra footage. (Yeah I know what you're thinking, WTF?) But first I think DC needs to get their shit straight before they even think about a GL2.
7 Road to Perdition
This isnt much of a CBM to me. Just like V for Vendetta, it doesn't have the vibe of a CBM. Its a crime thriller, one that to me goes in a top ten gangster movie flick if I were to make such a list. When I learned this was Graphic Novel, I was shocked. But it counts. As always, Tom Hanks is great, but the highlight of this movie to me was Jude Law as the strange hitman. The ending in the beach house is very emotional and well played.
6 Spider-man 2
Before Iron Man 2 broke the streak, it seemed as if Marvel's sequels (as in 2nd film in the series, not 3rd people) kicked the living shit out of their predecessors. Spider-man 2 is so much better than the first. Even though Green Goblin was crazy and cool, Doc Ock was a better villain and much more of a threat to Spidey. Its darker than the first one, and we cheer for both the villain and the hero. Excellent work, Rami. Once again your sequel does the job.
5 The Crow
I honestly haven't watched this movie in like five years. I have to watch it again, because I used to watch it all the time. It's dark, mysterious and sad. When I see some people's top 10 lists, it seems like they over look this movie. Sad to know that Brandon Lee isn't with us today. Just like the new Bourne Movie, i really don't give a damn about the remake/reboot whatever.
RIP Brandon Lee
4 Iron Man
Just like Thor, I thought this movie would be trash by the sight of the early set photos and movie stills. But Robert Dowey Jr's memorable (and funny) performance as Tony Stark is what makes this movie a juggernaut. While the villain isn't as intimidating as others, Iron Man as a whole with it's wit, clean cut action, and thrills, is Marvel Studio's best movie to date. Iron Man 2 was good but disappointing, and I'm sure IM3 won't reach the heights the first one.
3 Sin City
This is one of the few CBM's that is made to look like an actual moving Comic book. It was the Pulp Fiction of last decade, and with memorable performances from everybody, bloody good action, and story lines that blend perfectly together, Sin City gives me chills every time I watch it. It's a shame that Frank Miller's movies are going down hill. The guy had so much potential. But anyway, Sin City is an awesome and special movie.
2 Batman Begins
This Nolan Batman has more of a comic book vibe to it than it's sequel. I waited years for the near perfect Batman movie. Returns was pretty good, but it was no where near great. Begins is so awesome because its a realistic twist on the hero. And if I'm not mistaken, this is the movie that started this site. Moody, action packed, and above all the greatest origin story told to date, Batman Begins is the near perfect Batman movie. But its not my favorite.
1 The Dark Knight
The term cliche should be turned on those who hate on this movie. Its becoming a constant thing I see on this site. But hey, fanboys are hard to please. Haters dislike this movie because it lacks the genuine feel of a comic book movie. But do superhero movies really need to be as comic like as the Spidermans were? I dont think so. I think every once in awhile we should be treated with a different twist on the hero. Yes this isn't much of a COMICBOOKmovie, but its an excellent, realistic, sadistic, brutal, moody, and unforgettable crime/gangster flick with a comic book vibe to it. That's why Nolan's movies are so popular; They have an unrealistic premise but they're developed and played out realistically. The look and feel of this movie is different than Begins; the action sequences are played out much more smoother rather than retorting to flashy editing that a lot of CBM's use. I am not a Nolanite. In fact he's not even my favorite director. But I love his movies anyway. The man knows how to make an entertaining movie and not disappoint. The people that claim this movie made as much as it did due to Heath Ledger's death should be slapped in the face. An argument like that is just low and stupid. TDK get's my vote in the end. Who knows though? This might change in the next five to ten ye...er ooh. I forgot.
The world is gonna 'end' next year.
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don't worry though. John Cusak will save us :P
But that's my list for ya. I'll have a bottom 15 list sometime this week or the next. So what is your top 15, 20, 25, or 30 list?
Let me know!