TOP FOURS: Upon Further Review

TOP FOURS: Upon Further Review

This is another Top Fours article in which I list films that have come to shift my opinions of them upon further viewings.

Editorial Opinion
By BenjiWest - Jan 26, 2014 11:01 PM EST
Filed Under: Iron Man 3

Top Fours: Upon Further Review

Hello CBMers!!! Been bored beyond recognition this week, and in my boredom I found myself watching certain films again and with multiple viewings. These further viewings also have helped me to new conclusions to how I feel about the movie. Its funny certain films endeared and won me over in ways I hadn’t even thought about and yet some, in brilliant counter programming, left me scathed. A week of newfound appreciation and disgust abound. Holding serve with the theme of my now anthological articles of Top Fours, I have decided to highlight the four that made the most changes in my opinions. Just don’t forget; these are only my opinions as always and please let me know if you have experienced these same “shifts of opinions” with newer viewings of a film you once either disliked or really enjoyed. And without further ado...

1 - IRON MAN 3

This gosh darn film, man I really left the theater feeling mixed. Great action sequences with some odd choices. Now that this film has made it to cable, I find myself watching it every time and finding something more to admire about it. The cast was incredible, they entertain like nothing else, and each actor just exuded fun. The plot has evolved from terrible bait switch, to enthralling thriller returning Iron Man to basics. Killian was a great Mandarin; I liked the burn marks that came to resemble two dragons on his chest. Trevor looks like he may yet develop into an interesting character. Some superb, grand, and exciting action sequences. Plus it was great to see Johnny Cage is still alive, I’m certain that was him at the Air Force communications desk asking about Rhodes and Air Force One. Does it read “tron” on Tony’s car as he drives away with the salvaged “dummies”? Oh Banner, is still quite the comedian……….URGH.

2 – HULK/THE INCREDIBLE HULK

So, I’m cheating with this one here, but I actually have the opposite shifting experience with these films. I am truly marveled; yes you read that correctly, by Ang Lee’s Hulk. It’s visually enchanting and intensely crafted. Lee experiments with shots never even seen in standard filming let alone comic book movies. Bana was a terrific Banner, and as I stated in a previous article, I love how he and Lee generated a different side to Banner. When he talks of being the Hulk and unlike other incarnations, when it happens, and when he loses control, “he likes it.” Wow this is cool, usually it’s such a burden he walks the planet in search of getting rid of it. The army battles were straight from Kirby’s earliest pages and I was intrigued by the idea that he grew larger and stronger with more anger. Yes, the villains were rather lackluster, but I will defend this movie until one day it will be highly regarded. What about that other Hulk cinema screen adventure? I did write up an entire article about how much I can no longer stand that movie. The majority of my hatred comes from that one damn scene, were the drama and excitement is culminating, and either Banner will fall out of that helicopter to his death or transform into the Hulk and valiantly enter into battle with the Abomination. The camera zooms onto Banner’s face and what’s this? He’s not going to change?? WAAAA-WAAAA, so damn lame. And that damn stupid heart monitor watch, cool idea, was only used for a stupid sex joke. UGH!

3 – WATCHMEN

The epic story of comicdom captured on screen, and captured brilliantly. I hope one day this film becomes as revered as it deserves to be. Perhaps I am biased because I hold the graphic novel upon which it is based in such high regard. Damn Snyder, you did something special. The comic series that was birthed as the greatest as well as unfilmable was up there on that movie screen. Scenes, dialogue, and characters taken directly from the comic books and brought to vibrant motion. The actors were incredible, the music was perfect, and the costumes were stunning. The plot is streamlined and many of the comic's tedious elements have been removed, but this film still stays utterly true to the source material. You have Rorschach's bleakness and determination, Dr. Manhattan's disconnect and power, Comedian's ruthless and aggressive attitude, and so much more. The scenes are just as beautiful and mesmerizing in the film as they are in the comic books. I feel this film is often overlooked, because of its adult themes but as more people age and discover the original comic series, they will no doubt be just as impressed with this motion picture.

4 – THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

This one hurts the most, because I was so impressed when I saw this for the first time. I still think this film features the better Parker/Spiderman in Garfield, he was just perfect. When I first viewed it, I liked to hold the film in comparison to something Nolan often accomplishes, smart, gripping, and atmospheric. However with more viewings, there is no denying that Webb cannot even enter that same parking lot as Nolan; there are great moments but overall the film is so disjointed. Although, this movie does feature the greatest Stan Lee cameo of all time; his oblivious librarian is fantastic. Everything else just falls short and feels somewhat…dare I say…campy? The now infamous crane scene, Lizard’s oddball plot (seriously what the hell was he trying to accomplish, I always thought he just wanted an arm, not make everyone a lizard), downright perplexing sport scenes, Gwen being able to counteract this secretly manufactured “lizard gas”, and the idiotic decision to not have Uncle Ben speak those defining and famous words. It’s a shame because I was captivated by Garfield’s Spidey; I felt his anger, discontent, awkwardness, and his strength. His performance alone gives me hope for the sequel.

Well there it is; Top Fours edition five. Comment and let me know what you think and if you’ve had similar shifts in opinions about certain movies. Auf Wiedersehen!!

DAMMIT I had pictures, honestly I did.

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Wallymelon
Wallymelon - 1/27/2014, 12:09 AM
First
Wallymelon
Wallymelon - 1/27/2014, 12:25 AM
1. I agree. Every time I watch it I like it more. It's a fun Shane Black film and a nice Tony Stark story. It has it's flaws but honestly not as much as Thor:TDW I feel. The film is a solid blockbuster with a fair amount of cheese. I wish there were less comedic moments but it's not as offensive as the initial viewings. The humor is pretty organic. If the mandarin reveal wasn't spoiled I would have liked it initially. It makes sense. This film drops so many clues to the future of this universe I can't even find them all. I know they're there based on Agents of Sheild and TDW. It's a good stand alone.

2. Hated Ang Lees film. Still don't dig it. The Incredible Hulk however is pretty damn awesome. It is a great balance of action and thriller. I don't fully like your reason for not liking the film but I understand it. It's one of the best in the franchise of the Mcu. It just needed to be more connected to Iron Man with really showing that Stark supplied weapons. And Sheild was in contact with Ross.

3. Watchmen is great. Beautiful film. Best Snyder film. everything else he's done is pretty bad. His visuals are beautiful. But I am going to thank the artist and writer of the graphic novel for creating the images.

4. It was well acted. Directed poorly and written poorly. Could have been amazing but too close to Spider-Man 1. We'll casted..
BenjiWest
BenjiWest - 1/27/2014, 12:43 AM
Maybe I am just smitten, Hulk is my favorite Marvel character of all time and it was so damn awesome to see him on the big screen for the first time. In Lee's film I just felt the...the...rage, the anger, and the bitterness. Marvel's fell to far campy for me, I liked it when I first saw it but now I just think Hulk deserves better with the new MCU. Would like to see what Ruffalo can do with the role in a solo.
MightyZeus
MightyZeus - 1/27/2014, 2:46 AM
I actually love the two hulk films. At first i disliked Eric Banna's Hulk thinking it was boring and that i just wanted to see Hulk do what he does best but when i was 17 i watched it again and became more interested in the films themes and the way it took itself seriously. I dont mind the changes to making Bruce's father The Absorbing Man. The design of the Hulk looked amazing and life like. General Ross had a really could actor behind him. I didnt like the choice for Betty as she seemed a little too moapy and confused at times.
The Incredible Hulk was clever making it a re-imagining rather than a reboot of an origin we've seen before the origin of bruce banner is told through the beginning credits sequence.

I love TASM. I think it's a good Spider-man film but i was expecting better but then i realised this is just the beginning of Spider-man. I didnt mind that they updated Peter Parker's character and they actually made Gwen Stacey a lot more important than she is in the comics she was not just a damsel in distress and she does help Spider-man.
GuardianDevil
GuardianDevil - 1/27/2014, 6:49 AM
1. Yes, Iron Man 3 was very good. Perhaps not the first time, but once you know what to expect it's actually a great watch. I really dig the plot, very well written. The climax was cool no doubt, but not even half as spectacular as the trailers were building it up to be. I was just a tad disappointed by the twist, not because I'm one of these "Mandarin fans". But because Ben Kingsley/Trevor's performance was so menacing, so terrifying. Anyways Iron Man 3 is good, to me it is essentially TDKR-lite. I loved TDKR so I love this one as well.

2. Hulk 2003 is a good movie I wouldn't deny that. But I vastly prefer Incredible Hulk 2008 for many reasons. Hulk was good, but overly long and not much really happened if you think about it. I love the Tank-busting scene, and the fights against the army in the desert. But as a whole I would say TIH is much better. For one thing the final action sequence is top notch, the general tone was deep, dark and suspenseful. The introspective character search was great, Norton > Rufalo > Bana. Thr story was quite good too...I get that people dislike it for some reason, but I have no qualms with saying that TIH is by far the best Marvel Studios film. It feels the most well rounded and complete of the 8.

3. Watchmen is amazing...'nuff said.

4. Good, not great. Casting is pretty spot-on, but the story was eh, poorly written to say the least as is the villain of the film. I really do like TASM. It's just that it didn't do anything new, of interesting. It told 90% the same story we saw in 2002 just sloppier. TASM is good, not great.
GuardianDevil
GuardianDevil - 1/27/2014, 7:02 AM
I love both Hulk films a great deal though both are in my top 20 CBMs. Hulk is my second favorite superhero, so yeah I'm biased but hey if you think about it everyone else is too.
JohnnyRoss
JohnnyRoss - 1/27/2014, 11:44 AM
1. I also love Iron Man 3.
2. I haven't seen Hulk in years, and I like the Incredible Hulk but I don't love it.
3. I saw Watchmen once a while ago and I remember liking it a lot. It needs a re-watch though.
4. I was very disappointed in the Amazing Spider-Man. It's still ok though and I'm sure the sequel will be better.
Lhornbk
Lhornbk - 1/27/2014, 1:05 PM
Iron Man 3 was decent, but I've been trying to watch it on my DVR (recorded from Starz) and am having a hard time getting through it. There are parts that are just boring.

As for Lee's Hulk, I stand by my original review, that it is tied for worst cbm ever with Superman IV. It is simply, and literally, unwatchable. It took me 5-6 attempts to actually watch it all the way through, and I will never subject myself to that again. It is just beyond terrible. TIH was good, and I still watch it on cable. As for Watchmen, I tried to watch it once. It got boring to me.
Wolf38
Wolf38 - 1/27/2014, 2:44 PM
Regarding #2 and #4...

I love Ang Lee's Hulk. I get why it does not appeal to everyone, but for me it is one of the best CBMs ever made. The Incredible Hulk, I mostly just find bland. I think that they over corrected between the two films.

The Amazing Spideran...great cast, great aesthetic, but unfinished story. The film starts out promising something great, and then it just unravels into under-written-ness. Also, if you are trying to give Spiderman a more "tech-based" and ostensibly realistic portrayal, then you really need to write an origin scene that is at least slightly plausible and well-thought-out.
TucksFrom2015
TucksFrom2015 - 1/27/2014, 6:11 PM
@yoss no u are a pretty bad muvie.
SauronsBANE
SauronsBANE - 1/27/2014, 6:43 PM
Iron Man 3 absolutely gets better with each viewing. I hated it after I first saw the midnight premiere...but I've come around to it since then. It's not amazing, but it's an entertaining summer movie, which is all it was ever trying to be.

For me, TASM never approached Nolan-levels of quality. Not on the 1st watch, not ever. Garfield and Stone were perfectly cast in their respective parts, but apart from that it wasn't very good at all.

But all of this just goes to show that repeat viewings are a must. I just can't take opinions seriously if someone has only seen a movie once or twice, 6 months ago.
GuardianDevil
GuardianDevil - 1/28/2014, 8:16 AM
@Lhornbk
Lol, worst CBM ever? HAHAHAHAHA! No way, Hulk may not be the best but I could easily name at least 10, no 20 CBMs that aren't half as good as Lee's Hulk.

Superman 3
Superman 4
Jonah Hex
Green Lantern
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
X-Men: The Last Stand
Fantastic Four
Rise of the Silver Surfer
Iron Man 2
Iron Man 3
Elektra
Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider 2
Blade 3
Batman Forever
Batman & Robin
Fantastic Four (1994)
Catwoman
Spider-Man 3
The Amazing Spider-Man


Not necessarily saying ALL of those are bad (TASM, F4 (2005) and IM3 are all decent) but none of those even approach how good Lee's Hulk is.
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