Those who have been following my 100 Days of Superheroes will know what this is all about. I’m currently reviewing and ranking 100 superhero films over the course of a year, building up to the release of Amazing Spider-Man, Dark Knight Rises, and Avengers.
Here is how it works. The ranking is determined by two factors; the average audience ranking (by poll votes) combined with my own score for the films in the reviews I wrote. These rankings will be posted every ten reviews so be sure to vote. As more votes and movies are added to the ranking, films will slide up and down on the scale.
You can also go back and vote on previous films already ranked as it could change their score in future updates. So if you don't like the ranking GO VOTE!!! Just click the 100 Days Logo to the Fansite to both vote and read the reviews. So let's get started!
NEWLY RANKED:
The Shadow-
One of the first superhero films to really take advantage of the new CGI technology. The result is a film that might look good but never took the time to flesh out story or characters. Readers voted it in at 47.65%. The Shadow is a film that wants to be taken seriously but is just too goofy, silly, and downright ridiculous to make the grade.
Ranked At: 33.8%
Spawn-
Image comics enters the scene with their first film, and most notable character Spawn. Unfortunately a lack of quality actors, poor scripting and inconsistent visual effects led to a convoluted mess. Readers voted it in at 48.6%. Some of the FX are legitimately still really cool, but that won't help it.
Ranked At: 34.4%
Batman Forever-
The first of Joel Schumacher’s much despised Batman series that sequels the Tim Burton works. It is childish and overly goofy to the point where the concept of a man who inspires fear in criminals is lost. The only improvement it had over Burton’s films was in the depiction of Batman’s alter-ego Bruce Wayne. Otherwise, readers agree with a 46.15% ranking that Batman Forever is never going to be remembered overly fondly.
Ranked At: 38%
Robocop 2-
Though the first film was a marvel that managed to transcend the clichés of the genre and perfectly blend with science fiction material, Robocop 2 takes a stubble in the story department. Readers voted it in at 63%. With too many subplots, slapstick comedy, and an uninspired villain; Robocop 2 might not be a horrible film but it certainly fails to live up to the first.
Ranked At: 56.45%
The Phantom-
It might be silly and goofy, but The Phantom manages to balance the tongue and cheek nature of the film with good ol’ adventure. This treasure hunter, turned superhero film offers up a fun medium between the two genres that might not provide you with memorable characters but does dish out a healthy serving of fun even if the ridiculous of it all might not appeal to some. Readers voted it in on a solid 67.8%.
Ranked At: 58.9%
THE TOP TEN COUNTDOWN!-
#10- Swamp Thing:
Still clinging desperately to a position in the top ten, the Swamp Thing, a low budget film, manages to show that a good story can overcome the worst of special effects. Even though it fell from it’s spot at #7 it saw a 4.8% rise in the voting polls, keeping it alive for it’s third round in the top ten.
Ranked At: 66.05%
#9- Superman 2:
The sequel to Richard Donner’s Superman also barely managed to stay in the top ten for this round. Falling from #2 to #6 and now placed at #9. It saw a nearly none existent rise in the poll going up only .1%. Superman 2 might not match the original but still remains a fun film, worthy of it’s placement.
Ranked At: 68.8%
#8- Darkman:
Sam Raimi’s original superhero concept continues to rock the top ten. Relying strongly on the performance of Liam Neesan and the dark visuals of Raimi, the film is a good example of what can be done with a character not based on source material. It saw only a small drop in the polls with .15% loss.
Ranked At: 74.4%
#7- The Mask:
Our first newcomer of this round to make the top ten list. Based on the DC comic of the same name, The Mask served as a successful star vehicle for actor Jim Carrey and helped launch his comedy career. The fact that it had the second biggest box office gross for a superhero film (at that time) helps too. But The Mask really shines in its clever comedy and fun off the wall characters. Readers voted it in at 79.4% and it still remains a great example of Superhero comedy done right.
Ranked At: 74.7%
#6- Batman (1989):
As expected Tim Burton’s academy award winning Batman film remains in the tight pack of the best of the best. Featuring Burton’s knack for great visuals and fun performances by Jack Nickleson and Keaton, it really isn’t any wonder why. It saw a small rise in the polls, going up by .33%.
Ranked At: 75.55%
#5- Batman Returns:
Coming out just barely ahead of it’s predecessor, the readers may not have been as fond of it as I was—voted in at 73.3% to my 80% --it still is a good example of a strong follow up with added character development, a more rounded plot, and greater stakes for it's hero.
Ranked At: 76.9%
#4- The Rocketeer:
This family friendly Superhero film managed to succeed where Disney’s first venture with Condorman failed. A period piece cleverly placed in World War II and featuring strong Indiana Jones vibes, The Rocketeer represents how well crafted stories can appeal to a wide variety of ages. Readers voted it in on a strong 85%.
Ranked At: 82.5%
#3- Superman:
Richard Donner’s critically acclaimed film that kickstarted the Genre refuses to give an inch as it remains strongly rooted in the same place as last round. Though it might not have moved up on the ranking scale, the polls did jump up an impressive 3.47% for the film. Visually impressive for the time, well acted, and beautifully crafted, it truly belongs high up on the chart.
Ranked At: 88.6%
#2- Robocop:
This futuristic, gory, superhero also stays strong in it’s claim for the #2 spot for the second round in a row. It’s polls also saw no changes despite the added votes. It is still a clear and constant model on how the commonly fumbled R rated superhero film should be done.
Ranked At: 89.7%
#1- The Crow:
Meanwhile the artistic Crow still remains the film to beat in this race. It has made it all the harder with a 1.13% rise in the polls, bringing it to a killer lead in the polls. Beautifully shot, thought provoking, and moving, the film is a commonly forgot movie when thinking “superhero” but that makes it no less spectacular.
Ranked At: 97.15%
BOTTOM FIVE- WORST OF THE WORST:
#26- The Punisher (1989)
It might have got itself out of the bottom 3 last round but still managed to find itself a place in the bottom five of this round. The Punisher is a disgusting display of bad acting, shoddy scripting and lazy special effects. It might have seen a 1.1% rise in the polls but that was not enough to save it from the wrath of the voters…and me for that matter.
Ranked At: 31.1%
#27- Superman 3
The Superman film franchise after the second movie took a very bad turn for the worse and many would claim it still has yet to recover. Superman 3 marks their low point though. It dived even further with a 1% drop in the polls. With an unbearable amount of slapstick, stupid villains, and a plot that makes no sense it’s amazing that he came back to the big screen at all after this.
Ranked At: 29.75%
#28- The Fantastic Four (1994)
Perhaps it is because it didn’t really irk me because I took it for what it was (or maybe I was just in a good mood when I reviewed it) but for whatever reason I didn’t seem to hate the film as much as most people. But neither did I think it was good. The voters brought it down with a loathing 25.4%. The film is cheap and only about half the actors are actually competent. The script isn’t awful but it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense either.
Ranked At: 29.6%
#29- Supergirl
Oh god. Do I have to write something about this piece of crap again. My opinion of this film is that it would be better placed in a garbage disposal than a DVD player. Seeing almost no rise or fall in the poll, Supergirl is a travesty of bad acting and scripting.
Ranked At: 26%
#30- Captain America (1990):
And bottoming out the list is the Captain America film that eagerly awaited a theatrical release that never saw the light of day. All I can say is thank god to that. The fewer people that have Captain America wrecked for them, the better. The film has NO good actors and the costumes look like they were dug out of middle school prop room. Let’s not even get into the crappy look and effects in the film. Voters only agreed with a 35.4% (and half of those positives are probably people voting, thinking it was for the First Avenger). Bottom line. This movie sucks.
Ranked At: 22.7%
Complete Current Ranking List
1) The Crow………………………………………..97.15%
2) Robocop…………………………………………89.75%
3) Superman: The Movie……………………..88.6%
4) The Rocketeer…………………………………82.5%
5) Batman Returns……………………………...76.9%
6) Batman (1989)……………………………….75.55%
7) The Mask………………………………………..74.7%
8) Darkman………………………………………...74.3%
9) Superman II……………………………………68.8%
10) Swamp Thing………………………………….66.05%
11) The Phantom…………………………………..58.4%
12) Hero at Large………………………………….58.1%
13) Robocop 2………………………………………56.45%
14) The Toxic Avenger…………………………..55.45%
15) Danger Diabolik……………………………...49.15%
16) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles………….48.7%
17) Condorman…………………………………….47.1%
18) Superman and the Mole Men……………43.85%
19) Batman (1966)………………………………..43.5%
20) Superfuzz………………………………………..40.45%
21) Howard the Duck…………………………….40%
22) Batman Forever………………………………38%
23) Spawn……………………………………………..34.4%
24) The Shadow…………………………………….33.8%
25) Superman 4…………………………………….32.3%
26) The Punisher (1989)………………………..31.1%
27) Superman 3……………………………………..30.75%
28) The Fantastic Four (1994)………………..29.7%
29) Supergirl………………………………………….26%
30) Captain America (1990)…………………...22.7%
Check Out Last Round Of Move Rankings #2 Here-
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/100superherodays/news/?a=44590
OR
Previous DAY 30: Spawn-
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/100superherodays/news/?a=49453