#10.)The Incredible Hulk
IMDb Rating: 7.0
Personal Rating: 8.2
I'm not sure how this film gets passed over so much when people consider CBMs, but to me it is one of the better CBMs ever made. It depicts Banner as a confused, hurt, loner just trying to keep those he loves safe, without going insane from the isolation. And while most people say The Other Guy had image consistency problems I still say he is far better than the previous incarnation's growth spurt problem:
And even despite Liv Tyler's crappy excuse for acting, I think the film was well made and was in line with the comic character. Plus, it has some of the most kick-@$$ brutal fight scenes depicted in a CBM. HULK SMASH!
#9.) The Men In Black trilogy
IMDb Rating (overall trilogy): 6.6
Personal Rating (overall trilogy): 7.8
Originally a miniseries put out by Aircel comics and later (when Aircel was bought out) by Marvel, the Men In Black of the comics are largely different than the films we have today. They are actually somewhat of the bad guys and are much more aggressive in their fight to keep the paranormal hidden. These movies are well recieved, but the fact few know they are based on comic books and many dismise them as corny and adolescent is why they make the list. A fun, comedic take on what was originally a gritty piece of fiction as produced a timeless trilogy filled with great characters.
#8.) RED (Retired Extremely Dangerous)
IMDb Rating: 7.0
Personal Rating: 8.5
Again, a low profile film based on a low profile comic equals a underrated CBM. RED is just that. With Bruce Willis' cool collectiveness, Morgan Freeman's sultry lovability and John Malcovich's off-the-wall performance makes this film a delight. Karl Urban, Helen Mirren, Mary-Louise Parker also make up a fantastic supporting cast. The premise is great, the plot better and you don't want it to end. It is a sensual experience for any movie-goer.
#7.) Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 1, 2 and 3
IMDb Rating (overall trilogy): 7.1
Personal Rating: 8.2
Many people are down on Raimi's Spider-Man franchise, especially in light of the new Amazing Spider-Man film and the abomination that was Spider-Man 3. Overall, though the films did quite successfully and to be honest, I do not think we would be at the level of CBM we are at today without them. They were visually entertaining, true to the comics while attempting to be more realistic and operating in a modern world. The acting could be a bit much at times, especially by Kristen Dunst and Toby Maguire, but in all fairness I think Parker's annoying pubescent whining was largely due to Raimi's writing, not Maguire's acting prowess. These films have fallen from grace a little since their debut, but they are still excellent CBMs in my opinion.
#6.) Watchmen
IMDb Rating: 7.7
Personal Rating: 9.5
This film greatly surprised me when I watched it. It was brutal and real. The sense of character was very strong, especially from Rorschach, Nite Owl and the Comedian. The grandness of the film was great as was the visual aspect of the film. Snyder accomplished telling a deep and interesting story in the time our relatively short-attention spans allow. The climax of the film is stunning and really makes one question the idea of heroics as they have been presented to us since the Golden Age.
#5.) Superman: The Movie
IMDb Rating: 7.3
Personal Rating: 8.5
Ok, yes the special effects (if you can call it that) were lame, overall character writing was corny, the "villain" was a cheeseball, the sequels sucked and what about that gosh-awful suit? Still, we ate it up. This was the first CBM I ever saw and I was amazed. I thought Superman was real! This film is imaginative and grand. It takes you out of reality and into the DC Universe. Christopher Reeves, a real superman, was amazing as Superman and almost better as Clark Kent! It is a classic that has (and will continue to) greatly influenced CBMs.
#4.) Tim Burton's Batman
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Personal Rating: 8.5
Alright guys, let's be real. Are we REALLY as down on Burton's first Batman as we claim to be? Despite it's above-average rating on IMDb, Burton's Batman is highly regarded as a joke. Full of bad puns, over-the-top gags and costumes, unrealistic setting and occasionally shoddy acting, Batman has lost some of the flare it once held in the mind of audiences. Personally, I rather enjoy it (and I even liked Schumacher's Batman Forever, but that's my own thing) and realize it is a product of it's time. As the characters where depicted at that time in the comics and the way Burton interpreted the character, led to an iconic film that stands out among CMBs.
#3.) Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
IMDb Rating: 5.8
Personal Rating: 7.5
While not an epic CBM, FF:RotSS was a good film. Despite the fact they turned Galactus into a fluffy dark cloud, threw the abduction of the Surfer's powers by Doom into the mix and decided we needed the idea of Super-Skrull, the film was a good movie. The characters were developed more, Silver Surfer was present, there was more tension in the Baxter Building than before, and the flight chase scene between the Surfer and Human Torch is magnificently done and truly a joy to behold. Overall, the film has been buried by a lot of other great films, but this one should not be forgotten.
#2.) The Rocketeer
IMDb Rating: 6.2
Personal Rating: 8.2
The Rocketeer...you ether love him or you hate him. Peronally I like the idea of the Rocketeer and I like the style of the film even more. It is a very noir and pulp fiction type of film set with great actors and actresses alike. It is a grand tale of a pilot who discovers a jet pack, becomes a costumed flying hero who fights off Nazi spies on the homefront. You have action, drama, suspense, and patriotism at it's basic level. If you are looking for a spectical that will entertain the senses then this is a good film to start with.
#1.) Fantastic Four
IMDb Rating: 5.7
Personal Rating: 7.7
I know I am gonna catch a lot of flack for this, but while many view this film as a let down, I actually really enjoy Fantastic Four. The main complaint is that there is not a lot of action in the film. However, any reader of the Marvel comics will know that the Fantastic Four are not superheroes. They are super-powered scientists and adventurers. They just so happen to get caught up in cataclysmic events from time to time. The movie adaptation depicts the origin story and character development very well. The special effects are visually entertaining and the characters are the kind you root for. The acting was a little off base at times, but overall it is an enjoyable comic book movie romp!