Hello, everyone at CBM! My name is lilfresh -- long-time reader, first-time writer (well, actually second-time writer, but no one really read my first article, so I'm considering this my first). And, seeing as I'm new here, I thought it would be nice if I introduced myself and listed my top 10 favorite comic book movies for you all to enjoy/argue over.
Disclaimer: I have yet to see
Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Also, there are spoilers throughout the article. Now, on to the list!
10. The Wolverine
I loved this film pretty much from start to finish (yes, even the much-maligned third act). It was so different than most comic book films out there, creating a complicated web of a plot that ended not with a villain that wanted to take over the world or kill the hero, but with a man who just didn't want to die. Add in ninjas and the Japanese mob and you're in for one exciting, interesting film that served as a great character study for my favorite x-man. Also, much of the film reminds me of The Last Samurai, which is criminally underrated and one of my most favorite films of all time.
9. Watchmen: Director's Cut
There are parts of Watchmen that, I must admit, bore me slightly (Dan and Laurie's relationship doesn't really hit with me). But the rest of the movie is so fantastic it would be a disservice to not put it somewhere on my list. The deeply excellent story, amazing soundtrack, top-notch visuals, and Jackie Earle Haley's performance as Rorshach help make this film one of the more philosophically poignant stories I've ever seen. Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't say that the opening titles along with Dr. Manhattan's transformation are some of the best sequences in movie history.
8. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
Even if we never get a Batman Beyond live action film (please, oh please, oh please), at least we can say we got this. Batman Beyond is one of my favorite cartoon series ever, and Return of the Joker was the perfect film to accompany it. They brought the Joker back in a completely believable way (comic book-speaking, of course), and managed to give him one of his best stories ever, in my personal opinion.
7. Batman Begins
Christopher Nolan finally gave us a movie that showed the origin of Batman, and man was it worth it. The first two-thirds of the film are virtually perfect, illustrating Gotham's broken, mob-ruled streets in a way never done before in film. Liam Neeson as R'as al Ghul is also quite good and somewhat underrated I feel, as I think his performance is equally as great as Hardy as Bane and almost as good as Ledger as the Joker. The only reason it isn't higher is because I feel the last fight isn't as good as its successors', and Scarecrow wasn't in it for as much as I would have liked, but those are minor points.
6. Spider-Man 2
Perhaps nostalgia is the main reason why I put this so high on my list, as it was the first live-action comic book movie I saw in its entirety. But it's not the only reason. Doc Ock is still one of the best villains I've seen, and the fight between him and Spidey on the train is still amazing. While I don't think the film is perfect (seriously, can someone explain to me why he started to lose his powers randomly?), it's my favorite film of one of my favorite characters, so that says something.
5. X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Ha! Got you! Now quick, let's move on before I remember Deadpool...
The Real 5. Iron Man
I always loved Iron Man, even when I was a little kid. It had nothing to do with the character or anything, I just liked his suit...but still, he was one of my favorites. And I don't think Marvel Studios could have done the character better justice than with this film. Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark might just be the best performance ever in a comic book movie, catapulting a relatively forgotten into one of the most recognizeable characters in all of pop culture. Plus, he just looks freakin' awesome.
4. The Dark Knight Rises
Don't think I can't hear you. "
Pfft...another Nolan fanboy," you say. And yes, you may be right. But I don't care. Yes, it's not completely flawless (although it has fewer than some people think). Yes, I cringe when Talia dies, too. But, honestly, it was absolutely the perfect end to Nolan's outstanding trilogy. I mean, c'mon, don't lie. You had chills too when Blake rose up that platform and Hans Zimmer's iconic music kicked in.
3. 300
Maybe not the film you all were expecting to take the number three spot, yet here it is. I loved almost every second of this movie. Zack Snyder's groundbreaking visuals are still amazing eight years later, and the action is thrilling to say the least. Also (don't laugh), I think it's actually deeper than people give it credit for. Yes, Leonidas yells and screams and acts incredibly manly most of the time, but I think the most powerful scene in the movie when he calls out to his wife before he dies.
2. The Avengers
On paper,
The Avengers shouldn't have worked. I actually didn't think it would. So many big characters, some more popular than others, all having to share the screen together? But...it did. It worked better than most of us could have ever imagined. Every character got to do something important and contribute, even Hawkeye (by the way, contrary to popular belief, I thought they actually handled his role well in the movie, but that's another discussion). The result was outstanding, thrilling, amazing, and a bunch of other adjectives I've used multiple times throughout this article. In short, it was every comic fan's dream.
1. The Dark Knight
What can be said about this movie that hasn't already been said? There isn't a single part of the movie I don't love. Not one line. Heath Ledger gave one of the most unforgettable performances in the history of film and brought one of the greatest villains in popular culture the treatment he deserved. In short,
The Dark Knight is not only my favorite comic book movie of all time, it's my favorite movie of all time period. And yes, I love Bale's Batman voice. Sue me.
Honorable Mentions (in no particular order): Man of Steel, The Amazing Spider-Man, Iron Man 3, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, X-Men: First Class, Batman/Superman: World's Finest, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few.
Anyway, that's my list. Feel free to tell me what you think in the comments. I'm lilfresh, and this is now my favorite article on Comicbookmovie.com!