10. Batman Forever
I may have just lost everyone. For me, this is a straight up nostalgia trip and because this is my list, I can do what ever the f**k I want. I'm not going to be able to sway anyone's opinion on this film and that's ok because I don't want to. You hate this film, cool. You love this film, cool. You're in the middle, cool. This was the FIRST Batman film I ever saw. Think about being a 3-4 year old and watching this as your FIRST Batman film, It'll stick with you no matter what. This is a movie from my childhood that I can watch now and not think my younger self was a complete idiot. For older generations this was a HUGE departure from the Burton films and signaled a shift at Warner Bros in their focus of their franchises, which was TOYS. And you can see that when you watch this. Everything looks like it was designed to be a toy. Another missed departure was the score. Danny Elfman's theme for Batman is considered by many to be the definite take musically on Batman. But for me I like change, which is why I don't get upset when a new take on a character is revealed. The film is far from perfect but my gripes don't ruin my enjoyment of it.
09. Captain America: Civil War
I feel like 'Captain America' is the only MCU franchise where the films get better than it's predecessor. 'Civil War' is perhaps more of an 'Avengers' movie than a Cap movie, and that's a good thing because while I liked 'Age of Ultron' I wasn't blown away by it. CW also is the poster child for our current CBMs, as there is no such thing as a complete isolated and stand-alone CBM anymore.
The comic is known for it's incredibly standout art, the film is no different. Apart from the sequel and 2008's 'The Spirit', directed by Frank Miller (how?) there's really no other film that is visually similar before or really after it's 2005 release. The stories (I like to think of them as "Chapters") are probably the best out of the numerous full length and short-stories Miller created (excluding 'A Dame to Kill For'). Visuals - incredible. The dialogue and narrative however, not always THAT great, which is kind of a flaw people tend to overlook when looking at Miller's 90-present work, excluding TDK2 (because we all know that's s**t).
This film is a treasure to me. For years I'd heard about it and how bad it was. It wasn't until Jon Schnepp featured it on his show "Collider Heroes" where I got intrigued and instantly watched it. After five minutes I liked the film, after twenty minutes I loved the film, and it stated that way to the credits. People complain that the film is campy and over-the-top, but I say that the film embraces those qualities. The action isn't intense and gringe-worthy (in the best way) like Netflix's version on Daredevil but meant to be "show-your-mates" kind of cool. Out of the three films this is definietly the best (although Dolph Lungren's film is a guilty pleasure of mine, I hate Thomas Jane's). If you were like me and listened to haters comments and didn't see it, check the film out and form your own opinion.
06. The Wolverine (Extended Cut)
This is the one that suprised me. I watched this in 2013 and liked it. I thought it was a vast improvement over X-Men Origins: Pulverine but I didn't think much else about it. Three years later I finally watched the extended cut and came away loving it. This was the first X-Men film to be set after X3: The Last One, and it gave weight to Logan's actions at the end of that film. I love that they took the character and dropped him in a foreign country, making it a fish out of water scenario. The whole "bug that supresses his healing macguffin" might be a little weak but the results make you care for the character because you're seeing him get injured and it actually matters. It matters because for two thirds of the film he's vulnerable (a first for the series), so when he regains his healing factor you know he's gonna wreck s**t. Plus, seeing Wolverine fight the Yakuza, Samurai, and Ninjas is awesome! That's the kind of stuff I want to see in a action movie set in Japan. Admitidly, the final fight and reveal of the Silver Samurai is the biggest weak link of the film and it keeps it from being higher on the list but this is still a great addition to the genre and one I feel is overlooked because of the vast amount of CBMs we get every year now.
05. Watchmen (Director's Cut)
The Watchmen graphic novel is on my "to read list" so I can't directly compare the film to it but I know of the changes Snyder made when adapting it for the big screen. To me the biggest theme of the film is the deconstruction of the superhero genre. The whole time you're watching the film (unless you've read the comic) you're wondering who the villian is, so when it's revealed that Ozymandias, a fellow Watchman and "hero" is the one behind it all, you can't believe it. You literally see one of the good guys killing millions of people but also saving the entire human race from nuclear war. Being Snyder, the film is of course gonna have killer visuals and imagery ripped right from the pages. The performances are great as well with particular attention from me to Jeffery Dean Morgan and Patrick Wilson. They play two characters that are totally different; Edward Blake/The Comedian is someone you love but hate the things they do, while Dan Dreigberg/Night Owl II is someone that has a good heart but is bogged down by low self-esteem and society's rejection of superheroes. For me, this is also a great film about the 1980s (even if it's an alternate reality), the politics, social climate, and general paranoira concerning the Soviet Union and nuclear war. I think that when people hear the "1980s" they think of Michael Jackson, loud clothes and louder hair styles. This on the other hand shows that not a lot has changed in 30 years except for aesthetic trends and technologic advancements.
04. Batman v Superman (Ultimate Edition)
Yet another divisive Snyder film! It's the story of his life. This may set of a bomb, but, oh well. After the credits rolled on the theatrical cut I was disappointed to say the least. Choppy editing, a Clark Kent/Superman that wasn't the one promised at the end of 'Man of Steel'; and a weak and pretty annoying Lex Luthor were only some of the problems I had with the theatrical cut. It was only a week or two later when Warner Bros. announced the THREE HOUR 'Ultimate Edition' and thought they were yanking the chain: you release a two and a half hour mess and think three hours is going to make a difference. After watching it I was actually pretty blown away how much better the film was and actually seeing Zack Snyder's original vision. While there are still problems I like it more everytime I rewatch it.
03. Batman Begins
I saw this in the theatre when I was 9 and it's stuck with me ever since. I grew up watching Batman (in every form) everyday but this is the one that made me connect with the character of Bruce Wayne/Batman. Being a Nolan film, it has strong noir/crime elements and a grounded/gritty tone, this makes the film the closest adaptation of Frank Miller's Year One we're going to see for a while (on the big screen). I love the fact that out of the entire pantheon of villians, Nolan and Goyer chose Ra's al Ghul, Scarecrow and Carmine Falcone, as well as tying Bruce's overseas training with Ra's and the League of Assassins (Shadows). Like The Empire Strikes Back, you wouldn't have The Dark Knight without Batman Begins' New Hope.
02. Logan
THIS F**KING FILM! This is hands down one of-- if not MY favourite movie experience ever. Watching the action go down had me in a weird expression of speechless, pure joy, and gruesome wincing all at once. Besides 'The Dark Knight', I feel like 'Logan' is the only other CBM that has allivated itself from that and become something more than just a CBM (in the best possible way). To call this just another CBM is a great underestimation. A more accurate description would be to call it a science fiction-western. The only reason why I feel like this won't get much Oscar notice IS because it has comic book characters and lore. The direction, script, performances-- everything is almost perfect (perfect for THIS character). Not every CBM should be R-rated or contain the gore and violence that 'Logan' has but after 9 or so X-Men movies where Wolverine has kind of been nerfed with his on-screen violence, it is such a breath of fresh air to finally have this film because the closet we have ever gotten was with the extended/unleashed version of 'The Wolverine' (also directed by James Mangold). With 'Logan' I feel like this was the film Mangold wanted to make the first time but really couldn't, and what a joy it is to revel in it. This film will make to cheer, cry tears of joy, and ultimately just make you cry. Wolverine's solo trilogy might not overall greatness, but atleast you can start at the very bottom and sore incredibly high into the movie heavens.
01. Man of Steel
I've always loved the imagery of Superman but never found the character particulary interesting beyond the basic premise until I read Superman: Birthright. Man of Steel does a magnificent job of making Clark Kent relatable to the audience; by showing him getting bullied and pushed around, questioning his place in the world, going out into the world and finding himself. With respect to Christopher Reeve and the Donner films, Henry Cavill perfectly embodies a modern Clark/Kal/Superman. Reeve's Superman was great for the time and encapsulated the Golden Age mentality of someone who could do no wrong. Cavill's Superman, on the other hand, fits a darker and scarier time; where your opinion can be heard anywhere or on any website. Instead of saving cats from trees and being loved by everyone (except Luthor), Superman is a polarizing figure who erupts fierce backlash and praise. It's no wonder this film would be dividing but in my opinon it suceeded above and beyond.
Thoughts? Agree, disagree, or just don't care? Tell me what you think or your favourite CBMs in the comments.
I apologise for any incorrect grammer or rambling on too much or too little for each movie.