The 4 best lines of dialogue from "average" CBMs.
Good day to all the fine folks of CBM.com. I am a long time fan, recent member, and this will be my first article. So I thought I would attempt that cherished hallmark that is the list, more specifically a top four listing of lines of dialogue from "average" comic book movies. Of course this list is all my opinion as to what I believe are the top four lines of dialogue from commonly opined as, at best, "average" comic book movies. What is an "average" comic book movie? In order to define this and place parameters to my list I chose a few certain requirements. This being the film had to be released after 2001 and domestically(U.S) gross less than $150 million dollars. As well, I constrained the choices to only being one example from at least four different. Why top 4? Well I like the concept or analogue to Mt. Rushmore, four seems like as good a number as any. To make this list I chose those lines I found to be memorable, character defining, and tone raising. With that in mind here is my list, with reasons why each choice made the list.
4. Green Lantern (2011)
With Green Lantern, Warner Bros. took a shot at getting another successful superhero franchise started. After the success of their own Dark Knight films and seeing the sucees that Marvel Studios was having with lesser revered superheroes, you can't really blame them for taking this shot. Perhaps it could've been their Iron Man, and with that thought I believe they attempted to copy the format of Iron Man. However imitation is not always flattering. The Green Lantern world doesn't necessarily lend itself to a realistic, gritty feature with comedic touches. An essentially "magic" ring that could grant your imagination form, and is used by an intergalactic police force. Green Lantern drips with the tone of a large scale space fantasy. Oh what might of been and this leads me to....
The lines:
"You know we have a saying on Earth. We say: "I'm only human." We say it because we're vulnerable, we say it because we're afraid, but it doesn't mean we're weak."
This line was part of a plea of help to the Guardians by Hal Jordan. I felt that the aspect of Hal being the first ever human in this long established intergalactic force got lost somewhere in this movie. Yet I believe this line was part of an attempt by the film to have a greater message then the generic superhero origin film. I think it alludes to the theme that sometimes the human spirit is the most powerful force in the universe. It perfectly encapsulated Hal's character arch, that of overcoming fear and embracing confidence.
3. Watchmen (2009)
Zack Snyder's other superhero film. This film is based upon an excellent 12 issue maxi-series comic book, that was for years deemed "unfilmable." That argument was put to rest as Snyder and Warner Bros. produced an incrediblely interesting comic book adaptation film, an adaptation that seemed to have the comic dialogue serve as its script and its panels being used to establish its visual imagery. Of course much like the series it's based upon, this film has a multitude of great lines, especially those by the characters of Ozymandias and Dr. Manhattan. One of my all time favorite comic book moments is Dr. Manhattan and his speech about failing to view human life as the miracle it is, the "oxygen turning into gold" monologue. Although for the film I went with...
The lines:
"I'm not a comic book villain. Do you seriously think I would explain my master stroke to you if there were even the slightest possibility you could affect the outcome? I triggered it 35 minutes ago."
Ozymandias says this to Rorschach after he reveals his master plan in the final act. This line was very memorable due to its mockingly self referential aspect, "comic book villain", and it destroyed any hopes the heroes had. It pokes fun at the old "villain reveals his plan only to lose" device and turns it completely upside down. It was delivered perfectly in Oyzmandias' personality, arrogant and with a pinch of condescendence.
2. The Punisher (2004)
Marvel's ultimate violet urban vigilante has recieved multiple movie treatments. I think this one was perhaps the better of the group. I admire a good revenge story. However, it suffers from attempting to adapt a mature themed character into a PG-13 popcorn flick. However it did reward us with...
The lines:
"...in certain extreme situations, the law is inadequate. In order to shame its inadequacy, it is necessary to act outside the law. To pursue natural justice. This is not vengeance. Revenge is not a valid motive, it's an emotional response. No, not vengeance. Punishment."
This line is giving in narration, as Punisher reads a letter he has written. It is his message for the world as he marches into what he believes will be his final "punishment." This line is just a fantastic summation of the Punisher character and his motivation. This statement is truly the ultimate vigilante's creed. In fact if you had to describe the Punisher character to someone unfamiliar with him, starting with this would get that person well on their way to understanding him.
1. Hulk (2003)
This was the first film that used a big budget to put Hulk onto the big screen. It had a great cast, award winning director, and showed great promise. Hulk was, at the time of this film, one of Marvel's most popular characters and he was known beyond the fan boys because of the television series. Having repeatedly watched this movie, I've grown a certain admiration for it. Plus it gave us...
The lines:
"Even now I can feel it, buried somewhere deep inside, watching me, waiting... But you know what scares me the most? When I can't fight it anymore, when it takes over, when I totally lose control... I like it."
Bruce Banner tells Betty Ross this after a night of being the Hulk and fighting some "hulked-out" dogs. This line is pure and very defining of the Hulk. It also touches on something not commonly found in the Hulk mythos. Bruce mostly views Hulk as a curse or burden, something he needs to control. David Banner of the television series was constantly having to move from town to town in search of ridding himself of Hulk. In comics it's such a burden that Banner even attempted suicide. Either it's a curse or Banner often has no memory of what it's like to be the Hulk. This line however, hints that it might be fun to be Hulk and to have that power. It also enlightens to Hulk being a part of him, yet separate. It was perfectly delivered with that small sly sense of enjoyment. I imagine it would be great to be the Hulk.
I hope you enjoyed the read and I hope I brought something cool to your attention.