The BEST Comic Book Film so far?

[wraith1701]

Like many a fanboy, I've had my love of comic-book heroes re-energized by the release of Marvell's Iron Man.  Quite frankly, this film has kicked my comic-geek gene into overdrive!

So I was wondering- What do YOU think stands out as THE BEST film adaptation of a comic book storyline to date?  As with any opinion poll, there are no right or wrong answers.  I'm just curious about what my fellow forum members think.    With that said, please don't just vote and move on.  Take a second and explain how you voted, and why.  Was your pick just a well-made film overall?  Did the director do an especially good job recreating the mood of the comic?  Or did you pick it for some other reason?

I tried to pick a representative from each of the major franchises I could think of, but if there is one that you love that isn't represented, feel free to vote 'other'.    I only ask that you tell us what the 'other' film was, and why you chose it.

I'm looking forward to what you all have to say...

[Ktrek]

I love most if not all the movies you listed but my favorite so far remains X-Men. I just have loved that franchise. I am a huge Superman fan though and love all the Chris Reeves films. Don't care for Brandon Routh as Superman at all. I like his Clark Kent but hate his Superman. As for Batman I think the Keaton film is the best so far but my personal favorite is the Adam West Batman movie.

Kevin

[Meds]

Yup Superman with Chris Reeve. The first and second films are amazing. Warmth and action. Reeve's double acting really made the films. As a child seeing Superman 2 at the cinema has left an impression on me i hope i will never forget (like when you lucky people were able to see Star Wars for the first time.).

[Bryancd]

Yep, the Chris Reeves Superman films I and II were magic when I saw them as a kid in the theater. The Keaton Batman is a close second.

[iceman]

Dont forget Ghost Rider

[X]

I'm going with Iron Man. While I love Superman, I recently went back and watched 1 2 and the Donner cut of 2 and they just didn't hold up as well as they should have for me. It was the precrisis superman that had too many powers and it just didn't feel like he was ever in real danger. Nor did I really like the endings. I don't think I should have watched them again because what I thought I remembered was far better than they actually filmed.


I recently saw Iron Man and I think it sold me as the best comic book movie because it's a solid Sci Fi movie. It gift wraps the entire creation story for you and updates it to something between now and ultimate iron man. It has a great story and my favorite, but I think Men in Black should have also this list.

Please not that my list is subject to change with the premeres of Hellboy two and Wanted.

[Omra]

Iron Man was great, the feelings it evoked were even more intense than when watching the first Spiderman film.  It was a wonderful re imagining of the character.  But the Spiderman FX team still hold the top spot in terms of translating the amazing artwork and fight scenes in a comic book and bringing it to the BIG SCREEN.

But I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the SECOND Punisher film, it was exceptional...  It was not fancy or flashy, but intense, tragic and gritty.  Just like the comics.

I agree that the first Superman movie was the first serious attempt at a modern superhero movie, and holds a special place in all our hearts.  And is remembered fondly in our childhood memories.
As for 2 and on... not so much.  It got silly... and he started getting powers that made no sense(as JustX pointed out earlier).

And if animated films count then I must also vote for Appleseed Ex Machina.  I realize that including animated movies may also open up another can of worms... lol. :ohwell

[Rico]

For me, it's probably "Superman."  The first film was just amazing when it came out and I don't think anyone has ever been cast as a comic hero better than Christopher Reeve as Clark/Superman.

Runner up's for me....

Spider-Man,
Batman Begins,
X-Men II

[Darth Gaos]

I like most of the movies on the list.  There will always be a special place in my heart fot the original Supes and the Batman starring Micheal Keaton....however...as far as my favorite...so far (I have not seen Ironman yet) I would have to give my vote to Batman Begins.  I just rewatched the movie the other day and I must say that from opening credits to end credits it is one of the most solid movies I have seen in a long time (hero-wise).  Now I am coming at this as a Batman wonk but this is, IMO, the best "origins" movie for a superhero out there.

[Omra]

I can't believe I forgot Batman Begins,... :wallbash:

"Batman Begins" did for the Batman movie series, what the new "Casino Royale" did for the Bond series.

Rico; we need a Batman emoticon buddy... lol!

[jedijeff]

This was a tough one for me to decide on, but I think for Me, it is Spider-man 2, as I recall leaving the theatre really pumped. I really like so many of the others as well, such as Batman Begins, but I enjoyed the Michael Keaton Batman movies as well.

[batmite]

My favorite comic book movie overall was not on the list, but it is "The Crow".  It's a great movie that has a good balance of both action and drama. Also a few more that i like that were not listed are "Blade" "Men In Black" and "Conan the Barbarian". And the best batman movie ever is "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm".

[wraith1701]

Thanks for the responses, folks. :)

I think that the first Christopher Reeve Superman film was groundbreaking.  It was the first serious attempt at faithfully bringing a comic icon to life on the big screen that I'm aware of, and despite the technical limitations of the time, the film simply kicks butt!  I still get that 'star wars feeling' whenever I hear the theme. 

The first Spider-Man film was also outstanding; like Omra mentioned earlier, the FX team did an incredible job bringing Spidey's web-swinging acrobatics to life.  Plus, the costume looked great, McGuire did a great job portraying both Peter and Spider-Man, and the film managed to capture the heart of Spider-Man's origin.  This was a truly moving film.

My vote for best so far however, goes to Iron Man.  The casting was SPOT-ON. 

Downey, an actor who had troubles dealing with substance abuse, has his life nearly derailed and bounces back to emerge a better actor, and hopefully, a better person.  He gets cast to play Tony Stark- An industrialist with a substance abuse problem who has an eyeopening, life threatening crisis.  He bounces back to become a friggin' Super Hero!  Granted, the character's problems with alcohol were only hinted at in this film, but I have a feeling that the issue will be addressed in future films.

The armor looked incredible!  Instead of reinventing the look of his armor, the design team stayed fairly close to the look of the comics.  Of course, they skipped past the iterations the armor has gone through in the comics since the Mark I, but I think the choice was a wise one.  The suit they end up with is amazingly close to the latest version used in the comics.  As a matter of fact, I think I heard that the artist responsible for this design in the comics had a hand in the armor design for the film.

The storyline was admittedly simple, but it got the job done, and nicely.  They managed to stay true to the heart of Iron Man's origin, while making it accessible to the general non-comic reading audience.  At the same time, it was seamlessly updated to reflect modern times.

I even like the way that a nod was made to Iron Man's archenemy- the Mandarin.  The terrorist group that he goes up against, The Ten Rings, is an obvious nod to the mystical ten rings used by the Mandarin. 

Finally, this film was pure fan-boy escapist fantasy, and I loved every minute of it.  Instead of brooding over his situation, and spending too much time pondering the obvious responsibility inherent in assuming the role of hero, Stark just does what he has to do- he builds the armor and embraces the role wholeheartedly, kicking bad-guy butt and taking names.  The fact that he has more money than Gates, tons of high-tech toys and cars, and has a rock-star's way with the ladies doesn't hurt either. 

[Bryancd]

How can a film with one of the top 5 music scores of all time and for it's day, the most spectacular opening credits sequences not be #1! My jaw hit the floor when I saw this in 1978, I can tell you! ;)

http://www.youtube.com/v/1qHDWdGPomw&hl=en

[Rico]

I'm with you Bryan (and it is winning our little poll).  I think it's an age thing too.  This was a movie that had a big impact on me especially.  I can still remember seeing it on opening day in the theater.