MY TOP FILMS: COMIC BOOK ADAPTATIONS

I already posted some of my favorite comic book adaptations before, but from that time, a lot of new films came out that I decided to post it again.

So yeah, the comic book adaptations are proving to be a very financially rewarding genre, and now they're making these kinds of films left and right. I'm looking forward to alot of them (Wolverine, X-men: First Class, The Avengers). It's not just because I'm geeky that's why I love them, the thing is, it actually appeals to everyone. I don't know a girl who hated Iron Man. I know a couple of guys who started reading Batman comics after seeing The Dark Knight (although I think he's confused with what's happening in the title right now).

The comic book genre is not just about superheroes. Acclaimed and award-winning movies like The Road To Perdition and A History of Violence all stemmed from the minds of comic book creators and were originally told in this medium. So yeah, comic books are not just for geeks.

Anyway, this is the updated list of my favorite comic book films.


10. STARDUST
Not all comic book adaptation needs to be about action and heroes and villains. Ghost World is proof of that (has anyone here in the Philippines seen that film... it's cute). But it could also be about love, and fantasy and falling stars and evil witches. This was one of my favorite films of last year. Neil Gaiman wrote the original story, and Michelle Pfeiffer is in it too. I have not yet read the book (I have every intention of doing so when I have budget to buy one). It may have been adapted from a book, not sure if the comics or the book came first, but the point is, it was done as a comic book, so there.


9. SPIDER-MAN 2
Some say that this is better than the original film. I'd tend to agree, it's just that the original film was really fresh when it first came out, that's why for me it's higher on the list. But the one edge it has over the original Spider-man is it's villain. In all aspects for me, Dr. Octopus is much better than the Green Goblin. Admittedly, this film is a whole lot campy, but I don't mind it. It's a film targeted mostly for the kids, so that's fine. I remember watching this movie, and the cinema was full, this was during the time when people prefer watching the film in the cinemas rather than at home with their pirated copies.


8. WANTED
I'm not really sure if I should put this movie in this category, as the only thing similar with this movie from it's comic book counterpart is the first 5 minutes. The rest came from the brilliant mind of it's director (whose name is Russian and I can't spell, let alone pronounce). The comic book is about a world ruled by supervillains, while the film is mostly about fate. In the series, Eminem and Halle Berry were the basis for the looks of Wes and Fox, while we have and James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie as replacements. That was so cool. I loved this movie because it was very smartly written, and the action scenes were just jaw-dropping. One of the cooler movies of the year.


7. BATMAN RETURNS
I really liked Michael Keaton as Batman. I know he's not as good looking as George Clooney or Christian Bale, but his Bruce Wayne is quite believable. And his brooding Batman is much better. I kind of had a problem with Bale changing his voice when he's in costume. But anyway, why did I put this here? One word: Catwoman!!! Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle... sexiest bitch I've ever seen. I loved the whole "I'm Catwoman, hear me roar!" I think the first time I walked my dog was to this film. Yeah, I'm sick and twisted, but it's Michelle Pfeiffer!!! In a cat suit!!! "YOu know a mistletoe is poisonous when you eat it, but a kiss is more dangerous if you mean it" one of the best lines of the film. And oh yeah, there's Penguins here. Who hates Penguins? The animal, not Danny Devito.


6. BATMAN BEGINS
Yeah, it took about an hour before Batman showed up, but the long wait is worth it when you finally see the guy wearing the cape and the mask. You know Falcone is going to be fucked up. Batman Begins tells the story of the transformation of Bruce Wayne from victim to vigilante in one of the best Batman movies yet. And the best news is, it's just the first part of a supposed trilogy!!! This would have been the perfect comic adaptation, only thing I didn't like was Katie Holmes being in the cast. I love her as Joey in Dawson's Creek, I just don't think she fit in the whole cast. I hope Maggie Gyllenhaal does better in The Dark Knight.


5. SPIDER-MAN
I think this kick-started the whole trend of brilliantly adapting comic books to film. This started the whole hero's origin movies. The whole build up the character so that when the hero appears in costume, you'd be in awe. With the exception of the horrible acting of Aunt May when she was attacked by the Green Goblin, I actually thought the film was well done. I watched this movie in the cinemas like 12 times. 8 of which I paid for by the way. Like I said, this film isn't perfect, but it has an advantage of being the first of it's kind.


4. X-2: X-MEN UNITED
I'm an X-Men fan, and although I didn't like the first movie, this sequel had me literally falling off my seat. I think I joined the millions of geeks who cheered during the whole assault on the mansion scene. From the appearance of Colossus, to Siryn, Shadowcat, and Wolverine raising hell with the soldiers, I think I cried because of glee. Everyone had a moment in this movie, from Mystique to Jean Grey even minor characters like Rogue, Iceman and Pyro. Oh yeah, and who could forget the most awesome opening sequence ever with Nightcrawler's attack in White House.

3. 300
Who doesn't love this movie? Us guys love it because of the action, girls love it because of the men and gays... it's just you know... it's raining men. Hallelujah! Har har. Anyway, this is the story of 300 Spartans and their part in the Battle of Thermopylae. King Leonidas leads the army to stop the Persians led by Xerxes from invading his land of Sparta. This is a very stylish film. I remember my jaw dropping in a lot of the action scenes in this movie. I have the DVD, and everytime I'm feeling emo, this is what I watch. Don't ask why.


2. THE DARK KNIGHT
While there's no doubt that this was one of the best movies that came out this year, I do think it's still only second if we are to look at this as just a comic book adaptation. Sure, we LOVED Heath Ledger's take as the Joker, and were captivated by Two Face. And while it was really fun to see that this movie had multiple climaxes, upon seeing this film multiple times, I realized this movie is actually very long. The dragging kind of long. But still, you can't take away the fact that this is a very good movie. A great example of how awesome comic book adaptations can become if done right. Great story. Pitch perfect acting. Brilliant. Just brilliant.


1. IRON MAN
The Dark Knight showed us how comic book films can be turned into an art, Iron Man on the other hand shows us what happens if a director who really knows and loves the character, is given the task of directing it's film adaptation. This movie opened 2008's summer season literally with a bang... I loved this movie, because even if it is science fiction, you'd still feel that it's possible for a man to don an iron suit. It's not the type of film where the costume magically appears (Spider-man) and it didn't take very long for the title character to make it's debut and it's just so good. Makes you wish you were born rich!!! Robert Downey Jr. IS Tony Stark!!! The best of all, this is just the beginning of the real Marvel franchise. Can't wait for The Avengers!!!