With the release of IRON MAN on DVD, This Weekend's Film Festival takes a look at the best superhero films of all time. At least the ones on DVD thus far. THE DARK KNIGHT would certainly be at the top of the list, but I wouldn't want to send Fest attendees to the theaters for the fourth or fifth time. However, Batman does make an appearance on the countdown. So does a reluctant hero. A super-powered family does as well. And my spider sense tells me that your friendly neighborhood web-slinger makes the list too. So sit back and enjoy the ride. Let the countdown begin.
My fifth choice might be the most controversial choice, because of its selection over other beloved superhero pics. Outside of Ang Lee's underrated HULK, M. Night Shyamalan's UNBREAKABLE is possibly one of the most ponderous superhero films ever made. Set in a very real world, the story follows average security guard David Dunn (Bruce Willis) after he is the only person to walk away unharmed from a train crash. Comic book obsessed Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson), who suffers from a disease that makes his bones very fragile, is convinced that David has superhuman abilities. But David, whose life is in shambles, doesn't want to believe that he is destined to be a real life superhero. With a moody tone, Shyamalan crafts a mystery around what special powers David might possess and whether he is ready to accept them. As I said in my original review, "[The tone] adds a strange tension to the film that piques the viewer’s curiosity. It makes us reluctant about believing that this crazy notion is true. The tone creates the perfect skepticism that this story needs." For its uniqueness alone, UNBREAKABLE deserves to be mentioned among the best in the superhero genre.
BATMAN BEGINS comes in at #4. Christopher Nolan revitalized the BATMAN franchise after the insulting BATMAN & ROBIN, going back and looking at the early days of Bruce Wayne's transformation into the Caped Crusader. Christian Bale brings depth to both the hero and the playboy side of Wayne, making us truly understand the characters internal struggles. Batman's battle against crime teams him up with: good cop Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman); assistant DA Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes), Wayne's longtime friend; his father-like butler Alfred (Michael Caine); and Wayne Enterprises technology expert Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman). In his fight he faces gangster Carmine Falcone (Tom Wilkinson), shady psychologist Dr. Jonathan Crane (Cillian Murphy) and the mysterious Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson). Filled with fine performances in the large and small roles, the film takes on a more dramatic weight than most superhero tales. As I said in my original review, "The themes of fear and justice are handled with great depth and nuisance. It’s amazing what a talented filmmaker like Christopher Nolan can do with comicbook material."
In fourth place is Brad Bird's THE INCREDIBLES. Everything the FANTASTIC FOUR films should have been, this Pixar animated feature not only has fun with the superhero genre, but also firmly exists in it. Lawsuits have forced superheroes to go underground. Mr. Incredible, now Bob Parr, longs for the days when he use to fight crime with his current wife Helen, aka Elastigirl. He's gotten fat, hates his desk job and really hates having to keep his superpowers secret. Him and his friend Frozone sneak out each week to listen to police scanners in his car. So when he gets a secret request for help from mega-corporation agent Mirage, he enlists his old friend Edna Mode to design him a new supersuit. But when the villain Syndrome surfaces, Mr. Incredible's family — including super fast son Dash and invisible daughter Violet — is drawn into the fight. As I said in my original review, "the true greatness of the film is in its heart. The center of this film is very pro-family… In addition, the film advocates the encouragement of people’s God given talents. This is where the film is its most brilliant."
This week's inspiration ranks at #2 on the list. Jon Favreau's IRON MAN is a thrilling mix of character, action and humor. Lead by a masterful performance from Robert Downey Jr., the story follows weapons manufacturer Tony Stark as he transforms from a money-grubbing, drunken playboy into an advocate for demilitarization. Though the Iron Man character is 45 years old, he seems perfectly in place in the 21st century international climate. As I said in my original review, "The story… has patience, which is surprising for a summer blockbuster. In taking its time and not deafening the audience with explosions from head to tail, IRON MAN builds suspense, thus making the action pay off more enthusiastically." Supporting Downey, Gwyneth Paltrow gives one of her best performances as Stark's dedicated assistant Pepper Potts and Terrence Howard, Shaun Toub and Jeff Bridges add to film's great cast as Stark's best friend Col. Jim Rhodes, Arab doctor Yinsen and Stark's longtime partner Obadiah Stone, respectively. More so than its great performance, well-crafted script and solid direction, what makes IRON MAN so enjoyable is that in remembers to have fun.
So we're at #1. Sam Raimi's SPIDER-MAN 2 signaled that comic had grown up. As I said in my original review from 2004, "For some great films is takes time to truly recognize their greatest. Others leap off the screen and blow your expectations away." Taking themes of heroism and the responsibility of power, this film, one of the best sequels ever made, goes to the heart of superhero myths. Peter Parker (Toby Maguire) seems like an average student, struggling to balance school with a job and his personal life. But like all heroes, when help is needed, he rises to the call. His powers make him unique, but they do not make him any more of a hero than any one that makes a difficult stand for what is right. These ideas are what make the film special. Additionally, screenwriter Alvin Sargent crafts character arches for many of the leading characters. Peter's beloved Aunt May, in an Oscar-caliber performance by Rosemary Harris, struggles to cope with financial problems in the wake of her husband's death in the first film. Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) is finally making a name for herself as an actress, but are her dreams really coming true when she's engaged to another man and only thinks about Peter? Harry Osborn (James Franco) is driven to succeed at any cost following the death of his father at the hands of his now mortal enemy Spider-Man, who he does not know is his best friend. Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) is a brilliant scientist, but is his thirst for power irresponsible? How these issues interact and overlap drives the story forward in captivating ways. Unlike so many action films, the characters' stories do not stop when the action takes off. It was the first truly great superhero film — a feat that will be hard to top.
So what are your top five superhero flicks? Tell me why my picks are wrong. Or better, tell me why they're right. So to attend This Weekend's Film Festival you don't need superpowers you just need to head to the video store, update the Netflix queue, check out Zap2It.com for TV listings, or help support the site by buying the films on DVD at the links below.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
