Column on Comic Book Films

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Carli</B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> Hollywood is going comic crazy. <B>"</B><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2002/id1753.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2002/id17"><U><B>Spiderman</B></U></A><B>"</B> was an enormous box office hit, and received some good reviews.  The sequel is scheduled to come out in July 2004, and it will feature Alfred (<B>"</B><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/holiday2002/id1656.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/holiday20"><U><B>Frida</B></U></A><B>") </B>Molina as the villainous Dr. Octopus. <B>"</B><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/holiday2002/id1823.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/holiday20"><U><B>Daredevil</B></U></A><B>"</B> and <A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2002/id1789.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2002/id17"><U><B>Blade II</B></U></A><B>"</B> also did well enough to warrant sequels or spin-offs. </div> <bR> <div> Upcoming, big budget comic films will include <B>"</B><A HREF="http://reelmoviecritic.winhost2.atlantic.net/movies20034q/id1945.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://reelmoviecritic.winhost2.atlantic"><U><B>The</B></U></A><A HREF="http://reelmoviecritic.winhost2.atlantic.net/movies20034q/id1945.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://reelmoviecritic.winhost2.atlantic"><U> </U></A><A HREF="http://reelmoviecritic.winhost2.atlantic.net/movies20034q/id1945.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://reelmoviecritic.winhost2.atlantic"><U><B>Hulk</B></U></A><B>"</B> (by Ang Lee, the A-list director of <B>"</B><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2000/id749.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2000/id74"><U><B>Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon</B></U></A><B>"</B>).  <B>"</B><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/20032q/id1942.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/20032q/id"><U><B>The League of Extraordinary Gentleman</B></U></A><B>"</B> (the release date is  July 11) will present a team, consisting of literary characters such as Dr. Jeykll and Mr. Hyde, Captain Nemo, Mina Harker, The Invisible Man, and Dorian Gray. </div> <bR> <div> Darren Aronofsky, the talented director of "Pi" and <B>"</B><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/20032q/id1893.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/20032q/id"><U><B>Requiem for A Dream</B></U></A><B>" </B>is scheduled to direct "Batman: Year One." Other rumored Batman projects include "Batman" (directed by <A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2001/id1913.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2001/id19"><U><B>Memento's</B></U></A> Christopher Nolan), and "Batman vs. Superman."</div> <bR> <div> Several other comic films are in development: Elektra (with Jennifer Garner reprising her "Daredevil" role); Hellblazer (a streetwise master of the occult); Fathom (an Olympic swimmer who gains aquatic super powers); Man-thing (a swamp monster made of slime); 30 Days of Night (about vampires that take over a town); The Punisher (a psychotic vigilante); Way of the Rat (a mystical martial arts saga); Judge Dread (about a futuristic cop) and Ghost Rider (a story of a man who merges with a demon), which will be scripted by the talented writer of <B>"Blade II."</B> </div> <bR> <div> <B>"</B><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/movies20034q/id1931.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/movies200"><U><B>American Splendor</B></U></A><B>"</B> is perhaps the most promising of the upcoming comic based films. It tells the story of the trials and tribulations of a clerk. The nostalgic blend of animation and live action won accolades and the Grand Jury award at Sundance. It will be released on August 15. </div> <bR> <div> Frankly, most comic book films in the past have been terrible, but they've been getting better, lately. My theory is that most American filmmakers have contempt for comics.  Comic films are made to exploit a ready-made audience, yet they often make little attempt to stay true to the spirit of the original comics. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> This culturally elitist attitude is unwarranted. There is some great work done in every artistic genre or medium including comics.  Graphic novels like "Maus" and <B>"</B><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2000/id1124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2000/id11"><U><B>Ghostworld</B></U></A><B>"</B> routinely receive rave reviews from the intelligentsia in the "New York Times," yet most people still think of comics as kids' stuff. Many critics are also quite condescending towards comic films.</div> <bR> <div> The vast majority of film scripts are much less intelligent than the Sandman comic series (I teach a graphic novel by the author in my Writing about Literature class at Moraine Valley Community College). And I have never read a comic as badly written as the recent Britney Spears film, <B>"</B><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2002/id1756.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2002/id17"><U><B>Crossroads</B></U></A><B>."</B></div> <bR> <div> In other countries such as Japan and France, comics are respected as art, and more of them are aimed at adults. There are whole sections of Japanese animated films in most video stores. </div> <bR> <div> The following list includes both good films (like the first two Superman mo ies) and some campy, guilty pleasures (such as "Barbarella" and "Flash Gordon") which may be technically bad, but they are great fun anyway.  I am using the phrase  "comic book film" pretty liberally. I mean any movie based on or inspired by a comic series, comic strip or graphic novel. <B>Here then is a list of the thirty most entertaining comic films.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Adams Family Values</B> (1993) - This film features a marvelous cast (Raul Julia and Christina Ricci are especially superb), and a story that sends up the eccentricity of the elite. This sequel features an ingenious sequence, which brilliantly satirizes Pocahontas. Closer in spirit to the clever comic strip than the simplistic television series.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Akira</B> (1990) - Cool adult sci-fi film takes place in post World War III Japan. About a motorcycle gang used as guinea pigs, the movie is based on the great comic by Katsuhiro Otomo.   </div> <bR> <div> <B>Barbarella</B> (1968) - Roger Vadim's camp classic is hokey trash, but it's great to see future radical feminist Jane Fonda playing a sexy space woman. Wooden performances and poor special effects abound. The bad pop band Duran Duran took its name from one of the characters.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2002/id1789.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2002/id17"><U><B>Blade II</B></U></A><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2002/id1789.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2002/id17"><U> </U></A>(2002) - Superior to the first film and the Marvel comic series in every way.  This features stylish direction, great Crouching Tiger-like action sequences, and a smart script by comic writer David Goyer. Wesley Snipes is perfect in the role of the half human/half vampire warrior.  This time out he teams up with vampires to fight a worse menace. Contains some great in-jokes that will only be picked up by comic fans.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Batman</B> (1989) - A mixed bag. Tim Burton's <B>"Metropolis"</B> inspired visuals are great, but the charisma-challenged Michael Keaton is a very poor dark knight. On the other hand, Nicholson's Joker is one of the all time great villains. He saves the film.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Batman: The Mask of Phantasm</B> (1993) - This animated film is better than all of the Batman live-action films. This film-noirish animated movie was heavily influenced by Frank Miller's classic "The Dark Knight Returns " comic series.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Cemetery Man</B>  (1994) - Rupert ("My Best Friend's Wedding") Everett stars in this over the top but hilarious horror film about a cemetery curator who encounters zombies. Based on a popular Italian cult comic, and directed by horror maestro, Michael Soavi.</div> <bR> <div> <B>City Hunter</B> (1993) - Japanese magna comic is turned into a fine live- action film starring Jackie Chan. This is hard to find but it's better than all of Chan's watered down American flicks.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Creepshow</B> (1982) - This film was not based on a comic but it captures much of the flavor of EC's "Tales from the Crypt" comic series from the 1950s. The darkly funny film was directed by George ("Night of the Living Dead") Romero, and all of the endings are moralistic in a weird, macabre way.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Crumb</B> (1994) - Robert Zwigoff's documentary of eccentric underground artist Robert Crumb is fascinating and fun. One of the most fascinating documentaries of the `90's, it was criminally overlooked by the Oscar voters.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Faust: Love of the Damned</B> (2001) - Splatter horror flick about a man who sells his soul to the devil and finds that he is periodically transformed into a violent demon with a penchant for decapitating people. A cheap, ugly, and somewhat diverting adaptation of David Quinn and Tim Vigil's gory comic series. Brian Yuzma `s Stuart Gordon- influenced direction makes it somewhat more interesting than the similar "Spawn."</div> <bR> <div> <B>The Fifth Element</B> (1997) - Based on a comic that director Luc Besson wrote when he was a teen. Gary Oldman shines as a nihilistic villain with bad hair, and Milla Jovovitch makes a nifty supreme being. An utterly preposterous but entertaining piece of trash.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Flash Gordon</B> (1980) - Sam Jones is the delightedly inept actor in the lead role in this cheap, campy attempt to capitalize on Star Wars mania. Much more fun than "The Phantom Menace." Horrible soundtrack by Queen is hysterical.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2000/id1167.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2000/id11"><U><B>From Hell</B></U></A><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2000/id1167.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2000/id11"><U> </U></A>(2001) - Suspenseful film ties the Jack the Ripper legend to the Freemason conspiracy theory. Johnny Depp is the essence of cool as an opium-addicted investigator, and Heather Graham is fine as the prostitute that he loves.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ghost in the Shell</B> (1995) - A female cyborg goes up against a master criminal in the future in this Asian cyberpunk film. This animated feature is very adult and features a dense plot.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2000/id1124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2000/id11"><U><B>Ghostworld</B></U></A> (2001) - Fantastic film about two alienated teen girls features great performances by Thora Birch and Steve Busemi. Based on the cynical graphic novel by Daniel Clowes.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Heavy Metal</B>  (1981) - Crude but humorous sci fi anthology that is aimed at adolescent males. The last episode with the silent amazon warrior is the best.</div> <bR> <div> <B>The Karate Kid</B> (1984) - Rocky-like tale of a kid who becomes a martial arts master bears little resemblance to the DC comic of the same name. But it's exciting anyway.</div> <bR> <div> <B>The Mask</B> (1994) - Jim Carrey is annoying but inspired in this tale of a meek loser who gains powers when he dons the mask of an Asgardian god. Based on the not so popular Dark Horse series.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Mystery Men</B> (1999) - Ben Stiller, Ben Azaria, and William H. Macy play the world's most pathetic superhero team, and they go up against the disco villain, Casanova Frankenstein. Despite a weak ending, anyone familiar with superhero story conventions should get a kick out of this clever satire.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Men in Black</B> (1997) - Fairly amusing twist on "Ghostbusters" with aliens instead of spirits.  Based on a minor and mostly forgotten Marvel comic.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Popeye</B> (1981) - This box office bomb is actually a charming and inspired translation of Max Fleisher's cartoon. Robin Williams and director Robert Altman `s direction are marvelous.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2002/id1839.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2002/id18"><U><B>The Road to Perdition</B></U></A><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2002/id1839.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2002/id18"><U> </U></A>(2002) - Tom Hanks is fine in a rare villain role in Sam Mendes's underrated follow-up to "American Beauty." He plays a brutal gangster who cares deeply about his family, and tries to save his son. Paul Newman is also terrific as his boss.   Based on Max Allan Collins's morally ambiguous graphic novel, which was put out by D.C. comics.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Superman</B> (1978) - Christopher Reeve makes a great man of steel, and the love story between Clark Kent and Lois Lane is surprisingly moving. The special effects deservedly won an Oscar,</div> <bR> <div> <B>Superman II</B> (1980) - Richard Donner's sci-fi hero pic is one of the few sequels that are better than the original. Highlights include Superman's battle with two other Kryptonians and his budding romance with Lois (Margot Kidder) Lane.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Swamp Thing</B> (1982) - This film is not nearly as intellectual or sharp as the Len Wein or Alan Moore authored comics. But this Wes Craven directed film has its share of touching Frankenstein inspired moments. Roger Ebert was one of the film's few defenders.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Tank Girl</B> (1995) - Punk sci-fi film about a gutsy riot girl (Lori Petty's a hoot in the role) who battles an evil water corporation along with her mutated kangaroo sidekick.  Featuring an early appearance by "<B>Mullholland Drive's</B>"  Naomi Watts and a cameo by the godfather of punk, Iggy Pop.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/20031Q/id1923.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/20031Q/id"><U><B>Unbreakable</B></U></A> (1999) - Odd but thoughtful film examines the nature of the hero/enemy relationship in comics. Good performances by Samuel Jackson and Bruce Willis, and a clever script aimed above the heads of most viewers.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/20032q/id1940.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/20032q/id"><U><B>X-men II</B></U></A><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/20032q/id1940.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/20032q/id"><U> </U></A>(2003) - A great improvement over the first film in every way. This one has more interesting characterization and terrific special effects (particularly in the introduction to Nightcrawler,) But it's still nowhere near as good as the Chris Claremont penned comics that inspired it</div> <bR> <div> <B>The Wendigo</B> (2002) - Interesting film about a mythical forest beast uses suspense, ambiguity, and a creepy atmosphere to generate chills instead of gore.  This worthy successor to "The Blair Witch Project" was released the same time as a comic book version written by the film's writer/director.</div> <bR> <div> <B>The worst comic films.</B></div> <bR> <div> Barb Wire (1996)</div> <div> Batman (1966)</div> <div> Batman and Robin (1997)</div> <div> Howard the Duck (1986)</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2000/id995.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2000/id99"><U><B>Josie and the Pussycats</B></U></A><A HREF="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2000/id995.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/2000/id99"><U> (2002)</U></A></div> <div> The Perils of Gwendolyn</div> <div> The Punisher (1990)</div> <div> Rat Pfink and Boo Boo</div> <div> Spawn (1997)</div> <div> Steel (1985)</div> <div> Superman III  (1993)</div> <div> Supergirl (1984)</div> <div> Tales from the Crypt Presents Brothel of Blood (1996)</div> <div> Vampirella (1996)</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="621" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="617"><div> Vittorio J. Carli © 2003</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="617"><div> <A HREF="Vcarli12763@hotmail.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vcarli12763@hotmail.com"><U><U>Vcarli12763@hotmail.com</U></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="456" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="202"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="202" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="243"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="243" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="202"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="202" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="243"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="243" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>