10 Favorite Comic-Based Films
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 8:03 pmPretty self-explanatory, right? Comic-based films have become ubiquitous, what are your favorites?
Hellboy (2004)
The film that introduced me both to Mike Mignola's signature comic as well as modern horror/fantasy master Guillermo del Toro. Ron Perlman is a terrific character actor, and I'm not sure any other man alive could play Hellboy.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
The second Hellboy film is far superior, and much different from the first. The first film hewed largely to the comic, but with certain distinctly GDT touches. Here, the GDT influences take over and it becomes a rollicking romp about a world of monsters and their interpersonal relationships. Both the monsters and the relationships are phenomenal.
Popeye (1980)
Based on E.C. Segar's depression-era comic strip (with a few touches from the cartoons based of it), this film has been largely derided. I think it's just too odd for most people, mainly due to the odd juxtaposition of the cartoony, laws-of-physics breaking world with Altman's naturalistic direction. A perfect metaphor for this is the film's sets: strange and unrealistic, but at the same time dirty, earthy and used. Great cast in this one, too. Robin Williams disappears inside the character. Sadly, the budget issues called for a pared-down finale, but they make up for it by having all the characters sing "I'm Popeye the Sailor Man" before the credits role(which was exactly the right save).
Superman (1978)
Beautiful film from Richard Donner, with a wonderful structure to it and a great cast (Christopher Reeve just is Superman). The different acts featuring the operatic Krypton, a Normal Rockwell-esque Smallville, and the modern (but still somehow retro) Metropolis work so well together. You never feel that any of them take up too much time or are too short. Everything feels just right.
Batman (1966)
For my money the best Batman adaptations have been on television: Adam West, The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, The Brave and the Bold. Tim Burton's films are pretty but hollow and Christopher Nolan's interpretation just feels a bit too realistic and grim for my taste (The Animated Series retains that pulp adventure fun I think is vital). This film is a feature-length outing in the Adam West continuity with most of the TV-series cast. This film, like the series, is absolutely hilarious, with tongue-in-cheek dialog, over-the-top acting (from some pretty great actors), and bizarre sight gags.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)
The way this film looks and sounds is so brilliant, a terrific sensory experience, and the actual story and characters are pretty good, too. Some don't seem to realize that Scott Pilgrim is supposed to be a selfish jerk who takes advantage of his friends, a misunderstanding which severely hampers the enjoyment of the movie for some.
Speed Racer (2008)
Another largely derided film, and it is based on a comic, albeit a few degrees removed (based on an Americanized version of a Japanese cartoon based on a comic). This one is as much or more of a sensory thrill as Scott Pilgrim, and was derided for being unrealistic and over-the-top (which, of course, was exactly what the movie was trying to do). Underneath the brilliant artifice this film has a sweet, un-cynical core of a daring young good guy (and his loving and supportive friends and family) against slimy bad guys who get their comeuppance in the end. It's the oldest "boys adventure" story in the book, and done very well.
Blade II (2002)
Guillermo del Toro has serious affection for Hellboy, so his Hellboy films have things like story arcs and symbolism and all sorts of other literate doodlebops in 'em (check out his commentary tracks for insane details), but when he was tapped to direct this film he just set out to make a big, loud action movie. It's big. It's loud. It looks cool. It's like a blaring rock song of a film, and the reapers are excellent monsters.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
One of the best translations of a comic ever, hitting the exact tone of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's comic exactly right: the aesthetics of the grittier comics that were coming out in the '80s mixed with gentle whimsy (the first issue was intended as a Frank Miller parody). This was also the first film I ever saw in a theater!
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
One of the rare comic adaptations to be adapted by its creator! Hayao Miyazaki writers, directs, storyboards, ect. ect. ect. this rejiggered and remixed adaptation of the first two books of his epic comic series. In my mind Hayao Miyazaki is synonymous with "brilliant," and if you're not in out that yet then you have some movies to watch!
Hellboy (2004)
The film that introduced me both to Mike Mignola's signature comic as well as modern horror/fantasy master Guillermo del Toro. Ron Perlman is a terrific character actor, and I'm not sure any other man alive could play Hellboy.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
The second Hellboy film is far superior, and much different from the first. The first film hewed largely to the comic, but with certain distinctly GDT touches. Here, the GDT influences take over and it becomes a rollicking romp about a world of monsters and their interpersonal relationships. Both the monsters and the relationships are phenomenal.
Popeye (1980)
Based on E.C. Segar's depression-era comic strip (with a few touches from the cartoons based of it), this film has been largely derided. I think it's just too odd for most people, mainly due to the odd juxtaposition of the cartoony, laws-of-physics breaking world with Altman's naturalistic direction. A perfect metaphor for this is the film's sets: strange and unrealistic, but at the same time dirty, earthy and used. Great cast in this one, too. Robin Williams disappears inside the character. Sadly, the budget issues called for a pared-down finale, but they make up for it by having all the characters sing "I'm Popeye the Sailor Man" before the credits role(which was exactly the right save).
Superman (1978)
Beautiful film from Richard Donner, with a wonderful structure to it and a great cast (Christopher Reeve just is Superman). The different acts featuring the operatic Krypton, a Normal Rockwell-esque Smallville, and the modern (but still somehow retro) Metropolis work so well together. You never feel that any of them take up too much time or are too short. Everything feels just right.
Batman (1966)
For my money the best Batman adaptations have been on television: Adam West, The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, The Brave and the Bold. Tim Burton's films are pretty but hollow and Christopher Nolan's interpretation just feels a bit too realistic and grim for my taste (The Animated Series retains that pulp adventure fun I think is vital). This film is a feature-length outing in the Adam West continuity with most of the TV-series cast. This film, like the series, is absolutely hilarious, with tongue-in-cheek dialog, over-the-top acting (from some pretty great actors), and bizarre sight gags.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)
The way this film looks and sounds is so brilliant, a terrific sensory experience, and the actual story and characters are pretty good, too. Some don't seem to realize that Scott Pilgrim is supposed to be a selfish jerk who takes advantage of his friends, a misunderstanding which severely hampers the enjoyment of the movie for some.
Speed Racer (2008)
Another largely derided film, and it is based on a comic, albeit a few degrees removed (based on an Americanized version of a Japanese cartoon based on a comic). This one is as much or more of a sensory thrill as Scott Pilgrim, and was derided for being unrealistic and over-the-top (which, of course, was exactly what the movie was trying to do). Underneath the brilliant artifice this film has a sweet, un-cynical core of a daring young good guy (and his loving and supportive friends and family) against slimy bad guys who get their comeuppance in the end. It's the oldest "boys adventure" story in the book, and done very well.
Blade II (2002)
Guillermo del Toro has serious affection for Hellboy, so his Hellboy films have things like story arcs and symbolism and all sorts of other literate doodlebops in 'em (check out his commentary tracks for insane details), but when he was tapped to direct this film he just set out to make a big, loud action movie. It's big. It's loud. It looks cool. It's like a blaring rock song of a film, and the reapers are excellent monsters.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
One of the best translations of a comic ever, hitting the exact tone of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's comic exactly right: the aesthetics of the grittier comics that were coming out in the '80s mixed with gentle whimsy (the first issue was intended as a Frank Miller parody). This was also the first film I ever saw in a theater!
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
One of the rare comic adaptations to be adapted by its creator! Hayao Miyazaki writers, directs, storyboards, ect. ect. ect. this rejiggered and remixed adaptation of the first two books of his epic comic series. In my mind Hayao Miyazaki is synonymous with "brilliant," and if you're not in out that yet then you have some movies to watch!