The Comic Book: Mark Millar's black comedy about a schmuck who discovers he's heir to a supervillain.
The Movie: Freely adapted version about a fraternity of assassins - James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie take orders from Night Watch's Timur Bekmambetov.
The Comic-Book Movie: Nowhere near as dark as Millar's vision, but Bekmambetov wields a camera as freely as if he's scribbling with a pen.
Latest Reviews
Top Cat: The Movie
The Turin Horse
Himizu
Comments
Hadouken76
Jun 13th 2011, 10:09
Constantine was a joke. You had a surfer dude playing a scouser and a 9 yr old Shia la Bouef playing a middle aged taxi driver. No wonder Alan Moore hates Hollywood! If anything needs a reboot this
Alert a moderator
Hadouken76
Jun 13th 2011, 10:10
Constantine was a joke. You had a surfer dude playing a scouser and a 9 yr old Shia la Bouef playing a middle aged taxi driver. No wonder Alan Moore hates Hollywood! If anything needs a reboot this
Alert a moderator
pushesmybuttons
Jun 13th 2011, 10:39
Totally agree that Constantine being in the top 50 is pushing it a little bit. The Incredible Hulk deserves a mention as opposed to Hulk although both have their merits & Hellboy 2 is far superior to Hellboy. Here's hoping Captain America and The Avengers will be good enough to join this list in the near future!
Alert a moderator
deedeedragons
Jun 13th 2011, 10:55
Really? Ledger at number 1 again? People need to face facts, if he hadn't of died his performance wouldn't of been so lauded.
Alert a moderator
DonDraper
Jun 13th 2011, 11:23
Ledger's performance is the only reason its repeatedly confuses people into believing there is a good film in there somewhere. Shame really, I actually thought his character was slightly wasted even when he was given screen time. Here's hoping the third film can return to what made 'Begins' so special.
Alert a moderator
DonDraper
Jun 13th 2011, 11:24
Ledger's performance is the only reason its repeatedly confuses people into believing there is a good film in there somewhere. Shame really, I actually thought his character was slightly wasted even when he was given screen time. Here's hoping the third film can return to what made 'Begins' so special.
Alert a moderator
MikeyRix
Jun 13th 2011, 11:46
Interesting list. I've never heard of some of them, I didn't realise others WERE comic-book adaps, I've heard of some but haven't seen them/ haven't seem them yet ("X Men: First Class", f.e.) and the remaining 23 or 24 of them I have seen. And more or less enjoyed. Thanks TF for making me realise how much of a geek I am! XD
Alert a moderator
MikeyRix
Jun 13th 2011, 11:47
Interesting list. I've never heard of some of them, I didn't realise others WERE comic-book adaps, I've heard of some but haven't seen them/ haven't seem them yet ("X Men: First Class", f.e.) and the remaining 23 or 24 of them I have seen. And more or less enjoyed. Thanks TF for making me realise how much of a geek I am! XD
Alert a moderator
jimmer83
Jun 13th 2011, 12:36
no one ever says it, but Wanted is a terrible comic book. Painfully shocking. The film is far superior. If the film was the same as the comic it would be consistently voted as one of the worst films ever... And yeah, Constantine was poor. Not horrific, but for fans of the comic books that woulda been a hearty blow.
Alert a moderator
jimmer83
Jun 13th 2011, 12:38
no one ever says it, but Wanted is a terrible comic book. Painfully shocking. The film is far superior. If the film was the same as the comic it would be consistently voted as one of the worst films ever... And yeah, Constantine was poor. Not horrific, but for fans of the comic books that woulda been a hearty blow.
Alert a moderator
jimmer83
Jun 13th 2011, 12:41
no one ever says it, but Wanted is a terrible comic book. Painfully shocking. The film is far superior. If the film was the same as the comic it would be consistently voted as one of the worst films ever... And yeah, Constantine was poor. Not horrific, but for fans of the comic books that woulda been a hearty blow.
Alert a moderator
jimmer83
Jun 13th 2011, 12:42
Now, can someone please strip Preacher from D.J. Carusso, and get H.B.O to make 100 BULLETS please? It's a miracle it's been overlooked. Hopefully the success of The Walking Dead will show the Americans that decent comic to T.V. adaptions can be successful and wholly worthwhile. In fact, scrap a Preacher film, turn that into a T.V. show. Ditto Y:The Last Man and even DMZ
Alert a moderator
BobbyTwoTimes
Jun 13th 2011, 13:14
So they can find space for 'Tamara Drewe' and 'Annie' but not for Blade 2 or The Incredible Hulk??! And 'Dick Tracy' higher than 'Watchmen'?? Really??!! And when many people consider it to be better than 'The Dark Knight', how can 'Batman Begins' be sat in 12th - behind 'When The Wind Frickin blows'?! I sometimes wonder whether TF create these lists with the sole intention of making themselves look like fools....
Alert a moderator
SiMan
Jun 13th 2011, 13:56
As much as i love the Dark Knight and Batman Begins (i would list them in my top 20 favourite films), are they really good adaptations of the comics? In the comics, Batman is a ninja-like man who's physical prowess and mental agility give him the edge. In Nolan's films, you almost feel like if you took away Bale's armor and toys, he'd get an a**-whooping. Also, Bale has previously said that he wouldn't want Robin to appear on screen, as it wouldn't fit with the universe Nolan had created. I agree with this, but if that's the case, doesn't that prove that he hasn't been faithful to the comic's world? Regardless of whether Robin is a popular character or not, he is still a major part of Batman lore. Shouldn't a way of putting him on screen have been found in order to make it a more faithful adaptation? (Oh, and totally agree that Chris Reeves is the most perfectly cast actor from any superhero film, although Danny Devito runs him close)
Alert a moderator
CaptainCrazy
Jun 13th 2011, 14:22
I expected people to start turning against The Dark Knight, but I honestly think it has THE most complete and rounded screenplays of any comic book film on this list. The reason why Christian Bale appears beatable is what makes this version of Batman the best. If he wasn't then he wouldn't need a suit. Nolan makes you feel that this guy could be real. It is not the most fun film (that goes to Iron Man) but surely technically the best. Even though Ledger gave a performance of a lifetime, credit must go to Nolan for taking Batman so seriously and delivering a masterpiece.
Alert a moderator
SiMan
Jun 13th 2011, 14:36
CptCrazy - i totally agree with all of your points, and i as i said Nolan's Batman films are two of my favourite movies of all time. The point i was trying to make is that by making the character more believable and realistic then he hasn't really done justice to what was laid out in the comics. The comicbook character was not an interpretation of what a real crime-fighter would be like, but was a fanasy idea of it. As a list of greatest movies - i would put Dark Knight top. But as a list of adapting what is on the page to the screen, then i wouldn't say that it was top (don't ask me what is - i haven't thought that far ahead yet).
Alert a moderator
kimsala
Jun 13th 2011, 14:44
DeeDeedragon - I agree with your comment. I am NOT disputing that this is a very good adaption and an excellent screenplay, but I'm not sure it deserved the top spot, and suspect that had Heath Ledger not died, it would not have been so lauded as it is.
Alert a moderator
kimsala
Jun 13th 2011, 14:46
DeeDeedragon - I agree with your comment. I am NOT disputing that this is a very good adaption and an excellent screenplay, but I'm not sure it deserved the top spot, and suspect that had Heath Ledger not died, it would not have been so lauded as it is.
Alert a moderator
CaptainCrazy
Jun 13th 2011, 15:07
Yes, I see your point and you are quite right. Although that has been done to an extent in the Tim Burton and Schumacher films. I just somehow found Nolan's Batman to be definitive - just my personal opinion. Then again I am a fan of The Return of Captain Invincible which makes me a bit of an a**e.
Alert a moderator
CaptainCrazy
Jun 13th 2011, 15:08
Yes Siman, I see your point and you are quite right. Although that has been done to an extent in the Tim Burton and Schumacher films. I just somehow found Nolan's Batman to be definitive - just my personal opinion. Then again I am a fan of The Return of Captain Invincible which makes me a bit of an a**e.
Alert a moderator
mrblonde
Jun 13th 2011, 15:09
It's always interesting to look at these types of lists to see what other peoples opinions are and how they differ from your own. I find it interesting, the notion that Bale's portrayal of Batman seemed beatable in Nolan's films. In the Dark Knight alone, on multiple occasions, he took out armed assailants using his bare hands (nightclub scene, Hong Kong Scene), took out an entire SWAT team single handedly, attacked by 4 Rottweilers over the course of the film (2 at the beginning, 2 at the end), hit repeatedly with a pole, stabbed, shot, fell from the top of a warehouse and was still up and on his feet by the end of the film! A suit can only help so much! I dunno... For a guy that has no super powers or an Iron suit at his disposal, he seems pretty UNbeatable to me! Lol! Only guy who can give him a run for his money I reckon, is Jason Bourne! That guy's hardcore! He just wears a T-Shirt and jeans to get the job done!
Alert a moderator
CaptainCrazy
Jun 13th 2011, 15:37
mrblonde, remember Liam Neeson continuously kicked the c**p out of him. I think Bale took his daughter...and he did find him...
Alert a moderator
Murphy0806
Jun 13th 2011, 15:49
Really don't know what TF were going for here. Best overall film or purest adap. If the former then 30 Days Of Night should be a lot higher. If the latter then Constantine should be nowhere near this list
Alert a moderator
Murphy0806
Jun 13th 2011, 15:51
Really don't know what TF were going for here. Best overall film or purest adap. If the former then 30 Days Of Night should be a lot higher. If the latter then Constantine should be nowhere near this list
Alert a moderator
rice36
Jun 13th 2011, 16:51
I don't understand why people think The Dark Knight is so much better than Batman Begins.. Batman Begins is darker, cleverer and just generally a brilliant film. The Dark Knight is fun, but it's plot can not live up to the excellence of Batman Begins.
Alert a moderator
mrblonde
Jun 13th 2011, 17:33
CaptainCrazy, you've got me there! Neeson does have a particular set of skills after all! Lol! In all fairness though, in Begins, Ras did teach Bruce everything he knows, so if anyone is entitled to kick Batman's a**e from time to time, it's Ra's al Ghul! Bale's Batman is still pretty badass though, IMO! Put it this way, I wouldn't fancy Tony Stark's chances in a one- on- one fight with Bruce Wayne, with no gadgetry or suits thrown into the mix! I also agree with you, in that I also think Nolan's Batman films are the definitive on screen interpretations of that character and his world. I'm also curious to know what your, as well as other peoples, top 10 favourite comic book movies are. (based on the quality of the film, rather than how much it adheres to the source material) I don't think you can call it a 'best' list, because at the end of the day, it all comes down to preference. My personal top 10 is:- (1) Oldboy (2) The Dark Knight (3) Spiderman 2 (4) Batman Begins (5) Superman The Movie (6) Iron Man (7) Watchmen (8) X-Men 2 (9) X-Men: First Class (10) Scott Pilgrim vs The World I have a feeling though, with all the superhero movies coming out between Captain America this July and the Superman reboot next December, my list could change drastically over the next 18 months!
Alert a moderator
TheShamrock
Jun 13th 2011, 17:42
How is Iron Man not in the top 10 at least! It is superb! Oh and in the discussions above about Bale - didnt he chin about 8 prisoners 'sans' suit in the first half hour of Batman Begins? Plus I'd say if Bale and Keaton went toe to toe, my money would be on Bale.
Alert a moderator
MikeyRix
Jun 13th 2011, 21:26
Also, "Scott Pilgrim" was not THAT brilliant. :/
Alert a moderator
Hadouken76
Jun 13th 2011, 21:29
No TMNT? Dalidab will be in pieces! I'm surprised Superman was second, I'm not a big fan of the man of steel...(always found him a bit boring because he's indestructible and without depth) but Donner's Superman was the first film to show that comic books could be big budget hollywood blockbusters and not just throwaway b-movies. Oh a big mention to Raimi's Darkman, its not a comic book but should be!
Alert a moderator
Igrayne
Jun 13th 2011, 23:48
Watchmen and Superman should be top, Superman 2 if it is the Richard Donner cut. Spiderman one and two were awful and I am a fan of the comics. V for Vendetta was terrible it made Guidio Fawkes out to be a hero, not what Moore intended no wonder he hates the "independent studios" who make most of his films. X Men 2 was good apart from Halle Berry who is average or poor in everything. Amazing how many films are actually inspired by other countries than the ones they alter them to, Constantine is not only mispronounced by most people (Constan-tyne being the correct) but it completely perverted and destroyed the graphic novel. Did not even realise Fassbender was in 300, huh.
Alert a moderator
DAO999
Jun 14th 2011, 0:25
Not a bad list of movies but just the rankings are horrible.
Alert a moderator
DAO999
Jun 14th 2011, 0:26
Not a bad list of movies but just the rankings are horrible.
Alert a moderator
DAO999
Jun 14th 2011, 0:27
Not a bad list of movies but just the rankings are horrible.
Alert a moderator
Tastynapalm
Jun 14th 2011, 1:05
No love for the Fantastic Four? I mean you've rated other c**p comic movie conversions higher, i expected it to be in the 20s.
Alert a moderator
TinEar85
Jun 14th 2011, 8:10
Did the author get payed per movie on this list? C'mon the first half of the list was obviously filler. The Hulk, Constantine, and Dick Tracy? Ouch, those movies are unwatchable. What were you thinking?
Alert a moderator
mightyjimpo
Jun 15th 2011, 23:06
"Batman (1989) - although the Joker’s origin story has its roots in 1998's The Killing Joke." I know Tim Burton is good but using a story for inspiration 9 years before its release is a bit special!
Alert a moderator
WayneT23
Jun 17th 2011, 12:14
Spiderman should be lower, Maguire was terrible as Parker/Spidey, a no soul performance, and The Power ranger Bad Guy that as the green Goblin was an abortion of a character compared to the one in the comics.
Alert a moderator
WayneT23
Jun 17th 2011, 12:21
Akira in my humble opinion deserves the top spot, it takes a vast mutli volume story and compacts it into a two hour masterpiece, That is how you adapt a comic book. The Dark knight deserves to be high in the rankings but it doesn't deserve the number one spot. Also Why no love for Ghost in the Shell? ...another outstanding Manga adaption that is definitively a much better film than some of the drivel on this list.
Alert a moderator
WayneT23
Jun 17th 2011, 12:23
Akira in my humble opinion deserves the top spot, it takes a vast mutli volume story and compacts it into a two hour masterpiece, That is how you adapt a comic book. The Dark knight deserves to be high in the rankings but it doesn't deserve the number one spot. Also Why no love for Ghost in the Shell? ...another outstanding Manga adaption that is definitively a much better film than some of the drivel on this list.
Alert a moderator
dex2010
Jun 18th 2011, 15:33
I thought Batman Begins was better than Dark knight! . I also think Iron man deserves to be higher up the list. If Shyamalans Unbreakable was a comic adaptation it would be in the top 5. Fantastic origins story.
Alert a moderator
herosthroe
Jun 18th 2011, 23:16
Some top comic adaptions in this list but definitely in the wrong order- The Crow in the late 30s? Come on... Regards the Batman talk: I also think Begins is better than The Dark Knight- Batman is more of a monster first time around- hiding in the shadows etc, in TDK he's just a guy in a suit and everyone knows it- kinda ruins the illusion... Even so, it's still bloody good and would still, in my opinion, be highly rated if Heath (RIP) was alive today. On behalf of Mrblonde, here's my top ten (in no particular order): Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Blade 2, Iron Man, Batman 89, Watchmen, The Crow, The Punisher (2003), Superman The Movie and, er... s**t, a few faves to go and only one place left... X2!!! Can you guess I like Batman?
Alert a moderator
dracodrago
Sep 17th 2011, 16:46
Whoever made this is an idiot, Ang Lee's Hulk better than Thor? That's ridiculous, Thor is one of the best comic book movies made, it should be above pretty much every movie on this terrible list. Hellboy better than X-Men First Class? Not a chance. 300 shouldn't be on this list, at least not nearly as high as it is, it wasn't very good at all. Kick a*s at 10? You must have been seriously high when you wrote this list. Or you just have absolutely terrible taste in movies.
Alert a moderator