5 The Crow (1994)
Adapted from the James O’barr graphic novel that the author/artist wrote as an outlet for his grief when his girlfriend died in a car accident. This is a lean adaption of the indie comic: Eric Draven and Sarah are happily in love until a vicious home invasion by a gang of thugs leaves them both dead. Eric comes back from the grave through the power of The Crow (don’t ask) to seek revenge on those that wronged him and his fiancée.
This is the mainstream breakthrough motion picture from Australian director Alex Proyas who paints a canvas of Gothic tragedy, whose visual style and imagery is suitably accompanied by an iconic soundtrack provided by The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Stone Temple Pilots and My Life With the Thrill Kill Cult amongst others.
A great comic book movie that’s often overshadowed by the death of Brandon Lee, the young charismatic star who tragically died in an onset accident. This was his break out performance and it would have been interesting to see where his career would’ve taken the son of Bruce Lee.
4 Flash Gordon (1980)
You can’t say this films title without the singing the obligatory Ahhhh that follows it. I was 5 when I first saw this in the cinema. My Dad was meant to take me to see Pinocchio but when he saw the iconic poster on the back lit stand with those fateful words “Music By Queen”, the puppet that wanted to be a boy never stood a chance.
Directed by Mike Hodges, this is the comic book brought to life. Gloriously shot and realised.
It’s funny with jokes for the adults, thrilling action with memorable characters and set pieces. Full of quotable zingers from “Flash I love you”, “Gordon’s Alive” “Dispatch War rocket Ajax”. I’m sorry there was not a sequel. It was great to see Sam Jones kind of reprise the role in the move TED.
3 Batman Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
There’s often talk about who is the best Batman? Keaton? Bale? Batfleck? I’m here to end that discussion with the only Bat-movie that not only features the best take on the Dark Knight but also features the best portrayal of Crown Prince of Crime.
Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamil reprise their roles, as Batman and the Joker, from Batman the Animated TV series in this big screen animated adventure: Batman Mask of the Phantasm.
The film is written in partnership by The Apprentice (You’re FIRED) creator Mark Burnet and Paul Dini, that feels loosely based on the famous Batman Year 2 story-line from the comic, the Dark Knight is framed for the murders of several key figures of crime.
It gets both Bruce and Bats right, carries on the gorgeous Art Deco look of the Bruce Timm cartoons and is the best Batman Movie ever.
2 Transformers the Movie (1986)
I’m including this as I never had the toys (as a child) and my first introduction to the Robots in Disguise was the comic book which I collected for over 200 issues hence it’s presence in my list of top 10 comic book movies.
In the mid 80’s many comic/toy lines were getting their straight to home video feature length movies but Transformers the Movie (TFTM) was good enough to get a cinema release.
Orson Wells, Lenard Nimoy, Peter Cullen, Judd Nelson, Frank Welker and Susan Blu lead the cast on an animated adventure where one could say it’s a capitalist advert to sell new toys. Heck, in the opening scenes alone, a large number of the the original toys are killed off and we’re introduced to a new set of characters. As an 11 year old I didn’t see a toy advert, I saw favourite characters on both sides become causalities in a war that had lasted millions of years.
It’s a galaxy spanning adventure that examines what it means to be a leader, it’s got pace and a great ensemble cast, on both the Autobot and Decepticon sides, where characters are fully realised.
Instantly quotable, A killer hard rock jukebox soundtrack and a score by Vince D’cola who’d previously scored Rocky IV. It’s all an 11 year old would want from a film of my favourite comic.
Years later, whilst the rest of The Transformers toy-shop shelf mates feature length adventures have been long forgotten, there’s a TFTM 30th Anniversary Blu-ray edition which demonstrates the films longevity and quality.
1 Dredd (2012)
Despite great critical reviews, bad marketing meant this Alex Garland and Pete Travis collaboration flunked at the box office. The choice to mainly screen 3D prints probably didn’t help matters, although I’d argue it’s the best 3D picture ever thanks to the inventive camera and effects work that sell the effect.
Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headly and a small role for Domhall Gleeson create a perfectly lean (running at 95 minutes) adaption of the Judge Dredd strip from the comic 2000AD (the Galaxy’s Greatest comic).
In my selection for best comic book movie, there’s no origin story here, you just get a day in the life of the titular street Judge, a future cop patrolling the streets of Mega City One. This day is just another day, although here, Dredd is assessing the capabilities of rookie Judge Anderson.
Featuring a great cast and visuals, an oppressive soundtrack by Paul Lenard Morgan , this production gets everything right that the 1995 Stallone version didn’t, e.g. characterisation, production design, great script, lack of Rob Schneider etc.
People draw unfair comparisons between this and 2011’s The Raid, when actually Dredd was shot first and release second. Both are great films.
Dredd, like many others before it, found it’s audience on home release and I’m hoping (like many others) Karl Urban reprises the role in the TV show that’s currently in pre-production.
My Top 10 Comic Book Films
10 Mystery Men
9 The Losers
8 Unbreakable
7 The Punisher
6 Kick Ass (2010)
5 The Crow
4 Flash Gordon
3 Batman Masks of the Phantasm
2 Transformers the Move
1 Dredd
Links
Catch Clameur Du Cinema on Gnet Radio on Monday Evenings by clicking here.
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