Post by Salzmank on Jun 20, 2017 16:16:06 GMT
Hmm... Three favorites, and only three?
Well, then...
Pantheon:
(Top Three)
3. Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
An immensely enjoyable dieselpunk romp, cemented by screwball-bickering performances from Jude Law and the lovely Gwyneth Paltrow and borrowing key set pieces from the Fleischer Superman cartoon "The Mechanical Monsters." The story is light and fun, and filled with true admiration, not snickering cynicism, for the "Golden Era."
2. The Rocketeer
Nearly everything I said for Sky Captain applies here, except that The Rocketeer both emphasizes the superhero theme more and does the theming even better. There is humor and joy here, with some fun characters and a great plot. The climax is exciting and adventurous--Errol Flynn's Robin Hood transported to the skies. First-rate.
1. Superman
The best superhero film of them all. Perhaps there is tonal whiplash between Acts I, II, and II (a criticism I also have with the two acts of Jaws), but fine acting and careful editing help to assuage this fact. Christopher Reeve is Superman for me, and the picture boasts fine comic performances from the whole supporting cast. (I'd like to highlight Gene Hackman, of course.) The flying scene is truly one of the most romantic scenes in the history of the movies. Pure adventure, pure fun, and (again) pure, unbridled joy.
...............................................
The Far Side of Paradise:
(Honorable mentions)
Iron Man, Spider-Man 2, Batman ('89), Batman Returns, Batman Begins, Superman Returns, Captain America ('11).
...............................................
Fringe Benefits:
(Films which may have to do with superheroes but are not exactly "superhero films" in the accepted meaning of the term.)
Unbreakable, The Mask of Zorro, The Lone Ranger
............................................
Less Than Meets the Eye
(Films that, for better or worse, I do not like as much as the critics did)
The Dark Knight, Iron Man 2, Thor, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Avengers, Iron Man 2, The Dark Knight Rises, Man of Steel.
Well, then...
Pantheon:
(Top Three)
3. Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
An immensely enjoyable dieselpunk romp, cemented by screwball-bickering performances from Jude Law and the lovely Gwyneth Paltrow and borrowing key set pieces from the Fleischer Superman cartoon "The Mechanical Monsters." The story is light and fun, and filled with true admiration, not snickering cynicism, for the "Golden Era."
2. The Rocketeer
Nearly everything I said for Sky Captain applies here, except that The Rocketeer both emphasizes the superhero theme more and does the theming even better. There is humor and joy here, with some fun characters and a great plot. The climax is exciting and adventurous--Errol Flynn's Robin Hood transported to the skies. First-rate.
1. Superman
The best superhero film of them all. Perhaps there is tonal whiplash between Acts I, II, and II (a criticism I also have with the two acts of Jaws), but fine acting and careful editing help to assuage this fact. Christopher Reeve is Superman for me, and the picture boasts fine comic performances from the whole supporting cast. (I'd like to highlight Gene Hackman, of course.) The flying scene is truly one of the most romantic scenes in the history of the movies. Pure adventure, pure fun, and (again) pure, unbridled joy.
...............................................
The Far Side of Paradise:
(Honorable mentions)
Iron Man, Spider-Man 2, Batman ('89), Batman Returns, Batman Begins, Superman Returns, Captain America ('11).
...............................................
Fringe Benefits:
(Films which may have to do with superheroes but are not exactly "superhero films" in the accepted meaning of the term.)
Unbreakable, The Mask of Zorro, The Lone Ranger
............................................
Less Than Meets the Eye
(Films that, for better or worse, I do not like as much as the critics did)
The Dark Knight, Iron Man 2, Thor, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Avengers, Iron Man 2, The Dark Knight Rises, Man of Steel.