best comic book movies...PART 2

Now, my top 2 favorite comic book movies of all time!
2. Iron Man (2008)

Director John Favreau struck out with his 2003 comic book movie flop Daredevil. I didn't hate this movie, but critics and fans sure did. So, when I heard he was directing Iron Man, I had low expectations. All I remember from the Iron Man comics as a kid was that Iron Man was always desperate, and getting beat up. He never seemed like a very strong hero. He was always surrounded by more superior superheroes and always seemed to play second fiddle.

Well, the new Iron Man movie changed that whole perception. Robert Downey Jr was born to play Tony Stark, the sarcastic and cocky billionaire and owner of Stark Industries. The special effects are fantastic. The action is fun, flows nicely, and all the characters are great. It has an almost innocent comic book soul that makes it fun for families. But, it also has the hardcore action that comic fanboys love. (like me!) And, it has enough lighthearted humor to be considered a comedy. (Something all new comic book movies are lacking) The pacing is good, the story is compelling enough, and it explains the origins of its hero as well or better than any other comic book origin movie.

1. The Dark Knight (2008)

This shouldn't even be a surprise. It broke box office records and created a national wave of pop culture phenomenon. The phrase "why so serious?" swept the emo and goth crowds of America. Images of Heath Ledger's Joker were everywhere. Yet, this newest Batman installment never felt like a sell out. Maybe it's because director / writer Christopher Nolan has such an obvious passion for the subject. And, he approaches the material with much-needed respect and artistic integrity.

As with the X-Men movie series, the first Batman movie (Batman Begins) is an origin story that does little more than set up the framework for The Dark Knight. It is required viewing in order to understand and enjoy The Dark Knight.

The opening scene of The Dark Knight is amazing. The tense, melodramatic music begins, edging you to the end of your seat. We see a sweeping, stark Gotham City landscape, and a robbery is in progress. Clown-masked criminals are just beginning to execute an apparently well-planned heist to rob a bank. The music continues as the robbers descend upon the unsuspecting bank, methodically performing their plotted out functions to get to the money. Things go south, however, and they begin to turn on each other once they get to the money. The only goon standing at the end of the debacle is...the Joker. Demented, evil, and freakish...he's the guy you love to hate. And this is just the opening scene.

While The Dark Knight could benefit from a small injection of joy, it interprets the original comic book material well. No character is treated as a joke, and the filmmakers respect the audience. Tense, action-packed, and full of fascinating story, the Dark Knight is a fun, albeit very dark, cinematic adventure. The editing clicks along quickly, and it's not a gimmick. It actually serves to tell the story more effectively, and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I don't recommend The Dark Knight for kids, because it is extremely violent and greusome in places. For adults who have grown up with the Bats, however, it is extremely engaging. I am looking forward to the new Batman, The Dark Knight Rises. It may not live up to the standard of The Dark Knight, but it will be a nice conclusion to this new series.

Watch the trailer for the upcoming Batman movie: The Dark Knight Rises: