Movie Reviews 101 would like to introduce our newest feature, Drumroll please.
Opinion Battles
We would like to welcome all our fellow participants into this and we would like you to pick who has selected the best choice. We will continue these battles over the year and whoever gets the most points will be crowned champion. If you would like to join in message us at [email protected].
The first subject is going to be Comic Book and Graphic Novel Movies, if you want to take part in the next subject we are going to pick best Sequels, email your choice to the address above.
Darren – Movie Reviews 101
Snowpiercer (2013)
I had to rack my brain to think of my selection and I had it down to three but I have ended up picking this one. Snowpiercer is adapted from French comic Le Transperceneige and it follows a lone train that travels the Earth in a post-apocalyptic world. The story follows Curtis (Chris Evans, yes Captain America) who is a member of the lowest ranked class on the train, his people are starving and when they get pushed too far they start to revolt against the high society at the front of the train. What makes this film highly enjoyable is the fact we watch our protagonist enter a different door and simply not knowing what will be behind it. We get plenty of twists and turns that really shock and don’t hold back. We also get a mega all-star cast with Ed Harris, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell and Octavia Spencer, it is also directed by Joon-ho Bong who gave us the brilliant The Host. I am still waiting for the official release in the United Kingdom but this film was a big success in South Korea but only seems to have had limited release in the rest of the world.
Drew – Drew’s Movie Reviews
The Avengers (2012)
The Avengers is the best comic book movie because it did the impossible. Ensemble movies and crossovers have been done before, but not like this. This was something bold. This was something daring. This was something unprecedented. Lead by the widely beloved Joss Whedon and four years in the making, it is a great mix of personalities. With such a large cast, it could have been easy for certain characters to wind up in the background and the focus land on others. But that did not happen in The Avengers. Everyone got their time to shine. Whedon is well known for his character building, which is apparent here. Every character gets to interact with each of the other characters, such as Cap and Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye, and let’s not forget everyone’s favorite bromance, Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. Not only is it impressive what Marvel was able to accomplish, but The Avengers itself is a damn good movie. It has fantastic action sequences, organic and unforced humor, and a great villain. It forever changed the landscape of superhero movies, leaving many studios trying to replicate Marvel’s success and solidified Marvel Studios as a cinema juggernaut. No matter your film tastes, chances are you will find something to enjoy in The Avengers.
Rob – MovieRob
The Dark Knight (2008)
Chris Nolan re-established and reinvigorated the comic book/superhero genre with this movie. He created a great movie by integrating an amazing story, intriguing characters, heart-pounding music and of course a villain to literally die for.
He also darkened the tone of the genre with surprisingly deadly twists and turns along the way.
Kim – Tranquil Dreams
Scott Pilgrim versus The World (2010)
While others may choose right away something pretty epic like Marvel movies (which are mostly done very well and its a bucket of fun), one of my favorites for graphic novel adaptations is Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Why, you ask? Scott Pilgrim is just a bucket of fun. Michael Cera owns the awkward teenager role and he always adds those laugh out loud moments. Why this works so well as a graphic novel movie adaptation is that its so visually pretty awesome as well. I find graphic novels adaptation should have a refined visual style and this one works well for it. Plus, the story moves along in a quick speed. Sure, its about Scott Pilgrim and his love for Ramona Flowers and having to fight all her evil ex-boyfriends. It’s a simple plot but such a crazy fun ride full of laughs, fun characters and a good bit of action and even some pretty good music.
Dave
Batman Begins (2006)
For me, the best comic-book movie adaptation is Batman Begins. It was the movie that introduced us to Nolan’s vision of The Dark Knight, it was one of the first outright comic-book movies to be a smash hit at the box office, paving the way for Iron Man shortly after and it was the first comic-book movie that mainstream audiences accepted. It showed us that a world with superheroes and villains could exist in our world and it was that realism that connected with people who weren’t previously familiar with comics. Without Batman Begins we wouldn’t have Heath Ledger’s Joker, we wouldn’t have Batman and Superman getting ready to square up to each other and we wouldn’t have the Marvel Cinematic Universe as it is today. It nailed the essence of it’s chosen hero and opened the doors for all of the other superheroes we’ve had over the last decade.
Justine – Justine’s Movie Blog
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of comic book movies. It’s tough to decide which one I think is really “the best,” but there are a few I enjoy more than others. Guardians of the Galaxy is my personal choice because among the vast amount of comic book movies that are released every year, Guardians is one that stands out from the rest. It’s the great casting (I love Chris Pratt, especially), the awesome soundtrack, the amazing visuals, and the light-hearted tone with the cheesy humor that attracts me to it and keeps me interested enough to want to return to it again and again. It’s a great one to watch if you’re in a bad mood too, in my experience at least, because I always have fun with it and it’s a nice escape. It’s also nice to see a superhero movie that takes place somewhere other than Earth for a change. This space opera is definitely a breath of fresh air to the comic book movie genre, and I think it appeals to a wide audience. It was one of my top favorite movies from last year and I have yet to get tired of it.Guardians of the Galaxy is some genuinely fun entertainment.
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