Those who have been following my 100 Days of Superheroes will know what this is all about. I’m currently reviewing and ranking 100 superhero films over the course of a year, building up to the release of Amazing Spider-Man, Dark Knight Rises, and Avengers.
Here is how it works. The ranking is determined by two factors; the average audience ranking (by poll votes) combined with my own score for the films in the reviews I wrote. These rankings will be posted every ten reviews so be sure to vote. As more votes and movies are added to the ranking, films will slide up and down on the scale.
You can also go back and vote on previous films already ranked as it could change their score in future updates. So if you don't like the ranking GO VOTE!!! Just click the 100 Days Logo to the Fansite to both vote and read the reviews. So let's get started!
NEWLY RANKED:
#43- Hulk
With all the talent in both the cast and crew, there is not much of an excuse for Hulk turning out the way it did. It’s cartoonish, silly, obnoxious and just outright stupid at times. Readers voted it in with a loathing 37.36%. It’s just a crying shame of a film that looked decent when it came out but now looks like something from an animated kids film.
Ranked At: 28.8%
#29- Daredevil
A movie that utterly failed to stand up to the bar established by X-Men and the first Spider-Man. Daredevil is a directorial mess that doesn’t know what to do with the character or how best to approach it. Combine that with lackluster casting and it isn’t surprising that readers only gave it a score of 52.88%.
Ranked At: 46.44%
#28- The Punisher (2004)
Finally the Punisher returns to the big screen with an actual budget to support it. I’m bewildered how much the readers actually liked this film and I’m still uncertain why. But to each his own, I guess. Reader were much kinder than me, giving Punisher a fairly solid 63.14% score. Punisher might have a fun revenge story at it’s core but at the end of the day it is a generic shoot-em-up film that’s been better done a million times over.
Ranked At: 46.54%
#25- The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Visually impressive but a misstep in terms of characters. Avengers beware, because this is potentially your fate if you fail to balance the many diverse and interesting characters. All you are left with is impressive set pieces and effects. Readers voted it at 52.7% bringing it very close to my initial score.
Ranked At: 51.35%
#16- Blade 2:
Removing character development from the equation (for better or worse), Blade 2 brings it up to speed with non-stop action and adrenaline boosted scenes. This first entry by Guirmo del Toro into the CBM library is commonly debated to be better or worse than it’s predecessor. Though I found it superior readers voted it in at 74.32%, lower than their score for the original, yet it still came up higher on the charts due to my review score.
Ranked At: 71.71%
#14- Spider-Man:
Surprisingly not that high up on the list is the first Spider-Man film. Bringing to life a pop culture icon is never easy but Raimi manages it with clever scripting and some fantastic supporting characters. Readers voted it in at 76.26%, again bringing it close to my score.
Ranked At: 73.13%
#12- Hellboy:
Barely missing out on the top ten of the week is Hellboy, del Toro’s second superhero film. A fun adventure film with great visuals but a slightly convoluted plot. Yet Hellboy takes full advantage of its charismatic lead. Readers voted it at 78%. Hellboy lives up to its name as a helluva fun ride.
Ranked At: 74%
THE TOP TEN COUNTDOWN!!!!
#10- Unbreakable
Barely able to retain it’s hold in the Top Ten for a second round is Unbreakable. The only thing that prevented it from dropping out was the .82% boost in the polls that brought it out ahead of Darkman. Unbreakable is a freshly original superhero origin story that takes full advantage of its indie roots.
Ranked At: 75.42%
#9- Batman (1989)
Tim Burton’s classic adaption of the Superhero still clings to the top 10 for the fourth round in a row, but just barely. Having fallen all the way from the #7 spot, this film is a visual treat that relies heavily on the directors steady hand and forgets the title character at times.
Ranked At: 75.7%
#8- Batman Returns
Still just barely ahead of it’s predecessor is the sequel. Batman returns drops from it’s place at #6 but still is looking pretty solid for this round of Top 10. Batman Returns is the comeback of Tim Burton visuals with more complex plot and characters.
Ranked At: 76.8%
#7- X-Men United:
One of the two newcomers for this round that made it to the Top 10. X-Men United used the sequel syndrome formula that most movies crash and burn on. Yet they make it work with more action, more characters, more villains, and surprisingly more plot. Readers, I can only assume, agree with a 81.77% rating.
Ranked At: 80.88%
#6- The Rocketeer
Still sitting in the middle of the Top 10 is Rocketeer, the superhero period piece from Disney. It may be a family film but it sure knows how to stand with the big dogs. Falling from it’s spot at #4, The Rocketeer is a great blend of genres.
Ranked At: 82.3%
#5- Superman: The Movie:
Takes another drop in the polls. Having started at #1 for two rounds in a row it now sits at #5, which is nothing to scoff at. Superman is to some the first legitimate entry into the subgenre and the only film to really capture the essence of Superman. It went up .13% in the polls.
Ranked At: 85.24%
#4- The Mask of Zorro
It is Batman in the wild west and it’s fun as hell. This duo of Hopkins and Banderas is a great combination for drama and swashbuckling fun. It still stands as the best Zorro movie to date, except perhaps the original Mark of Zorro from the 40’s, but that’s not in this review series.
Ranked At: 88%
#3- Spider-Man 2:
Despite my many complaints with the first film (though I enjoyed it), Spider-Man 2 did everything possible to correct them. This film only improves on what was originally in the first film bring more character development, better action, villains, and story. It is a blast of a film true to the Spider-Man name. Readers voted it in at 86.66%.
Ranked At: 88.33%
#2- Robocop:
This sci fi superhero still does not give an inch in it’s claim for the #2 spot. I thought Spider-Man 2 would for sure top it, but no dice. Yet I can’t complain as Robocop is a great social examination and character evaluation that isn’t afraid to get gory and over the top.
Ranked At: 89.4%
#1- The Crow:
Seemingly unbeatable is the Crow. It is a great example of the power of art house cinema and a monument to a lost talent. Far ahead of it’s time when made, The Crow is a shinning example of stellar filmmaking. It fell 1.02% in the polls but that won’t stop it from dominating.
Ranked At: 96.13%
The Bottom Five (Worst of the Worst)-
#46- Nick Fury Agent of Shield
What? No Supergirl for this round? Oh well there is still plenty to hate here with the made for TV movie, Nick Fury Agent of Shield. There are not many things I can say about this that haven’t been said already. Bottom line. This movie would be better served shipped to another planet.
Ranked At: 23.55%
#47- Steel
I almost forgot this film existed. A good thing too because the less remembered about it the better. Save your money, don’t ever rent it and put Iron Man in for the 100th time.
Ranked At: 22.73%
#48- Captain America
Less of a film and more of an idea of a film. It was so bad and so low budget that the studio didn’t even have the balls to release it in theaters. Even they knew that they had a true abomination on their hands.
Ranked At: 22.42
#49- Batman and Robin
Largely and widely critiqued as “worst superhero film of all time”. This the all-time low bar that a film has to pass to be considered truly horrific. As of yet there is only one other movie that has managed it.
Ranked At: 16.85%
#50- Catwoman
That movie is Catwoman, a film that is not only the worse superhero film ever made but also one of the worst films ever made in general. It is the only film in a long time that has made me want to cut my wrists while watching it. True fact. Death is preferable to seeing this film. Readers hated it as well with a 19.6% score. This brings it down to the first film in single digits for this review series.
Ranked At: 9.8%
Current Rankings:
1. The Crow……………………………………..96.13%
2. Robocop………………………………………89.4%
3. Spider-Man 2……………………………….88.33%
4. The Mask of Zorro………………………....88%
5. Superman: The Movie…………………......85.24%
6. The Rocketeer……………………………....82.3%
7. X-Men United……………………………….80.88%
8. Batman Returns………………………….....76.8%
9. Batman (1989)……………………………....75.7%
10. Unbreakable………………………………....75.42%
11. Darkman……………………………………...74.7%
12. Hellboy………………………………………...74%
13. X-Men…………………………………………73.25%
14. Spider-Man…………………………………..73.13%
15. The Mask……………………………………...72.25%
16. Blade 2…………………………………………71.71%
17. Blade……………………………………………71.32%
18. Superman 2…………………………………...69.12%
19. Swamp Thing………………………………....65.25
20. Mystery Men…………………………………..58.77%
21. Hero at Large…………………………………58.01%
22. The Phantom…………………………………..57.65
23. Toxic Avenger………………………………...56.54%
24. Robocop 2……………………………………..56.08%
25. The League…………………………………….51.35%
26. Danger Diabolik……………………………...49.28%
27. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles…………....48.8%
28. The Punisher (2004)………………………...46.57%
29. Daredevil……………………………………….46.44%
30. Condorman……………………………………46.15%
31. Batman (1966)………………………………..43.4%
32. Superman and the Mole Men………….......43.12%
33. The Specials……………………………………40.83%
34. Howard the Duck……………………………..40.25%
35. Batman Forever………………………………..39.3%
36. Superfuzz………………………………………39.23%
37. The Shadow…………………………………….38.6%
38. Spawn…………………………………………...37.13%
39. Superman: Quest for Peace………………....32.4%
40. Punisher (1989)………………………………...31.85%
41. Superman 3……………………………………..30.65%
42. The Fantastic Four (1994)………………..29.7%
43. Hulk………………………………………………...28.8%
44. Inspector Gadget………………………………26.8%
45. Supergirl…………………………………………..26.3%
46. Nick Fury Agent of Shield………………….23.55%
47. Steel…………………………………………………22.73%
48. Captain America………………………………..22.42%
49. Batman and Robin…………………………….16.85%
50. Catwoman………………………………………...9.8%
Check out previous Rankings
Ranking #4-
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/100superherodays/news/?a=54120
or
Previous DAY 50- Spider-Man 2 http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/100superherodays/news/?a=55258