EDITORIAL/POLL: What Are You Looking For In A CBM?

EDITORIAL/POLL: What Are You Looking For In A CBM? EDITORIAL/POLL: What Are You Looking For In A CBM?

What exactly are you looking for in a CBM? What is the difference between a great one and a bad one? Discuss inside.

Editorial Opinion
By Hawksblueyes - Aug 02, 2011 09:08 AM EST
Filed Under: Fan Fic

These are the golden days for people like you and I, geeks/nerds/comic book movie fans. It seems like we can't turn around without some new comic adaptation hitting our local cinemas and while that should be more than a good thing, no matter what the movie or how good it is, there are always those saying they hate the film and it was a sorry excuse for a movie. This is to be expected. After all, everybody has differing tastes and expectations when it comes to what they want. There is also the fact that some people are not fans of the current "on screen" hero of the moment. I thought I would conduct a little POLL to see just exactly what it is we are all looking for in a CBM. What is it that makes or breaks one of these films in your opinion?

There are a number of movies that may or may not have been financial successes that the fans have (for the most part) loved and each has been well received for differing reasons. There is the undeniable success of Nolan's Batman films that appeal to many for the gritty "realistic" feeling they convey. While I love these movies as well, I have to say that I miss the "fantastical" nature of the comics they leave behind in order to achieve their "realism."

Marvel has been feeding the fans a steady stream of films over the last few years that center around the characters themselves. Each of Marvels films have managed to bring the personality of it's hero to life. Some say that each of these films have lacked action or plot twists and turns that have kept them from achieving greatness in their opinion but few deny that the heroes we see on screen are the same ones we have read about in the comics for years.

Then we have films like Watchmen that rips it's entire story from the pages the story originated in. Even though this film actually looks like a video version of the comic, many have expressed their displeasure over a slightly altered ending that pretty much gets us to the same conclusion found in the comic.

We also have films like X-Men:First Class that have absolutely nothing to do with the comics their name was taken from. Outside of the main two characters, the personalities attached to the names on screen aren't even very close to their comic book counterparts. However, the film tells a fantastic story that wraps itself around actual historic events and any misgivings felt about the misuse of the characters themselves, gets shuffled aside due to the fact that it is a very good movie.

If you were to ask me my opinion, I like all of the films mentioned in this article but I can't deny, I lean towards the Marvel films and I can tell you why. Seeing as how they have brought these characters to life as I have known them from the comics, I feel like no matter what happens in the film, I am with a longtime friend. The heroes are very familiar to me and I enjoy taking whatever journey they are on, with them. I also know if they start killing people that are alive in the comics, I won't be happy with it, so that doesn't realistically leave much room for surprises. I know many of you will disagree with me on this and that's the point of the article. What are you looking for most in a CBM? Please take the time to check the POLL box and discuss below.


By: TwitterButtons.com

By TwitterButtons.com
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Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 8/2/2011, 9:00 AM
;P
BIGBMH
BIGBMH - 8/2/2011, 9:24 AM
Bottom line, I want the best story possible so I voted for the first option. That can be done realistically or with more fantastical elements. There's no one way to do it. Things don't need to stick too closely to the source material, but they shouldn't go so far off that it's unrecognizable. Some people thought First Class was too different, but I think it worked well and turned out to be a very good movie. I don't really read much X-men, but I think it's true to the essence of the X-men story.

It gets on my nerves a little bit when people say that something like that is a "Good movie but a bad CBM." A good movie can't be a bad CBM! It can be a bad adaptation, but saying something is a bad CBM is saying that it is a bad movie based on a comic book. This lazy way people say "bad cbm" really confines comic book movies to a narrow definition and adds to the conception that they're all the same.
SmokinIndo
SmokinIndo - 8/2/2011, 9:26 AM
I want the characters as we know them from the comics. I can tell you that if Captain America was more like the Ultimates dirty cop and less like the 616 superhero, that would have ruined the movie for me, regardless of how amazing the story was.
SmokinIndo
SmokinIndo - 8/2/2011, 9:31 AM
Also, part of what I love about CBM's is that they are introducing my favorite heroes to general audiences so that they can love them as well. But if the hero getting introduced isn't the one I love, then that joy doesn't happen. The audience falls in love with a completely different character.
Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 8/2/2011, 9:32 AM
I have to agree with indoraptor on this but a fantastic story to go along with the character is always nice also.
marvel72
marvel72 - 8/2/2011, 9:42 AM
i want the characters as we know them from the comics and the story can suffer a little if we get those characters.

x-men first class should of been the original team & the original brotherhood,i think it would of been the best cbm of year.

marvel studio's makes movies for the fans,other studio's make them how they see fit.
eatmyhit
eatmyhit - 8/2/2011, 9:48 AM
At the end of the day all I want is a good movie!! I don't care if a film deviates slightly from the comics as most comic book writers anyway constantly coming up with own interpretations of characters and changing back stories. And to be honest half the story arc's in comicbooks would not work on the big screen
Orphix
Orphix - 8/2/2011, 9:50 AM
The answer is simple. I want a good story well told. That's it. That's the bottom line. Anything else is secondary.

CBM by their very nature are adaptations and comic books are merely the source. So they should be treated as such. They shouldn't be panel by panel retelling (like Watchman) or boring and safe devoid of new ideas (Fantastic Four, Punisher: Warzone).

I like my filmakers to take chances and get creative. I want to see something that I am familiar with and take it some place new. I'd rather someone take a few chances and fail than show me the comic book again!! I already own those!!

I got into an argument on here about Captain America's costume on this site. Some people seemed to think what JJ had come with for CA:TFA was an arrogant slap in the face for fans because it strayed from the original source. It was seen as a disrespectful middle finger salute because he dare to do something different.

I don't want to see my filmakers stifled and put inside some sort of creative straitjacket and be too 'respectful'. Zack Snyder take note.
StrangerX
StrangerX - 8/2/2011, 9:52 AM
Something EPIC- nothing less
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 8/2/2011, 9:59 AM
I chose the first one because its the CLOSEST thing to what i want.

I want a good story, of course, but at the same time, i want the characters to be right. I couldn't care less about costume changes and cosmetic things like that, because lets face it, that doesn't really have much to do with a character OR the story.

But i want the character's portrayal to be accurate. Also, if a they're going to use a popular story like The Dark Phoenix Saga, then do it right, or don't do it all.

The best thing, story wise, is to do something like Nolan's Batfilms. Take ELEMENTS from popular stories, like Batman, Gordon, and Dent meeting on the rooftop, but don't try to adapt entire stories. it can never work in a 2 hour movie.

So yeah, basically, changes are fine as long as they serve the story and overall world, but the most important thing is that they get the characters right.
95
95 - 8/2/2011, 10:01 AM
#1. I pretty much agree with @BIGBMH

Given that I grew up with the animated series, I'd like it to be:

Inspired by the original look. Gritty fighting style, functional uniform. Same character development arc [e.g. Hal Jordan becoming mature] and relatability. While I'd really like to see storylines like the Galactus trilogy come to life, I want to see new stories involving the characters.

CA:TFA did it well.

Great poll @Hawksblueyes
nuck82
nuck82 - 8/2/2011, 10:05 AM
I WANT MY MTV!!!
cable23
cable23 - 8/2/2011, 10:07 AM
I want a comic book movie story line that is a direct storyline from its comicbook counterpart but not everything per say.Great character development from both the hero and the villan. A decent love intrest although not every comic book movie needs one. Spectacular action scenes because your making a comic book movie so lets bring these amazing pages to life.
C0nan
C0nan - 8/2/2011, 10:10 AM
Things that should NEVER change:

1. Powers
2. Personality
3. Origin Story

Things that it's compltely cool to change:

1. Story
2. Costume
3. Supporting characters
Ranger14
Ranger14 - 8/2/2011, 10:18 AM
I want the characters as we know them from the comics and why the Sam hell should the story suffer? I am also completely on board with option # 6
Boyle360
Boyle360 - 8/2/2011, 10:19 AM
These poll has terrible options. They're all barely different. >:(
thatiscrazy
thatiscrazy - 8/2/2011, 10:21 AM
Story can change when needed, except origins. Chracters have to stay tru to their personality, archtype and be close in looks. Custumes can change inorder to fit into a the real world, But! not changed for the sake of change which happens to often... if it aint broke don't fix it. I also like them to be grounded in some sort of reality... that wahy there is a connection.
thatiscrazy
thatiscrazy - 8/2/2011, 10:21 AM
Oh, but if the character hasn't changed since the 60s I say change the hell otta it, to make it fit with the times... Wonder Woman Sucks!
superbatspiderman
superbatspiderman - 8/2/2011, 10:27 AM
I think the story is the most important part of any movie but character developement is also important because we want to care for these characters and if there is no developement then we can't do that. Source Material is not the most important thing because there are several very successful movies that change the source material for instance Nolan's Batman movies they aren't very close to the comics especially the monor characters and villains. First Class is probably the biggest one because it pretty much created its own story away from the comics and the other movies and it was fantastic.
marvel72
marvel72 - 8/2/2011, 10:28 AM
it helps if a film has characters i actually give a shit about.i.e x-men first class.
JackBauer
JackBauer - 8/2/2011, 10:31 AM
I prefer a mixture of realism and staying true to the source material. You have to have a good story no matter what, but if you deviate to far from the source material or make it too "real" then that ruins it for me.

All of the Marvel Studios' films have found the right balance imo. Batman Begins was great as well for the same reasons.

The Dark Knight, imo, dropped a notch from BB because, among other things, it was too realistic.

I loved Superman 1 & 2, Batman and Batman Returns because they kept the fantasy elements intact.

Fantastic Four deviated from the source material with how they [frick]ed up Doom. On the other hand, Watchmen was a great movie visually, but I got really bored toward the end because it was too faithful to the source.

I guess it also comes down to which character that is being adapted. They better go all out with the fantasy elements in Dr. Strange, and not make him too realistic by sitting him in front of a crystal ball and a wigi board.
Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 8/2/2011, 10:33 AM
Boyle: The options are completely different. While I started to mix and match some options I ended up changing my mind because all of us would want a mixed and matched option. The point of the different options is to see which one you give more importance to. Which ones would you do without in order to have the one you feel is most important?

Ranger: It shouldn't. But I would much rather go along for the ride in a good film with the perfect character adaptation than I would a great film and someone who is that character in name only. I feel those films are cheapened by the simple fact that they are capitalizing on the characters name. If you had a great story to begin with, why do you have to borrow a popular comic character "in name only" to sell it? Create a different character.
JackBauer
JackBauer - 8/2/2011, 10:35 AM
@SelinaKyle - I'm all for crotch shots but what are we talking about?
JackBauer
JackBauer - 8/2/2011, 10:37 AM
Of the choices listed I picked #6 - keep the fantastical elements intact.
JackBauer
JackBauer - 8/2/2011, 10:38 AM
@Selina - I'm sure we are :)
JackBauer
JackBauer - 8/2/2011, 10:57 AM
@selina - Here you go :)

Ashdm
Ashdm - 8/2/2011, 11:09 AM
I'm really surprised so many people have voted for choice 1... I thought we'd all be alot more concerned about how faithful a CBM is to the characters than the story. After all, what's the point of adapting a superhero movie if you're changing the superhero?
Ashdm
Ashdm - 8/2/2011, 11:09 AM
I'm really surprised so many people have voted for choice 1... I thought we'd all be alot more concerned about how faithful a CBM is to the characters than the story. After all, what's the point of adapting a superhero movie if you're changing the superhero?
Ashdm
Ashdm - 8/2/2011, 11:09 AM
I'm really surprised so many people have voted for choice 1... I thought we'd all be alot more concerned about how faithful a CBM is to the characters than the story. After all, what's the point of adapting a superhero movie if you're changing the superhero?
SugarYumYum
SugarYumYum - 8/2/2011, 11:09 AM
I picked #6 since that's the only thing I agree with fully on the list. Don't get me wrong, I love Nolan's Bat films but just because they're good films. I don't care at all for care the realism approach and would prefer it if he hadn't taken that road since it limited the choices out of Batman's rogue gallery and what he could have done with the character (and not mention, absolutely killed any possibility of Robin or a Superman cameo). I always looked at comics, books, and manga as ways to escape reality, I love the powers and abilities ,the outrageous characters you could never see in real life and the fantastical landscapes so the last thing I want is them to be toned down to resemble what I see everyday. :-P

I'm a very casual comics fan, I own very few (mostly because I could never figure out where to start which is why I'm in favor of the 'new 52') but I do appreciate when writers/directors use the comics as reference material to comply the story because it shows respect for the source. But as long as the story is good then faithfulness isn't necessary for me to enjoy the film.

Character development however is VERY important to me no matter what kind of film it is. I'm very big on character and more times than not, a cast of interesting and memorable characters will save a rather average, run-of-the-mill story for me. To really get the true essence of a character it's always best to go to the source so I think they should always aim for an accurate as possible rendition of the character and only make changes that are actually needed to make them work on screen.

But I don't want the story to suffer either, I believe the right balance of character and story is key to a great film so while I can deal with the shortcomings of one aspect (NEVER both), it's something I would like to see out of any film really.

SHHH
SHHH - 8/2/2011, 11:16 AM
People want perfection...
MassExecutions
MassExecutions - 8/2/2011, 11:17 AM
Had to go with 2. If its going to significantly change the characters, just drop the pretense of being based on the comic and make it an original story. Also, if keeping the characters true to form seems to be hurting the script FIRE YOUR SCRIPT WRITERS AND GET BETTER ONES!

Great piece, Hawks!
Doctorwho22
Doctorwho22 - 8/2/2011, 11:34 AM
im just surprised that no one is ripping on other people for their opinions....its nice to see a thread where people actually talk about things without insulting others.....its pretty cool.
spookyelectric
spookyelectric - 8/2/2011, 12:09 PM
stay true to the source even if it means an R rating. that means you too Marvel (Disney)
Moonwalker1991
Moonwalker1991 - 8/2/2011, 12:17 PM
Panel to Panel translation from comic to film: Ex: Thor and Captain America.
AlexanderLuthor
AlexanderLuthor - 8/2/2011, 12:50 PM
What the Comic Book Movies need in order to be successful is a [b]serious[/b] and [b]mature[/b] tone.

1). [b]Serious[/b] – they treat the characters with respect. They don't treat the hero like he is some cartoon character come to life; Batman shouldn't be treated as if he were Roger Rabbit. He should feel real in the universe that he exists in even with fantasy like elements (see: Batman Returns).

2). [b]Mature [/b] – The script is written for the 30 year old crowd of individuals who actually pay to see their movies in the theater (see: TDK). Don't gear your movies around the gamer-generation that downloads all their movies illegally. Movies geared towards the Gamer-generation; regardless to how good they are fail at the box office (see: Scott Pilgim). Plus, Real-life superhero movies geared towards little kids and families tend to do poorly at the book office (see: zoom) unless they are animated by Pixar or the like (see: Incredible, Megamind).

How do you meet these two requirements?

You hire accomplished [b]visionary directors[/b] (Burton, Nolan, Del Torro, Proyas) with a unique cinematic style. They are your artists (see: Jim Lee), and they craft the feel of the movie.

You hire [b]skilled writers[/b] [who show us - don't tell us]. 90% of the time, if the movie starts with a voice over about past events, it's going to suck (see: Priest/ Jonah Hex).
SpiderBat209
SpiderBat209 - 8/2/2011, 2:55 PM
I want to be able to blow my Nerd Load when the movie is over, then go home and rage (frik) my girlfriend because I'm empowered and pretending to be the "Hero" of the CBM I just watched! :D

Yup, it has to be THAT GOOD! TDK/Watchmen Good! ;D
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