IMDB's Comic Book Film Ranking

[CConn]

I know a lot of people aren't big fans of IMDB's rating system, but personally, I feel is more or less a pretty good barometer of the general consensus and quality of a film. So, with that in mind, I quickly jotted down pretty much every comic book movie I could think of, and here's how they rank:

8.0-9.0
8.9 - The Dark Knight (DC)
8.7 - The Avengers (Marvel)
8.3 - Batman Begins (DC)
8.3 - Sin City (Dark Horse)
8.2 - V For Vendetta (DC)

7.5-7.9
7.9 - X-Men: First Class (Marvel)
7.9 - Iron Man (Marvel)
7.9 - Kick-Ass (Marvel)
7.8 - 300 (DC)
7.8 - Batman: Under the Red Hood (DC)
7.8 - Road to Perdition (DC)
7.7 - Watchmen (DC)
7.7 - Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (DC)
7.7 - X2 (Marvel)
7.6 - Batman (DC)
7.6 - The Crow (Indie)
7.6 - Scott Pilgrim vs The World (Indie)
7.6 - Spider-Man 2 (Marvel)
7.6 - Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (DC)
7.6 - American Splendor (Indie)
7.6 - Ghost World (Indie)
7.6 - A History of Violence (DC)

7.0-7.4
7.4 - Spider-Man (Marvel)
7.4 - X-Men (Marvel)
7.3 - Superman: The Movie (DC)
7.2 - Batman: Year One (DC)
7.2 - Transformers (Indie)
7.2 - Hellboy 2: The Golden Army (Dark Horse)
7.1 - Green Lantern: First Flight (DC)
7.1 - Wonder Woman (DC)
7.1 - Justice League: The New Frontier (DC)
7.1 - Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (DC)
7.1 - Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (DC)
7.1 - Hulk Vs. (Marvel)
7.1 - Batman: SubZero (DC)
7.0 - The Incredible Hulk (Marvel)
7.0 - Iron Man 2 (Marvel)
7.0 - Thor (Marvel)
7.0 - Blade (Marvel)

6.5-6.9
6.9 - Captain America (Marvel)
6.9 - Batman Retutns (DC)
6.9 - Superman/Batman: Apocolypse (DC)
6.8 - From Hell (Indie)
6.8 - Wanted (Indie)
6.8 - Superman: Doomsday (DC)
6.8 - Hellboy (Dark Horse)
6.8 - Hellboy: Blood and Iron (Dark Horse)
6.8 - All Star Superman (DC)
6.8 - Ultimate Avengers (Marvel)
6.8 - Ultimate Avengers II (Marvel)
6.8 - X-Men: The Last Stand (Marvel)
6.7 - Constantine (DC)
6.7 - X:Men Origins: Wolverine (Marvel)
6.7 - Planet Hulk (Marvel)
6.7 - Green Lantern: Emerald Knights (DC)
6.7 - Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (DC)
6.7 - Superman II (DC)
6.6 - Blade II (Marvel)
6.6 - Hellboy: Sword of Storms (Dark Horse)

6.0-6.4
6.4 - Superman Returns (DC)
6.4 - TMNT (Indie)
6.4 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Indie)
6.4 - Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon (Indie)
6.4 - Next Avengers (Marvel)
6.4 - Thor: Tales of Asgard (Marvel)
6.3 - Batman: The Movie (DC)
6.3 - The Punisher (Marvel)
6.3 - Spider-Man 3 (Marvel)
6.0 - Punisher: War Zone (Marvel)
6.0 - Green Hornet (Indie)
6.0 - Green Lantern (DC)

5.5-5.9
5.9 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Indie)
5.7 - Hulk
5.7 - The Shadow (Indie)
5.7 - Fantastic Four (Marvel)
5.7 - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (Marvel)
5.7 - Blade: Trinity (Marvel)
5.7 - G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (Indie)

5.0-5.5
5.5 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (Indie)
5.4 - Daredevil (Marvel)
5.4 - Batman Forever (DC)
5.2 - Ghost Rider (Marvel)
5.0 - Judge Dredd (Indie)

0.0-4.9
4.8 - The Phantom (Indie)
4.8 - Elektra (Marvel)
4.8 - Superman III (DC)
4.8 - Tankgirl (Dark Horse)
4.4 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (Indie)
4.2 - Howard the Duck (Marvel)
3.6 - Batman & Robin (DC)
3.5 - Superman IV (DC)
3.2 - Catwoman (DC)
3.1 - Barb Wire (Indie)
2.7 - Steel (DC)


So what's everyone's thoughts?

[MessiahDecoy123]

Not a bad list for measuring popular sentiment.

I'd put Blade, Superman, Batman and Thor higher and Batman Begins lower but overall it's a solid list.

[CConn]

Here are my biggest problems with it:

1. X3 and Wolverine should be in the 5s, IMO.

2. Batman Returns, Cap, and Superman Returns all should be rated a bit higher.

Outside of that, it's pretty solid.

[Motown Marvel]

yeah im pretty surprised superman returns is so low. every other place i've seen it user ranked much higher.

[ripse]

Hmmm...but is ok., however this just score...the reality is up to you when you can enjoy watch the films..

[CConn]

What's enjoy watch mean?

[Blue Sugar]

The Dark Knight

I wish Superman: The Movie was higher though.

The only comic-book movies I've given a 10 on IMDB is those two and V for Vendetta.

[Optimus_Prime_]

It's too all over the place. X2 should be higher than First Class. This list is too skewed by what's new. Also V For Vendetta is so far off Alan Moore's mark, and panders so much to know it all college students I could never take it seriously. I suppose in a certain sense it is a good movie but he's a freaking Anarchist for Christ's sake! That movie is supposed to be about Anarchy! Not a blatant criticism of the Bush Administration.

Road to Perdition, A History of Violence and American Splendor are probably the best films on there, they should at least be neck and neck with The Dark Knight if not just below it. Same with Superman and Superman II. It seems, like I say, there is a "recentness" bias here.

[MessiahDecoy123]

You don't think modern Anarchists opposed Bush using 9-11 to invade Iraq and push the Patriot Act?

[Optimus_Prime_]

Originally Posted by MessiahDecoy123

You don't think modern Anarchists opposed Bush using 9-11 to invade Iraq and push the Patriot Act?

Two things. One, V is not an anarchist in the movie. He's a guy who wants to take the discomforting and bad NeoCons away and replace it with loving and tender Democracy. Second, 9-11 and the Patriot Act have literally nothing to do with V for Vendetta.

V is an anarchist, and in the GN he's probably about as dangerous and perverse as those who he kills throughout the course of the book. He doesn't even technically qualify as a protagonist. In fact, you could argue in the book there is not even a single protagonist or really an antagonist. V wants to topple the Government, sure, but he doesn't want to replace it with anything. He doesn't see that as his job as an anarchist. You could also make the argument that V is just as fascist as those he hunts, because V is all about control and coercion.

That movie was a pandering pile of crap. Meant to cash in on all the "Truthers" and "Anti-Bush" sentiment. V's symbol is "Anarchy" upside-down, not a Democrat symbol, not a "truther". He doesn't want "power to the people", he doesn't appear to want power for anyone. He's supposed to be a scary person. Part of what makes V so effective is the threat of replacing a devil we know with a devil we don't know that might be twice as scary.

Another Alan Moore story that had it's balls removed for film (and people complain about Watchmen )

[CConn]

Oh Jesus Christ.

[Optimus_Prime_]

Is Wanted even on this list? It should be.

[Optimus_Prime_]

Originally Posted by CConn

Oh Jesus Christ.

Que

They took everything that is edgy, interesting, meaningful, and important about V for Vendetta out and replaced it with something Al Gore and Michael Moore probably wrote in their spare time. Atrocious. I'm not even a Bush supporter and I can't stand that.

[DoomsdayApex]

Eh, I enjoyed and appreciated the adaptations of V for Vendetta and Watchmen -- even as a fan of the original graphic novels. In fact, these films should be ranked higher.

I find the criticisms to be a bit pompous though. The Wachowskis are as Liberal as they get, and so are Portman and Weaving. Libertarians and Anarchists alike praise the film.

V was a feared terrorist who was out to expose corruption. In reality, there's not much that differs novel V from film V (except the 'truther' aspect of the character).

Quite frankly, if the changes weren't made, you would have FOX News and other media outlets and film critics indicating the director and writers had 'Bin Laden' sympathy.

[Optimus_Prime_]

Originally Posted by DoomsdayApex

V was a feared terrorist who was out to expose corruption. In reality, there's not much that differs novel V from film V (except the 'truther' aspect of the character).

Que

There is a ton of differences. V is an anarchist for one, and he's way, way, more brutal. His motives are far more complicated. Evey is a prostitute. The leader and the Government are not truly "evil" in the strictest sense of the word (which kind of plays to the fact that V is not truly "good", despite the fact the story presents him in the same fashion as most comic book "heroes"). Evey's friend is a small time crook, not a TV personality. Then the inspector takes LSD (or some sort of drug) there in the GN. It's been a while since I've read it, but the movie just ends up being the Wachowski's informing me how Liberal they are and how much they hate Bush for two and a half hours. It really doesn't surprise me that Alan Moore wanted no part of this. It's sad to me how he gets routinely shafted.

I think one of the film's supreme irony is that it's dumbed down to appeal to the exact crowd Moore painted as so untrustworthy in V for Vendetta. It makes the film in essence a self-parody.

I can't say the film is altogether bad. It's a decent pop-action flick, that's fun in a sort of B-Movie kind of way...similar to Bound with an actual budget and cast. The Wachowski's shouldn't have been anywhere near it though. They're pseudo-intellectual nonsense is fine when Keanu Reeves is your lead and their working with their own ideas, but Alan Moore's work was far to subtle and subversive for them to ever truly capture. I will give them credit for delivering good action yet again. Really, in my opinion, the Wachowski's would be much better adapting a character like Superman or Captain Marvel. Plus Natalie Portman could use some work on her accent...that's for damn sure.

[CConn]

Originally Posted by Optimus_Prime_

Is Wanted even on this list? It should be.

I added it.

It got a 6.8.

[Optimus_Prime_]

Ghost World should probably be higher. Been a long while since I saw it, but it's pretty underrated. Honestly Hulk should be higher. There is a lot of hyperbolic hate that surrounds that film. It wasn't that bad just needed a much better and much less confusing third act.

[Optimus_Prime_]

I'm sure we'd all like to forget these but League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Superwoman.

[DoomsdayApex]

@Optimus:

I agree with you that The Wachowskis should have kept some of the material from the graphic novel, especially when arriving to V as a character. I love the fact that Moore displayed the characters as extremely flawed human beings in times of uncertainty -- it's what made the novel so relatable to readers.

Yet, V (the film version) was, in his own right, a fascinating character. While he wasn't exactly the most accurate portrayal or representation, he was alluring and he still upheld a level of brutality that reminded me of Che.

Apart wishes that The Wachowskis really stuck with the source material instead of reinventing (or retooling) some of the characters. In the end though, it was still a solid film compared to what the genre had unleashed with Spiderman 3, Batman Forever, Ghost Rider, Punisher: Warzone, Green Lantern, Batman & Robin, Superman III, X-Men 3, and Origins: Wolverine.

[El Payaso]

Nice list and all, but don't tell me anyone started to take IMDB's users opinions seriously.

[DoomsdayApex]

Originally Posted by El Payaso

Nice list and all, but don't tell me anyone started to take IMDB's users opinions seriously.

God no!

[CConn]

Originally Posted by Optimus_Prime_

Ghost World should probably be higher. Been a long while since I saw it, but it's pretty underrated. Honestly Hulk should be higher. There is a lot of hyperbolic hate that surrounds that film. It wasn't that bad just needed a much better and much less confusing third act.

Actually, I think you unwittingly stumbled upon the IMDB Ranking's greatest flaw; it measures entertainment value just as much as it does quality.

As good as Ghost World and American Splendor are, you'll never hear anyone say "aw ****, let's go watch Ghost World!!!" Yeah, no. That level of excitement is, generally, reserved for Spider-Man or Batman, etc. And the only other non-superhero movies that come close to topping the list, are very action-packed, exciting movies like Scott Pilgrim or Sin City.

Which, I don't particularly have a problem with when all is said and done. Entertainment value and rewatchability are very underrated aspects in film.

[Optimus_Prime_]

Eh? I dunno. Give and take. Part of the reason I don't rewatch No Country For Old Men is because the movie is emotionally depressing and then I think about it forever. Part of the reason I watch Spider-Man is I can just watch it and zone out. So I mean that's not necessarily a testament to it's quality. Then again porn is emotionally draining too.

[CConn]

Originally Posted by Optimus_Prime_

Eh? I dunno. Give and take. Part of the reason I don't rewatch No Country For Old Men is because the movie is emotionally depressing and then I think about it forever. Part of the reason I watch Spider-Man is I can just watch it and zone out. So I mean that's not necessarily a testament to it's quality. Then again porn is emotionally draining too.

Um, that's exactly what I was saying.

Except for the porn thing. That's just you being a moron.

[Optimus_Prime_]

Originally Posted by DoomsdayApex

@Optimus:

I agree with you that The Wachowskis should have kept some of the material from the graphic novel, especially when arriving to V as a character. I love the fact that Moore displayed the characters as extremely flawed human beings in times of uncertainty -- it's what made the novel so relatable to readers.

Yet, V (the film version) was, in his own right, a fascinating character. While he wasn't exactly the most accurate portrayal or representation, he was alluring and he still upheld a level of brutality that reminded me of Che.

Apart wishes that The Wachowskis really stuck with the source material instead of reinventing (or retooling) some of the characters. In the end though, it was still a solid film compared to what the genre had unleashed with Spiderman 3, Batman Forever, Ghost Rider, Punisher: Warzone, Green Lantern, Batman & Robin, Superman III, X-Men 3, and Origins: Wolverine.

I can't disagree with the last part. No, it's not terrible but highly overrated for something that declaws a great story. I think the only decent Moore flick so far is WATCHMEN, especially the extra extra long version, and even that is slightly south of where it could be. V for Vendetta though, to me, is Wanted. Sure Wanted is fun but the concept is so neutered you almost wish it was worse so they'd have another try at it. V is an Aronofsky flick. Someone willing to tackle something so discomforting.