My Rant on comic movie purists

[Peyton Westlake]

My rant about comic fans & their movies
by : Peyton Westlake

In 1978 I saw Superman : the Movie for the 1st time. After it was over, I was overwhelmed at how great it was. A super hero film 30 years ago, with those effects I was truly blown away by the grand scale of it. And I was SO sure that Superman was the start of an avalanche of super hero movies. I thought Hollywood finally saw the earning power of super heroes as movie properties. It left me thirsting for more. Then Superman II was released and I thought it was better then the 1st [ I know some will disagree] Then we got nothing for years & wondered what was wrong?

Now fast forward 30 years later and we have more super hero movies then ever imagined & all we do is complain???? Because some heroes origins are not exactly followed to a ‘T’ ? Do you think it is possible to get 40 years of comic history in a 2 hour movie? It’s impossible, WAKE UP !! I understand you fan boys want ‘your’ hero but think of this. Movie studios are a business. They want the best profit they can get for their money. Now even though they may change things that drive you crazy, it gets your hero on the screen.

Do you think ANYONE has ever read about Blade before the movie was made? He didn’t even start as a hero with his own comic. But look how Blade turned out, I thought all 3 movies were pretty damn good. No one seemed to complain they changed Iron Man to a Middle East setting rather then it being set in ‘Nam like it was originally written. And Iron Man was one of the best comic movies filmed.

Now I know some comic movies deviate more from the origin then others but to get them on the screen finally, is it really such a bad thing? Now, think of this. Do you really think EVERY director out there is an avid comic fan? No. And I know you will say that is why they should not helm the project to begin with but I don’t think any comic movie out there is that unwatchable. Some are better then others of course, just like some novel adaptions are better then others. But to me, it is a small price to pay for seeing your hero on the screen. So, sit back. Relax. And enjoy the times of our lives in a comic dominated time. And STOP complaining!

Does anyone agree?

 

[Kargo Warrior]

My rant about comic fans & their movies
by : Peyton Westlake

In 1978 I saw Superman : the Movie for the 1st time. After it was over, I was overwhelmed at how great it was. A super hero film 30 years ago, with those effects I was truly blown away by the grand scale of it. And I was SO sure that Superman was the start of an avalanche of super hero movies. I thought Hollywood finally saw the earning power of super heroes as movie properties. It left me thirsting for more. Then Superman II was released and I thought it was better then the 1st [ I know some will disagree] Then we got nothing for years & wondered what was wrong?

Now fast forward 30 years later and we have more super hero movies then ever imagined & all we do is complain???? Because some heroes origins are not exactly followed to a ‘T’ ? Do you think it is possible to get 40 years of comic history in a 2 hour movie? It’s impossible, WAKE UP !! I understand you fan boys want ‘your’ hero but think of this. Movie studios are a business. They want the best profit they can get for their money. Now even though they may change things that drive you crazy, it gets your hero on the screen.

Do you think ANYONE has ever read about Blade before the movie was made? He didn’t even start as a hero with his own comic. But look how Blade turned out, I thought all 3 movies were pretty damn good. No one seemed to complain they changed Iron Man to a Middle East setting rather then it being set in ‘Nam like it was originally written. And Iron Man was one of the best comic movies filmed.

Now I know some comic movies deviate more from the origin then others but to get them on the screen finally, is it really such a bad thing? Now, think of this. Do you really think EVERY director out there is an avid comic fan? No. And I k now you will say that is why they should not helm the project to begin with but I don’t think any comic movie out there is that unwatchable. Some are better then others of course, just like some novel adaptions are better then others. But to me, it is a small price to pay for seeing your hero on the screen. So, sit back. Relax. And enjoy the times of our lives in a comic dominated time. And STOP complaining!

Does anyone agree?

Complaining and discussing are 2 different things,though sometimes even complaining is not so bad...imagine a world where everyone would be happy and ultimately satisfied with Catwoman and Batman and Robin t:

There are of course some pretty bad,some pretty good and some great CB movies but it's not possible not to complain sometimes...i'm sure Punisher and Fantastic 4 fans have a rightfull reason to.

I can understand if the main target of the complaints was something like The Joker not being perma-white or Iron Man not being in Vietnam but when a movie disappoints and is not able to achieve certain qualities that the source material presents...it's difficult to stay silent to.

 

[Peyton Westlake]

Complaining and discussing are 2 different things,though sometimes even complaining is not so bad...imagine a world where everyone would be happy and ultimately satisfied with Catwoman and Batman and Robin t:

There are of course some pretty bad,some pretty good and some great CB movies but it's not possible not to complain sometimes...i'm sure Punisher and Fantastic 4 fans have a rightfull reason to.

I put this in my argument.....Some are better then others of course, just like some novel adaptions are better then others.

 

[Kargo Warrior]

Some are better then others of course, just like some novel adaptions are better then others.

Well some of those movies have no/little qualities...Batman and Robin does not make the character/mythos of Batman any justice,it's terrible as a stand alone movie...so it's natural to complain about it for something that we got later like BB or TDK.

It's like cheering your sports team no matter whether they lose every game...if they do,it's normal to complain,to want a trade,a better player,coach,etc...because in the end you want your team to be great,not mediocre for the sake of just playing.

Same thing with CB movies and movies in general(Bond,Star Wars,etc...)

 

[Peyton Westlake]

Well some of those movies have no/little qualities...Batman and Robin does not make the character/mythos of Batman any justice,it's terrible as a stand alone movie...so it's natural to complain about it for something that we got later like BB or TDK.

It's like cheering your sports team no matter whether they lose every game...if they do,it's normal to complain,to want a trade,a better player,coach,etc...because in the end you want your team to be great,not mediocre for the sake of just playing.

Same thing with CB movies and movies in general(Bond,Star Wars,etc...)

But you support your team no matter what. They may be terrible but you dont turn your cheek on them.

 

[Gilpesh]

But you support your team no matter what. They may be terrible but you dont turn your cheek on them.

When your team performs like Catwoman... you do.

 

[chaseter]

Tom Rothman approves of this thread.

 

[Peyton Westlake]

When your team performs like Catwoman... you do.

Is natural to vent your frustration but Catwoman is not the norm for CB movies.

 

[chaseter]

Is natural to vent your frustration but Catwoman is not the norm for CB movies.

Stop complaining

 

[Gilpesh]

Is natural to vent your frustration but Catwoman is not the norm for CB movies.

Yeah it is. A stripped down version of the comic or even a story unrelated to the comic that then just gets to throw the name on at the last minute, used as a starring vehicle for whatever IT person is around at the time.

But luckily there have been a lot of gems where the people involved ended up actually wanting to respect the comic and make a good adaptation... which recently has become more and more popular way of making a comic book movie.

And yes, there's still a few 'Wanted's in there every so often.

 

[Peyton Westlake]

Stop complaining

is my whole point ,

 

[chaseter]

is my sarcasm

 

[Peyton Westlake]

is my sarcasm

well Glad Rothman approves,lol

 

[K.B.]

Originally Posted by Peyton Westlake
Is natural to vent your frustration but Catwoman is not the norm for CB movies.

Your wrong. There are far more CB movies like Catwoman then there are like Iron Man, Superman, etc.

 

[Peyton Westlake]

Your wrong. There are far more CB movies like Catwoman then there are like Iron Man, Superman, etc.

I dont agree with you there. I'd bet if you listed them and just gave a thumbs or down, 60% or more would be avg. or better.

 

[K.B.]

Ok well you make a list of every comic based film and what you'd rate it and everyone else will reply to your list with the tumbs up or down theroy and you will see A LOT more thumbs down then up.

 

[Gilpesh]

I dont agree with you there. I'd bet if you listed them and just gave a thumbs or down, 60% or more would be avg. or better.

No u: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_based_on_English-language_comics

And that's just the English ones.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

You thought the 3rd Blade movie was good? *shutters*

If a movie satasfies me I don't care if everything is like the comic. I don't know s**t about stuff like Iron Man anyhow so I couldn't exactly complain about it not being faithful. I just know that I liked it alot eventhough I think that Iron Man's orgin story is incredibly dumb.

 

[TNC9852002]

My rant about comic fans & their movies
by : Peyton Westlake

In 1978 I saw Superman : the Movie for the 1st time. After it was over, I was overwhelmed at how great it was. A super hero film 30 years ago, with those effects I was truly blown away by the grand scale of it. And I was SO sure that Superman was the start of an avalanche of super hero movies. I thought Hollywood finally saw the earning power of super heroes as movie properties. It left me thirsting for more. Then Superman II was released and I thought it was better then the 1st [ I know some will disagree] Then we got nothing for years & wondered what was wrong?

Now fast forward 30 years later and we have more super hero movies then ever imagined & all we do is complain???? Because some heroes origins are not exactly followed to a ‘T’ ? Do you think it is possible to get 40 years of comic history in a 2 hour movie? It’s impossible, WAKE UP !! I understand you fan boys want ‘your’ hero but think of this. Movie studios are a business. They want the best profit they can get for their money. Now even though they may change things that drive you crazy, it gets your hero on the screen.

Do you think ANYONE has ever read about Blade before the movie was made? He didn’t even start as a hero with his own comic. But look how Blade turned out, I thought all 3 movies were pretty damn good. No one seemed to complain they changed Iron Man to a Middle East setting rather then it being set in ‘Nam like it was originally written. And Iron Man was one of the best comic movies filmed.

Now I know some comic movies deviate more from the origin then others but to get them on the screen finally, is it really such a bad thing? Now, think of this. Do you really think EVERY director out there is an avid comic fan? No. And I k now you will say that is why they should not helm the project to begin with but I don’t think any comic movie out there is that unwatchable. Some are better then others of course, just like some novel adaptions are better then others. But to me, it is a small price to pay for seeing your hero on the screen. So, sit back. Relax. And enjoy the times of our lives in a comic dominated time. And STOP complaining!

Does anyone agree?

Organic webshooters FTW.

-TNC

 

[Peyton Westlake]

Ok well you make a list of every comic based film and what you'd rate it and everyone else will reply to your list with the tumbs up or down theroy and you will see A LOT more thumbs down then up.

The point is not to complain when a movie here & there isnt up to par with fanboys who cant be pleased no matter what is done. I said I know some are bad but there are bad Bond movies [all of Moore's] but u just endure.

 

[Peyton Westlake]

Organic webshooters FTW.

-TNC

If you think about it, Parker should have organic webs. He can scale walls , has spider sense , why didnt Stan Lee make him have natural webs too?

 

[K.B.]

I am convinced your just trippin' balls on payote buttons.

 

[Peyton Westlake]

I am convinced your just trippin' balls on payote buttons.

No, quite sober.

 

[hippie_hunter]

My rant about comic fans & their movies
by : Peyton Westlake

In 1978 I saw Superman : the Movie for the 1st time. After it was over, I was overwhelmed at how great it was. A super hero film 30 years ago, with those effects I was truly blown away by the grand scale of it. And I was SO sure that Superman was the start of an avalanche of super hero movies. I thought Hollywood finally saw the earning power of super heroes as movie properties. It left me thirsting for more. Then Superman II was released and I thought it was better then the 1st [ I know some will disagree] Then we got nothing for years & wondered what was wrong?

Now fast forward 30 years later and we have more super hero movies then ever imagined & all we do is complain???? Because some heroes origins are not exactly followed to a ‘T’ ? Do you think it is possible to get 40 years of comic history in a 2 hour movie? It’s impossible, WAKE UP !! I understand you fan boys want ‘your’ hero but think of this. Movie studios are a business. They want the best profit they can get for their money. Now even though they may change things that drive you crazy, it gets your hero on the screen.

Do you think ANYONE has ever read about Blade before the movie was made? He didn’t even start as a hero with his own comic. But look how Blade turned out, I thought all 3 movies were pretty damn good. No one seemed to complain they changed Iron Man to a Middle East setting rather then it being set in ‘Nam like it was originally written. And Iron Man was one of the best comic movies filmed.

Now I know some comic movies deviate more from the origin then others but to get them on the screen finally, is it really such a bad thing? Now, think of this. Do you really think EVERY director out there is an avid comic fan? No. And I k now you will say that is why they should not helm the project to begin with but I don’t think any comic movie out there is that unwatchable. Some are better then others of course, just like some novel adaptions are better then others. But to me, it is a small price to pay for seeing your hero on the screen. So, sit back. Relax. And enjoy the times of our lives in a comic dominated time. And STOP complaining!

Does anyone agree?

I really doubt that many people demand comic book films should be perfect to a "T". Nolan's Batman films, the first two Spider-Man films, Iron Man, and Superman the Movie are pretty much the perfect adaptations for those characters. Thor and Green Lantern look to be the same as well. Could there have been some stuff that would have made them more faithful and probably even better. Sure. But really, what we have here is pretty damn good.

Most comic book film fans like myself are realistic and know that in order to translate onto film there have to be changes such as Batman's costume not being grey, Spider-Man having organic webbing, Iron Man having his origin in Afghanistan, etc. Changes like these are absolutely necessary. But overall and most importantly, they capture the spirit of the characters from the comics.

Movies that star characters with 40-70 years worth of history and stories cannot be 100% faithful.

Or there's cases like with the Hellboy movies where the creator wants differences and original stories so people can see the Hellboy comics and Hellboy movies as two completely different things.

People like myself complain when we see movies like X-Men: The Last Stand, the Fantastic Four films, Batman Forever, Superman II, Spider-Man 3, and Daredevil (the last three which I liked) being severely hindered because of studio interference when they could have been much better. And we complain when there are movies like Batman & Robin, Catwoman, Superman III and IV, Spawn, and the Spirit which should have never been made to begin with.

Honestly the only types of movies that should be perfect to a "T" are finite stories like Watchmen (which we are pretty much getting for the most part), V for Vendetta (great movie, but it's pretty clear that the Wachowskis didn't get it), 300 (which we got even though Snyder added stuff to make it longer), etc.

I really don't get how people have this image that fans of comic book films are a bunch of whiney *****es who go off complaining about the smallest of things. We really only complain when there is something to legitimately complain about.

 

[Sentinel X]

^^ Wait you think Superman 3 should have never been made? Why?
Don't get me wrong, Superman 3 is atrocious...but I think a Superman 3 should have been made, it just should have been A LOT better however. I would have loved to see a superman 3 that could stand as a worthy sequel next to the first two.
BTW: Peyton Westlake, I also think Superman II is better than the first


I think at first...when this superhero movie craze first started (With X-men 2000), some comic book fans were just overly picky. They complained about not having the uncanny suits, that archangel and beast weren't there before storm, etc etc....just stupid things that didn't necessarily make the movie worse. The same for Hulk 2003, they complained about him growing when angry, too tall, too green, etc. And Spider-man 2002: Organic webshooters!?!, Mary Jane instead of Gwen Stacy, etc.

Complaints like those were very annoying because they deemed the film as 'bad' based on these few minor things. However, nowadays I think it is not like that anymore...Most fanboys seem to now understand that they will never get the perfect comic book adaptations because they are just that...ADAPTATIONS. This is why people were really open to the changes in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. And although I don't read Iron Man comics, Im sure there were a few changes and saw very little complaints.

I think now its more about making an actual good film. Of course if the charecter is drastically changed then they will get upset (ala Catwoman 2004.......who was that? )