The Best of Comic Book & Superhero Films

The film that marked the journey of The Avengers together on screen, the Super Hero team-up of a lifetime. Iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor and Captain America assemble for the first time ever in this new action-packed Marvel saga directed by Joss Whedon. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself needing a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster.

V for Vendetta is one of the best and highest rated film in general, not just a comic book or superhero film. The plot is set in a British dystopian future where we meet a mysterious freedom fighter, donning a mask of Guy Fawkes, bent on revenge, or vendetta, and all words starting with the letter V. He is powerfully voiced by Hugo Weaving, but Natalie Portman also shines bright by his side as Evey, a working-class girl caught up in the fight against the Big Brother and totalitarian government. V for Vendetta film is based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore, but the screenplay came from the capable hands of Lilly and Lana Wachowski. The team completed with director James McTeigue delivers a highly stylized and visually stunning motion picture. You can check it out on DVD/Blu-ray and enjoy in some special features as well: designing the near future, cat power montage, SNL digital short, etc.

Zack Snyder's Watchmen belongs in the few comic book/superhero films set in the past. Precisely, in an alternative 1985 where superheroes live as a part of the society. Watchmen is a group of those superheroes whose mission is to watch over the humanity (hence the name). The plot begins when one of their colleagues is murdered, and a vigilante named Rorschach chooses to investigate it further. Even though it's set in an alternate universe, there is a Cold War tension between the USA and the Soviet Union. This is especially demonstrated with the existence of the "Doomsday Clock" which is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. Director Zack Snyder managed to bring together a nice cast, including Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson, Carla Cugino and Stephen McHattie. To make it even more fun, among special features you can find bonus material such as The Phenomenon: The Comic That Changed Comics and Real Superheroes, Real Vigilantes.

It seems few people know that Road to Perdition is actually a comic book film. It is based on a graphic novel by Max Allan Colling and Richard Piers Rayner, and is brought to screen by David Self and director Sam Mendes. The film is set during the period of Great Depression where we meet Mike Sullivan who works as a hit man for a notorious crime boss John Rooney. The trouble starts when Sullivan's son witnesses his crime and discovers what really his father does for a living. Their relationship is put to the test while trying to save their lives running from the mob as well as look for revenge on those who wronged him. In the main roles of Mike Sullivan and his son are ever great Tom Hanks and Tyler Hoechlin. There is more on DVD to keep you excited, from feature length audio commentary by director to HBO special: The making of Road Perdition.

Epic 300 is the film that put the director Zack Snyder on a map of sorts, after this he made Watchmen – another comic book film. While the story of 300 Spartans and the ancient Battle of Thermopylae originated in the Greek legend, it is based on the Frank Miller graphic novel. The film dazed with its camera work, production design, and cinematography in general, but it was the talented cast who made the film work as it did. It includes Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Dominic West, Michael Fassbender, Rodrigo Santoro – many actors who later on went to become quite big stars. We highly recommend the Blu-ray edition with behind the scenes look, additional scenes and various webisodes.

Modern Marvel Cinematic Universe is ever expanding, this time Doctor Strange stepping onto the silver screen. Formidable cast includes Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong and Mads Mikkelsen among others. The film follows Stephen Strange, a rather egoistic neurosurgeon who is left seriously injured after a car accident, and not being able to continue his work. He embarks on a journey to healing, which in turn leads him into the world of mystic arts. There he is drawn into the battle against menacing dark forces. On this mission, he displays (almost) full potential of his new powers. If you want the full Doctor Strange experience, rent it now on Blu-ray 3D and see the powerful magic of cinematography.