The Adventures of Tintin (2011): Based on Herge's comic books
Directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Peter Jackson, the performance capture 3D film is based on two Tintin stories: The Crab With The Golden Claws and The Secret Of The Unicorn. Jamie Bell plays the intrepid reporter and Andy Serkis, Captain Haddock. Snowy is entirely CGI while detectives Thompson and Thomson are played by comedians Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Daniel Craig plays a double role in the movie – he appears as bygone pirate Red Rackham and as Ivan Sakharine, the primary antagonist. The Bird Brothers, who were the original villains in The Secret Of The Unicorn, do not appear in the film. Also written out is the drug trafficking plotline from the original The Crab With The Golden Claws story.
The Dark Knight (2008): Based on the DC Comics character Batman
Gotham's caped crusader has been played by many different actors and in as many different ways, from Adam West's camp portrayal in the TV series to George Clooney's swashbuckling version in Joel Schumacher's big screen Batman & Robin. But it was Christian Bale's outing in the Christopher Nolan reboot of the franchise that skyrocketed Batman from cartoon character to serious superhero. The Dark Knight, Nolan's blockbuster follow up to Batman Begins, is widely acknowledged to lead the superhero movie pack by critics and fans alike. Bale's portrayal of Batman as a savior ridden with his own demons is matched by Heath Ledger's career best performance as the menacing Joker and a stellar supporting cast of Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two Face, Gary Oldman as police chief Gordon, and Maggie Gyllenhaal as Batman's prospective love interest Rachel Dawes.
Superman (1978): Based on the DC Comics character created by Siegel and Shuster
Before the relatively unknown Christopher Reeve was cast as The Man Of Steel, over 200 actors were considered for the role including – Robert Redford, Sylvester Stallone, Paul Newman and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Reeve, who was a dead ringer for the comic character with his dark hair and blue eyes, undertook a punishing exercise regimen to beef up for the role. The cast also inclided Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and Marlon Brando as Superman's birth father Jor-El. When it released, Superman was an instant blockbuster and was placed among the top ten movies of the year by critics. Uniquely among the superhero genre, elements from the movie were incorporated into the comic book series – for instance, the fact that Lois Lane is the first give Superman his name and the artificial version of Jor-El who survives in the Fortress of Solitude to advise his son.
Iron Man (2008): Based on the Marvel Comics character created by Stan Lee
This is the film that resurrected Robert Downey Jr from Hollywood obscurity. In Jon Favreau's big screen adaptation, Downey Jr stars as genius inventor and industrialist Tony Stark who builds a powered metal suit that allows him to fly and fight. Also starring Gwyneth Paltrow as Stark's personal assistant Pepper Potts, Terrence Howard as best bud Colonel James Rhodes, Jeff Bridges as eventual antagonist Obadiah Stane and Paul Bettany as the voice of artificial intelligence computer program JARVIS, Iron Man opened to rave reviews and full cinemas. The movie spawned a sequel and Robert Downey Jr has signed on for a second sequel as well as a movie adaptation of The Avengers, which will bring together a team of superheroes that include Captain America and The Incredible Hulk in addition to Iron Man.
Asterix at the Olympic Games (2006): Based on the characters created by Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
Very loosely adapted from the original comic, the French film follows Asterix and Obelix as they compete in and win the Olympic Games to help their friend Lovesix, who doesn't feature in the book, marry Princess Irina, also not in the book. A subplot involves Brutus who uses every trick he can to have his team win the Games, and also get rid of Julius Caesar. The movie is peopled with French greats including Gerard Depardieu as Obelix, Clovis Cormillac as Asterix and Alain Delon as Caesar. The movie also features a cameo by Michael Schumacher as a chariot race driver, and brief appearances by footballer Zinedine Zidane, tennis player Amelie Mauresmo and basketball star Tony Parker.
Sin City (2005): Based on the graphic novel series by Frank Miller Noir thriller Sin City is a fan favourite for its remarkable visual treatment. Shot in black and white with touches of colour, the film weaves four parallel plotlines together and stars an ensemble cast of Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba and Elijah Wood among others. Critically acclaimed for staying true to the original storylines and the stylized graphic novel look, Sin City now occupies an unshakeable place on most cult movie lists.
X-Men (2000): Based on the Marvel Comics characters created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
The first of a blockbuster series, X-Men picked Wolverine as the main mutant hero from the comic book universe. Also featuring, Professor X, Magneto, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Rogue, Storm and Mystique, the film stayed true to plotlines and characterization but chose not to replicate the original costumes with their blue and yellow colour scheme. Heavily dependent on prosthetics and special make up, the film required 700 replicas of Wolverine's arm to be made for star Hugh Jackman and his stunt doubles. As shapeshifter Mystique, actress Rebecca Romijn had to wear 110 prosthetic pieces which took 9 hous to apply.
Blade (1998): Based on the Marvel Comics character
Wesley Snipes plays the half human, half vampire superhero in the smash hit adaptation that was the first of a successful trilogy. The movie version of Blade differs from the comic book version in some essential ways: Movie Blade has superhuman powers and is half a vampire himself while Comic Book Blade has no superpowers, relying on skills instead, and is immune to a vampire's bite. Stephen Dorff co-stars as the villainous vampire, Frost. Adult film actress Traci Lords makes a notable cameo appearance as a seductive vampire. Blade was the first superhero movie to strike box office gold after a series of disasters including Batman & Robin, and as such inspired the development of the X-Men and Spiderman franchises.
300 (2006): Based on the graphic novel series by Frank Miller
Blending history, fantasy and action, 300 tells the story of the Battle Of Thermoplylae in which Spartan King Leonidas leads 300 soldiers into an unequal skirmish with the million strong Persian army. Starring Gerard Butler as Leonidas, the film was an instant box office hit. It was especially acclaimed for it's visual treatment which allowed it to mimic the original graphic novel's illustrative look. Beloved though it was by fans, the movie was strongly criticized by scholars for being historically inaccurate.
Kick Ass (2010): Based on the Marvel Comics characters created by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr.
A tongue in cheek look at the superhero genre, Kick Ass won wide critical acclaim coupled with some controversy for the use of violence and profanity by a child star. Aaron Johnson stars as an ordinary teenager who wants to become a crime fighter and gets caught between a larger war between a local druglord and vigilantes Big Daddy and his 11 year old daughter, Hit Girl. The contemporary story struck an instant chord with the modern Internet-using generation of moviegoers, although critical response was a mixed bag especially in relation to the characterization of the underage, foulmouthed Hit Girl.
