Just A Thought | Summer of Comic Book Movie Love

Have you taken a look at how many comic book based (and other films that aim at the same fan base) films are coming out this summer?

A lot.

We have Green Lantern, Thor, X-Men: First Class, Captain America, Transformers 3, Cowboys and Aliens, Conan, the list is pretty big this year. So with everything floating around, I figured I’d give my opinion and thoughts on a few from this summer and few for next summer. Sound good?

The Green Hornet

I know this one is out already but I got a chance to see it this past weekend on a double date with my girlfriend Gen and our friends Brandon (who appears on the TATANS podcast a bit) and Nikki. Rather enjoyed it. The best way to describe the film is Batman is the ideal millionaire vigilante, The Green Hornet is probably closer to real life. I was initially a little hesitant about Seth Rogan and the film becoming an action comedy but honestly it was kind of a breath of fresh air in the superhero genre film. Well at least that’s what the four of us thought. It was a DVD buy for me at any rate.

The Dark Knight Rises

Anne Hathaway is perfect casting…and I’m not just saying that cause I have a bit of a crush but she’s a good actress that can easily play in a movie that is the bridge between super hero action flick and creative drama. The real interesting part is Tom Hardy as Bane. Tom’s a perfect fit assuming it’s more like the comic book version of Bane; very smart and very strong.  Remember, he’s one of the few Bat villains to figure out Bruce Wayne is Batman.

Green Lantern

Eh…I’ll see it but nothing really makes me excited for this film other than Mark Strong being Sinestro. I’ve never been a big Green Lantern fan, other than the O’Neil/Adams GL/GA run.

Thor

The easiest Marvel film to screw up because it’s the hardest film to make. Basically they have to do a film part super hero film and part Lord of the Rings. I’m dying to see this at the moment. Especially if we have more Kirby goodness like The Destroyer in the previews.

X-Men: First Class

Another film that might be interesting…or a complete train wreck. Mathew Vaughn is one of my favourite directors but I worry that they’re messing with continuity too much. While I’ll be the first to mention that films shouldn’t be strictly locked to the source material, there are a lot of things in here that wonder if it might be jumping the fence. But then again January Jones as Emma Frost…sorry…what was I talking about? Oh yeah Kevin Bacon as Sebastian Shaw may be a stroke of brilliance…or be so terrible it’ll be awesome.

Captain America

Can’t wait. Everything is as it should be. Captain America. A shield. World War II. Sweet.

Conan

As long as it has brutal head decapitations, I’ll be there. Although nothing will ever replace Arnie.

Transformers 3

Must admit, I like the trailer…but I liked the trailer to the last one and it was a big piece of crap. I think the problem is the trailers don’t seem to have a hell of a lot to do with the films themselves. Like remember that awesome trailer for the first film? Theme wise, it’s very similar to the current one.

Cowboys and Aliens

I think this is going to be this decade’s Men in Black. Based off a graphic novel very few people remember (but I still have my submission kit from Platinum Studios that came with some awesome Cowboys art) but turned into a film that looks pretty bad ass.