With two new terrible films entering theaters this week — the Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in kids' action film Race to Witch Mountain and the superfluous Last House on the Left remake — Peter Travers recommends that if you haven't seen Watchmen yet, you should. If you've already seen it, you could watch another of Travers' favorite comic-book films, which is the topic of this week's At The Movies.
They're two different Batman films made by two directors in two decades, but both The Dark Knight and Tim Burton's first Batman film top Travers' list of favorite comic-book adaptations. Travers praises the Dark Knight's dark portrayal of the comic and Heath Ledger's Academy Award-winning role as the Joker, while the original Batman featured a stand-out performance by Michael Keaton, still the best ever to don the cape. Other films on Travers' must-see list: Spider-Man 2, Iron Man and the monochromatic Sin City, which featured the true comeback of actor Mickey Rourke.
For every great comic book movie, there's 10 bad ones, and Travers has selected five of the worst to place into his Scum Bucket.
Fantastic Four starring Jessica Alba was one of the worst superhero films ever to hit the screen. But it made money, so producers decided it would be a good idea to make another, somehow ever worse sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. And now they're in the Scum Bucket, where they'll be joined by other duds like League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, an adaptation so bad that Watchmen creator Alan Moore wants nothing to do with Hollywood ever again, Stallone's Judge Dredd and the worst of the Batman saga, the George Clooney laughfest Batman & Robin.
Which great comic book films did Travers forget? Do you think Catwoman, Elektra and X-Men 3 are somehow worse than the Fantastic Four? Email the Rolling Stone movie critic at
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arroftCet | March 23, 2009 10:23 AM
Great...
Mike | March 18, 2009 11:38 PM
The ONLY good Marvel films are Blade (first one, duh) and Ironman.
Claydog | March 18, 2009 2:17 PM
How could leave out not only the 2 greatest comic movies of all time but the greatest films, V for Vendetta and the Road to Perdition>?
Oootaku | March 17, 2009 11:29 AM
Would Japanese comic books (manga) count? These less seen but superb manga adaptations are a delight to the senses:
1. OldBoy - This great revenge movie is awesome highlighted by a surprising twist near the end and the protagonist eating a live squid.
2. Akira - This animated movie broke grounds in visual presentation of the medium. Full of lights and colors while telling a complex story in postapocalypse NeoTokyo.
and on to the usual fare:
3. A History of Violence - Based on John Wagner's graphic novel. This violent but engaging movie will thrill and scare you.
4. American Splendor - Based on Harvey Pekar's comic book series, this piece masterfully weaves live-action, video and animation.
5. The Dark Knight - 'nuff said.
The last three benefited from the excellent performances of Vigo Mortensen, Paul Giamatti & Heath Ledger respectively.
The Worst movies would be: Catwoman, Batman & Robin, League of..., The Punisher and I'm guessing the new manga adaption Dragonball: Evolution really sucks too.
Emilio | March 16, 2009 10:31 PM
Best
Spiderman 2
The Dark Knight
X-Men 2
Iron Man
Superman
Good
Hellboy
Batman
Spider Man 1
Blade 2
Hulk (YES, I liked it!)
Bad
Blade 1
X Men 3
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Superman 3
Punisher
Worst
Daredevil
Catwoman
Elektra
Fantastic Four
Batman & Robin
Leftdowns:
Spiderman 3
Watchmen
Best Batman
1. Michael Keaton (No doubt about it)
2. Val Kilmer
3. Adam West
4. Christian Bales (Hate the "bat voice")
4. George Clooney
Peter | March 16, 2009 6:33 PM
I know its supposed to be a list of "comic book" movies, but out of respect to Road to Perdition, 300 and the like, I chose to limit my list to "Superhero" films. I'm surprised that I don't see any mentions of Brad Bird's "The Incredibles," which is arguably the best superhero film of them all.
The Best:
The Incredibles
The Dark Night
X-Men 2
Superman
Ironman
Hellboy
The worst are generally obvious, but I suggest a few "Most overrated":
Superman Returns (Not only does it compete with Reeve's iconic performance, but who knew Superman was a stalker?)
Batman (despite a few good films, Burton is one of the most overrated filmmakers. All breathtaking style; little substance and virtually no ability to tell a cohesive story)
Batman Begins (great start but spirals out of control; not a train wreck, but overrated)
Superman 2 (A tragic, disrespectful decent into camp; We missed you Richard Donner!)
X-men 1 (Bryan Singer basically filmed a comic book, never realizing that a comic book and a story board are 2 different things; thankfully, he got it right for #2).
Chuck | March 16, 2009 6:23 PM
I have to say (again), I'm so sick of hearing how good the Dark Knight was (yawn!). Too long, too boring, and The girl playing the love interest was about as charming and chrismatic as a pile of bat poop. So glad when she died in the film! The bat suit design was crappy, should have been called Bat-Iron-Man. I'm sure most of you have seen the fan made film Batman: Dead End by now (and if you haven't, get on You Tube and watch it!), The Batman and Joker in that surpass anything The Dark Knight had to offer.
John S | March 16, 2009 3:50 PM
How could he leave "Superman" off the best list?
Christopher Reeve and Gene Hackman were brilliant!!!
Anonymous | March 16, 2009 2:53 PM
V for Vendetta peoples!!!
St. Robinson | March 16, 2009 1:43 PM
Oh yeah, MB reminded me (thanks):
The Crow and X-Men 2 should go on the best list, while X-Men 3 clearly goes on the worst, which is a shame, because it could've been great, and the casting of Kelsey Grammar as Beast, Ellen Page as Kitty Pride, and Vinnie Jones as Juggernaut was all brilliant. I was hugely disappointed.
St. Robinson | March 16, 2009 1:41 PM
I just want to know who Peter gets in trouble with when he mentions Sin City...I think that's a lock for at least the top 10 best; who doesn't like it?
Good ones not mentioned: V For Vendetta, Dick Tracy (does that count? I'm not sure), and Cronenberg's A History of Violence, which I was very surprised Peter didn't mention.
Bad ones not mentioned: The Shadow, remember that? Ghost Rider, The Incredible Hulk (which one? Pick one...or better yet pick all of them, from Bill Bixby to Ed Norton), and how could we forget Daredevil? By saying its name I broke a pack I made to myself after I left the theater when I saw it to never speak that dreaded name again.
MB | March 16, 2009 12:36 PM
I cant believe no one mentioned the disaster which is Ghost Rider. Also Dick Tracy was great!
Wolverine:From the previews this looks to be one of the best comic book movies of all time!
Best:
Xmen 2
The Crow
Superman 1
Batman 1989
Dark Knight
Superman 2
Iron Man
Spin City
Dick Tracy
TMNT 1989
Good:
Incredible Hulk(New One)
Superman Returns
Spiderman 2
X men
TMNT 2 1991
Worst:
Ghostrider
Daredevil
Fantastic 4
Catwoman
Batman and Robin
The Spirit(havent seen it but from what I hear disaster)
George | March 16, 2009 3:28 AM
I'm SO glad, Mickey Rourke in Sin City was mentioned! I also wondered why everybody talked about The Wrestler as being his "comeback".
Anyway..best:
1.The Dark Knight.
2.Superman.
3. Spiderman 2.
4. Iron Man.
5.Watchmen.
Worst:
1.Batman & Robin.
2.Catwoman.
3.Tank girl.
4.Barb wire (The dreadful Pamela Anderson movie that I think was from a comic book but I might be wrong).Either way it's painful.
5. Judge Dredd/Daredevil-neither one is truly atrocious, but both are as far from the source material as it's possible to be).
Jamie | March 15, 2009 9:44 PM
By far the worst comic book movie is the Howard the Duck movie George Lucas made, BY FAR. Second Ghostrider was pretty bad. I personally cant see Niocolas Cage playing this bad ass fire demon man. I dont think it works. Catwoman was quite bad too. I dont think the first new Fantastic 4 movie was that bad though. I think its way better than the first fantastic 4 movie. I have to agree with your bests Travers. The Dark Knight brought a whole new intensity to the comic book movie. Iron Man was thrill ride throughout the movie and I loved Downey jr's sarcastic billionare tone. Also Iron Man is really the only great comic book movie about an ordinary person that can change the world. You just cant beat the train scene in Spidey 2; great special effects.
anonymous | March 15, 2009 7:52 PM
Why is no one talking about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? The first movie rocked my world as a kid. That shredder has to go down as one of the most awesome villains in comic book movies period. The scene on the rooftop at the end was great,
JP | March 15, 2009 7:20 PM
Best: 300
Tim Burton's Batman
Spiderman 2
Superman 2
Sin City
Good: Both Fantastic 4 movies
Spiderman
X-Men series
Batman Forever
Ghost World
Worst: Spiderman 3
Batman Begins (Christoper Nolon's series is the worst take on Batman I've seen so far.)
Elektra
Superman Returns
The So-Bad-That-I-Won't-Watch-It: Anything Punisher
Nick Fury (Hoff as Fury)
Early 90's Fantastic Four
Catwoman
Any Superman sequels except 2
WhiteVolta7 | March 15, 2009 6:20 PM
Best-
1. The Dark Knight, Batman Begins
2. Spider Man 1 and 2
3. Sin City
4. Batman
Mas o Menos-
1. Iron Man
2. X-men 1 and 2
3. Watchmen
4. 300
Puke-
1. Batman and Robin
2. X-men 3
3. Excessive amount of Marvel Remakes (Hulk, Daredevil, The Punisher, Fantastic Four.)
4. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
Luke | March 15, 2009 6:03 PM
Spiderman 3 has to be on the 5 worst. Has to. My fav's are (in no particular order) Batman, Batman Returns, Spiderman 2, 300, and The Dark Night.
omishboy1789 | March 15, 2009 4:47 PM
my favorite comic book movies
1. The dark knight
2. iron man
3. superman 1
4. spidey 2 and 1
least favorite
1.the spirit
2. fantastic four 2
3. superman returns
4. batman and robin
Jon G. | March 15, 2009 3:25 PM
P.S. "V For Vendetta" is one of my top five movies of all time.
Jon G. | March 15, 2009 3:24 PM
My takes on the takes of others:
Kilmer was vastly underrated in his lone Batman appearance, as he has been in other roles.
"Dick Tracy" was one of the worst movies I have ever seen.
"Superman 2" WAS damned good, and fun; Terence Stamp's performance as "Zod" was brilliant.
Someday, I will watch "Dark Knight" again on DVD - however, I was underwhelmed by it in IMAX. Perhaps there was just far too much hype.
I find "Sin City" to be riveting every single time that I watch it.
christian | March 15, 2009 2:19 PM
i remember feeling sick after i saw daredevil. it wasn't that i had great expectations and was disappointed. it was just categorically awful; acting, writing, directing, etc.
as for your list of favorites, there isn't any i disagree with. although, i would like the record to show that i, secretly, loved the ending to spiderman 3, despite the whole. road to perdition would make it onto my list. i'm a huge sam mendes enthusiast (waiting patiently for him to visit terrain outside of the dissolution of the american dream.)
on another note, you're the only critic i put any stock in. you're the primary reason i have a rolling stone subscription (not to take anything away from the music critics.).
wolverine | March 14, 2009 5:25 PM
Good choices for the top ones. Some others I'd like to mention include "Superman" (1978), both "Hellboys," "X-Men" and "X2: X-Men United," and "Batman Begins." For graphic novels, "V for Vendetta" should be on that list (though I know you think highly of it anyway). I'm not saying all of these movies are in "Dark Knight" territory, but they're quite good regardless.
TheDarkChrisKnight | March 14, 2009 4:16 PM
I agree with Travers's choices, I just disagree that Keaton is the best ever Batman. That title belongs to the great, and vastly underrated, Val Kilmer.
andrew | March 14, 2009 11:31 AM
spider man 3 was the worst movie ever made
Ryne Nelson | March 14, 2009 11:25 AM
Hey Peter, I agree with all your "bests," although, I'd throw in 300 in there as well. As for my "worst," it certainly goes to the 2004 film Catwoman that starred Halle Berry. Sure, she was in tight leather all film, but that didn't make up for how terrible it truly was. I'm sure you didn't see it, and if you somehow did--I apologize.
batlantern | March 14, 2009 10:21 AM
I will have to agree with you on the dark knight and batman being the best comic book movies. I would probably even say they are two of the best movies period. As for bad how on gods green earth could you forget The Phantom with Billy Zane it is just beyond horrible i would watch fantastic 4 several times to get out of one viewing of The Phantom. Also lets not forget about The Crow sequels taking a great performance by Brandon Lee and having soap opera actors trying to mimic it is just revolting. Last i would have to say this. Dolph Lundgren and The Punisher. I have said my peace
Famous Black Raincoat | March 14, 2009 6:24 AM
Best:
1)The Dark Knight- Best anyway you slice it. Bale is part akward, part psychotic, ALL intensity. He gives Ledger sooo much to play with as the Joker who sees Bats as his long lost soul mate! Best magic trick ever.
2)Batman Begins- Hey it threw a big "ka-pow!" in the face of Batman & Robin with all the madness of a drunken billionare burning down his home! Thats as impressive as it gets folks! This flick tricked us all. We thought we were going in to re-discover Batman and we wound up discovering Batman for the first time.
3)Superman 2 (Donner Cut)- Remember the heartbreak! And remember the triumph. The greatest Super-Man movie ever. EVER. No one can stop this baby! Not Kyptonite. Not Super-Villians. Not even Hollywood producers!
4)Batman '89- An inspired dark spin on the 60's TV show. Aside from the clashing charismas of Keaton/Nicholson.
5)Iron Man- They stuck to the source material and its a cool story- though a Tony Stark hmmm...*cough!* Bruce Wayne! *cough!* but here...90% of directing is CASTING. This movie wouldn't even place without Robert Downey Jr.!
6)The Crow- It rolled the dice, reinventing the new wave/punk themes in the comic with Goths and Grunge and won big.
7)X-Men 2- So good, after this, Singer believed he could do almost ANYthing at all.
8)Watchmen- Snyder's super-sized movie vs. Moore's sprawling character epic plays out like an arguement between the decadent Ozymandias and uncompromising Rorshache. Snyder fought the good fight to keep the story line loyal to Alan Moore but his matrix action and beligerent color scheming calls too much attention to itself- He's Baz Lurman for homo-phobes. He could have just as easily entrusted the magic to his stellar cast. And they are STELLAR.
9)Hulk (Ang Lee) I'M DEAD SERIOUS. This is an ART piece. Unfortunate since it also happened to target the 'Hulk Smash' demographic.
10)Spider-Man (until Defoe the Green Power Ranger comes in- after that, you can keep the franchise). I saw the crap parade waaaay before Spidey turned 2 and 3.
Worst:
Tie!
1)Batman And Robin: Kilmer is the worst Batman. Clooney happened to get THE worst movie! He's a great Bruce wayne- he IS Bruce Wayne. For the record, both Kilmer and Clooney had rubber nipples- which aren't a problem in themselves, just proof that the director didn't have his priorities straight. Its hard to say what is the absolute worst thing but I would have to say the hammy as all that is unholy Uma Thurman grates on me just past Alicia Silverstone who is barely in the movie anyway.
1)Captian America- no acting, no story, no special effects. nothing here. At least Catwoman's kinda hot.
2)Catwoman- But she looks reeeeeally rediculous too.
3)The Punisher (Lungdren)
4)The Punisher (Jane)
5)The Punisher War Zone
God help the Punisher! GOD HELP THE PUNISHER! He started in the comics as a villian out to shoot Spider-Man! Then his character became juicey and complex. Respect your source material Marvel! That alone would be more interesting than any of these Frank Castle disasters.
jayw | March 14, 2009 12:09 AM
batman's costume looks too heavy and bulky-i find it hard to believe he can be quick and agile in it. also, the new batmobile is the ugliest most ridiculous vehicle i have ever seen!!
superman 2 is best;
fantastic four movies are worst
Dave | March 13, 2009 11:34 PM
Best:
Oldboy
The Crow
Blade
Dick Tracy
The Dark Knight
Watchmen
American Splendor
Road To Perdition
Ghost World
A History of Violence
Worst:
all x-men
fantastic four
steel
catwoman
spawn
basser | March 13, 2009 3:20 PM
I agree about the Christopher Reeve reference. The first two Superman movies - 1978's "Superman" and 1980's (1981 in USA) "Superman II" are the two best Superman movies of all time, and are worthy of being high on the list. Go to any walmart and you'll see 1,001 copies of "Superman Returns" on DVD for $5. Not so with the first two Reeve movies (admittedly, Superman III and IV were poopie)
I always went back and forth on 1989's "Batman." I think Keaton is great, and so was Nicholson, but something always left me a little cold about that movie (Prince's song; Kim Basinger, maybe?) It's not a bad movie, but better than "Superman" and "Superman II" and "Batman Begins"? I dunno about that.
maverick | March 13, 2009 3:03 PM
other possible bests:
The Crow
Blade--the first one was the best,
Batman Begins, The Dark Knight--agree,
Wanted was decent
Worsts: Spawn, Punisher--either one, Captain America, Dick Tracy,
not a movie, a cartoon series--WildCATS
Tequila Mockingbird | March 13, 2009 1:52 PM
Agree with The Dark Knight being high on the list (natch), but everyone should remember that without the success of the first Superman movie starring Christopher Reeves, we wouldn't even be discussing this genre right now. A little respect, if you like.
White Elephant | March 13, 2009 1:08 PM
You know what the world needs? More top ten lists. Peter, you're soooo creative.
PigDog | March 13, 2009 12:24 PM
I can't believe that no one has mentioned Superman: The Move yet. That is still the best comic book movie ever made.
Batman & Robin has to go down as the worst. X-Men 3 was disappointing, but I wouldn't call it 'bad'.
duh | March 13, 2009 11:07 AM
spider man 3 theres a fuckin dance scene in it
Adam | March 13, 2009 10:57 AM
Call me silly but I still to this day love "Mystery Men".
I don't know if I agree on Fantastic Four, it didn't really have a great story, or acting, but damn was it pretty.
Catwoman was probably the worse in my book...
John Proudstar | March 13, 2009 10:21 AM
X-Men III was very disappointing.
Nick Marino | March 13, 2009 10:07 AM
Travers... I'm sorry m'man... but your list sucks. It's just true.
Kevin | March 13, 2009 9:50 AM
As for horrible, anyone forgetting the recent The Spirit?
Jack Stark | March 13, 2009 8:32 AM
Peter, I think you left out a lot.
Possible Best Nominees:
300
A History of Violence
American Splendor
The Crow
Ghost World
Road To Perdition
Batman Begins
Dick Tracy
Superman series
Possible Worst:
Captain America
Catwoman
Electra
Daredevil
Howard the Duck
Josie and the Pussycats
The Punisher
CRobber | March 13, 2009 8:15 AM
Daredevil has to be one of the biggest letdowns.
I hear Marvel plans to reboot the Fantastic Four like they did the Hulk. Nowhere but up to go from there.
Eijnar Amadeus | March 13, 2009 4:39 AM
Guillermo Del Toro has done two great superhero movies: I think Hellboy II: The Golden Army is very good, full of imaginative fun. And there's Blade II, a action-horror sequel with an actually good Wesley Snipes.
Kevin the Robot | March 13, 2009 1:57 AM
Peter, where's the love for Superman I and II. I prefer the Richard Donner cut for the second movie. Which do you like?
B. Ratner | March 12, 2009 11:06 PM
X-Men Origins : Wolverine
rpriley01 | March 12, 2009 10:08 PM
right on the money on this one
JSuzart | March 12, 2009 9:04 PM
Tank Girl
Tank Girl
Tank Girl