“Pick on someone your own size!” Ant-Man review

Director: Peyton Reed

Cast: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll, Evangeline Lilly, David Dastmalchian, Michael Pena, Bobby Cannavale, Abby Ryder Fortson, Judy Greer, Wood Harris, John Slattery, Gregg Turkington and T.I.

Rating: PG-13/12A

Running Time: 117 minutes

Just how do you follow one of the biggest superhero movies of all time? Go bigger, right? Wrong. Arriving straight off the back of megabucks super-sequel AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, you’d think the story of a low-life crook’s road to redemption was pretty small fry for the ever expanding Marvel cinematic universe. But you know what they say, good things come in small packages, and ANT-MAN is no exception.

Hilarious, heroic and full of heart, ANT-MAN more than measures up to its super-powered peers as one of Marvel’s most enjoyable films to date.

Bringing the MCU’s Phase Two to an end, ANT-MAN feels more like a fresh start than the closing of a grand chapter. But it’s just what the doctor ordered after Tony Stark’s evil A.I. went rogue and levelled an entire city. This film has a human core. Well, sure, there’s ants too.

Enter Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) – a jailbird who vows to go straight for the sake of his daughter. But hard times and the thrill of one more bust pulls Lang back into the world of crime. The loot, however, isn’t a safe full of money. Nor is it precious stones from galaxies far, far away. Little does he know that the beat up black & red leather suit he finds is actually the creation of super scientist Dr Hank Pym (Michael Douglas).

(With great power, comes great responsibi – oh dammit wrong film! Michael Douglas’ Hank Pym mentors the new Ant-Man.)

Donning the suit, helmet ‘n’ all, Lang discovers that this is no ordinary outfit – shrinking down to the size of an insect at the touch of a button, giving him super-strength and the ability to communicate with ants! Busting him out of jail, Pym recruits Lang as the ANT-MAN in order stop his former protégé, Darren Cross (HOUSE OF CARDS’ Corey Stoll), from weaponizing Pym’s greatest invention, the Pym particle.

It has to be said that whilst YES MAN director Peyton Reed’s film was never going to take itself too seriously, ANT-MAN is without doubt the funniest Marvel film yet. I mean, it’s pretty much an action-comedy and Reed absolutely nails it. Just how much of parting director and co-writer Edgar Wright’s (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, HOT FUZZ) script actually made it in to the film is something we’ll probably never know. Citing creative differences, Wright left the project weeks before filming was due to start.

But there’s no doubt that Wright’s presence can be felt throughout the film, as well as ANCHORMAN director Adam McKay’s, who adjusted the script with the delightfully funny and extremely well cast Paul Rudd. Marvelites will be licking their lips at the prospect of Rudd’s ANT-MAN, Downey Jr’s IRON MAN and Tom Holland’s new SPIDER-MAN firing jokes and trading insults in upcoming movies. I for one, can’t wait.

Staying with funny and almost stealing Rudd’s thunder, is the hilarious Michael Peña (END OF WATCH, FURY), who plays Lang’s burglar sidekick. Expect to see him again somewhere down the line in a Marvel feature.

(Thumbs up if you want to be an Avenger! Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang tries on the Ant-Man suit for size.)

Another masterstroke from Marvel was deciding to go for an older Hank Pym in Michael Douglas. Pym is the original ANT-MAN in the comics and one of the founding members of THE AVENGERS. Playing the role of mentor, the veteran actor still packs a punch, quite literally, and gives a real hearty performance. Pym’s daughter Hope, played by THE HOBBIT’s Evangeline Lilly, also plays a key role in proceedings. Expect to see her again in the future too.

We’ve seen dimensions intertwined and cities razed to the ground, but not until now have you seen the intricate details of carpet fibres! ANT-MAN boasts some of Marvel’s best visual effects yet and they’re even more astonishing in 3D.

With all six of its legs firmly placed in the MCU and with Rudd’s character set to appear in CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, ANT-MAN certainly feels like a movie that’d work just as brilliantly outside its larger canon. But whether you watch it as part of a Marvel marathon, or as a stand alone flick, ANT-MAN is this summer’s superhero sensation. And it won’t be squashed.

9/10

“If you step out that door, you’re an Avenger.” Avengers: Age of Ultron review.

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes re-assemble to save the world in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Joss Whedon’s Marvel-ous superhero sequel, Avengers: Age of Ultron, swoops in at a lengthy 2 hours and 21 minutes.  But you know what they say, time flies when you’re having fun, and Age of Ultron is exactly that.

The Avengers are back and well and truly assembled this time around, finding themselves up against a tyrannical artificial intelligence called Ultron (James Spader). Spawned from a programme designed by Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr) in order to protect the world form all things villain-y, Ultron sets out to destroy The Avengers and re-shape the world as he sees fit.

But hold on a minute! Let’s backtrack slightly. After taking care of Loki and bonding over Schawarma back in Avengers Assemble; Iron Man, Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), all went their separate ways.

Yet, they’ve clearly had time to attend the odd team-building weekend. The film’s grand opening introduces us to the fictional country Sokovia, where Earth’s Mightiest Heroes have come to recapture Loki’s sceptre from HYDRA baddie Baron von Strucker (Thomas Kretschmann).

(Strike a pose! Earth’s Mightiest plunge into battle)

After disposing of his henchmen with ease, and even posing for a team photo (not literally), the team hit a snag in the form of twins – Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Piotr Maximoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) – a.k.a Scarlett Witch and Quicksilver. (This Quicksilver is not to be confused with X-Men: Days of Future Past’s Quicksilver, played by Evan Peters, which is a completely different incarnation. You’re welcome).

The “he’s fast, she’s weird” combo prove a handful, especially when the latter messes with Iron Man’s mind revealing his fear of seeing his friends killed, which in turn, results in Mr Stark creating Ultron.

Despite reports before the film’s release that Age of Ultron was darker than its predecessor, Whedon’s baby still packs a punch in the laughter department. Though its lighter moments mainly arrive in the first half, there’s plenty of them, and the scene where each Avenger attempts to lift Thor’s hammer in order to ‘prove themselves worthy’ will be a favourite of many.

But what about Age of Ultron’s title character? Will he go down as one of comic book movie’s greatest villains? Probably not, no. James Spader’s (Stargate, The Blacklist) mo-capped mechanical monster looks great and even sounds great but, Ultron, like most of Marvel’s villains (apart from Loki), suffers from a rather one dimensional outlook.

(“I’m the Hulkbuster, bitch!” Iron Man limbers up to tackle the Hulk)

However, Ultron does serve as a worthy foe and certainly allows the Marvel cinematic universe to further develop some of its flagship characters like Iron Man and Cap, ahead of next year’s colossal showdown in Captain America: Civil War.

As well the main characters jostling for screen time, some of Avenger’s lesser figures come to the fore here. In the first film it was Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk that stole the show. In Age of Ultron, it’s a rather surprising turn from everybody’s least favourite Avenger, Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye. This turns out to be a masterstroke from departing director Joss Whedon who isn’t returning for Avengers: Infinity War, with Captain America: The Winter Soldier maestro’s, the Russo brothers, taking over.

Of course, there’s plenty of action to geek out to with story development often playing second fiddle to long, expansive action sequences. ‘But this is The Avengers! We want action!’ And boy, do we get it, especially in the form of Hulk and Iron Man’s ‘Hulkbuster’ going toe-to-toe, levelling an entire building or two.

All in all, Age of Ultron is one of Marvel’s strongest films to date. Although it probably falls short against the likes of last summer’s smash hit Guardians of the Galaxy, as well as Captain America: The Winter Soldier, this action-packed sequel is a thrill-ride from start to finish, and offers just a glimpse of what’s still to come from Marvel Studios. We’ll be watching.

‘Nuff said!

8/10

Avengers: Age of Ultron final trailer crashes in.

And just when you thought Ultron couldn’t get any more terrifying…

The latest and final trailer for Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron offers yet more evidence as to why we – and our Tesseract taming, Loki loathing, shawarma eating friends – The Avengers, should be very afraid come May.

After the first two trailers it’s safe to say that the James Spader voiced Ultron isn’t one to be trifled with, and there’s nothing in this latest snippet to suggest otherwise.

Certainly the most action heavy of the three trailers, it features even more handbags between Hulk and Iron Man, Ultron’s army of metal motherfuckers and what seems to be a huge showdown involving everyone.

It also has yet another eerie voiceover from Ultron himself, claiming that he was “designed to save the world” and that “there’s only one path to peace -their extinction.” *Trembles*

And with supposed baddies/potential goodies Scarlett Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor Johnson) to deal with as well, earth’s mightiest heroes will have more than just shawarma on their plate come the end of this one.

Plus whatever happens, the repercussions arising from Age of Ultron will undoubtedly traverse into Marvel’s phase three of films, especially now that Sony’s Spider-Man has officially joined the Marvel cinematic universe.

He (and whoever will be playing him) will all but definitely appear alongside Chris Evans’ Cap and Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man, in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, which will pit the star-spangled soldier against the billionaire tin man. I for one, can’t freakin’ wait.

For now though, it’s all about the Avengers and Ultron. Roll on April!

Avengers: Age of Ultron is out April 23 (UK)

“You wanted to be the hero. And now you gotta pay the price!” The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Review

Spidey’s never looked so good in this web-slinging sequel from its aptly named director Marc Webb.

But for all its flashy action sequences, a new suit, and slow-mo 3D effects, the follow up to The Amazing Spider-Man, the not so amazingly titled The Amazing Spider-Man 2, is not as sharp in its story as it is in its looks.

Though fear not wall-crawler fans, Spidey’s latest adventure is nowhere near the dreadful realms of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3.

But then again, it does swing dangerously close. And it almost slips, before climbing to relative safety via its extremely talented cast and smart directing.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 picks up exactly where we left off in the first film, focusing on much of the same themes.

Peter Parker, AKA our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield), is still deeply troubled by the mysterious past of his parents. The film’s opening minutes enlighten us savvy Spidey fans as to how, and more importantly why, his parents decided to abandon him.

Let’s just say it seems nothing bad happens in this Spidey universe without somehow involving Oscorp; the shady and secretive multi-billion dollar company that has its fingers in many dirty pies.

But, aside from his family issues, Peter’s other problems include living with his aunt, being skint, turning his laundry blue and red, and seeing visions of his girlfriend Gwen Stacy’s (Emma Stone) dead father.

For those who don’t remember from the first film, Peter promised Gwen’s father he’d stay away from his daughter in order to protect her from Spidey’s enemies. However, Pete’s not doing so well at staying away.

It’s this chemistry between the two characters, and the actors who play them, which really amazes this time round.

Andrew Garfield plays Spidey with a swing and seems far more confident in the role than in the first. Emma Stone is equally as impressive as Gwen Stacy and rather unsurprisingly, the film’s best moments come when the two are on screen.

The same can’t really be said for Jamie Foxx’s Electro. Lonely Oscorp employee, and Spider-Man obsessed Max Dillon, is accidentally turned into, well, electricity, after falling into a barrel of eels and electro-magnets (apparently when mixed these turn you into a super-villain).

Sounding like a badly mixed dub-step track and spawning a rather flimsy undying hatred for Spidey, Electro joins forces with Peter’s former best-friend and heir to Oscorp’s fortunes, Harry Osbourne (Dane DeHaan).

Suffering from the same illness as his father, Harry needs Spider-Man’s self-healing blood cells in order to survive. Or, a super-duper suit that looks disturbingly sinister. And rather familiar.

You can forgive this Spidey franchise for repeating some elements from Raimi’s Spider-Man films, as is inevitable with all reboots and remakes, but at times The Amazing Spider-Man 2 does evoke (repressed) memories of the over-cluttered and thrown together Spider-Man 3.

But, Marc Webb does add some real feel-good moments along the way, making you remember why Spider-Man is so appealing to pretty much everybody.

With The Amazing Spider-Man 3, The Amazing Spider-Man 4, a Sinister Six movie and a Venom spin-off film already announced by Sony, hopefully the tangled web of Spider-Man’s future will not be as sticky as it seems at the moment.

5/10

You can also read my review here – http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/what-s-on/film/film-review-the-amazing-spider-man-2-1-6036131

Top 5 films to watch on TV this week.

Zombies, vampires and wand wielding wizards all feature in this week’s top 5 films to watch on TV. Oh yeah, and so does Robert Downey Jr in a vest…. 

30 Days of Night (2007)

Tue Apr 15, Film4; 23:40-01:50

Living in an isolated Alaskan town with no sun for a month and a ban on alcohol is hard enough without the added annoyance of bloodthirsty vampires turning up at your door. Unfortunately for Sheriff Eben (Josh Hartnett) and his wife Stella (Melissa George), that’s exactly the pickle they find themselves in.

After the vampires arrive most of the town’s inhabitants are brutally slain, leaving Eben and a group of terrified survivors to fight against the odds. Can they outlast the monsters for 30 days? Find out with this gore-tastic and entertaining horror flick.

 

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Wed 16 Apr, ITV2; 22:00-00:05

Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright’s brilliant genre satire is one of British comedy’s best. The first instalment in the unrelated Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy stars Pegg as a lowly electronics store worker in his late twenties, who takes his loving girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield) and his caring Mum (Penelope Wilton) for granted.

Choosing to spend most of his time down the pub with his layabout best friend Ed (Nick Frost), Liz dumps Shaun to his bemusement.But when flesh-eating zombies begin to rise from the dead, Shaun sets out on a quest to win back his girlfriend and “wait for all this to blow over.”A cult-classic.

 

Iron Man (2008)

Thu Apr 17, Film4; 21:00-23:25

Now a fully-fledged multibillion dollar franchise, Marvel Studios’ first outing is a shiny and well-oiled comic book extravaganza. Robert Downey Jr. is Tony Stark:  a billionaire philanthropist playboy genius.

Hero? Not really. But when attacked and kidnapped by Afghan soldiers and forced to make his own company’s missile for the enemy, Tony witnesses the devastating effects of his legacy first hand, vowing never to make weapons again.

After escaping his captors by constructing an advanced metal suit, Tony embarks on a one man mission to set right his wrongs as Iron Man. Superbly acted and fun all round – get the popcorn in for this one.

 

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)

Fri Apr 18, ITV1; 14:45-17:35

Wizards, witches, goblins, trolls, three headed dogs, spells you can barely pronounce, and er, Quidditch! Welcome to the magical world of Harry Potter.

Living at No.4 Privet Drive with his Uncle Vernon, his Aunt Petunia, and his spoilt brat of a cousin Dudley, is absolute misery for young Harry (Daniel Radcliffe). That is until one day he learns that he’s actually a wizard. What are the chances?

Cue the beginning of perhaps the most celebrated series ever written and adapted for the big screen. It’s fun for all the family, young and old. Not seen Harry Potter? YOU-who-must-not-be-named!

 

The Graduate (1967)

Sun Apr 20, ITV3; 22:00-00:05

“Mrs Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me. Aren’t you?” Mike Nichols’ quintessentially ‘60s tale of confused American youth is both smart and funny, while also capturing a looming sense of coming-of-age sadness.

21-year-old Ben Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) has just graduated from college with more honours than he can shake a stick at. At his ‘homecoming’ party, his overzealous parents parade him around like a trophy amongst various middle-class business associates. But after Ben is asked to drive home Mrs Robinson (Anne Bancroft), the wife of his father’s business partner, the two become embroiled in a steamy affair.

Accompanied by Simon & Garfunkel’s folk-rock soundtrack, The Graduate marks a truly significant chapter in American filmmaking.

You can also check out my weekly feature here – http://www.wow247.co.uk/blog/2014/04/15/films-to-watch-on-tv-this-week-78254/

“This isn’t freedom. This is fear.” Captain America: The Winter Soldier review.

Marvel Studios’ latest is one of their best, with Cap and co. back in action for Captain America: The Winter Soldier. 

The never ending and tedious CGI climaxes of both Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World, left some of us weary eyed and slightly exhausted by all things Marvel.

But Captain America: The Winter Soldier’s more measured approach is this comic book canon’s saving grace.

Full of suspense, politically engaged and edging more towards spy thriller than superhero spectacle, this Captain America sequel is a refreshing entrant into the Marvel film universe.

Returning to the screen for the first time since The Avengers, Steve Rogers AKA Captain America (Chris Evans) struggles to come to terms with his place in society two years on from the events surrounding New York and his timely defrosting.

Times have changed since 1945.

Frozen for almost seventy years and missing out on The Beatles, Star Wars and Disco to name a few, Rogers’ new world paints an even murkier political picture than the Nazi Germany one he was recently thawed out from.

But now with a billionaire tin man, a Norse god, and a scientist with really serious anger issues all on speed dial (assuming Cap knows how to use a phone), there’s a lot for Steve Rogers to get used to in this new world.

Under orders from S.H.I.E.L.D (the high-tech and above the law intelligence organisation) and its director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), Cap and co-Avenger Natasha Romanov AKA Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), are sent on a mission to rescue hostages from a pirate-hijacked S.H.I.E.L.D ship.

However after learning of Black Widow’s secret mission to recover ‘stolen’ S.H.I.E.L.D data, Cap begins to question the organisation’s true intentions.

Confronting Fury, Rogers discovers that S.H.I.E.L.D’s idea of freedom; three fully-loaded and highly weaponised helicarriers with the ability to eliminate threats anywhere in the globe, differs to that of our star spangled soldier.

“This isn’t freedom. This is fear”, states a rather sturdy and ever patriotic Rogers.

This is perhaps the film’s biggest surprise. It’s political awareness.

And it’s a pleasant one.

It adds weight to a storyline otherwise hindered by its minor plot holes and unnecessarily long action sequences.

But don’t let this deter you. Anthony and Joe Russo’s movie is well thought out and brilliantly executed.

As the plot unravels we go deeper into the spy-game and all the players feature heavily.

Chris Evans’ Cap is as bland as ever, (as would you be if you were on ice for over half a century), still maintaining the air of an average Joe.

And Samuel L. Jackson is again spot on as the eye patch wearing Nick Fury.

Even the mysterious Winter Soldier, whose identity remains one of the worst kept secrets in Captain America history, turns out a decent action-filled performance.

Yet it’s the Black Widow who really shines. Scarlett Johansson’s third outing as the Russian-turned-American superspy is her best yet, perhaps gaining enough attention to warrant the characters’ own spin off feature.

Whether you’re an off-the-cuff cinema goer or a comic book buff, Captain America: The Winter Soldier sits surprisingly near the summit of Mt. Marvel, as well as being a thoroughly entertaining action thriller.

8/10

You can also read my review here – http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/what-s-on/film/film-review-captain-america-the-winter-s-soldier-1-5982369

 

Some thoughts on X-Men: Days of Future Past.

 

“Holy shit.” 

Those were my not so carefully chosen words when the full trailer for Bryan Singer’s new X-movie hit back in October (trailer’s date confirmed by Jordan ‘Trailer Police’ Neves). 

Bringing together the casts of all previous X-Men films (apart from the appalling mess that was X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and centred around one of the most popular and, probably the best, X-Men story arcs of all time, Days of Future Past has the the potential to be massive for Marvel’s favourite mutants. 

Holy shit, right?

In Days of Future Past, Professor X (Stewart) and Magneto (McKellen) send Wolverine (Jackman) back in time, (it’s Shadowcat in the comic) to prevent an assassination that will alter the events of history, saving countless human and mutant lives alike.  

Firstly, Bryan Singer is back. Absent for the third instalment of the X trilogy, X-Men: The Last Stand, which was disappointing to say the least, Singer has returned to the franchise after leaving Twentieth Century Fox in 2005 to direct Warner Bros’ Superman Returns. That’s like leaving Liverpool and going to play for Manchester United!  

However, penning the story for 2011’s freshly approached reboot/prequel X-Men: First Class, Singer is back to steer the ship of the story he started back in 2000. 

Secondly, not only is Singer back, but so are members of the original cast (Jackman, Stewart, McKellen, Berry, Page), AND the cast of First Class (McAvoy, Fassbender, Lawrence, Hoult). New to the X family this time around is Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones’ Tyrion Lannister, as the Sentinel creating (mutant hunting machines) Bolivar Trask. It’s the greatest X lineup yet.

But what’s sure to be the original cast’s step down from the X-Men mantle (apart from Jackman), Days of Future Past will inevitably kick start a new series of X films (with Fox already confirming X-Men: Apocalypse for 2016) with First Class’ cast in their place. 

Thirdly, it seems Fox wants to “do an Avengers“, creating spin-offs that are, if good enough, going to make them some big bucks. It’s a huge gamble. But, with Singer back on board for this one, and him having secured a stellar cast, Fox are sure to reap the rewards. 

With the trailer and images of characters old, and new, appearing all over the place. X fans are excited. Especially that image of our two Professor X’s facing off in some sort of telepathic, time and space Skype connection.

Yet, Days of Future Past looks as if it’s is going to offer more than just a comic book geek-fest. The time travel element to the film, as well as what’s rumoured to be some hugely jaw-dropping action sequences (it’s got fucking Sentinels in it!), will appeal to a wider audience as well as the canon’s loyal fans. 

Hopefully, X-Men: Days of Future Past will blow us all away just like its trailer has, and won’t disappoint like so many other comic-book movies. There’s an enormous buzz around this one. And hopefully it’ll be justified. 

X-Men: Days of Future Past is out May 22nd. 

 

 

“With great power, comes great… movies?”

It seems nowadays that Hollywood just can’t get enough of superheroes. With the recent release of Zack Snyder’s Superman reboot Man of Steel; which took a whopping $113 million in its opening weekend state side (according to ScreenRant.com), and last year’s Avengers Assemble; which grosses third highest in the all time box office records, trailing Titanic and Avatar (http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/), and not to mention Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy, Hollywood and superheroes are pretty smitten with each other these days.

However, it hasn’t always been roses and chocolates… and money (lots of money) for Hollywood when it comes to comic books. There’s been some awful, awful attempts to bring some of Marvel and DC’s other characters to the big screen. Take Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, (yes… they made a sequel) which, lets be honest, were terrible, terrible films. Oh yeah and Spiderman 3 anyone!? “They were like over eight years ago!” I hear you cry… Ok then, how about Green Lantern!  I was (rather naively) looking forward to this one. Only to be horribly HORRIBLY let down by it’s horrendous cast, abismal acting, and more cheese than Wallace and Gromit’s cupboards. 

But, with Marvel Studios pledging to expand on their Phase 1 and Phase 2 flicks in the near future with Avengers, Captain America, and Thor sequels; Sony’s announcement of three more confirmed Amazing Spiderman films; Fox’s recent release of The Wolverine and next year’s X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Warner Bros’ recent bombshell that Man of Steel is set, not only for a sequel, but will feature and introduce a new Batman, ultimately kicking off an expanded DC universe, leading to a Justice League movie in the near future (PLEASE HAPPEN!); there seems there will very little let up from our spandex clad, muscle bound, and cape wearing friends any time soon. 

Here in lies the problem for me. Many of these superhero films lack THE fundamental aspect of any good comic book. And that my friends, is the story. Aside from a few notable exceptions (The Dark Knight Trilogy, Man of Steel, [Sam Raimi’s] Spiderman, and possibly Iron Man) the story seems to take a backseat to spectacle. Now, don’t get me wrong… obviously there needs to be  A LOT of spectacle for these films to work, THEY HAVE SUPERPOWERS FOR GOD’S SAKE! But spectacle seems to come AT THE EXPENSE of the story. As aforementioned, story is the fundamental aspect of a comic book, and for me, being a huge fan and frequent reader of comic books and graphic novels, this is the reason I am interested in these characters and these films in the first place. 

So… the list below is a list of my top five favourite graphic novels and comic book stories. They are in no particular order, (which is a better way of saying I can’t decide which one is in fact my favourite), and all are fantastic stories in my opinion. Some have directly influenced many of the films already mentioned above, and some yet may even make it to the big screen. 

• The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller (1986) – DC Comics

Heavily influencing The Dark Knight Rises, Frank Miller’s alternate depiction of Bruce Wayne in his fifties is a must-read for any Batman fan. 
Story: Superheroes are pretty much all retired and/or dead apart from Supes (who’s now a government puppet) and a few others. Bruce has hung up the cape and cowl and is old and grey, but eventually can’t stand the corruption and chaos erupting from Gotham City (mainly spouting from some odd looking mutant warlord type guy). The Dark Knight LITERALLY returns. Epic stuff with some great cameos. Oh yeah, and Batman vs. Superman. Enough said there really. 

• Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar (2003) – DC Comics

“COMMUNISM!? A RUSSIAN SUPERMAN!? STALIN!? GO HOME DC YOU’RE DRUNK!”
Story: I’ve pretty much summed it up with the above sentence. “So like, what would happen, if like, Superman’s ship, like, landed in the Soviet Union instead of like, the US…” this would happen. A Soviet-Superman fighting against a Lex Luthor lead US during the Cold War. Crazy good spin on the DC universe with a Commy Bats, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Miss Lane all involved. Ooh, and yet more Bats vs. Supes!

• Civil War by Mark Millar (2006-2007) – Marvel 

“Whose side are you on?”
Story: A bunch of rookie teenage superheroes accidentally blow up a whole town killing hundreds, sparking a nationwide call for all superheroes to be in check and run by the government and S.H.I.E.L.D. Iron Man sides with the suits, but Cap isn’t so keen… THIS MEANS WAR! Some amazing artwork and action here, built around a politically charged and engaging story. *Side note for this one… Don’t fuck with The Punisher. 

• Hush by Jeph Loeb 2002-2003

The first Batman story I ever read. 
Story: There’s a new villain in town and he’s got it in for Bats big time! But, Hush Hush I won’t spoil it for you. Bats brings all his friends, and foes, to the party for this one, with plenty of twists, turns and stunning artwork from Jim Lee. This one’s got everything! Um, and you guessed it… MORE BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN! What are they like, eh!? 

• Watchmen by Alan Moore (1987) – DC comics

“Who watches the Watchmen?”
Story: Set in an alternate 1980’s reality, where Nuclear War between the US and Soviets is on the brink, someone is killing off costumed superheroes. If you’re a fan of comic books and are yet to read this, or see Zack Snyder’s brilliant movie adaptation, I advise you to do so… IMMEDIATELY. 

Well there you have it. Five of my favourite comic book stories. And what makes them great above all else is their stories. Peter Parker’s dear old Uncle, Ben Parker, once said “with great power, comes great responsibility.” Hollywood has great power, and I believe that it should be their sole responsibility to produce and maintain a certain standard of story as to do justice to the wonderful world of comic books.