TOPIC: What is the best superhero movie?

And why is it Into the Spiderverse?

That's an odd way to spell Mask of the Phantasm.

But, seriously, Into the Spiderverse hit perfectly on everything the live action films could be, but choose not to be. Especially when it comes to action set pieces that take full advantage of wild superhero physics and aren't just people punching each other or shooting colored beams.

I'll also go to bat for Days of Future Past for having a resolution that revolves around character and choices instead of just a giant battle. But, it sidelined Kitty in favor of Hugh Jackman, so, demerits.

Easy.

I've never actually seen Mask of the Phantasm and I don't know why...I loved BTAS. Maybe I'll pull that up this weekend.

Spiderverse absolutely blew me away. It helped that I went into it with zero expectations, but I think it would have regardless. Not only was it absolutely gorgeous, but it was well written and emotional without being overwrought. It was also hilarious.

I didn't overly love Days of Future Past, but I was also just exhausted with the X-Men by the time I saw it, so I probably didn't give it a fair shake. I came out of it feeling like it was worth the ticket price but not wanting to see it again.

Jeff Martin wrote: Easy.

Jeff, I LOVE Hero at Large! I haven't seen that in ages! I think it's my second favorite John Ritter movie. I wonder if it is streaming anywhere. I'm sure I've got it on DVD or VHS somewhere.

I still think Superman, particularly the first half of it, is just about the perfect Superhero movie.

Josh M. wrote: I've never actually seen Mask of the Phantasm and I don't know why...I loved BTAS. Maybe I'll pull that up this weekend.

Spiderverse absolutely blew me away. It helped that I went into it with zero expectations, but I think it would have regardless. Not only was it absolutely gorgeous, but it was well written and emotional without being overwrought.

Warning: Spoiler! [ Click to expand ] [ Click to hide ]

Miles ascending into being Spider-man by trusting enough into himself to drop into freefall is a singularly beautiful moment. Realizing Peter B Parker was suicidal because he wanted to die feeling like a hero again was also a weird gut punch to come from an animated superhero movie, but it absolutely worked, and it was subtle enough to not hit you in the head with it.

It was also hilarious.

Oh, don't get me wrong. Spiderverse is beautiful, and actually probably is the best superhero movie by a long shot. My best takeaway from it:

And, yes, it's hilarious. And makes me retroactively give the MCU Spiderman films side eyes for stealing Miles's story for their Peter Parker.

I didn't overly love Days of Future Past, but I was also just exhausted with the X-Men by the time I saw it, so I probably didn't give it a fair shake. I came out of it feeling like it was worth the ticket price but not wanting to see it again.

The Quicksilver scene was worth the price of admission to me. Probably the best live action set piece to date. Also, the Rogue cut is worth it, as it fills in some notable gaps in the plot.

Marc D wrote:

Josh M. wrote: I've never actually seen Mask of the Phantasm and I don't know why...I loved BTAS. Maybe I'll pull that up this weekend.

Spiderverse absolutely blew me away. It helped that I went into it with zero expectations, but I think it would have regardless. Not only was it absolutely gorgeous, but it was well written and emotional without being overwrought.

Warning: Spoiler! [ Click to expand ] [ Click to hide ]

Miles ascending into being Spider-man by trusting enough into himself to drop into freefall is a singularly beautiful moment. Realizing Peter B Parker was suicidal because he wanted to die feeling like a hero again was also a weird gut punch to come from an animated superhero movie, but it absolutely worked, and it was subtle enough to not hit you in the head with it.

It was also hilarious.

Oh, don't get me wrong. Spiderverse is beautiful, and actually probably is the best superhero movie by a long shot. My best takeaway from it:

Warning: Spoiler! [ Click to expand ] [ Click to hide ]

Watching the journey Miles goes through not just to be a superhero, but realizing that his father really does just want him to be happy and successful. Which means accepting responsibility and doing the right thing, as opposed to the "cool" uncle who is quite literally a villain. It's perfect, since parents often seem like the villains in a teen's life. Forcing kids to go to the better school where they don't know friends. Forcing them to do stay home and do schoolwork. It's also wonderful to see a hero with living parents for a change.

And, yes, it's hilarious. And makes me retroactively give the MCU Spiderman films side eyes for stealing Miles's story for their Peter Parker.

I didn't overly love Days of Future Past, but I was also just exhausted with the X-Men by the time I saw it, so I probably didn't give it a fair shake. I came out of it feeling like it was worth the ticket price but not wanting to see it again.

The Quicksilver scene was worth the price of admission to me. Probably the best live action set piece to date. Also, the Rogue cut is worth it, as it fills in some notable gaps in the plot.

That was another example of not judging ahead of time. I thought the X-Men Quicksilver was going to be a disaster from the previews, but that scene was just amazing.

I love the drama and story of The Dark Knight.

I can see I need to rewatch into the spiderverse though.

Days of Future Past was amazing.

I don't know there was a 'best' one though. Each has its own strong merits.

Mike Steele wrote: I still think Superman, particularly the first half of it, is just about the perfect Superhero movie.

I am also a huge fan of the original Superman, main thing that holds me back is Superman himself just being a god essentially but I do like that lex isn’t some super human just a guy who wants to make money

I really liked spider verse but the animation bugged my eyes

For me it goes to guardians 2 I think, I don’t think it’s the best movie or the best one time watch but I can watch it over and over so it gets big bonus points for that

Miathan wrote:

Mike Steele wrote: I still think Superman, particularly the first half of it, is just about the perfect Superhero movie.

I am also a huge fan of the original Superman, main thing that holds me back is Superman himself just being a god essentially but I do like that lex isn’t some super human just a guy who wants to make money

I really liked spider verse but the animation bugged my eyes

For me it goes to guardians 2 I think, I don’t think it’s the best movie or the best one time watch but I can watch it over and over so it gets big bonus points for that

I could watch Civil War on repeat I think......

A dark horse candidate is Mystery Men.