Upcoming comic book movies

Mike and I have been talking a lot about the new batch of comic book movies coming out this year. I still don't know which one I'm looking forward to the most, but I hope by the end of writing today that I'll come to a conclusion.

The movies I'm talking about are 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger, Thor, and The Green Lantern.

By looking at the directors of each, maybe something will jump out at me as proof of the merits of each film.


Captain America:  Directed by Joe Johnston.  A former Oscar winner for the visual effects on Raiders Of The Lost Ark, he has directed some decent-to-terrible movies in the past.  None really stand out as great cinema classics, although some of his films have a special place in the hearts of 90's kids.
His past movies include:

• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
• Jumanji
• The Pagemaster
• The Rocketeer
• Jurassic Park 3
• October Sky
• Hidalgo
• The Wolfman

Now, looking at this list, it would be easy to assume he will do a great job with Captain America.  After all, Captain America is a movie based on a comic book, which already puts kids and teens in the target audience.  But this Captain America movie is based in World War 2, and so ideally it would be a war story first, and a kids superhero story second or third.

Thor:  Directed by Professor Lockhart.  Or is it Dr. Frankenstein?  Ladies and gentlemen, presenting Kenneth Branagh!

Known more as an actor than a director, Branagh is a master at classic Shakesperean stories.  He is best known in Europe for his work in stage theatre, but his knack for casting himself in the lead in movies he directs makes it a surprise that he isn't strapping on the winged helmet and hammer for Thor.

His past movies include:

• Henry V
• Much Ado About Nothing
• Frankenstein
• Hamlet
• As You Like It

See the pattern?   Thor, being very close in tone to other ancient stories, seems to be a good fit.  The movie is about a Norse god's fall from Asgard, and his journey of redemption for his father's love, and fighting against his evil brother.  Sounds like Shakespeare to me!  My main concern is that Thor is also part of the larger Marvel family of movies, like Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, and Captain America.  So this will be Branagh's first attempt at a real summer blockbuster kind of action movie.  I'm sure I'll like it if the movie is all character examination in vaguely European accents, but I also want to see great fight scenes of the God of Thunder kicking ass with his legendary hammer, Mjolnir!

Green Lantern:  Directed by Martin Campbell.  Now, this is a guy that knows his action movies.  He has directed not only some great ones, but ones that launched careers of the actors involved.  Maybe he can do the same for Ryan Reynolds, who always seems to be on the cusp of real  fame.  The problem is, for every great movie he does, he also has a flop.

His previous movies include:

• Goldeneye (yes, that Goldeneye)
• The Mask of Zorro (and its forgotten sequel The Legend of Zorro)
• Casino Royale (yes, that Casino Royale)
• Vertical Limit (the movie with a familiar title but no one seems to remember why)
• Edge of Darkness (that 2010 Mel Gibson movie no one watched)

So, the problem here is, will he bring his 'A' game?  Or his 'Legend of Zorro' game?  Green Lantern IS supposed to be a fun action movie full of technology (like a Bond movie) and attractive male leads (although most women seem to agree Reynolds is no Antonio Banderas).  But this is NOT a Bond movie OR a swashbuckling period piece.  This is SUPPOSED to be a sci-fi space cop movie full of aliens.  It seems like a better fit for the director of Men In Black or Titan A.E.!  But from the trailer, it DOES look like it hits the right tone, and this IS the first DC Comics movie since The Dark Knight, so I'm cautiously optimistic that everyone will be trying their best on this one.  

So, in the end, I think Thor is actually going to turn out the best.  I have full faith in Kenneth Branagh to give the characters as much focus as the the story deserves, and while I'm a bit worried about him handling big CGI-filled blockbuster style action, the trailers showing the big metal destroyer robot, and some of the Asgardian creatures, gives me some reassurance.  

All three movies look like they could be great, but I'm officially the most excited for Thor.

And also 2012's Amazing Spider-Man ;)