David's Comments

Really difficult. Most of the older serials I'm remembering from seeing 30 years ago. Having “X3” last is a symbolic statement, since they managed to ruin the X-men's best two storylines *and* made a crappy movie at the same time.

“Avengers” starts off a bit too ponderously, and isn't as visually interesting as “Superman,” which overcomes everything to be the best superhero film ever by elevating it to art. “The Incredibles” is a fantastic film, and does the same. “Super” is highly underrated and is everything a vigilante superhero movie should be, with real emotional connections and some sensational set pieces and performances. My love for the 1980 “Flash Gordon” remains overwhelming, but I'm not sure it can count as a superhero movie.

One film I wish was on here was the 1974 TV-movie of “Mark of Zorro,” with Frank Langella in the title role, and which was still a blast when I re-watched it on YouTube a few years ago. Banderas is a fantastic Zorro, but the 1998 “Mask of Zorro” gets far, far too serious towards the end. “Meteor Man” is a film I wish would get remade by a better director. It has a strong message that Townsend just can't get across with his limited talents.

I could go on for weeks, but having actually seen both the 1994 “FF” and the 1990 “Captain America” and noting how terrible they are, “Catwoman” is worse.

David's List

1. Superman (1978)
2. The Incredibles (2004)
3. Marvel’s The Avengers (2012)
4. Super (2011)
5. The Dark Knight (2008)
6. Unbreakable (2000)
7. Darkman (1990)
8. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
9. Chronicle (2012)
10. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

11. Superman II: The Donner Cut (2006)
12. Batman Begins (2005)
13. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
14. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
15. Hellboy (2004)
16. The Rocketeer (1991)
17. X-Men: First Class (2011)
18. Superman II (1981)
19. X2: X-Men United (2003)
20. Iron Man (2008)

21. Blade II (2002)
22. Sky High (2005)
23. Watchmen (2009)
24. Kick-Ass (2010)
25. Spider-Man (2002)
26. Thor (2011)
27. The Mask of Zorro (1998)
28. Batman Returns (1992)
29. X-Men (2000)
30. Flash Gordon (1980)

31. The Meteor Man (1993)
32. The Phantom (1996)
33. Batman (1966)
34. Batman (1989)
35. Superman Returns (2006)
36. Batman Forever (1995)
37. Mystery Men (1999)
38. Blade (1998)
39. Superman and the Mole Men (1951)
40. Atom Man vs. Superman (1950)

41. Hulk (2003)
42. The Shadow (1940)
43. Superman (1948)
44. Iron Man 2 (2010)
45. The Shadow (1994)
46. Captain America (1944)
47. Hero at Large (1980)
48. Batman (1943)
49. Daredevil (2003)
50. Blankman (1994)

51. Hancock (2008)
52. Adventures of Captian Marvel (1941)
53. Spawn (1997)
54. Batman and Robin (1997)
55. Fantastic Four (2005)
56. The Mark of Zorro (1940)
57. The Mark of Zorro (1920)
58. Supergirl (1984)
59. Superman III (1983)
60. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

61. Blade: Trinity (2004)
62. Steel (1997)
63. Elektra (2005)
64. The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981)
65. The Fantastic Four (1994)
66. Captain America (1990)
67. Catwoman (2004)
68. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

My Comments

Hey! Someone who's seen more superhero movies than I have. Now that's just sad, David.

I have fond memories of Langella's “Zorro.” For years, that's how I thought of Langella. He'd show up as Dracula, or Skeletor, or in “Dave,” and I'd think, “Look, it's Zorro!” He also had one of the better moves with that Zorro staple, the swipe at the candle. The villainous captain, pre-battle or in the midst of battle, lops off a candle to show off his talents with the sword, and Zorro does the same but nothing happens. The villain laughs. Then Zorro shows he'd cut the candle without moving it. How does he show this? In one, he picks up the candle, laughs, and blows it out. In another, with a candlabra, he stomps his foot and the thing crumbles. Langella? He silently pushes it off with the tip of his blade. When I was 11, that was the epitome of cool. (3:30 here.)

Your thoughts on “X3” are my thoughts on “Spider-Man 3.” And mine didn't even need to switch directors to eff it up. Great “Catwoman” commentary, which I haven't seen. I'll be sure to check out “Super” first.

Your Turn

Rank the Superhero movies

Still soars.