Harpies, Hotheads, and Other Such Heroes: Thoughts on Comic Books on the Big Screen

I know, I know, Gentle Reader. I just said, not a few hours ago, that I had Nothing For You Today. And I asked you, yes, You, for suggestions, and already, I’ve received an excellent one from Matthew of Legion Abstract Fame. But Mr. Reads and I just sat through a brutal hour viewing of Ghost Rider—I say an hour, since we fast-forwarded through most of it—and spent the majority of the movie, when not complaining, discussing recent, and not-so-recent, incarnations of Comic Books on the Big Screen.

Let me say this: I did not like Ghost Rider. I am not invested in or familiar with the character, so that may have a tiny bit of influence on my decision, but also, it just Wasn’t Good. And even Mr. Cage, an actor I normally enjoy, did nothing to compel me, the Viewer.

But this seems symptomatic, no? A rash of not-so-compelling Super Heroes presented on the big screen. This is beyond, I think, mere preference, as I Adore Batman Begins and others find it Rather Dreadful. This speaks to Quality, and frankly, there just wasn’t any here.

Other movies, other Comic Book movies, while not of excellent quality still find themselves slightly compelling. The Fantastic Four movie, for example, wasn’t all that enjoyable, but the character of Johnny Storm, as played by Chris Evans, redeemed the movie. He was charming, he was in character, and he was good enough that even This Humble Author, a Tried-And-True DC Girl with Very Few Marvel Leanings, is willing, nay, desirous, of seeing the second Fantastic Four movie, just for him.

Of course, there are those movies that defy all comparisons and clearly exist not only as Excellent Examples of their genre, but also as plain Just Good Movies. Spider-Man II, touted as *the* Super Hero Movie To End All Super Hero Movies, is the best of the best. It certainly ranks among my top movies ever, sharing a billing with such gems as Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Princess Bride, Amelie, and Garden State. Not only does it, as a sequel, avoid the standard trap of the Super Hero Genre Movie, the origin story, it offers a clear view of the Hero’s Journey, as well. Spider-Man’s journey into darkness, not of the Black Suit Kind but rather of the Self-Doubt kind, is a journey into Personal Despair. Just when we, the audience, think that Peter Parker Has Had Enough, he is handed yet another disappointment, yet another trial, yet another pain. And he manages to come through The Other Side with aplomb, strength, and courage.

That, Friends, is a Great Comic Book Movie. That is just a Great Movie, Period.

Others, too, although I fear that you, Gentle Reader, may disagree with some of my choices. Mr. Reads and I often feel alone in the Ang Lee’s Hulk camp, as we both find it a gorgeous, smart, and compelling movie. I like Superman Returns, and I can’t Rave Enough about X-Men II. Batman Begins, as mentioned before, and Sin City is Just Brilliant. Also, I love V for Vendetta, and I even find Things To Like in Daredevil and Constantine, although I am Ever Willing to admit that they are not the greatest examples of their genre.

But, and here’s the but, Friends, they are *fun*. And really, that’s almost all I ask of a movie. I don’t regret the money spent on them, and, let’s be honest, We Reads own Daredevil *and* Constantine. And let’s not forget the Dark Horse Contender, either; Hellboy is a fantastic romp, a good movie, and again, yes, we must say it, *fun*.

Regarding Hellboy, I must confess that I wasn’t that familiar with the character or franchise before I saw the movie. As I’ve said before, I’m rather new to the Hellboy legacy. But I adore the movie, and I adore the animated movies Even More, and the comic book series just Blows Me Away.

So I was not that familiar with Ghost Rider going in, and frankly, I’ve no desire to become more so. That’s where the fault is, you see: it didn’t make me want to become A Fan. Hellboy did. X-Men II, Spider-Man II, Batman Begins, all characters I was a fan of Before the Movie, and characters I am even more a fan of now.

Even The Fantastic Four which is, and I’ll admit freely, Rather Silly, has some dying spark of hope to feed (gratitude, Mr. Arnold). Sue Storm *is* interesting. Johnny Storm *is* charming. Even Reed Richards and The Thing have their moments. Even, on rare occasion, Dr. Doom, although he failed to do The One Thing I wanted, and that was the loud, plaintive “RICHAAAAARRDDDDDDDSSSSS!!!!!!” with fist raised high in the air.

And it’s difficult to make a Comic Book Movie. That much is painfully obvious. Sometimes I feel that the special effects get in the way. Certainly, the Ghost Rider *looked* interesting, but cuts were made in dialogue, in character development, in plot. Batman Begins, on the other hand, in its gritty dirtiness, its somewhat awkward handling of costumes and Batmobiles, feels absolutely 100% right. It *feels* like a beginning should feel. The awkwardness, the gentle clumsiness, all intentional, of course, or at least, as it seemed, lends itself well to a story All About Origin. All About Beginnings.

In a rare moment of self-reflection, I must tell you, Gentle Reader, that I find it Rather Ironic I write my second post of the day about Beginnings and Origins when one of the failed “Amy Reads the Week” columns was All About Conclusions. But here are two moments where comic books stutter, and the Comic Book Movie stutters along. The *middles* are easy, it seems. Just the beginnings and endings are awkward.

It still Breaks My Heart that Wonder Woman will not be written by Joss Whedon, the same as X-Men III broke my heart in its execution, its overarching theme of “Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned,” its complete mishandling and misunderstanding of beloved characters, all of them women, all more courageous and smarter than the movie ever gave them credit for. Because in this long list of Comic Book Movies, one thing is certain: there has not been a good Comic Book Movie about a Super Heroine.

This isn’t a new song, Gentle Reader, so I won’t sing it too loud or too long, but it needs to be mentioned, in a post such as this. Girlfriends, wives, harpies, villains, terribly executed heroines, gentle souls to soothe savage beasts, but outside of ensemble casts such as X-Men II, V for Vendetta seems to be the only Comic Book Movie that offers a strong female protagonist *in a leading role*. That is to say, Evey’s a Hero, a Leading Hero, and in the end, she takes the mantle on. She becomes the Super Hero.

At least, the only one that I can think of. Please, Friends, if you have others to offer, I ask you to do so.

Two movies open this weekend, Gentle Reader, and both are of The Heroic Variety: Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, and Nancy Drew. You may have deduced this by now, but I am A Huge Fan of Nancy Drew, and I will, most likely, pay to see it before I pay to see The Fantastic Four. Mr. Reads, even, has determined that he will accompany me, if for nothing else than to see me, as he put it, “geek out over Nancy Drew.” But here’s an example of a strong character, a strong hero, a strong young woman, who has survived for over 60 years and is still, yes, it’s true, Friends, Just As Popular Now as She Was Then. I loved Nancy Drew when I was ten, and yes, I confess that I love her just as much today. Mr. Reads and I already have started our godchild’s collection of Nancy Drew books, and she just made one year old just recently (!!!).

But let us learn our lesson from Nancy Drew and pooh-pooh those naysayers who declare that Super Heroines just don’t have the Pulling Power to bring in the monies. Nancy Drew’s been pulling them in for a very long time, in various incarnations, and she will, of this, I’m Certain, for a long time to come. We are *here*, we fans of Strong Women, of Strong Men, of Super Heroes, of Good Plots and Fun Movies and Interesting Stories, and while Nancy Drew might not wear a cape and fly, she has titian hair and a roadster, and she does save the day, and has, these past 60+ years, An Awful Lot. That makes her a Super Hero, and a successfully marketed one, In My Book.