Superhero Movies From Worst to Best: 30-26

30. Hancock

Directed By: Peter Berg

Starring: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman

Released: July 2008

First watched: At home in 2012

Will Smith finally becomes a superhero in this original movie that’s not based on a comic book. It’s an interesting idea about a superhero that doesn't want to be a superhero any more. It’s fun for a little while, but I think got a little annoyed by Will Smith’s character not wanting his powers, kind of like how I did  in the Fantastic Four. The thing I liked the most about this movie was Jason Bateman's character. He created a good balance to counter act Will Smith’s more depressing character. Overall though I would say that it's an alright movie.  

29. Green Lantern

Directed by: Martin Campbell

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong

Released: June 2011

First watched: In theaters with friends

This movie was alright. I actually liked Ryan Reynolds as the Green Lantern, and I thought some of the other Green Lantern Corps characters were pretty cool. Besides that though there wasn't really anything else that stood out, or made this movie anything really to remember. With that said it wasn't a terrible film, and I think that it at least did a decent job at introducing modern audiences to the Green Lantern character, and that they could easily still use this version in a future Justice League movie, but I'm guessing they probably won't. 

28. Daredevil

Directed by: Mark Steven Johnson

Starring: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, Colin Farrell, Michael Clarke Duncan

Released: February 2003

First watched: At a friend’s house summer of 2003

Here is another one of the most mediocre superhero movies that isn't bad, but it’s not great either. For the most part it’s enjoyable while you are watching it, but then you never think about it again. At least that’s how it was for me. This movie has a real dark tone and mood to it, that sometimes really works, and at other times doesn’t. It almost has a Dark Knight feel to it, but it can't quite pull it off. The result is a very mixed movie, that is enjoyable to watch but not as entertaining as the other films Marvel has made. Daredevil is one of the Marvel characters that I think is sometimes underrated. He’s totally different from most superheroes, and I feel like his character would make a really great movie, but this one just isn’t it. I would love to see Marvel reboot this character and possibly add him to the Avengers line up. 

(and for the record, I have faith that Ben Affleck can redeem himself as Batman)

26. Batman Returns

Directed by: Tim Burton

Starring: Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito,  Michelle Pfeiffer

Released: 1992

First watched: On TV in 1996 after school one day

After the success of Batman, Tim Burton was given much more creative control when it came to the sequel, and because of that, this movie almost feels more like a Tim Burton movie than a Batman movie. It’s one of those movies that has Tim Burton’s signature style written all over it. This isn't always a bad thing, but sometimes you forget that you’re watching a Batman movie. Like all of the Batman films before the Dark Knight series, this movie focuses more on the villains rather than fleshing out Batman’s story. You really don’t see hardly any character development of Bruce Wayne or Batman in this film, but rather you get to see more of the craziness of the Penguin and Catwoman. Still though this is a really interesting and fun take on Batman. It has a plot that’s unlike all of the other films. While this movie also suffers from some weird stuff that feels really of out place, even for a Tim Burton movie (like the Pengin’s circus gang), there are some really great moments in this movie, such as the intense and dramatic ending in the sewer. Overall this a very unique take on Batman that for the most part is a lot of fun. 

25. The Incredible Hulk

Directed by: Louis Leterrier

Starring: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt

Released: June 2008

First watched: at home in 2010 by self when I first got the Mango Disease

This movie was the second try at bringing the Hulk to the big screen. The film is not really bad in any way, but it’s also not great. It is simply good. It’s a very simple film that I believe was trying to show the struggles of Bruce Banner, and his attempts at trying to control the Hulk. I think that Marvel was also trying to reintroduce the Hulk so that he could tie into the Avengers. It’s interesting to see the Hulk on the run from the military, and the villain Abomination was fun to see on the big screen, but over all there wasn’t too many memorable aspects of this movie. That doesn't mean it’s a bad film in any way. It’s still an essential movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it only adds to great depth that those films have established.