2011 has been a great year for action movies, due in part to the large amount of films released that were based on comic books. While not every movie based on a comic has done as well as some fans would like, there has certainly been a raising of the bar in the past several years as far as special effects and storylines go. Here are a few that made my “to-see” list and didn’t leave me disappointed.
“Suckerpunch”
WIth an ensemble cast including Emily Browning, Jena Malone, Carla Gugino, and Jon Hamm, among others, this action-packed film takes us into the mind of Babydoll, a girl with a wicked stepfather and an accidental death on her conscience. When she’s sent to a home for mentally unstable girls, she uses her vivid imagination to deal with the wrongs that have befallen her and takes us along for the ride.
The story is a bit confusing — I saw it twice before I understood a few small plot details — and while there are a few holes in it, you won’t even mind. The glamorous steampunk/’40s-era costumes, epic soundtrack, and beautiful-girls-kicking-butt factors overrule everything else.
“Captain America: The First Avenger”
I’m a sucker for any film set during WWll, so I had a feeling I would enjoy this before I even saw the trailer for it. I was right. The sultry visuals, spot-on clothing, and dashes of humor mixed with all the action of the comic book melds together beautifully. And while there are plenty of gunfights, some of the best action takes place outside of the battlefield; look for an especially exciting chase through heavy traffic as Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America) goes after a rogue gunman.
“X-Men: First Class”
Set in the days before Erik Lehnsherr and Charles Xavier were Magneto and Professor X, this prequel shows us what it was like for the mutants in the early days, when a nuclear Armageddon was on the horizon. Before they became arch enemies, the two were good friends working together with their fellow mutants (we’re introduced to a few new ones in this film) to prevent a war. The effects are stunning, giving each action sequence an extra kick in the pants.
“Super 8″
OK, OK, so it wasn’t based on a comic book. But J.J. Abrams outdid himself with this one, and I just have to give it an honorable mention here because it has the feel of a comic film. Between the likable cast of mostly unknown kids and a story that’s a little bit “The Goonies” and a little bit “E.T.,” I fell in love immediately. The action sequences are explosively well-done while still maintaining a realistic feel (despite the alien lurking about), and the entire film is injected with bits of humor that recall the ’80s movies we fell in love with as kids.
Heading to the movies? Get an instant mobile coupon to use at select theaters for free popcorn!