Ranking 2016’s Comic Book Films by Impact

The past few years have been nothing but a bumper-crop of comic book films. There’s a few one-off’s which are kind of fun, and for the big two, Marvel and DC, just which one will I start to love more? This year will definite it! The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is going to hit a milestone with one of the comicdom’s pivotal moments getting a movie treatment, and the DC cinema realm will finally give rise to the Justice League.

Honestly, I prefer Bruce Timm and Paul Dini’s animated unification of the DC universe. Trying to translate every hero into a live-action story is dangerous, especially when some heroes just cannot translate well (Aquaman). So far, DC is lucking out and doing a better job in the television front. The films have been a mixed bag. Marvel is approaching the point of maybe doing too much. One-off’s are fine. I prefer those over any other item, but even I have to admit to see the Infinity War play on a big screen is going to be exciting.

Going from must see to not really caring, herein lies my choices for films:

Captain America: Civil War (May 5)

I really enjoy following this sub-series of the MCU films more than the rest of the others sagas because there is meat to the geo-political wranglings going on. The reason is not because this hero represents the Red, White and Blue. When I have a passion for the pulps, his origin story stood out more and there’s an aspect in the tales that I adore when observing a man out of time.

Yes, I’ll be rooting for the Captain in this installment and I really want to know how Bucky figures into this revised version of the civil war that’s to take place. It will not be necessarily following what was outlined in the comic books even though everyone will be getting to see a new Spider-Man for the first time. For me, it’s to see how this trilogy of films will affect the rest of the MCU in the future. Could that be why the Master of Mysticism is required to turn back time?

Doctor Strange (Nov 4)

Let’s face it, the MCU never got a chance to explore the occult world. They dodged the idea in the third Iron Man movie and that ticked me off. The Mandarin was not any form of mage, and although the comics explained his ten rings as a product from an alien race of dragons, a strong psychic will is required to operate them — this character had an awe about him, and that never got played up. In what was, it was jokingly turned around.

This film about a doctor (his occupation in the comics) who learns humility and the magical arts is being handled by writer/director Scott Derrickson. In his resume, he proves that he can handle the horror genre well. He worked on a direct-to-video Hellraiser release. I’m looking forward to seeing how he going to interpret the paranormal for Marvel Entertainment, should the tale go down that route. By the hoary hosts of Hogarth, Dormammu awaits!

Suicide Squad (August 5)

For a short while, I thought this film would release before Batman vs. Superman, but instead it’s scheduled after the fact. That begs the question of why Bats is chasing after a bunch of criminals in leaked set photos. I’m also very interested in seeing how Jared Leto is going to play The Joker. Heath Ledger is a tough act to follow and has enough time passed so another actor can take the mantle?

As for story details, nothing is known. I would love the producers if it tied in to the version presented in CW’s Arrow, but I know that is unlikely to happen. The Joker was never presented in this television series even though viewers heard Tara Strong voice Harley Quinn. The movie features Margot Robbie in this titular role, and she should be just as good. This character’s looks has changed over time, but her persona hardly ever morphed too. This film ought to be good as it has to consider the fallout from the DC movie beforehand.

Deadpool (Feb 12)

Although I do not see Deadoool as appealing as a rampaging lunatic mercenary, there’s something about his personality that’s infectious to watch. I hardly ever care about characters who are rather one-dimensional and they rely on one shtick to stand out.

Ryan Reynolds plays the titular hero and he really nails the comic book humour on the nose. Before, I thought this movie will be boring and the trailer is far from it. I’m curious in how the mutant Colossus is going to play in this story and by early indications, the producers want audiences to have fun with this film.

This movie is billed as a comedy, and it’s potential to be totally off the wall could rival the lighthearted quality from Guardians of the Galaxy. I will check this film out and Vancouver’s favourite son can yell, “Hallelujah!”

X-men: Apocalypse (May 27)

It was tough for me to decide if this next mutant film can surpass that of two iconic DC superheroes fighting it out or not. Both films has its issues, and the only tidbit of hope I have for this film is that it spends some time in Ancient Egypt establishing En Sabah Nur’s rise to power as Apocalypse. I’m sure what Bryan Singer has in mind will put the movie Gods of Egypt to shame and while this segment of this film will no doubt be short, I’ll be sad.

I’m really having difficulty seeing other mutants take on the role of the four horsemen instead of what was previously presented in the comics (X-Factor) and animated series. Even tougher, being a fan of Psylocke before she became a ninja (not many people are going to remember the pink and purple armour she once wore), is to see Munn in the role. She has the heritage to pull off playing the role (her mother is of Chinese descent) but I wish she had more of an Asian look to convince me that she’s the ideal choice. If she adds a Britishness to the character as a nod to readers who have followed the character since her first appearance in Captain Britain #8 (Dec. 1976), then I’ll be happy. This character does not need to exhibit a Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon style of ferocity but it would help. Yes, Munn trained and she looks great in the costume, but she’s no Michelle Yeoh at her prime.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (March 23)

A lot of heroes will soon be packed into one of the hugest battles in cinematic history. Batman is a mere mortal with the latest gadgets at his disposal and Superman is simply immortal. The only way to subdue him is to use Kryptonite. The trailers for this movie never even suggests Batman knows of Kal El’s weakness and whatever the reason, it seems Lex Luthor is a force to be reckoned with. He takes the body of Zod and somehow engineers an adversary that will take more than two heroes to bring down.

When considering Justice League Part One will release a year after this film, that means some weakness must be revealed to take down a creature just as powerful as Supes — or the confrontation will spill into a massive team-up that requires two films to tell. This Zack Snyder product can go any which way and I’ll see it. I just do not know if the ambition to beat Marvel Entertainment at getting the massive team up slug-fest out first is going to be good or not. To face Thanos or Darkseid (with Doomsday as a one-man army wrecking team) is just a scary thought.

Gambit (TBD)

Very little information is known about this project’s status. Channing Tatum is slated to play this titular character and Chris Claremont, X-men scribe for more than 30 years, is supposedly going to help pen it.

Although this film is slated for this year with a tentative October date, that is most likely going to be moved for the simple reason that a story like Gambit’s can not be rushed and if its going to be standalone, that means no Rogue appearance. That can all change last minute. Some fans would love seeing Anna Paquin return to the role since her importance in X-Men: Days of Future Past got trimmed to the cutting room floor. However, there’s no word or rumour saying so.

If there’s any opportunity for this film to materialize this year, it might be December.

TMNT 2: Out of the Shadows (June 3)

Not even Steven Amell, the actor who plays The Green Arrow on CW, can save Michael Bay’s Turtles. This director can deliver the wow factor and explosive action, but he’s ruined everything that I loved about the lovable mutants. Thankfully he is not directing, but he is still producing. That means he can influence Dave Green’s work. This new director is taking over in this sequel, and while he can direct cute, I just do not have faith in his experience to deliver something unique other than what his bosses tell him.

I have seen the trailers, and honestly I can not even go Rocksteady with the intro of Bebop as one of these two new mutants in this continuing live-action saga. As Little Richard puts it, “Wop bop a loo bop a lop bom bom! It’s all tutti frutti to me.”

Will I see it just because this film hints at the Krang invasion? Most likely not. Not even wild mutant six-legged stallions can drag me to this film. Well, maybe Freya can, but that’s a different world altogether and Thor: Ragnarok will not be coming until 2017.