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What was the best superhero origin film?

posted 5 years ago by moviefanatic505 (6028)
22 replies | jump to latest

Between these which do you think was the best and why? I picked the best critically acclaimed ones.

Superman 1978
Spider-man
Batman Begins
Iron Man

https://linkto.run/p/4X2X3BQC

Personally I think it is a toss up between Superman the movie and Batman Begins. Even though I love all of these films. The reason I think it is between these two is for one simple reason I think both pioneer more while being less derivative.

Superman the movie started the whole superhero thing, and it did it with flying colors. The characters and screenplay hold up quite nicely. Dated technically but a lot of tropes here are still emulated to this day. Raimi's first Spider-man while excellent is quite derivative of this film.

Batman Begins was the first superhero origin story to tell it out of order and flash back between past and present. It was unique as well refreshing to see a completely new take on Batman. No one knew who the villain was going to be. This made the whole mentor turned villain popular among the genre. Iron Man emulated a lot from this film. The hero going to a far off land, story told out of order, hero coming back after people thinking he was dead and has a new lease on life. As well as the mentor turned villain.

[–] VIDEOSTOREVANDAL (313) 5 years ago

ITS IRON MAN.EASILY.ANYONE WHO SAYS OTHERWISE IS A GREY HAIR OR SPORTING AN AGENDA.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

[deleted]

[–] VIDEOSTOREVANDAL (313) 5 years ago

GREY HAIR.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

[deleted]

[–] VIDEOSTOREVANDAL (313) 5 years ago

MAYBE HUH.I UNDERSTAND.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

[deleted]

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

I like all four, but I would give a slight edge to Superman. I think it is a slightly better, more entertaining movie.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

I'd give the (slight) nod to Batman Begins. Always felt it was underrated, especially when compared to The Dark Knight. But the close runner up would be Spider-man; in terms of just being fun and entertaining, I'd probably have this one on top.

I feel bad putting those above Superman, but while I think it's still a great movie, I don't feel it's aged particularly well and it really drags a bit at times. Overall it doesn't quite have the flow that Batman Begins and Spider-man have.

[–] moviefanatic505 (6028) 5 years ago

I totally can respect your view. Thing is the reason I give the edge to Superman the movie over Spider-man is I believe it pioneered more things. Spider-man is derivative of Superman the movie. Now funny thing is even though I love Superman 2 also I give the edge to Spider-man 2 on that one. Spider-man is still amazing though. The one strength it does have over Superman the movie is no deus ex machina. I will admit even being a huge fan of Superman the movie that is it's one blaring weakness. It is kind of a cop out ending. Not enough to take away how good the movie is of course.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

There are definitely no bad choices between them. I've always said the Spider-man films very much followed the same character arc as the Superman films. Particularly the second of each where Clark and Peter renounce their power to pursue love only to find that their calling to be a hero was too great to ignore. I was born in 74 so I grew up on Superman and those movies will always have a special place in my heart for sure.

[–] moviefanatic505 (6028) 5 years ago

Yep that is exactly what I said! Raimi's Spider-man films are basically Donner's Superman films a bit modernized. The story blueprint is almost beat for beat the same. Just examine the first two films of each series.

Sad thing is Spider-man has good movies outside of the Raimi universe. While Raimi's Spider-man films are my favorite, Spider-man Homecoming and especially Into the Spiderverse are rather good. No Superman movie after Donner's Superman 2 are any good. All have been very underwhelming.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Even though I know it's not good I have to admit I have a soft spot for Superman 3 (especially his battle with himself in the junkyard). Definitely a big drop in quality from part 2 though. Although part 3 looks like Gone With the Wind next to part 4 lol

I felt bad for Brandon Routh because I thought his performance was pretty good even though Superman Returns was pretty forgettable. I despised Man of Steel and Batman vs Superman though. I always said Henry Cavill seemed pretty personable in interviews but zero of his likability was utilized in those movies.

[–] snepts (11123) 5 years ago

Spiderman, Spiderman
Does whatever a Spider can
Spins a Web any size
Catches thieves just like flies
Look out !
Here comes the Spiderman (man-man-man)

That was the theme (I believe) to the old stop action cartoon from the 60s. Between that and the comics, my introduction to Spiderman.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

I remember that

[–] sslssg (30334) 5 years ago

Mine too, along with;

Hercules, hero of song and story.
Hercules, winner of ancient glory.
Fighting for the right,
Fighting with his might,
With the strength of ten, ordinary men.

[–] sslssg (30334) 5 years ago

I think that these are totally wrong! Everyone knows that the best superhero origin story is The Toxic Avenger (1984)!!

But if I absolutely have to pick from those choices, today I think Batman Begins. I like all of them, but that one wins in my mind today.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (20766) 5 years ago

You are damn right!!! I was scrolling down thinking: wait! why is The Toxic Avenger not on the list to pick from?!

You beat me to it. 👍

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

i would rate them:

iron man
spider man
superman
batman begins

iron man is the only film out of that group that i think is genuinely great.
i've always found the action in batman begins very awkward & clunky.

[–] moviefanatic505 (6028) 5 years ago

I agree on iron man having better filmed action sequences than Batman Begins. However I feel the screenplay to Batman Begins is better. I feel a vested interest in many characters in Batman Begins. I find Ras Al Ghul interesting as well as scarecrow and of course Bruce himself. I think rdj is amazing as Tony Stark. The rest of the cast of Iron Man I find to be good but not super interesting. I feel it completely relies on rdj. Just my two cents even though I love Iron Man.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

fair points.
i do agree that a lot of iron man's appeal rests in rdj's performance. he's truly charismatic in that role.
i haven't watched begins in a long time - a decade, i bet - and it wasn't a favourite of mine, but i know a lot of people think it's great & underappreciated. i'm certainly willing to give it another try some day.

[–] moviefanatic505 (6028) 5 years ago

Cool man. You had fair points also.

[–] actionkamen (23176) 5 years ago

Sam Raimi's Spider-Man.