Comic book films may be the biggest genre around these days, but there was a time when their popularity was still minimal. After the mega-success of Batman in the late eighties, the genre started to pick up with new heroes, obscure titles, and even some sequels hitting theaters.
There are plenty of movies from this era that helped pave the way for the genre to grow in the next decade. However, some of the movies that are remembered so fondly don’t deserve that love. Likewise, there are some real gems that are still overlooked and deserve some more attention from fans of the comic book genre.
Underrated: Men In Black (1997)
Sometimes audiences can forget how great a movie is because it gets buried under all the negativity of the sequels and reboots. This seems to be the case with Men in Black, a sci-fi action comedy starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as government agents who monitor aliens on Earth.
The film was a huge hit at the box office and with critics when it was released. However, whenever it is brought up now, it feels like the entire franchise is dismissed. Fans should revisit the original and be reminded of how incredibly fun it still is.
Overrated: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles started as a silly and dark comic book but has since become one of the most popular kid’s properties around. The first of several attempts to bring these heroes to the big screen was 1990’s live-action movie.
The film still has plenty of fans who look back on it fondly. This seems like a case where nostalgia fails viewers as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is pretty rough to revisit. As impressive as the turtle puppetry is, it makes for lackluster action heroes.
Underrated: Batman Forever (1995)
When Tim Burton left the Batman franchise, Joel Schumacher was brought in to take it in a new direction. His colorful, campy, and over-the-top take has been derided for ruining the franchise for years.
However, following Schumacher’s recent death, many people have re-examined his Batman movies. While Batman & Robin is another story, Batman Forever is much more fun than it is given credit for. The action is better than what Burton delivered, Jim Carey is a delight, and Val Kilmer makes a great hero.
Overrated: Batman Returns (1992)
After proving a character like Batman could work on the big screen, Tim Burton returned for Batman Returns. The movie was a box office disappointment with many blaming the fact that it was too dark for children. However, Batman fans still praise it for embracing the gothic feel of the comics.
The look is great, and Danny DeVito and Michelle Pfeiffer make for wonderful villains. However, there is far too little of actual Batman in this movie. Michael Keaton’s hero takes a backseat to subplots and sex jokes, which is very disappointing.
Underrated: Mystery Men (1999)
Based on an obscure comic book, Mystery Men takes a look at a group of wannabe superheroes who are not quite Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. These blue-collar crime fighters juggle real jobs with battling second-rate bad guys until they are called upon to save the day.
The movie bombed at the box office and even its star Ben Stiller has called it a bad movie. However, in an age where superhero movies are everywhere, Mystery Men is a funny and clever new take on the genre.
Overrated: The Mask (1994)
Jim Carrey was in the midst of becoming the biggest movie star in the world when the role he was born to play came to him. Another obscure comic book inspired The Mask, which finds Carrey as a disrespected bank worker who finds a mask that transforms him into a green-faced maniac.
It’s hard to deny that Carrey is perfect for the role, which allows him to really go nuts with his cartoonish performance. But there’s little more than his performance tying things together and the schtick grows a little tiresome.
Underrated: The Rocketeer (1991)
As comic book movies were beginning to come into fashion, Joe Johnston directed the fun period adventure The Rocketeer. The film follows a young pilot who finds an experimental jetpack and uses it to become a superhero.
The movie failed to make much of an impact when it was released and still struggles to find an audience. Looking at it now, it feels like a mix of Captain America and Iron Man with some Indiana Jones thrown in, all of which combine perfectly for a great old-school adventure.
Overrated: Time Cop (1994)
Jean-Claude Van Damme had one of his biggest action hits with Timecop. The film was based on a Dark Horse comic that follows Van Damme as a cop who regulates the use of time travel and has to defend himself against a conspiracy.
The movie has been called one of Van Damme’s best but it’s really a waste of a good premise. It turns into nothing more than a standard action movie filled with cheesy jokes and silly stunts.
Underrated: Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm (1993)
While fans debate the merits of Burton and Schumacher’s Batman films of the 1990s, they often overlook perhaps the best and most faithful big-screen adventure for the Caped Crusader. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was an animated film branching off from the excellent Batman: The Animated Series.
The film is a thrilling and brilliantly written adventure that finds Batman facing off with a new villain who takes a deadly approach to vigilantism. It is dark, fun and features one of the best cinematic uses of the Joker.
Overrated: Spawn (1997)
Despite not being as big a name as some of the other heroes, Spawn is a beloved character among fans. He got his own big-screen film starring Michael Jai White as a betrayed and murdered soldier who makes a deal with the devil to return as a dark avenger.
The movie wasn’t a big hit but is held in high regard by fans. However, despite a solid lead, Spawn is an ugly mess that gives too much time to its annoying villain and is let down by some awful CGI.
