Kicking Ass And Taking Names

I have to admit 2009 was not near as much fun as 2008 in the world of comic book movies. It was the year that gave us G.I. Joe (which we can’t get back), an awful version of Wolverine, and didn’t do much to squash rumors about upcoming projects that made most comic book fans cringe. All in all, 2009 was a bummer. So why am I writing a happy article this time around? One reason: I saw a trailer that blew me away!

Like most people, I found myself in a movie theater this past weekend. I sat down to watch Sherlock Holmes (a bit disappointing in my mind) and was anxiously awaiting the trailer for Iron Man 2. When it came on, I was glued. Mickey Rourke looked absolutely amazing as Whiplash and War Machine had my engine revving high. Robert Downey Jr. was Robert Downey Jr., so the whole trailer had me pining to see the new movie.

It got me thinking about what the next year will bring. So, I’m going to salute 2009 and welcome (with open arms) 2010.

So Long And Goodnight

Not every movie in 2009 was bad. I’ve mentioned before I really enjoyed Watchmen. It has been highly debated among the comic book faithful, but I still say they did a great job at creating a gritty, gutty movie about a group of gritty, gutty characters. In my mind, it was the best comic book film of 2009.

It’s not like Watchmen had a lot to overcome to receive such an honor. In fact, it might have been the only comic book movie worth watching in a year full of stinkers. I believe the two best movies of 2009 that comic book fans would enjoy (although they are not based on comic books) was District 9 and Avatar. The rest left something to be desired.

I was most disappointed in X-Men Origins:Wolverine. I thought Hugh Jackman did a nice job and he certainly looked the part, but they gave us a boring story that was muddled and not interesting. Anytime you make Wolverine boring, you need to find a high cliff and jump off. Also, they destroyed Gambit. NOBODY DESTROYS GAMBIT!!

Of course I will give Wolvie a little credit. At least it wasn’t the train wreck known as G.I. Joe:The Rise of Cobra. This movie is a rough draft of what I wanted to see. If they would’ve started with this idea and expanded on it, I would’ve been happier. Instead we got a lot of money spent on action scenes and not much substance.

One final disappointment was Terminator: Salvation. The best part of this movie was the Christian Bale rant while on the set. That should’ve been a clue that he was frustrated. I realize Terminator isn’t a comic book movie, but comic book fans love Terminator. The trailers for this looked incredible and early reviews were favorable. However, it just got bogged down with the look of the film and the story, which started out interesting, fizzled. In short, Terminator deserved better.

Ring In The New

I think 2009 was simply a hangover. After all, 2008 delivered some amazing comic book movies. 2010 isn’t likely going to be as good as 2008, but it appears to be an appetizer for 2011. Confused yet? Quite simply, get ready for some quality comic book movies and hopefully (fingers crossed) once it starts it won’t stop until the end of 2011.

There are four comic book movies set to be released in 2010. I am equally excited and skeptical about a couple of them. The king of kings is Iron Man 2. The success of the first installment was overwhelming. Downey was a superb choice for Tony Stark and it had the same wit and action as the comic book. I have full faith the second edition will be just as exciting. It will begin the summer action movies when it is released on May 7.

The next three are all up for conjecture. We simply have no idea what we are going to get. The first one out of the gate, slated to be released on April 16, is Kick-Ass. This has the potential to be exciting and fun. I’ve been watching the trailers and it looks good. I laughed out loud at the Nicolas Cage trailer (warning language). If the rest of the movie is in this vein, it should be a success.

Next up is the comic book novel Red. Warren Ellis’s creation is finally going to hit the big screen. I’ve been secretly excited about this project since its inception. I’m a huge Warren Ellis fan and to think he may become a household name is very enticing to me. The cast of Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John C. Reilly, and Mary Louise Parker tells me the producers are taking it seriously. Let’s hope it matches the comic novel. Red is scheduled to be released October 22.

To end the comic book movie season in 2010 Seth Rogen will bring us The Green Hornet. Yes, this time next year you can read a review of Rogen’s vision. Why am I placing all this on Rogen? Well, he is helping write the script and he is starring as Green Hornet. That’s right, the dude from Knocked Up is going to be the deciding factor for a legendary comic book. Be prepared to see Green Hornet with a white man afro. It should be interesting to say the least. I will give the production credit in its casting. Cameron Diaz, Tom Wilkinson, and Edward Furlong have all signed onto the project. It is due out in theaters December 22.

1980 Reload?

I would be remised if I didn’t talk about my biggest movie concern for 2010. This has nothing to do with comic book movies, but it does have something to do with my childhood. There will be a total of six movies having connection with my childhood. Four of these movies are remakes, one is an adaptation from a TV series, and the other is a continuation of a horror franchise which is beating a dead horse.

Scheduled out in 2010 are Clash of The Titans, The Karate Kid, Footloose, The A-Team, Red Dawn, and another Nightmare on Elm Street movie. This should tell you how desperate Hollywood is to make a buck.

I grew up watching Footloose, Red Dawn, The Karate Kid, and Clash of the Titans. I can tell you they do NOT need to be remade. Why is it that every good movie in the 1980s needs to be remade? Next we will be remaking the Breakfast Club or Say Anything. Just leave them alone. Besides, Zac Efron turned down the lead role in Footloose AFTER he read the script. That is just frightening!

The A-Team is the only interesting idea out of this bunch. I’m not sure if it will capture the same humor and fun of the original TV series, but I like the idea. My only worry is that it will be more action and less wit. It seems to be how they do things these days.

Nightmare on Elm Street is…well…going to be a disaster. I can’t see any reason to continue the series. It’s right up there with Michael Myers and Jason movies. Find a new villain and move on please.

2010 could be a moderate success. If Iron Man 2 delivers, Kick-Ass is a pleasant surprise, Red is solid, and Seth Rogen doesn’t screw up the The Green Hornet, it could be the greatest appetizer since loaded nachos. Then we can start debating 2011 mega-packed movie schedule. Oh, the fun we will have!