Nine critically acclaimed superhero movies in the last 15 years

The release of superhero movies is always wrapped in expectations from fans who want to see their favorite characters portrayed in the way they think is appropriate. This leads to big discussions about which movies really are good and which ones live up to the original story. However, even box office hits of the genre are not usually among nominees for movie awards, which does not mean that they do not receive attention from expert critics.

Despite the controversy, it is unquestionable the offer of superhero films to which the public currently has access, representing a change in the film industry, which has embraced the genre with particular enthusiasm for the past ten years.

Thus, 2018 marks a milestone in a new way of understanding superhero movies, which began to change with the release of works such as the first Iron Man and Batman: The Dark Knight, both premiering in 2008. The second, in particular, represents a significant change for such films, bringing a dark atmosphere and suspenseful elements to the story, achieving great blockbuster and critical success.

During these ten years, the positive ratings were not restricted to the movies mentioned above. The setting has also changed, with room for greater diversity of heroes. Recall which are nine critically acclaimed superhero movies since 2008.

1. Iron Man (2008)

When the first movie came out, Iron Man wasn't exactly one of Marvel's best-known superheroes. In fact, one of the functions of the work was precisely to introduce it to the general public, while marking the premiere of the Marvel Cinematographic Universe (MCU).

The film has grossed approximately $ 585 million and is 94% approved by Rotten Tomatoes. The critics' good judgment is due not only to the quality of the special effects, but also to the characteristics of the main character. This is evident in the review of Wired magazine, published at the time the film premiered in theaters: “Iron Man has a lot going on in the midst of special effects. The main thing is that it shows a sense of humor. ”

Iron Man would even be nominated for an Oscar in the Sound Editing and Visual Effects categories.

2. Batman: The Dark Knight (2008)

The biggest reason for Batman's success: The Dark Knight is likely to be the storytelling choices, which can even be considered a police thriller in which a superhero is present in the face of his differences from others. movies of the genre.

Released in July 2008, a few months after the premiere of Iron Man, the film was directed by Cristopher Nolan and is based on Heath Ledger's role as the Joker villain. The actor received, posthumously, several awards for the role, including the Oscar and Golden Globe. Already Batman: The Dark Knight received eight Oscar nominations, having won the Sound Editing.

With 94% positive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and $ 1 billion in revenue, that's another thing that sets Batman apart: The Dark Knight from other superhero movies is proposing a closure in itself. Unlike other franchises, such as Marvel's, what happened in that movie didn't reverberate in other stories.

3. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

One of the movies in which Spider-Man is played by Tobey Maguire has been nominated for three Oscar categories, winning Visual Effects. The main innovation of the work is to use the city as the setting for the story, with several scenes of fights between the hero and the villain, Dr. Octopus.

The antagonist is even one of the points praised by the critics. The New York Times assessment at the time of its release argues that the film is better than the previous one and superior to most other comic-based films. "It has a more credible (and scarier) villain and a more original and comprehensive story."

Spider-Man 2 earned $ 783.8 million and has 93% positive feedback on Rotten Tomatoes.

4. The Avengers (2012)

After a few years without very impactful superhero movies, Marvel launches The Avengers in 2012. For the first time ever, several characters who have their own stories - and franchises - are brought together in one movie. It is the beginning of the age of the universes, in which events and characters are no longer tied only to their own stories, but also linked to a broader context.

Other studios have tried to apply The Avengers formula, such as Warner Bros. and its Justice League, launched last year. However, it seems that Marvel, who has gotten along well with the proposal to put several superheroes in the same movie, has also done so in other works, such as Captain America: Civil War, to be commented below.

The Avengers has been nominated for an Oscar for Visual Effects and has a 92% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. New Yorker magazine critics say the movie looks like Christmas to fans. "All of your favorite characters are there, as bright and seductive as they are under the tree." The Avengers formula worked, so much so that there are already three films in the franchise.

The movie grossed approximately $ 2 billion at the box office (the equivalent of $ 7.47 billion).

5. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

With a sensational soundtrack and very charismatic characters (though not exactly in line with the traditional hero model), Guardians of the Galaxy is a film with different characteristics from other superhero stories. Playing with the audience's own expectations, the work is fun and eventually establishes transit almost on the satire ground.

Bringing some classic elements into fictions, such as Earthlings defending the land of extraterrestrials, the work has a sense of humor as one of its strengths. Alien characters are also important to the story, whether they are playing relevant roles in making things happen, bringing comic relief or getting the viewer to connect with them.

The film's irreverence is one of its strengths, as identified by critics of the Los Angeles Times. "Blessed with a loose, anarchic B-movie soul that encourages you to enjoy even when you're not so sure what's going on, the clumsy Guardians are irreverent in a way that can resemble the first Star Wars."

Guardians of the Galaxy has a 91% positive review on Rotten Tomatoes and has grossed $ 773.3 million.

6. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

The movie has its strong point by placing two important dueling superheroes, Captain America and Iron Man. With the presence of other heavyweight characters, such as the Black Widow and Gavião Arqueiro, it's almost a Avengers movie. The events of the film are even referenced in Avengers: Infinite War.

The level of drama and conflict that develops in Captain America: Civil War also sets it apart from other superhero films. The action is still there, but there are other elements, allowing the characters to be explored in new ways. This is a change even from other films starring Captain America.

With 91% approval on Rotten Tomatoes, Captain America: Civil War was rated by Variety magazine as a hero versus hero extravaganza, being "the most mature and substantial film the Marvel Cinematographic has released so far." The work raised $ 1.15 billion (approximately $ 4.3 billion).

7. Logan (2017)

Logan is perhaps the most successful superhero movie in approaching the atmosphere featured in Batman: The Dark Knight. The work received an Oscar nomination in the Adapted Screenplay category, previously unheard of for superhero films.

Marking actor Hugh Jackman's farewell to Wolverine's role, Logan represents the end of the character's bow, though she may continue in other X-Men franchise films. The work has grossed $ 619m and is 93% approved by Rotten Tomatoes.

The secondary characters play an important role in Logan. This is the case of Laura (Dafne Keen) and Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart). According to criticism from The Atlantic magazine, the performances of Jackman and Stewart are the reason the movie works, because it doesn't just seem like a cheap exercise in violence, and because its subversion of typical superhero movies looks organic. .

8. Wonder Woman (2017)

The first superhero movie starring a woman has relevance of its own, as it enters the fray directly into a traditionally male and unremarkable setting.

Wonder Woman does not seem to be a film made to dialogue with other works of DC, since it does not evoke so many references to the universe in which it is inserted. This is a significant difference from most of the superhero movies released today. It may also represent another strategy on the part of Warner Bros., which has not been so successful in films starring characters with their own franchise.

The work has 92% positive feedback on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed $ 821.9 mi. In addition to the action scenes, another element of Wonder Woman's success are the issues the movie addresses. New York Observer criticism says "Wonder Woman embraces issues of female power and the need to turn hatred into love, war into peace."

9. Black Panther (2018)

Another film that brings to the audience a diverse superhero, Black Panther has a primarily black cast. With consistent performances and complex characters, the work introduces audiences to the highly technological and developed Wakanda world - of great importance to women for their prosperity.

Black Panther is the highest rated Marvel movie on Rotten Tomatoes, with 97% positive ratings. The success is explained not only by the story itself, but also by the movement generated around the movie, which brings to the genre of superheroes people who are not normally represented in these products.

The work surpassed the $ 1.3 billion collection mark (which amounts to nearly $ 5 billion), indicating the appeal, both commercial and cultural, of films that diversify the characters represented. Criticism of The Atlantic magazine states that it is possible to question whether Black Panther is the best movie from Marvel Studios, but "it is by far the most thought-provoking." Evidence of this was the discussions that the film sparked in different locations, highlighting the role blockbusters can also play in shedding light on certain problems.

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