1) Watchmen (2009)
Watchmen is a film that comic book purists will either love or hate. For the longest time the graphic novel was deemed un-filmable and eccentric author Alan Moore decided to disown the film property after a failed experience with trying to successfully produce a screen adaptation of one of his works. Eventually the film reigns were handed off to director Zack Snyder (Dawn of the Dead, 300) and screenwriter David Hayter (X-Men). Together they produced what I believe to be one of the best screen adaptations of a graphic novel. I believe they at least did the best they could have on a literary specimen such as Watchmen. Yes, there were some changes in the story told on screen as apposed to the source material, but I also understand that sometimes certain changes need to be made in order to make a comic book film generally well received to the average movie going audience. Certain elements of a comic book just don't always translate well to a screen adaptation.
Even so, Watchmen is about a group of retired superheroes in an alternate reality in 1985 where Richard Nixon is still president and the Cold War is at it's height. These retired heroes are brought back into action when one of their own is found murdered and the investigation reaches a startling discovery. This film and source material touch base on a superhero noire mystery set against the backdrop of the unease during the Cold War. It's brilliantly executed and the visuals are astounding. Zack Snyder has a very keen eye for both action and set design that truly gives his films a unique tone. I highly recommend checking this film out and even reading the graphic novel if you ever get a chance because it really makes you think about the ethics of politics and war.
2) Iron Man (2008)
While Watchmen presents a more intellectual look at the comic book film genre, Iron Man is just pure fun for multiple reasons. Firstly, it brought back the career of one of my favourite actors Robert Downey Jr. Secondly, this film single handedly turned a significantly lesser known comic book hero into a household name. Thirdly, it set in motion what would ultimately become the epic on-screen ensemble known as The Avengers. Honestly, when I first saw the bonus after credits sequence I was excited, but didn't get my hopes up that someday the super team of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, & The Incredible Hulk would ever be on the same screen together. Excluding The Avengers, I found Iron Man to be the best executed film in phase one of Marvel Studios' Avengers saga. It set the ground work for an exciting franchise filled with great and loveable characters and performances. It provided us with an awesome and bald Jeff Bridges as the film's villain Obadiah Stane (Iron Monger). I actually cared about the on-screen love interest Pepper Potts played by Gwyneth Paltrow. While the sequel would be fairly disappointing, I have high hopes that Iron Man 3 will take us back to the incredibly well balanced story and action of the original movie.
3) Blade (1998)
You may be thinking to yourself "That was a comic book movie?", to which I say it can be argued (and I would) that Blade set the trend for the foray of comic book films to come over the next fifteen years. Before X-Men, Spider-Man, Daredevil, Fantastic Four, Batman Begins, IronMan, etc..., Blade kicked the crap out of vampires and provided movie going audiences with some of the best fight scenes and action on film. Maybe that's a stretch, but I just really love this movie. Blade ultimately proved to Hollywood that a comic book adaptation can be successful. While it has noticeably aged since it's release, Blade is the sort of balls-to-the-wall action movie that made the 90's so great. In an age where vampire movies are all lovey-dovey, this movie gives us vampires that hide in the shadows amongst the humans and harvest their blood for ultimate survival. No, the performances aren't Oscar worthy, but Wesley Snipes plays such a badass character throughout that all you really care about is watching Blade wield his sword, cutting some vampires to ash. If for anything else, watch Blade for the sheer adrenaline rush that it provides. If you aren't a pansy, you'll enjoy the movie.
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