Seminal moments in comic book movies: Iron Man flexes his muscles

2008 brought the crowd cheering funtastic comic movie Iron Man to the big screen and audiences ate it up. Robert Downey, Jr. was perfectly cast as the titular character Iron Man and his alter ego, the brash inventor and savvy businessman Tony Stark. Loaded with cool special effects, lots of humor and RDJ's best role in years, Iron Man was awesome. In this clip, he arrives in a small town that is being overrun by militia who are using his company's weapons. He has had enough and decides to intervene.

Seminal Moments in comic book movies: Hit Girl goes ballistic in KICK-ASS

 Say what again! I dare ya!

OK, while this very cool comic book movie is all about a high school student named Dave Lizewski who becomes a super hero called Kick-Ass, the real star of the movie is the lethal and young Hit Girl (played by Chloe Grace Moretz). Trained by her dad, Big Daddy (the always weird but fun Nicolas Cage), she dispenses brutal justice on all bad guys with gut wrenching efficiency. This girl is no joke. She is like a mini Punisher! Check out this scene where she takes on the bad guys on their own turf, rocking to the tune of Joan Jett's Bad Reputation!

http://youtu.be/vsBKyduk3RE

Seminal moments in comic book movies: Wolverine pops his claws for the first time

It was perfect casting when Hugh Jackman landed the role of everyone's favorite mutant from Canada... Wolverine. From his opening scene in the first X-Men movie (2000) you know he was the guy. And when he popped his claws with the trademark SNIKT! sound, as an X-Men fan, I was in fanboy heaven. I can remember that scene and how the audience reacted. Everyone was cheering and clapping and saying "Oh yes! That's it! That's Wolverine!". Perfection!

Seminal moments in comic book movies: Batman drops his name on a bad guy

It took over 20 years to bring a proper Dark Knight to the big screen to erase memories of the campy 60's TV series. While the series was fun and had it moments, we wanted a more serious take on Batman. And director Tim Burton delivered the goods. Now when he cast Michael "Mr. Mom" Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman, everyone was like..huh? But guess what Keaton did a pretty good job. Batman was a huge blockbuster hit during the summer of 1989 and while there are plenty of moments to choose from as the one to be called pivotal: the intro of Jack Nicholson as the disfigured Joker; Batman rolling down the streets of Gotham in the batmobile and others. But I will go with the very opening scene where two low life criminals are divvying up their recent score on a rooftop building when Batman makes his very cool appearance and then name checks himself.
I'M BATMAN! The bad guy had to have an accident in his pants right then and there.

Seminal moments in comic book movies: Peter Parker tests out his new spider powers

Spider-Man is my favorite super-hero so I was ecstatic when they finally announced he was getting the big screen treatment ala Superman and Batman. One of the best moments is after getting by that radioactive spider, Peter Parker starts exhibiting some strange new powers. The first time he learns he can climb a wall is just awesome. And then he starts running all over the city. And of course he has to try his amazing web-line. Love this scene. Expect plenty more pivotal moments from this terrific series.

Seminal moments in comic book movies: Superman takes flight in Metropolis

What with 2012 looming to be a very big year for comic book movies with The Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises, and The Amazing Spider-Man, I thought of doing this new series dedicated to the most pivotal moments in comic book movies. Not a ranking of favorite movies, but just those moments in the movies where you know this is it, this is what you have dreamed of for years. First up is the excellent 1978 film, Superman, which is one of the most loved comic book movies of all time. For me the seminal moment is when Lois Lane is in trouble, hanging from the helicopter off the roof of the Daily Bugle and Clark sees it from below and makes a quick change into the Man of Steel and takes flight. The music swells as he soars upward and it's a fantastic moment. Christopher Reeve is perfect as Superman. And this movie rocks! Here's the scene: