On July 14th, 2000, the cinematic rendition of Marvel Comics' “X-Men” was released in movie theaters across the country. Not since 1989's "Batman" had there been a comic-book adaption so heavily anticipated. It opened to big business. The film had grossed $54.5 million on opening weekend. And it went on to earn a worldwide total of $296 million. Big business indeed. During the aftermath of its success, Hollywood movie studios began to place comic-book properties on the fast track. In the years that followed, iconic characters like "Spider-Man", "The Hulk" and "The Punisher" received the big-screen treatment. Even lesser known comic-books such as "Hellboy" were adapted to the silver-screen.
There is no question that "X-Men" is the film that spawned a major emergence of the superhero movie. Prior to its release, there had only been but a few comic-book movies made. While "Batman" and 1978's "Superman: The Movie" were both major cultural events, there were no other comic-books adapted in their immediate wake. While some could argue the technology was too archaic to make credible adapations, I'd beg to differ. Case in point, Hollywood producers went on to make other big-budget affairs like "Star Wars", "Indiana Jones" and "Jurassic Park" during the era. Hollywood special-effects of the late 20th century were more than capable of bringing other comic books to life. It was quite simply not the time for them to flourish.
So what was it that made the "comic book movie" so popular? Was "X-Men" really that good? Or did the arrival of the new millennium have anything do with it? Certainly "The Matrix" had shown what a superhero movie for the ages could look like. While that popular film was not based on a comic-book per se, it certainly had the asthetic of one. The hero of "The Matrix" was like a kung-fu, gun-toting version of Superman. It was released a year before "X-Men" and its martial-art skilled protagonists were clear inspirations for the movie version of Marvel's mutants. While I can't pinpoint why comic-book movies finally resonated, I can say that 12 years after "X-Men", they are still going strong. This Friday, "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" will be in theaters. While "The Avengers", "The Dark Knight Rises" and "The Amazing Spider-Man" are all slated for summer release. As for 2013, filmgoers will be treated to the return of "Superman", "Iron Man" and "Thor". Yes, the comic-book movie genre is thriving and its end is nowhere in sight.
The 2012 Super Bowl ad of "The Avengers".
There is no question that "X-Men" is the film that spawned a major emergence of the superhero movie. Prior to its release, there had only been but a few comic-book movies made. While "Batman" and 1978's "Superman: The Movie" were both major cultural events, there were no other comic-books adapted in their immediate wake. While some could argue the technology was too archaic to make credible adapations, I'd beg to differ. Case in point, Hollywood producers went on to make other big-budget affairs like "Star Wars", "Indiana Jones" and "Jurassic Park" during the era. Hollywood special-effects of the late 20th century were more than capable of bringing other comic books to life. It was quite simply not the time for them to flourish.
So what was it that made the "comic book movie" so popular? Was "X-Men" really that good? Or did the arrival of the new millennium have anything do with it? Certainly "The Matrix" had shown what a superhero movie for the ages could look like. While that popular film was not based on a comic-book per se, it certainly had the asthetic of one. The hero of "The Matrix" was like a kung-fu, gun-toting version of Superman. It was released a year before "X-Men" and its martial-art skilled protagonists were clear inspirations for the movie version of Marvel's mutants. While I can't pinpoint why comic-book movies finally resonated, I can say that 12 years after "X-Men", they are still going strong. This Friday, "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" will be in theaters. While "The Avengers", "The Dark Knight Rises" and "The Amazing Spider-Man" are all slated for summer release. As for 2013, filmgoers will be treated to the return of "Superman", "Iron Man" and "Thor". Yes, the comic-book movie genre is thriving and its end is nowhere in sight.
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| The live-action version of Marvel Comics' "X-Men" was released in 2000. |
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| In 2005, the Batman film franchise received a much-needed reboot with "Batman Begins" |
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