Superhero films provide viewers with an exciting opportunity unavailable in most other films

They take the world which we all know well and then input a tiny little variable – one person who has the power to change everything

When the depressing reality of modern life gets you down, the idea that there is someone out there with a special gift who can change it for the better is a comforting thought – even if only for a short while

While superhero films have been around for a good while, the start of the new millennium – with the release of X-Men by Bryan Singer in 2000 – really kick started this genre again and made it stick

Superheroes were rebranded from the secret passion of socially awkward men in their mother’s basements to something altogether more socially acceptable

So let’s take a look at some of the highlights (and lowlights) of this ever developing superhero genre

 7. The Spirit

Director: Frank Miller
Cast: Jaime King, Gabriel Macht, Dan Gerrity, Arthur the Cat, Kimberly Cox, Brian Lucero, David Brian Martin, Larry Reinhardt-Meyer, Frank Miller, Eva Mendes, Eric Balfour, Samuel L. Jackson, Louis Lombardi, Scarlett Johansson, Sarah Paulson
Year: 2008

Superhero films connoisseurs don’t turn away just yet! The Spirit tells the dimly lit tale of Denny Colt, quite literally a spirit as he comes back from the dead in order to fight the dark forces at work in Central City – yes, that’s really what it’s called - The Spirit takes inspiration from classic films such as The Crow by Alex Proyas and The Dark Knight by Christopher Nolan (more on this later…) so that’s bound to be a winning formula, right? That’s probably what writer and director Frank Miller thought. According to me Miller was wrong

The reason The Spirit is in this list is to serve as a prime example of how even if a film takes all the best aspects from its genre it can still come up short. Whilst watching the sharply dressed superhero race through yet another curious abandoned warehouse and talk about the city as if it is one of his (many) lovers, one cannot help but to sense that something just isn’t slotting into place. The Spirit feels as if all the classic films before it have been forced together into a blender. Chocolate tastes good. So does pizza, but you wouldn’t eat them together, right? It just feels awkward. The Spirit is the ultimate style over substance flick. Talking in a husky voiceover a superhero does not make. Trey Parker and Matt Stone - the duo behind South Park - made it funny when they mocked superhero stereotypes in the episode The Coon. The Spirit is neither funny nor touching. Sure The Spirit is pretty to watch, and entertaining enough, but it’s missing the heart and soul that is key to the new age of superhero films

 6. Kick-Ass

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Cast: Aaron Johnson, Garrett M. Brown, Evan Peters, Deborah Twiss, Lyndsy Fonseca, Sophie Wu, Elizabeth McGovern, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Stu ‘Large’ Riley, Johnny Hopkins, Ohene Cornelius, Mark Strong, Michael Rispoli, Corey Johnson, Kenneth Simmons
Year: 2010

If there was ever an everyman superhero film that’s Kick-Ass. The main character isn’t a God, he hasn’t been blasted by radioactivity and he’s not a multi millionaire. In fact the only unusual aspect to him (at least for the first half of the film) is a strong desire to dress in spandex and flex in front of a mirror. Dave Lizewski – played by Aaron Johnson - is an ordinary, somewhat nerdy, teenager who becomes infuriated with the injustice he witnesses on the streets every day. Dave’s solution? Why, become a superhero of course… and name hisself Kick-Ass

Kick-Ass is continuously entertaining and the deeper levels only add more to the action on screen. The star of the show is quite clearly the small but deadly Hit Girl – played by the pretty Chloe Moretz – and the action sequences involving her are a treat for the eyes (as long as you’re not squeamish!) We are quickly presented with the bitter reality of being a caped crusader, but at the same time are handed several hell yes! moments. Kick-Ass is a superb example of superhero meets reality and it pulls it off excellently, directed by the would be X-Men: First Class director Matthew Vaughn. Kick-Ass is a thrill ride from start to end, and the epic ending scene is sure to leave you breathless and wanting more

 5. Thor

Okay so Thor

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård, Kat Dennings, Clark Gregg, Idris Elba, Colm Feore, Ray Stevenson, Tadanobu Asano, Josh Dallas, Jaimie Alexander, Rene Russo, Adriana Barraza, Jeremy Renner
Year: 2011

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isn’t necessarily a superhero – being a Norse God and all – but if you want to pick that bone with him, be my guest. Thor is a perfect example of how to do it right. There is no recycling of old plots or stereotypes (bar maybe the stunning and brainy Jane Foster – aka Natalie Portman - a classic trope which many superhero love interests seem to fall lazily into) Thor isn’t afraid to mix things up a bit, to take a chance. And these chances pay off. Thor tells the story of the young and impulsive hero of the same name – played by a muscular Chris Hemsworth - a somewhat blockheaded but lovable prince who is banished from his home in the legendary Asgard by his father – Anthony Hopkins - due to his reckless actions. And guess where he ends up? Earth. And the battle between good and evils ensues

Many questions hang over Thor. The villainous role is turned on its head due to magnificent writing and a stunning performance by Tom Hiddleston as the scheming Loki. We know we should support the brave, blonde, muscular lead, yet it is difficult to totally loathe his less-favoured and paler brother who seems less insane for no real reason and more pushed to the edge by brotherly jealousy. Thor is a story not only of warring Gods, but of classic human emotions – pride, jealousy and colliding ideals of the greater good. And love. Some cynics are already proclaiming the death of the superhero genre in film. Along came Thor this summer, and proved superheroes are very much alive

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