This film made it onto my list because it brought superhero films into the limelight. It proved to studios that comic book films had the potential to make them a lot of money. Who knows, maybe if this didn't do well we might not have films such as Spiderman, X-Men and The Avengers on our screens today. I also loved the style that Burton brought to it because it fit so well with Batman as a character. Michael Keaton was also very brave, but clever casting. Jack Nicholson as The Joker was great for that film too.
4) Thor (2011, Kenneth Brannagh)
Many people, including me, thought that Thor was going to be the weak link in terms of Marvel's Phase One of films. I think many, many people were wrong in thinking that. Kenneth Brannagh was the perfect director to bring Thor to screens because of his Shakespearean background - and that's exactly what he brings to it. Watching Thor, is like watching a Shakespeare play - with added summer blockbuster and the blend of the two was just perfect. Chris Hemsworth nailed the character of Thor, too and I don't think I need to tell you how great Tom Hiddlestone is.
3) Kick-Ass (2010, Matthew Vaughn)
Kick-Ass came out of nowhere. I didn't know much about it at all, the only information I had gathered were from the trailers - so I thought this was a comedy at first. That was an understatement. Sure, this film is funny, but it's also one of the best action films out there today. It starts off not taking itself seriously, but as you get towards the end you realise that this is some hard stuff. Especially as the end contains gangsters, drug-dealers and torture scenes. However, this is combated by the incredibly funny scenes and the slapstick action involved. It truly is one of the greats.
2) The Avengers (2012, Joss Whedon)
Little needs to be said about how good The Avengers is. To take $1bn in this day and age says it all, but I think it's the love and care from Marvel that made this film that much better. The time and care they took with making the independent character-led films really showed in The Avengers because we knew the characters and wanted to root for them because we've seen them on our screens for five years already. 1) The Dark Knight (2008, Chrisopher Nolan)
Before I saw this film, I was a tad worried about how good it was going to be. I mean, Batman Begins was brilliant and I think we all know that the sequels are usually never better... Usually being the key word here because The Dark Knight is ten times better than Batman Begins. Casting the late Heath Ledger was a stroke of brilliance. Can you imagine anyone else in that role anymore? I think he's copyrighted it for life now. Whoever steps into that role now (which I don't think should happen out of respect for him) will have a huge amount of pressure on them. Heath Ledger made this film. Notable mentions: Hellboy 2, Iron-Man, Batman Begins, Captain America and The Dark Knight Rises.
