60. Green Lantern (Martin Campbell, 2011)
An arrogant test pilot is granted an alien ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers, as well as membership into an intergalactic peace squadron that is tasked with maintaining peace and stability within the universe. DCs luck when it comes to adapting their own properties has been quite hit and miss over the years, so there were high hopes for this movie starring the brilliant Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan - the greatest Green Lantern of all time. Pre-release footage was panned for looking too phony but fans were sure the CGI would be greatly improved during the post production process. It wasnt. Sadly, this tale of Jordan defending the Earth against an attack from the maniacal Parallax relies far too much on special FX, to the detriment of its own story. Still, the performance of Reynolds alone is enough to keep viewers and fans happy, much like it did in Blade Trinity, and briefly X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
59. Superman IV: A Quest For Peace (Sidney J Furie, 1987)
The main thing Ive never liked about Superman is that hes too much of a goody goody. Even as his evil alter ego in Superman 3 he was clearly rubbish at being bad. The intergalactic boy scout is at it again in his 4th movie - The Quest for Peace - in which he tries to unite the world and encourage nuclear disarmament. This doesnt sit too well with The Man of Steels old nemesis Lex Luthor who creates a radioactive foe to do his bidding. Ridiculous enough to end the Superman franchise but far more entertaining than its predecessor, Superman IV was sadly the last time we would see Reeve in the blue and red tights. The use of Nuclear Man is something straight out of the comic books that just would not wash with todays sophisticated audience. That being said, audiences were a little more used to cheesy plot lines and ridiculous idea in the 80s, yes thats right, you heard me. The people of the 1980s were more susceptible to cheese.
58. Cowboys and Aliens (Jon Favreau, 2011)
Whats cooler than a cowboy? An alien perhaps? So whats cooler than combining the two in a movie directed by the man behind Iron Man? Thats right - nothing! Except at least 57 other comic book movie adaptations I mean. An alien craft arrives in the Old West, circa 1873, with a plan to take over the world. Sadly for our little green friends, they hadnt counted on a posse of badass Cowboys led by the mysterious stranger Jake Lonergan (007 himself, Daniel Craig), taking them down like a bunch of wild horses. Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg and published by Platinum Studios Comics in 2006, Cowboys and Aliens is a unique take on the much loved American Western theme with Aliens standing in for the more common native Indians.
57. V For Vendetta (James McTeigue, 2005)
Cranky old Alan Moore had his name taken off this adaptation of one of his greatest works. A mysterious freedom fighter begins using terrorist tactics to bring down the totalitarian, big brother, government that is running the UK in a future not so far away future. Natalie Portman impresses as the young woman the terrorist - known simply as V - takes under his wing. Initially reluctant she quickly begins to delve into his dark past and finds a man, a myth and a monster all rolled into one. Fans were split right down the middle with this one. Perhaps it is a little weighty in places, this is an outstanding adaptation of a difficult comic book that truly does justice to its source material. V for Vendetta gets better with every viewing.
56. Swamp Thing (Wes Craven, 1982)
After an unfortunate incident with a special chemical, a research scientist is turned into a swamp plant monster in Wes Cravens unintentionally hysterical adaptation of the DC/Vertigo comic created by Len Wein. This was Cravens attempt to show the men with the big wallets in Hollywood that he was capable of much more than his usual horror movie style. It didnt really help him that much but Swamp Thing is still regarded as one of his best pieces. A 3D reboot is on its way.