37. Speed Racer (2008)
No matter what you think about the sequels, The Matrix films were a landmark series and established the Wachowskis as dependable directors that can deliver comic book movies with a certain amount of flair. So when they said they were going to adapt 60's Japanese Anime 'Speed Racer' for the big screen, few thought they couldn't pull it off. Wanting to reach out to a wider audience and make a film that is not rated R, Speed Racer was a very different project from The Matrix and the Wachowski produced V for Vendetta. The story centers around a young man called Speed Racer who dreams of winning a car race called The Crucible that took the life of his older brother, Rex Racer. Throw in side plots involving family disputes and corporate corruption, the film is essentially a rise-against-odds family film. So when the film opened to a huge fanfare that involved an extensive toy range, Happy Meal tie-ins and a $80 Million advertising budget, Speed Racer was hyped to the max as a must see film for families and children. But it had a huge problem, the film sucked. Looking like a mushroom trip gone wrong, the colour pallet was garish to the point it could induce vomiting if you attempted to watch the film with a hangover. While the special effects are top notch and the races are as exciting as they can be, the story is of no use to anyone who has gone beyond puberty. And considering the film is about high speed racing, it does drag quite a bit but that might be down to you not actually caring about anything that you are watching. Complete with accusations of animal cruelty, even John Goodman couldn't save this film from being a total disappointment.
36. The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)
Sean Connery starring as Quatermain in a film version of Alan Moore's superb comic of the same name got fanboys excited in 2003. Even with Moore distancing himself from the production, there was some interest in how the comic would translate to the big screen. But the finished product was a lackluster, run-of-the-mill action film that promised a lot when it started but quickly degenerated into a mess of noise and nonsensical plot holes. Even the ending was changed from a dog fight over the skies above London to a boring raid on a secret base in Tibet. The film has the dubious honor of retiring Connery from acting. Having been paid $17 million for the role which meant there was no money left to hire any other big names, Connery realized on the first day that the shoot was not going to be an enjoyable one. Famously not getting on with director Stephen Norrington, Connery reclled;
On the first day I realized he was insane,
As for the shoot itself, Connery told The Times;
It was a nightmare, The experience had a great influence on me, it made me think about showbiz. I get fed up dealing with idiots.
35. Alice In Wonderland (2010)
Lewis Carol's surreal fantasy novel seemed like the ideal vehicle for Tim Burton, the themes and imagery in the book was perfect for Burton's established style. Yes Burton had made a series of dud's since his heyday, but this film was the perfect chance for him to show the world that he was still a director to get excited about than just a man who and become the poster boy for style over substance. Unfortunately Burton proved all the naysayers right and made an adaptation that looked the business but managed to miss all the aspects of the book that made it so popular. The ending was also altered and became a bog-standard CGI fight that had people groaning as much as they did when they say that Johnny Depp had been cast as The Mad Hatter. The collaboration between Burton and Depp will surly become the prime definition of ''Overkill'' in all future dictionaries. Great effects but lackluster storytelling is becoming the trademark of Tim Burton.
34. Godzilla (1998)
Roland Emmerich was the man behind 1996's Independence Day, so who better to bring another round of mass destruction to New York City, this time with Tokyo hating lizard, Godzilla? How could it not be good? Well it wasn't good, in fact it was terrible. Riddled with plot holes that broke the logic center in your brain, the whole film felt like an extended sequence from the second Jurassic Park film. Crap acting, no tension and mindless action, Godzilla destroying a city that is full of cardboard characters doesn't make a film we care about, just ask Jurassic Park 2.
33. Fantastic Four (2005)
This film was anything but fantastic. One of Marvel's most recognizable groups that even Spider-Man turned to on occasion, this film diluted them to a bland collection of annoying morons. Even Dr Doom was turned from an awesome comic book villain with lots of potential to a dull, boring run-of-the-mill type with little motivation. Bad acting, crap casting, awful CGI, it was amazing that $100 million was spent making this turd. Could have been so much better.