A Tale of Three Heroes

The Summer of 2011 can easily be called the Summer of the Super-Hero. Audiences got three movies about three heroes starring three hunks based on decades-old comics published by two different companies. There have been scores of reviews of these films, so there seems little reason for me to bother. So, how about a little comparing and contrasting, eh?

If you read my blog, you know I'm a comics geek. I have been reading comics for more than four decades. (Yup, I'm ancient.) I have always read a variety of comics from different publishers; DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, independents, you name it. As a kid, I was drawn to DC comics; Justice League of America, Green Lantern, Legion of Super-heroes, Justice Society, and so forth. When I was in my teens and twenties, I shifted to reading more Marvel books: X-Men, Captain America, Avengers, Invaders, and more. Today, I buy some of each.

So it was with great interest that I awaited the opening of the Big Three summer super-hero movies: Thor, in April, starring Aussie Chris Hemsworth; Green Lantern, in June, starring Canuck Ryan Reynolds and most recently Captain America starring the formerly-fantastic-now-hyper-pumped Chris Evans. First, let's look at how they were similar:

Warning: Abandon hope all ye who wish to avoid spoilers

Similarity: Origin Stories
All three films show how their respective protagonists become heroes, either by birthright (Thor) or by selection (GL and Cap). All three chronicle how lesser beings (Thor is made mortal, Hal Jordan is a cocky pilot, Steve Rogers is a skinny wimp) earn their right to wield power.

Similarity: Romance
Thor meets and woos Jane Foster (a nurse in the comics, an astro-physicist in the movie -- talk about an upgrade!) while Hal woos Carol Ferris (no change from comics) and Cap falls for Peggy Carter (made British in the film). Heroes must be heterosexual, thank Odin!

Similarity: Dual Villains
Every hero needs foe. It seems an unwritten rule that super-hero movies need at least two villains and this batch was no different. Thor faced Loki and the Destroyer. GL fought Hector Hammond and Parallax. Cap faced off (heh) against the Red Skull and Arnim Zola.

Similarity: Sidekicks
Thor got assistance from the Warriors 3.5 (including Sif), while GL confided in Tom Kalmaku (aka Pieface in the comics) and Cap fought alongside an adult Bucky and the Howling Commandos (without Sgt. Fury).

Similarity: Armies
Thor featured the Norse pantheon of gods and goddesses, Green Lantern witnessed the entire alien freaking GL Corps and Cap had the U.S. Army.

Similarity: Father Figures Who Empower the Hero
Thor had Odin; GL had Abin Sur (although Martin Jordan gave him his ability to overcome fear); Cap had Dr. Erskine.

Similarity: Cool Weapons
All three heroes used iconic weapons. Need I elaborate? Okay: Thor - Mjolnir; GL - Power Ring; Cap - Vibranium Shield. Honorable mentions: Casket of Ancient Winters; Yellow, fear-powered ring and cosmic cube.

Similarity: Setting up Sequel after Credits
Thor set up Loki and the cosmic cube as the origin for the Avengers movie. GL had Sinestro looking fondly at that yellow ring the Guardians created. Silly blue dudes! And Captain America: The First Avenger was essentially a prequel to the Avengers movie. (I didn't especially mind this, but I am sorry that there seems to be no room for additional WWII Captain America stories in the film's continuity. No Invaders, despite the cameo of the original Human Torch at the World's Fair. Sigh.)

Similarity: Muscular, Smooth-Chested Hotties
Apparently, super-heroes can't have hairy chests this year (sorry, Wolverine). All three movies have scenes of their hunky leading men shirtless: Thor, out of the shower; GL out of bed (and in his tighty whities on an exam table); Cap out of his rebirth chamber. I don't know if Hemsworth normally has furry pecs, but Reynolds normally sprouts some chest hair and Evans is naturally hirsute, except in these roles. Does chest hair scare kids or something? Sheesh. At least they allowed Thor to have a beard.

Similarity: CGI
World-class special effects are an expected part of the super-hero movie genre. Thor used 'em. GL overdosed on them. Cap used plenty as well.

Next time, I'll discuss how the three films were different, especially their critical and popular reception and box office numbers. Here's a hint: one did well, one did not and one did very well. Can you guess which one critics announced proved that the comic book movie was a dying genre and which other proved them wrong?