INSTRUCTIONS:
In Class Assignment with Follow-on Homework:
Use the following sources to write a persuasive paper that answers the following question. What
is the best superhero movie of all time?
Persuasive papers should be a combination of opinion and fact with the overall purpose of
convincing the reader that your view point is correct. Persuasive papers need a strong hook to
catch the reader’s attention, a thesis sentence (this is where you state your opinion), and then
supportive sentences that use fact to support your opinion.
When using a source to support your opinion you should give credit to the original author to
avoid PLAGIARISM. We will discuss citing sources in class today and we will use MLA style
parenthetical citation in this paper. The MLA end notes citation have been provide for each
source along with excerpts from the source for you to read and use as necessary.
After todays in class portion of this assignment you will be required to finish your paper and turn
it in next MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd regardless of if you have military studies on that day.
Papers will be turned into the turn-in boxes on the wall by the door inside classroom 206 (as
previously discussed). Any paper not received by 1630 on NOVEMBER 3rd will be considered
late and will have a 10 point deduction from the maximum possible grade. The 10 point
deductions will be applied for each additional day it is late until the maximum possible grade is
50%.
If you have any questions you may see me during “A hour” Lunch or you may email me directly
at ryan.simonson@sarasotacountyschools.net.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SOURCES OF EVIDENCE FOR THE PAPER:
Excerpt From:
Owusu, Tony. "The 10 Greatest Superhero Movies of All Time." The Street. The Street Inc., 9
June 2014. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
Since 2000, Hollywood has released 61 superhero films that have captivated audiences as
special effects and 3-D technology has improved.
This renewed interest in classic comic book characters on the silver screen has proved to be
extremely lucrative for industry stalwarts Marvel and DC Comics. Marvel was purchased by
Disney (DIS) five years ago for $4 billion and DC Comics has been a subsidiary of Warner Bros
for nearly three decades.
The two company's dominate the superhero comic book market share with Marvel and DC
Comics earning 35.42% and 27.22% of the dollars spent on comic books respectively.
The glut of releases in the genre is due mainly to the fact that the films are so profitable. Four
out of the top ten highest grossing films of all time are superhero movies. The Dark Knight Rises
(10th - $1.08 billion worldwide gross), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (7th - $1.12 billion), Iron
Man 3 (6th - $1.21 billion) and Marvel's The Avengers (3rd - $1.5 billion) have all been released
in the last four years.
Despite the overall success of these films, clearly not every superhero movie is created equally.
While there have been some triumphs there have also been plenty of clunkers as well
(Catwoman and any of the Transformers movies after the first one I'm looking at you).
Superhero movies, much like the comic books that preceded them, strike a personal chord with
fans of the genre that one may not get with a generic action or romantic comedy film.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Excerpt From:
Benson, Clark. "The Best Superhero Movies Ever Made." Ranker. Ranker. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
The Dark Knight
Batman Begins
Iron Man
The Avengers
X-Men: First Class
The Dark Knight Rises
X2
Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man
X-Men
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Excerpt From:
James, Dan. "Top 10 - Most Influential Superhero Movies." Couch Potato Pancakes.
Wordpress, 14 Nov. 2013. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
10. X-Men: First Class (2011), Directed by Matthew Vaughn
A successful reboot to a superhero franchise featuring an entirely new ensemble cast. Balances
the combination of action, adventure, emotion and character relationships very well. Also is the
best attempt thus far to show superheroes in a historical context. And sometimes, a clean slate
is all you need.
9. Spider-Man 3 (2007), Directed by Sam Raimi
Sometimes you have to learn from mistakes. And this was a big one. This is how NOT to end a
trilogy that started with two solid films. Turns out there IS such a thing as too many villains.
We’re introduced to not one, not two, and not three, but four major antagonists (Sandman, New
Goblin, Venom and Spider-Man’s new alter ego.) There are also too many plot-lines. Harry
wants to kill Spider-Man. Eddie wants to kill Spider-Man. Both become super-villains. There’s
Mary Jane, but also maybe another girl named Gwen. Sandman is introduced as Uncle Ben’s
“actual” killer (you can tell they’re just looking for a reason to bring him in). It just becomes an
insanely expensive soap opera with special effects and really no point.
8. The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Directed by Christopher Nolan
Learned from the disasters that were X-Men 3 and Spider-Man 3. This is how to end a trilogy.
Brings back old characters, introduces new characters, provides an appropriate ending to each
character’s story arc & ties up all lose ends. And it does all this while presenting Batman’s
biggest challenge yet – a villain who is actually stronger (he’s had no physical match-ups thus
far), a freed Arkham Asylum and a Gotham City on lockdown. While not as innovative
as Batman Begins or enthralling as The Dark Knight, this film sets the standard for Film #3 in
the superhero trilogy.
7. Spider-Man 2 (2004), Directed by Sam Raimi
By far the best Spider-Man film to date. One villain (Dr.Octopus) and one smart story arc
(Spider-Man struggling with his choice to become a hero) are all you need to sustain a a
superhero flick.
6. The Dark Knight (2008), Directed by Christopher Nolan
Quite possibly the best superhero movie of all time and definitely the one with the most
intelligent script. Showed that a superhero film could be more than just an action movie. The
Dark Knight has a fascinating plot that examines themes such as identity, chaos, duality and
good versus evil. It also includes modern fears about government and terrorism. A Hans
Zimmer soundtrack and an all-star cast, most notably the late Heath Ledger’s “Joker”, make this
the role model to not only darker superhero films but to all future crime and thriller movies.
5. Iron Man (2008), Directed by Jon Favreau
Took a little-known comic book hero and re-launched him into one of the most iconic fictional
characters of the past 5 years. Suddenly there are Iron Man costumes, figurines and video
games everywhere. The perfect casting of Downey Jr. as the egotistic genius, the incredible
special effects & the modernization of the origin story (Stark is captured in Afgahnistan, not
Vietnam) made this seemingly odd choice for a movie into an undeniable success. Laid the
track for Iron Man 2 & 3, The Avengers, and – in the near future – The Avengers 2 (2015), Iron
Man 4 (2016) and Iron Man 5 (After That).
4. Batman (1989), Directed by Tim Burton
Probably the first real superhero blockbuster movie and called the “first dark comic book movie”,
the movie featured superb acting by the leading actors and amazing set design. The film led to
the original 4-film Batman series and also led to D.C. creating Batman: The Animated Series,
which was the beginning of D.C.’s run in animated television. Was the first film to earn $100
million within first ten days in theaters, foreshadowing the box office potential for superhero
flicks.
3. The Avengers (2012), Directed by Joss Whedon
Proved that, unlike the Wolverine-centric X-Men films, a “super team” movie can split focus
evenly and be about the team. Also, was the first major film to unite characters from various
other superhero films in one motion picture.
2. Batman Begins (2005), Directed by Christopher Nolan
Finally showed that if the superhero genre takes itself seriously, it can be seriously
impressive. Focused on Bruce Wayne’s character than on “Batman” and provided a fresh origin
story, yet one that was mostly true to the comics.
1. X-Men (2000), Directed by Bryan Singer
X-Men demonstrated that with a well-scripted story, excellent (at the time) special effects, an allstar cast and Hugh Jackman, a large superhero team can successfully translate to the big
screen and become a blockbuster hit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Excerpt From:
Clements, Erin. “Marvel Comics Legend Stan Lee Talks Favorite Superheroes…” HUFF POST
ENTERTAINMENT. The Huffington Post, 13 Sep. 2013. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
What's your all-time favorite movie superhero performance?
That's so difficult. I think the performance of Tobey Maguire as "Spider-Man," because he was
such an unexpected big success. And I think Robert Downey Jr. as "Iron Man," because he just
portrayed that character as if he was born to be Iron Man.
What's the most important quality for a superhero to have?
Courage, and then something interesting about the superhero to make people want to read
about him and care about him.
What superhero has the most intense fans?
When we published the "Iron Man" comic book years ago, we got more mail from female
readers for Iron Man than for any other character. And I figured it out. It was because he was
handsome, he was incredibly wealthy and glamorous and he had a bad heart. And I could
picture romantic women all over figuring, "He's so beautiful and rich and nice, and I could take
care of him, and I could nurse him and tend to him. Even with his bad heart, I could be so good
to him." I just think there was something that appealed to women, because we never got as
much fan mail from women for any of our other characters.