Superhero movies are not always about the hero saving the day and riding off into the sunset. These offbeat superhero movies broke tradition, giving us something new. Offbeat superhero movies are such a rarity these days.
Unbreakable
M Night Shyamalan‘s take on superheroes is probably the most realistic superhero origin story. In the year 2000, when the era was all about Blade and X-Men films, Shyamalan’s Unbreakable certainly was one of the most offbeat superhero movies. It did not inspire a lot of enthusiasm and confidence back then. But flash forward to 22 years later and Unbreakable is heralded as one of the most important pieces of cinema in the superhero genre. Unbreakable broke the norm by making the story more about the hero and his relationship with the other characters rather than just the superpowers. It also happens to be one of the most rewatchable movies of the early 2000s.
Kick-Ass
In the age of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Entertainment Universe, everyone wants to be a hero. Everyone wants a cape and a cowl and they want to fly through the skies. Kick-Ass made our dreams come true. A kid who just underwent surgery decides to become a real life superhero. But his days as a masked vigilante take a turn for the worse when he meets two actual vigilantes – Hit-Girl and Big Daddy. Together they must stop a mafia crime lord and save the day. Even though the protagonist asked for none of that stuff in the place. Kick-Ass may not to be everyone’s liking. But it is a damn good movie. True superhero comedies are a rare occurrence these days. Kick-Ass is one of those offbeat superhero movies that delivers splendidly even on the comedy front.
Chronicle
The 2012 film rocked the theaters when it came. But the hype soon fizzled out and Chronicle was just an average box office performer. A decade later, we now realize how far ahead of its time Chronicle was. Four friends encounter a mysterious object in a cave that stuns them and gives them powerful psychic abilities. but like Uncle Ben said – with great power, comes great responsibility. One of the quartet of friends realizes he could use his powers to do whatever he wants. It is the only superhero movie told in the found footage format. Offbeat superhero movies focus on the hero more. but Chronicle literally is chronicled from the villain’s perspective.
Super
One of the rare Rainn Wilson movies we actually like, Super is not everyone’s cup of tea. Offbeat superhero movies like Super take things to the extreme. If you thought Kick-Ass was full of subtle humor and dark comedy, wait till you see 2010’s Super. After his wife is trapped under the evil machinations of a drug lord, Rainn Wilson’s character becomes the Crimson Bolt, a hero with all the oomph but none of the powers. Super was James Gunn‘s first foray into the superhero genre. Maybe this is what inspired him to make more offbeat superhero movies. Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad are not your regular superhero flicks. James Gunn clearly took multiple cues from Rainn Wilson’s Super.
The Mask Of Zorro
Zorro, the sword-fighting, swashbuckling vigilante, was the one that inspired the creator of Batman to create the Dark Knight. That more than makes Zorro one of the most legendary heroes in our book. The Mask Of Zorro is still seen as a milestone of modern cinema. Period twists to the superhero genre are not something you see every day. Anthony Hopkins and Antonio Banderas do a wonderful job as mentor and protege. The Mask Of Zorro started a revolution in the superhero genre and we are glad we got be a part of it.
