Cinema Hype

Just in case you couldn’t tell—you’ve been living in a Luddite community, say, or have been trapped under something heavy in the recent past—2008 may be the Year of the Superhero. Or, if studio news is to be believed, it’s just the birth of an era. Either way, you know where we’re going with this. Flight! Super-strength! Insect fluid shooting conveniently from wrists! Lassos of truth!

But no superhero is all superhero. There’s got to be a person in there, someone for the rest of us, in all our ordinariness, to connect with. Otherwise, as much as we fawn over flawless CGI and effortless action, we frankly don’t care. Which is why I bring you, today, Cinema Hype’s Top Five Superhero Film Alter Egos. (Not a very elegant name. Maybe titling and acronyms aren’t my power; I’m more of a spelling prodigy. Can I have a cape?)

1. Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, Iron Man
He’s not square of jaw or deep of voice, but that’s exactly the point. Downey’s weathered persona and wry line delivery make him the ideal counterpoint to big-chested heroes and nice-guy alter egoes like Clark Kent and Peter Parker, and possibly—time will tell—one of the best-loved alter egos of all time.

2. Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne, Batman Begins
Maybe Christopher Nolan’s script gave him the extra boost previous Batmen didn’t have, but Bale’s Wayne is deftly balanced between the wounded soul and the playboy aristocrat, lifting him above all other modern Batmen (Michael, Val, and even Intern George). Bale’s got gravitas, or maybe just a self-destructive streak. Either way, it works.

3. William H. Macy as the Shoveler, Mystery Men
Yes, Hank Azaria’s funnier in costume. And yes, his power—talent, whatever you want to call it—is unusual. But he shovels well. He shovels very well.

4. Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, Spider-Man
Peter Parker’s the nice-guy alter ego we were talking about earlier, and he really sells it just to the limits of attractiveness. Sure, he follows Mary Jane around when she totally doesn’t deserve it—more puppy than spider—but he’s brilliant, loyal, and brave. So, so lovable.

5. Violet Parr, The Incredibles
Every girl is Violet at some point in her life—wanting to be invisible and wanting to be seen, all at the same time; the only difference is that Violet Parr can actually turn invisible. Voiced by the very smart and very funny Sarah Vowell, she’s a great representation of adolescence and of the promise of the end of adolescence, and let’s face it: she could totally take Wonder Woman.

Top Five, superheroes, alter egos, alter egoes, Iron Man, Ironman, Robert Downey Jr., Tony Stark, Batman, Batman Begins, Christian Bale, Bruce Wayne, William H. Macy, The Shoveler, Mystery Men, Tobey Maguire, Spider-Man, Spiderman, Violet Parr, The Incredibles, Sarah Vowell