The Best Superhero Scenes Of 2017
Whether heroes are uniting such as in JUSTICE LEAGUE, or simply doing the best they can like Spidey in SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING, comic book movie fans have had plenty of awesomeness to enjoy in 2017. But out of these fantastic films, what scenes have plucked at our heartstrings the most? Which moments have given us goose bumps, or made us laugh and whoop with glee? Here are seven fan-favorite superhero scenes of the year!
Note: This article contains major spoilers for many of this year’s movies, including JUSTICE LEAGUE.
7. "Let's Get Nuts Remix" — The Lego Batman Movie
What Happens? The Joker (Zach Galifianakis) enacts his terrifying plot for Gotham city, but thankfully Batman (Will Arnett) is on hand with a couple of tricks up his sleeve.
Why It's So Great: Batman was already the hilariously conceited standout of THE LEGO MOVIE, so fans were relieved when his solo outing matched the 2014’s beloved quick-fire sensibilities. And nowhere is this more evident than in the opening fight.
Within these three minutes, the film crams in enough Batman Easter Eggs to fill a Bat Cave on their own, as we watch the Caped Crusader take on his assembled villains in an eye-watering cavalcade of color. It’s also brimming with gags as well, with the line “Who pays taxes? NOT Batman!” being a particular favorite among fans. THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE is so beloved that many moviegoers have hailed it as the best Batman movie for years. On the strength of this scene alone, it’s not hard to see why.
Worthy of Mention: Batman’s lonely night at home with his lobster thermidor. This scene — which culminates in Alfred’s (Ralph Fiennes) stern lecture — is giggle-inducing genius.
6. "He’s A Friend From Work!" — Thor: Ragnarok
What Happens? Trapped on Sakaar, the God of Thunder (Chris Hemsworth) is forced into gladiatorial combat. But once Thor arrives in the arena, he comes face to face with a very familiar someone...
Why It's So Great: This encounter may have been a lot more powerful if the marketing for THOR: RAGNAROK hadn’t zeroed in on it quite as much. However, Thor and Hulk’s (Mark Ruffalo) spat in the Grandmaster’s (Jeff Goldblum) arena still contains several surprises, ensuring that it’s a standout section of the film — and the year's output overall.
Director Taika Waititi draws from the comic book artwork of the legendary Jack Kirby, which means that, like the rest of the film, the arena battle is a visually arresting experience. Who doesn’t get a kick when Thor lets loose and punches Hulk all the way across the field? It’s also delightfully droll, with Loki’s reactions to the fight being a particular highlight.
Worthy of Mention: Tom Hiddleston shines in one of Ragnarok’s quieter and most impactful moments: Loki and Thor’s conversation in the elevator.
5. Coming Together — Justice League
What Happens? As Steppenwolf's (Ciaran Hinds) plan nears completion, the League finally put aside their differences to quash the alien threat for good.
Why It's So Great: It may have already proved to be as divisive as its predeceasing DC movies, but JUSTICE LEAGUE still delivers some nerdy goodness. Whether it's Superman (Henry Cavill) and Flash's (Ezra Miller) super-fast slo-mo battle or Batman's (Ben Affleck) kick-ass entrance, there's a lot to enjoy in this movie.
However, the pièce de résistance of the film is undoubtedly its climatic battle. Seeing these icons fight side by side is really something, isn't it? And that image of the united JUSTICE LEAGUE standing together on the rooftop? To quote Cyborg (Ray Fisher): Booyah!
Worthy of Mention: The DCEU is filled with thoughtful moments, but Justice League ensures that another can be added to that list. Certainly, Clark's reunion with Lois (Amy Adams) and Martha (Diane Lane) on the Kent Farm is an emotional affair.
4. Raising The Roof — Spider-Man: Homecoming
What Happens? Trapped beneath rubble by the Vulture (Michael Keaton), our hero is forced to make a fateful decision.
Why It's So Great: 2017 saw the previously unthinkable actually happen. After winning over audiences in his brief stint in CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, Spider Man truly became part of the MCU in his own solo movie. And, as this scene shows, Marvel clearly understands the character.
With imagery that’s directly ripped straight from the comics, we see the wall-crawler’s compassion — and his indomitability — laid bare. Certainly, Tom Holland’s youthful cries for help really ram home the fact that Spidey is just a kid trying to do the right thing, and Holland's brilliant acting really sells Peter’s sensitivity, and his determination.
The words “power” and “responsibility” may not be uttered, but when a scene is crafted as well as this, they don’t have to be to get the message across.
Worthy of Mention: Peter and the Toomes’s car ride to the titular homecoming dance. Surely this is one of the most nerve-wracking scenes in a superhero movie thus far?
3. Mr. Blue Sky — Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2
What Happens? After a brief stint in the past, we are reintroduced to our favorite A-holes, who proceed to battle a monstrous alien while Baby Groot (Vin Diesel) dances to ELO.
Why It's So Great: Beautifully realized setting? Check. Action packed spectacle? Check. Bickering? Double check. One thing was clear in the first few minutes of Vol. 2: the Guardians were back with a bang!
The camera whirls around the conflict as the downright adorable Baby Groot boogies, oblivious to the danger around him. We’re also treated to another, instantly memeable use of jaunty pop music as bodies are bruised and bloodied all around us. Bold, irreverent and endlessly entertaining, it’s everything we could have wanted for the opening of a Guardians of the Galaxy movie.
Worthy of Mention: Yondu’s (Michael Rooker) funeral is a particularly ballsy and sobering way to end a Marvel movie.
2. A Conversation With Xavier — Logan
What Happens? At this point we’ve already been introduced to a world weary Wolverine, but his fall from grace is nothing compared to the fate of his mentor.
Why It's So Great: LOGAN really is a superhero movie unlike any other. The nature of innocence, mortality and compassion are brought to the fore of Logan, which strips away the gloss to show our heroes as bitter, dying old men, particularly in this outstanding scene. The sense of loss is distressingly palpable thanks to the talents of Patrick Stewart and Hugh Jackman, whom we’ve never seen act like this before.
It’s unsurprising that, on the back of their work, 20th Century Fox is offering up the film to be considered for the Oscars. If any superhero movie is going to get a nod, its Logan or Wonder Woman. Speaking of which…
Worthy of Mention: “So, that's what it feels like.” I’m not crying, you’re crying!
1. No Man’s Land — Wonder Woman
What Happens? Frustrated by the despair and hurt of the First World War, Diana (Gal Gadot) takes matters into her own hands and enters the fray.
Why It's So Great: It would have to be this scene, wouldn’t it? We all knew that the first female-led superhero film of the modern age was going to receive considerable attention, but we never realized just how special it would turn out to be. Director Patty Jenkins slowly builds towards the sequence through the course of Wonder Woman, with Diana being rejected and turned down at every opportunity. Until then, when that tiara appears and her hair is let down, you know shit just got real.
The score soars as we finally see Diana in her full Amazonian gear for the first time. And as it bursts into that now iconic cello theme, you can’t help but want to go out and kick some evil-doers asses yourself. Strikingly shot and fantastically acted, Diana’s stand against tyranny and injustice is one of the most empowering and inspiring moments that we’ve seen in a film of any genre for some time.
Worthy of Mention: Diana and Steve’s (Chris Pine) sex talk. It’s a lovely moment of banter between the two heroes, yet the comedy belies a lot of subtle character work.
Wow, how much of awesomeness have we just covered? In years to come, it will undoubtedly be said that 2017 — like 2012 and 2014 — was a great year for comic book movies. And with AQUAMAN, AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR and BLACK PANTHER just around the corner, it seems like this winning streak of cinematic superhero outings is set to continue!