Fashion Report Card: Superhero Style
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The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
BATMAN
"The Dark Knight Rises"
Grade: B
This is a much-needed improvement from Clooney-era Batman, who said the costume was so limiting, he had to be wheeled out and propped up in it before reciting his lines on camera. This time, Christian Bale has more movement... when it's warm. When it's cold, the costume tightens and, as Bale has said, limits his breathing.
CATWOMAN
"The Dark Knight Rises"
Grade: A
Anne Hathaway has proclaimed how difficult the cat suit was to wear, but this is a case where the pain was worth it -- for audiences, at least. From the ears to the eye-mask to the thigh-high platform boots, this Catwoman is tres chic!
"The Dark Knight Rises"
Grade: B
This is a much-needed improvement from Clooney-era Batman, who said the costume was so limiting, he had to be wheeled out and propped up in it before reciting his lines on camera. This time, Christian Bale has more movement... when it's warm. When it's cold, the costume tightens and, as Bale has said, limits his breathing.
CATWOMAN
"The Dark Knight Rises"
Grade: A
Anne Hathaway has proclaimed how difficult the cat suit was to wear, but this is a case where the pain was worth it -- for audiences, at least. From the ears to the eye-mask to the thigh-high platform boots, this Catwoman is tres chic!
The Avengers (2012)
BLACK WIDOW
"Marvel's The Avengers"
Grade: A-
Black Widow's zip-up onesie seems all about function in Joss Whedon's "Avengers." The Russian spy who kicks some serious booty was perhaps played a bit more sporty by Scarlett Johansson than her comic book counterpart: Some comics showed Widow in a shiny jump suit, with dramatic, Elvira-like cleavage, arguably a little more S&M, if you will.
THOR
"Marvel's The Avengers"
Grade: B-
If you look closely, you can see Chris Hemsworth's getup was slightly tweaked for his ensemble appearance as Thor in "The Avengers." It's a smidge more streamlined than his costume in the prior two "Thor" installments, yet stays true to his status as a hammer-throwing warrior god. While regal, the thick, red billowing cape looks a lot like movie house curtains.
CAPTAIN AMERICA
"Marvel's The Avengers"
Grade: A
How could we grade Chris Evans any lower? (Am I right, ladies!?) But seriously, like Thor, Captain America got an update for "Avengers," mainly because he went from living in the '40s to fighting to save the world in present time.
"Marvel's The Avengers"
Grade: A-
Black Widow's zip-up onesie seems all about function in Joss Whedon's "Avengers." The Russian spy who kicks some serious booty was perhaps played a bit more sporty by Scarlett Johansson than her comic book counterpart: Some comics showed Widow in a shiny jump suit, with dramatic, Elvira-like cleavage, arguably a little more S&M, if you will.
THOR
"Marvel's The Avengers"
Grade: B-
If you look closely, you can see Chris Hemsworth's getup was slightly tweaked for his ensemble appearance as Thor in "The Avengers." It's a smidge more streamlined than his costume in the prior two "Thor" installments, yet stays true to his status as a hammer-throwing warrior god. While regal, the thick, red billowing cape looks a lot like movie house curtains.
CAPTAIN AMERICA
"Marvel's The Avengers"
Grade: A
How could we grade Chris Evans any lower? (Am I right, ladies!?) But seriously, like Thor, Captain America got an update for "Avengers," mainly because he went from living in the '40s to fighting to save the world in present time.
Green Lantern (2011)
GREEN LANTERN
"Green Lantern"
Grade: F
The makers of the Green Lantern's look thought it'd be a great idea to dress Ryan Reynolds up in a suit with sensors and later digitally paint the finished costume onto his body. What was surely a boon to post-production specialists looking for work, was a bust for audiences. The costume was widely criticized for looking too cartoonish and the film grossed less than $20 million -- not very much for a film said to have had a $200 million budget.
"Green Lantern"
Grade: F
The makers of the Green Lantern's look thought it'd be a great idea to dress Ryan Reynolds up in a suit with sensors and later digitally paint the finished costume onto his body. What was surely a boon to post-production specialists looking for work, was a bust for audiences. The costume was widely criticized for looking too cartoonish and the film grossed less than $20 million -- not very much for a film said to have had a $200 million budget.
The Green Hornet (2011)
THE GREEN HORNET
"The Green Hornet"
Grade: C-
Sometimes an outfit is only as good as who is wearing it. And while audiences love and accept Seth Rogen as a funny man, the box office failure of "The Green Hornet" indicates not even the best tailor would have saved him from superhero ridicule.
"The Green Hornet"
Grade: C-
Sometimes an outfit is only as good as who is wearing it. And while audiences love and accept Seth Rogen as a funny man, the box office failure of "The Green Hornet" indicates not even the best tailor would have saved him from superhero ridicule.
Kick-Ass (2010)
HIT-GIRL
"Kick-Ass"
Grade: A
This pubescent pugilist perfectly pairs her Catholic school girl pleats with a Barney-colored bodysuit and a whole lotta Hot Topic.
"Kick-Ass"
Grade: A
This pubescent pugilist perfectly pairs her Catholic school girl pleats with a Barney-colored bodysuit and a whole lotta Hot Topic.
Iron Man (2008)
IRON MAN
"Ironman"
Grade: A
Tony Stark is always dressed to impress, but the playboy billionaire looks best once he slips into his crimson-and-gold, rocket-powered battle suit.
"Ironman"
Grade: A
Tony Stark is always dressed to impress, but the playboy billionaire looks best once he slips into his crimson-and-gold, rocket-powered battle suit.
Batman & Robin (1997)
BATGIRL, BATMAN & ROBIN
"Batman & Robin"
Grade: F
Chiseled chest plates + frosted codpieces + more latex than Lady Gaga = FAIL.
"Batman & Robin"
Grade: F
Chiseled chest plates + frosted codpieces + more latex than Lady Gaga = FAIL.
CATWOMAN
"Batman Returns"
Grade: A+
Now this is fetish wear done well. Simply put, it's the purrfect look for a lady on the prowl.
"Batman Returns"
Grade: A+
Now this is fetish wear done well. Simply put, it's the purrfect look for a lady on the prowl.
SPIDER-MAN
"Spider-Man 3"
Grade: B-
Unlike Superman's tired ensemble, Spidey's suit is chic and practical thanks to its fashion-forward web applique and aerodynamic design.
"Spider-Man 3"
Grade: B-
Unlike Superman's tired ensemble, Spidey's suit is chic and practical thanks to its fashion-forward web applique and aerodynamic design.
Elektra (2005)
ELEKTRA
"Elektra"
Grade: C-
For a superhero, Elektra looks a lot like a down market Vegas showgirl in harem pants. High marks on color and low marks on just about everything else.
"Elektra"
Grade: C-
For a superhero, Elektra looks a lot like a down market Vegas showgirl in harem pants. High marks on color and low marks on just about everything else.
Hulk (2003)
THE HULK
" The Hulk"
Grade: D
Violet capri pants on men are always a no-no, even in San Francisco.
" The Hulk"
Grade: D
Violet capri pants on men are always a no-no, even in San Francisco.
Watchmen (2009)
DR. MANHATTAN
"Watchmen"
Grade: B+
Going au natural is always in style, especially when you're blue, buff, and radioactive.
"Watchmen"
Grade: B+
Going au natural is always in style, especially when you're blue, buff, and radioactive.
Steel (1997)
STEEL
"Steel"
Grade: F
Not nearly as laughable as the film itself, Steel's suit of armor looks like the Tin Man from "The Wizard of Oz" gone feral.
"Steel"
Grade: F
Not nearly as laughable as the film itself, Steel's suit of armor looks like the Tin Man from "The Wizard of Oz" gone feral.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
WOLVERINE
"X-Men Origins: Wolverine"
Grade: A-
Despite the fact that the hirsute hottie looks like he hit the sale rack at American Eagle, his casually rugged outfit gets high marks for not being yet another boring bodysuit.
"X-Men Origins: Wolverine"
Grade: A-
Despite the fact that the hirsute hottie looks like he hit the sale rack at American Eagle, his casually rugged outfit gets high marks for not being yet another boring bodysuit.
SUE STORM & JOHNNY STORM
"Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer"
Grade: D-
The snooze-inducing Storm siblings resemble Sears catalog models sporting cut-rate Trekkie costumes.
"Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer"
Grade: D-
The snooze-inducing Storm siblings resemble Sears catalog models sporting cut-rate Trekkie costumes.
Barbarella (1968)
BARBARELLA
"Barbarella"
Grade: B+
Barbarella has the best accessories in the biz. From her lethal ray gun to her vinyl boots and out-of-this-world coif, the space siren is undoubtedly well-equipped to battle Durand-Durand.
"Barbarella"
Grade: B+
Barbarella has the best accessories in the biz. From her lethal ray gun to her vinyl boots and out-of-this-world coif, the space siren is undoubtedly well-equipped to battle Durand-Durand.
Spider-Man's costume takes on the look of a second skin this time around. New Spidey Andrew Garfield admits it was not too useful when nature called, but he otherwise seems proud to usher in a revamped suit with darker colors and more texture, accentuating Peter Parker's slender frame in a way the comic books have always described.