We revisit Hollywoods attempt to bring old school superheroes and adventures back via the 1990s pulp hero movie boom.
For better or worse that process found its peak synthesis (or corporatized formula) in the 21st century.
Yep, were talking about the pulp hero movie boom of the 1990s.
Almost all of them failed.
These are the heroes that brought sexy art deco back.
InsteadDick Tracys production design attempted to out-BatmanBatman with a vibrant color palette of just seven colors.
He argued studios should focus on smaller budgeted sure-things, advice the industry obviously ignored.
But he perhaps had reason to be regretful.
The result is a beautiful, moribund mess.
And it almost immediately became a project of interest to Hollywood filmmakers.
Nonetheless, wed argue the film is one of the finest on this list and has aged remarkably well.
The 1991 throwback achieves a true timelessness because it fully embraces the vernacular of 30s and 40s adventure flicks.
Yet the films genuine nostalgia for 30s Hollywood chic and art deco decor did not catch on with audiences.
The film grossed about $47 million in the U.S., barely better than its $40 million budget.
racist) 1930s stereotypes.
Truthfully, the films plotting and structure is a mess.
In the hands of director Russell Mulcahy (Highlander), its fairly disjointed.
Tonally, its also nastier and more mean-spirited thanBatmanorDick Tracy.
The film grossed only $11 million after opening a few weeks followingThe Lion King.
This caused outsiders and criminals alike to believe the Phantom was immortal.
None of it works!
The movie grossed $23.5 million against its $45 million budget.
(It did star Antonio Banderas, after all.)
So Zorro is as old as the various genres he dances between.
The Mask of Zorrowas a hit in 1998, grossing $250 million off a $95 million budget.
Because unlike most PG-13 summer tent poles of the late 90s,The Mask of Zorrohas aged quite nicely.
Its a shame it seems to have faded in the collective memory.
ConsiderThe Mummys 1920s setting.
Thats one year removed from the discovery of the Tomb of King Tutankhamen (King Tut).
Rather Brendan Frasers shrewd casting as Rick OConnell gave a hip, faintly modern himbo energy toThe Mummy.
