F E AT U R E
er holds his distaste for gifted persons close to the chest,
especially while convincing Professor X (Patrick Stewart)
into ridding the world of mutants once and for all. Xavier
naturally ducks out of such an offer, though the salesmanship behind Cox’s words quite nearly prove to a superpower all on it’s own. Lacking the slightest bit of intimidation
in stature, Stryker’s obsessive ability to inspire hatred in
others is cancerous to mutants everywhere, particularly
Wolverine, who has the Colonel to thank for his adamantium reinforcement in X-Men Origins. Subsequent appearances by Danny Huston (Origins) and Josh Helman (Days
of Future Past) were tongue-in-cheek nods to the role, yet
neither man is able to conjure up the danger that Cox suggested while on screen. Stryker puts both Bolivar Trask
and Sebastian Shaw to shame, and the dude doesn’t even
wield a weapon. His devilish talent for misdirection is all
the firepower he needs.
5. ULTRON
Age of Ultron found itself on the receiving end of some
slightly mixed reviews in 2015. Fans felt there was too
much crammed into the story, which failed to raise the
emotional stakes of the first film. Be that as it may, it was
by no means the fault of the titular villain, voiced by pompous extraordinaire James Spader. The veteran actor,
poised to play a Marvel bad guy since forever, effortlessly
brings a palette of personality to the role, whether it be
ironic, dramatic, or outright angered. Never before had an
A.I. presented such a wide range of emotion, and writer/
director Joss Whedon smartly gives Spader carte blanche
in expression. That being said, Ultron, already the bastard
child of Tony Stark, will always be the black sheep of the
Avengers franchise. Following up fan favorite Loki while
setting the stage for built-up baddie Thanos is a thankless
job, and the critical reaction reflected as much. Even with
these unfortunate circumstances, however, Ultron remains
about the most engaging placeholder in recent memory.
4. DOCTOR OCTOPUS
Whoever suggested Alfred Molina for this role back in 2004
should’ve gotten a raise. As the affable Dr. Otto Octavius,
the English actor plays sincerity with such a warm smile
that it’s utterly tragic when things go sideways on him. A
science experiment gone wrong, a murdered wife (Donna
Murphy), and a technologically induced breakdown all occur in record time, with each event proving more heartbreaking than the next. Props to director Sam Raimi and
screenwriter Alvin Sargent by providing a canvas for Molina to thrive, something he does with scene-stealing efficiency. Spider-Man 2 offers up Tobey Maguire in his prime,
a correlation that’s most likely tied to the game elevating
of Molina and his multiple arms. Viewers are still rooting
for Spidey (obviously), but the empathy Raimi creates for
Doctor Octopus is arguably higher than most any other
baddie in the Marvel film universe. Outside of such intangibles, Molina also fits the physicality of the role, making
the jump from page to screen all the easier as a result. Doc
Ock’s place in Spider-Man lore is unquestionable; Molina’s
performance merely reinforced it.
3. GREEN GOBLIN
While not as attuned with his soft side as Doc Ock, Willem Dafoe’s Norman Osborn excels through over-the-top
presentation in Spider-Man (2002). Opening scenes paint
Osborn as a tough dad and inten