Are “Super-Hero” Movies Really Super?
Superhero and comic book movies and television shows are incredibly polarizing in the film industry. There is a large divide in critics opinions and that is very obvious. There are the ones who think that the movies are entertaining but still have a good story. But there are also the critics who think the movies are nothing more than cash-grabs and there isn’t any heart to them.
Many people have already heard what the famed director, Martin Scorsese, has said about Marvel films and blockbuster films in general and he is a critic of them. Scorsese said that films like this were “He said that MCU films “just aren’t cinema,” and that they’re “closer to theme park rides” than traditional cinema (Showbiz Cheat Sheet).”, this is a very surface level critique of these films, basically saying they are all show and no substance but Scorsese’s and others dislikes for these movies may run deeper than that.
Why don’t some people like super-hero movies?
Many people are of the opinion that when movies like this become the status quo for cinema as a whole, the smaller more story oriented films, like the ones Scorsese directs, will become obsolete. This is a very valid concern that could come to fruition, but it has nothing to do with the quality of these movies. The people that are of this opinion often let it influence their opinions and judge these Marvel films unfairly and not based on their quality.
Why are super-hero movies good?
Many people do not often give these movies enough credit for their stories. At first glance, the majority of these films have generic and uninspired stories and frankly, more than a few do. Movies like “Captain Marvel”, “Antman and the Wasp”, “Thor the Dark World”, and “Iron Man 2” are prime examples of this, they all share generic and boring plots.
But the good outweighs the bad when it comes to the “MCU”. Movies like “Ironman”, “Black Panther”, “Thor: Ragnarok”, “Guardians of the Galaxy One and Two”, and the “Spider-Man trilogy” are all prime examples of the best movies in the “MCU”, that is not to mention the “Avengers” series.
All of these movies are unique and are amazing in their own rights. “Ironman” is the story of a rich pampered yet genius man-child who’s company sells weapons to terrorist groups. This all changes when Tony is kidnapped and has to face the consequences and the horrors of what happens when his weapons get in the wrong hands, it is a story about him maturing.
“Black Panther” is the story where the villain is kind of right, it is a story of a prince who has to watch from the outside of his own rich and powerful country as they do nothing to help their brothers and sisters being oppressed on another continent so he decides to help through force.
There are countless other amazing stories inside of the “MCU” but perhaps the greatest part of it is the interconnectedness of it all. It allows for the audience to see how one person would interact with another and provide meaningful moments that otherwise wouldn’t happen.
Are the critics right?
One of the biggest problems with Scorsese’s and others critiques of these movies, is the fact that many haven’t seen them “And that’s the root of the problem I have with both of these acclaimed directors and their recent comments on Marvel movies. They admittedly haven’t seen them (Joshua Beck).”, the fact that they can say all these things without having seen the movies is incredibly unfair.
One of the main selling points and best things about the marvel movies is their interconnectedness, you cannot get the true grasp of the story if you have not seen most or all of the movies. This also cements the fact that these directors like Scorsese are biased because they are scared movies like theirs will become obsolete.
There are also many people in Holly-Wood that have said things disagreeing with Scorsese like Samuel L. Jackson, who said “It’s easy, only because people aren’t going to see their movies.”, he seems to agree with the opinion that Scorsese and other alike directors don’t like Marvel because they are his biggest competition.
Blockbuster movies will likely always outsell and out perform smaller more story oriented films like “The Irishman” and “Good Fellas” because they are simply more exciting.
Are only super-hero movies generic?
People will always claim that superhero movies are all generic and boring, but the same can be said for the smaller and artsy films. Half of the movies Scorsese has directed are about the mob and crime for example.
Also, there are many superhero films that stray far from the norm marvel has set. “The Batman” for example is much more similar to a Scorsese film, with a slow burning mob centered story of corruption, the only difference is that the fight scenes are actually fun and interesting in “The Batman”.
Another example of films not following the norm is “The Dark Knight” trilogy, though they were made before the “MCU” truly took off. “The Dark Knight Trilogy” pays much more attention to realism than the Marvel movies, these movies were directed by another critically acclaimed director, Christopher Nolan.
Variety
One of the best things about the superhero film industry is the variety. As previously mentioned, you can find a crime thriller in “The Batman”, if you want dark and gritty, you have “The Dark Knight” trilogy, if you want a heartfelt comedy, you have “The Suicide Squad”, if you want a more militatistic film, you have “Captain America the First Avenger’’.
The superhero film industry is much more than cash grabbing blockbuster movies and is filled with heartfelt emotional and moving stories including in the MCU.
Conclusion
People like Scorsese have a very simplistic and frankly incorrect view of the superhero film industry. The “MCU” cannot be seen as not being cinema unless your definition of cinema is “three hour long crime movies”. Every movie is a piece of art, and you cannot have an opinion on it if you have not seen it. If you have not seen a movie or a movie series, you cannot have an opinion on it.
Sources:
https://variety.com/2022/film/news/samuel-l-jackson-directors-slam-marvel-movies-1235202511/
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