I don’t understand why people reject things because of overexposure – as if somehow, more people liking something is inherently worse than niche interests and avant garde tastes. We live in a world more influenced by general opinion and mass production than ever, yet it seems some of us haven’t woken up to this streamlined, new reality. The data curates for us, and saves time and energy.
We used to think bubblegum pop was for kids and teenagers, but now we’re enlightened enough to accept it’s for everyone, much in the way a good Disney flick can be enjoyed by the whole family. And speaking of movies, it’s a good thing we don’t look down our noses at comic book culture and superhero obsession anymore – and boy is Hollywood better for it.
Were it not for the heroic box office success of Marvel and their peers in this century, who knows where we’d be? Still making degrading, depressing mob flicks and pulpy cyberpunk spectacles. Stuck in the 90’s with a grimy lack of imagination, and the limitations of having to tell stories in one to three films … Ugh, how pedestrian.
I can’t understand how some weird people are sick of the superhero AAA film when there’s literally something for everyone. Like if you can’t find ONE franchise for you, I’m sorry your inner child is dead and you can’t just enjoy the magic anymore, I suppose? Cinema has evolved, storytelling has changed, just like music. Yet snobby critics who watch less films in a year than me in a week condescend to the majestic scope and spectacle of the modern blockbuster? Please, I’ve forgotten more films than those purists will ever see.
I think it’s jealousy of success, but then again maybe some people just don’t like fun as much – isn’t that what art and culture are really about? Escapism, not a reminder of the darker sides of our nature we face every day in the media, both news and social. Are supervillains not dark enough for you already?
Scorsese had the nerve to say that superhero films aren’t real cinema, yet he took till 2007 to win an Oscar? Ridley Scott buried them too, but he’s another out of touch dinosaur who can’t accept his prime is gone and his time is up. We move faster now. No long establishing shots and weighty dialogue – keep up with the jump cuts or get left behind.
These works are a huge part of our culture now, here to stay and bringing billions in revenue, and also crossover opportunities that allow for almost infinite storytelling – and that’s not even considering the reboots! I mean who doesn’t want more content, am I right? Unless you’re an arthouse film snob, of course. What they don’t get is tastemakers these days determine through mass influence and metrics, not critical elitism and individual thought. Get with the times already.
The hero almost always wins in art and in life, and the most interesting and satisfying stories are always about good winning over evil, even if it takes a trilogy and a couple spinoffs to get there. Why condense all that conflict and exposition into a film or two like the old days, when you can do it over five or more and jam more action into them instead?
Popcorn cinema is such a condescending term. Popcorn is buttery and delicious, you know. What’s wrong with film being like a rollercoster when we already make theme park rides into movies?
– Mark. My last name’s none of your business.
