While superhero films have a long history, often consisting of middling interest and reception, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which kicked off with 2008’s Iron Man, started a trend that has taken comic book movies and the superhero genre specifically to all new levels of mainstream popularity. The success of both Marvel and DC films started what is now the superhero Hollywood trend and shows no signs of slowing down soon.
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Despite the explosive popularity of the franchise, however, many iconic figures in the film and TV industry have had their criticisms of the projects of the Marvel and DC franchises. Most recently, Cameron had criticism directed at both franchises during a New York Times interview discussing Avatar: The Way of Water. “When I look at these big, spectacular films — I’m looking at you, Marvel and DC — it doesn’t matter how old the characters are, they all act like they’re in college,” he said during the course of the interview. “They have relationships, but they really don’t. They never hang up their spurs because of their kids. The things that really ground us and give us power, love, and a purpose? Those characters don’t experience it, and I think that’s not the way to make movies.”
Cameron, the genius filmmaker behind 2009’s Avatar, which has twice gained the spot of the highest-grossing film, is not alone in criticizing Marvel and DC movies from his lofty position. Fellow industry veteran and respected filmmaker Martin Scorsese has also previously admitted to not being able to watch the films put out by the MCU and DCEU. Speakin to Empire Magazine, Scorsese said of the matter, “Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks. It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.”
Interestingly, while Scorsese’s comments were rebuffed by many, including director James Gunn, who has worked on projects for both franchises, Gunn himself has also had criticism for the genre, famously saying that superhero movies were ‘mostly boring’ at the time. Similar comments and criticisms have also been made by other respected filmmakers and industry professionals, including the likes of Ridley Scott, Francis Ford Coppola, and Jane Campion.
While no one can dismiss the opinions of these industry titans easily, some point out that the problems associated with the MCU and DCEU are not limited to the genre and that Marvel criticisms actually apply to all blockbuster filmmaking. While there will almost certainly be no loss in engagement based on Cameron’s comments, it remains to be seen if future projects could take on similarly unique elements like the recent Werewolf by Night and Suicide Squad and in doing so, more closely match up to the expectations of these professionals.
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Source: The New York Times
