When Martin Scorsese referred to Marvel movies as “theme park rides,” he faced the indignation of many die-hard fans who love superhero movies. The ‘Taxi Driver‘ filmmaker had seemingly hit a nerve among many. It was understandable for the Marvel loyalists to be upset. However, this debate drew a serious dimension when stars of Marvel movies began to chime in.
The veteran filmmaker clarified his comments by understanding the maelstrom he had invited with his opinion. And that was that for a while. With the crushing disappointment of ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania‘ and ‘Shazam: Fury Of The Gods‘ still fresh in mind, we must reassess the foundational crack in the bulwark of superhero movies. Has the audience seen enough of migraine-inducing CGI with no regard for character arcs and narrative choices?
Related: Why Does Quentin Tarantino Think Current Film Era Is The “Worst In History”?
Why Are Superhero Movies Failing To Make An Impact?
In retrospect, Martin Scorsese’s words turned out to be prophecy. The high priest of cinema didn’t set to antagonize half the world’s movie-going population but has inadvertently hit the target. By large, DC and Marvel films are the work of top-tier technicians. They are visual splendors and perfect flights of fancy, with the audience engaging in wishful fantasies of becoming extraordinary people. This may be a false reality, but it is the only reality for those who worship it.
But this can’t take away from the fact that business is getting the better of the brand. The ‘Ant-Man‘ and ‘Shazam‘ sequels prove that the success of something will no doubt be replicated ten folds to bring in the crunchy munchy capital.
Origin stories have become a thing of the past. Once the formula is established, all notions of creativity are thrown out the window. Everything looks and sounds the same, from the formulaic storytelling to the visual mapping of these movies. They are too bright or monochromatic to look at, never earnestly establishing the world around them.
In Case You Missed: Are Quentin Tarantino And Martin Scorsese Right In Their Criticism Of Marvel Films?
Are People Getting Tired Of Superhero Movies?
Yes, superhero fatigue does exist. The crash-and-burn performance of the highly touted ‘Ant-Man‘ and ‘Shazam‘ sequels indicates people want to return to simpler days. There’s still a demand for stories about people scaling impossible heights without a shield or a suit of armor. Coincidentally, the success of films like ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once‘ and, more recently ‘Air,’ provides a respite from the old polemic of ‘cinema is dead.’
People go to the cinema to be whisked away to a reality they’ve never seen. It’s only something cinema can do, bring together a dark room of strangers into a communal experience. Perhaps more creative leeway in the hands of filmmakers could change the fortunes of the decaying superhero turf. But in the meantime, the audience is starting to return to human stories that provide them with a cathartic release.
You Might Also Like To Read: ‘Black Adam’: What Makes Dwayne Johnson Film The Worst DCU Movie Till Date?
