Marvel Cinematic Universe in Today's Cinema: A Commentary
By Michael Momper
The Marvel movie engine is certainly one to be envied throughout the movie industry, as it constantly over-performs box office expectations, brings in A-list actors, and garners consistently dazzling reviews from critics all over the world. Marvel's dash since the first Avengers movie in 2012 has been astounding, churning out critical success after critical success, and topping it most recently with its highest-rated release yet in Black Panther. But is there an underlying pattern in some of their main blockbusters, an easy catch-all formula that is being applied, that perhaps we should be wary of and approach with some skepticism? I certainly think so.
Because of the success of the Avengers, Marvel has grown to love the idea of stuffing its movies full of big names and even bigger CGI. This is OK to a point, and even worked in Captain America: Civil War, which contained Tony Stark, Black Panther, Falcon and even a new Spiderman. Due to the runtime and the seriousness with which the Russo brothers approached the political themes of the movie, I was not overly weighed down by the myriad of characters it contained. However, both Avengers movies had the opposite effect on me, and there are a plethora of reasons.
I apologize for the fact that I already briefly mentioned this in my Black Panther review, but still the most irksome Marvel centerpiece for me is quipping. I can't help but shake my head in annoyance any time the action stops for the characteristic cheesy Marvel humor, or even worse, the pop culture references. The fact that characters are constantly joking and spitting inane observations about their relationships is so incredibly irritating to me. Just as bothersome is the timing of the jokes (and if you haven't noticed this, look for it in either of the first two Avengers movies or even Deadpool), an almost sitcom-style timing where the jokes are written in such a self-satisfied manner that they often write-in time for the audience to laugh and get themselves together before something happens next.
Like I mentioned earlier, quick-edit-drenched CGI is very distracting to me as well, again seen mostly in overstuffed movies with giant battle scenes and tons of main characters. Lord of the Rings had the perfect balance for these sequences: very good CGI, but in the right places: important set pieces were placed in corner spots to add realism, and wonderfully designed costumes were used in important close-ups. This balance is lacking in many action movies nowadays, but I think Captain America:Winter Soldier should be what Marvel looks back at to regain this balance as the Russo brothers again pulled it off marvelously. But what is the hallmark of superhero movies? For the millionth time I yell from the mountain peak "LOOK TO BATMAN!" (and perhaps a quick "Retreat to Minas Tirith!" for good measure). Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy is so revered and groundbreaking, and yet I feel that Marvel directors are quick to write off using a style similar to his because they almost think it has had its time. I think his realism approach to superheros is one that would certainly draw in older fans and cinephiles alike; this would require fewer CGI firestorms, and just as importantly in my eyes, less shaky cam with sensible, longer framing on each shot. Part of the reason the overstuffed Marvel movies like Avengers feel unfocused to me is because many action scenes are seemingly shot in a coked-up frenzy; look at modern feats like John Wick and you will see that focused shots and slower transitions are the way to go.
Even though Marvel continues to overstuff their movies with stars to try to bait you the people into seeing every one of their movies, is their hope from a cinephiles' perspective? I would say there certainly is.. and it lies in the hands of the directors. Avengers: Infinity War drops in May, and for all my near-scathing criticisms of the first two that I enumerated upon earlier, I am extremely excited for it because it is being directed by the skilled hands of the Russo brothers, whose work with Captain America has been excellent. Recent movies like Ant-Man give me hope as well; because they are lesser known and have to prove more to get you to go see them, they are given a less self-satisfied atmosphere and joke quiver. Despite my reservations, I will continue to analyze the Marvel universe with my popcorn at the ready.
The Marvel movie engine is certainly one to be envied throughout the movie industry, as it constantly over-performs box office expectations, brings in A-list actors, and garners consistently dazzling reviews from critics all over the world. Marvel's dash since the first Avengers movie in 2012 has been astounding, churning out critical success after critical success, and topping it most recently with its highest-rated release yet in Black Panther. But is there an underlying pattern in some of their main blockbusters, an easy catch-all formula that is being applied, that perhaps we should be wary of and approach with some skepticism? I certainly think so.
Because of the success of the Avengers, Marvel has grown to love the idea of stuffing its movies full of big names and even bigger CGI. This is OK to a point, and even worked in Captain America: Civil War, which contained Tony Stark, Black Panther, Falcon and even a new Spiderman. Due to the runtime and the seriousness with which the Russo brothers approached the political themes of the movie, I was not overly weighed down by the myriad of characters it contained. However, both Avengers movies had the opposite effect on me, and there are a plethora of reasons.
I apologize for the fact that I already briefly mentioned this in my Black Panther review, but still the most irksome Marvel centerpiece for me is quipping. I can't help but shake my head in annoyance any time the action stops for the characteristic cheesy Marvel humor, or even worse, the pop culture references. The fact that characters are constantly joking and spitting inane observations about their relationships is so incredibly irritating to me. Just as bothersome is the timing of the jokes (and if you haven't noticed this, look for it in either of the first two Avengers movies or even Deadpool), an almost sitcom-style timing where the jokes are written in such a self-satisfied manner that they often write-in time for the audience to laugh and get themselves together before something happens next.
Like I mentioned earlier, quick-edit-drenched CGI is very distracting to me as well, again seen mostly in overstuffed movies with giant battle scenes and tons of main characters. Lord of the Rings had the perfect balance for these sequences: very good CGI, but in the right places: important set pieces were placed in corner spots to add realism, and wonderfully designed costumes were used in important close-ups. This balance is lacking in many action movies nowadays, but I think Captain America:Winter Soldier should be what Marvel looks back at to regain this balance as the Russo brothers again pulled it off marvelously. But what is the hallmark of superhero movies? For the millionth time I yell from the mountain peak "LOOK TO BATMAN!" (and perhaps a quick "Retreat to Minas Tirith!" for good measure). Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy is so revered and groundbreaking, and yet I feel that Marvel directors are quick to write off using a style similar to his because they almost think it has had its time. I think his realism approach to superheros is one that would certainly draw in older fans and cinephiles alike; this would require fewer CGI firestorms, and just as importantly in my eyes, less shaky cam with sensible, longer framing on each shot. Part of the reason the overstuffed Marvel movies like Avengers feel unfocused to me is because many action scenes are seemingly shot in a coked-up frenzy; look at modern feats like John Wick and you will see that focused shots and slower transitions are the way to go.
Even though Marvel continues to overstuff their movies with stars to try to bait you the people into seeing every one of their movies, is their hope from a cinephiles' perspective? I would say there certainly is.. and it lies in the hands of the directors. Avengers: Infinity War drops in May, and for all my near-scathing criticisms of the first two that I enumerated upon earlier, I am extremely excited for it because it is being directed by the skilled hands of the Russo brothers, whose work with Captain America has been excellent. Recent movies like Ant-Man give me hope as well; because they are lesser known and have to prove more to get you to go see them, they are given a less self-satisfied atmosphere and joke quiver. Despite my reservations, I will continue to analyze the Marvel universe with my popcorn at the ready.
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