Cinema After Superheroes

One of the frustrations of being a “film omnivore” is that I’m stuck in this limbo of liking superhero films while recognizing they’re not the best movies out there. This is apparent when I defend them from absurd criticism, like how they’re “ruining cinema”. It’s not only untrue, it ignores why they became popular: mass appeal. It also ignores how people are calling them a “dying breed” nowadays, as they’re lightyears better than older entries. And then there are videos discussing what the next trend is, ignoring how no one has that Magic 8 Ball.

I bring this up because of a video recently released by Patrick H. Willems. I’ve covered his work before, I’ve even referenced his Star Wars quote many times, but this video talked about what the new trend in Hollywood might be. I’ll be honest: it was good. I don’t agree with his thesis, but it was good. Especially since he wasn’t all doom and gloom. But I digress.

Nevertheless, superhero movies receive plenty of flak from film aficionados and angry nerds. For the former, the claims of “not being cinema” ring hollow because they’re not true. And for the latter…it’s whining about “wokeism”, which falls apart when held up to scrutiny. Basically, it’s a tired charade. Yet because it keeps resurfacing, especially since superhero films aren’t the lucrative cash cows they used to be, I think it’s worth sharing my thoughts:

A superhero film “not being cinema” is a statement that falls apart upon probing. What defines “cinema”? Is it a moving picture? Because superhero movies qualify. Is it something that evokes an emotional response? Because, depending on who you are, superhero movies qualify. Or is it having a unique voice? Because I’m not sure what qualifies there, though I’d argue superhero movies have those.

Perhaps I’m overly-defensive, but superhero movies, The MCU specifically, have a voice. They’re about what it means to be super, and they tackle worldly concepts in an interesting manner. They’re not necessarily “the best” at tackling them, but they’re also not the worst. If anything, they’re the starting points for bigger issues, ones that are expanded upon in other ventures. Though that’s still in the eye of the beholder...

There’s also judging going on. Ignoring how superhero movies crowd out theatres, which I’ve covered before, cinema aficionados can be snobbish about them. I’ve seen it. I was even once patronized online for liking Marvel movies because “they lack interesting themes or styles”. To that, I ask that said individual get a life.

I’ve seen a lot of this snobbery. And it’s tiring. It feels like gatekeeping, restricting conversation because superhero fans “aren’t real film fans”. What qualifies as being a “real film fan”? I ask that because the statement reeks of pretentiousness.

It’s especially pretentious because movie tickets aren’t cheap. Even on Tuesdays, you still pay upwards of $10. I know inflation’s a factor, but if The International Day of Cinema’s taught me anything, it’s that lowering ticket costs helps. We saw it with the boost in profits on that day last year. Essentially, movie tickets are expensive, so it’s unfair to judge people for their spending habits.

Moving onto the flip-side, there are people blaming declining sales of superhero movies on “wokeism”. Firstly, define that. And secondly, what does diversifying characters have to do with it? The first Black Panther movie made over $1 billion despite having a predominantly black cast, as did the first Captain Marvel with a female lead. They were also decently-to-excellently received, so this argument falls flat. A superhero movie underperforming has less to do with being “woke” than being, to paraphrase James Gunn, badly-written. That distinction matters.

It's tedious listening to this because superheroes have always been woke. The X-Men started off as an allegory for racism, quickly morphing into being about queer activism with Bryan Singer in the early-2000’s. Wonder Woman’s about bridging the gap between sexes. And Superman? Superman’s a Moses allegory, a shining example to humanity about truth and justice. This isn’t new!

Of course, film gatekeeping and fan gatekeeping can intersect. Take the newest Captain America movie. It’s been undergoing extensive reshoots, which is normal, but people have gravitated to it introducing Sabra. Not that I’m thrilled over her being The MCU’s first, officially-Jewish superheroine, especially when Judaism’s been ignored prior, but Shira Haas has received plenty of flak despite being fantastic before in Shtisel. If this movie doesn’t impress, there’ll be people who’ll blame it on Marvel including an Israeli actress, not unlike what happened with Gal Gadot and Wonder Woman. And I’m sorry, but it’s unfair to blame a movie’s failure on someone who has no say on her place of birth.

While I’m thrilled other movies are getting their chance in the spotlight, superhero movies aren’t going away completely. They’ve been a staple of cinemas since the late-70’s, and even the bad ones nowadays are infinitely better than those of yesteryear. Superheroes might not be the big draws they were 5 years ago, but they’re going absolutely nowhere. And if Chris Hemsworth’s words are indication, it’d do everyone good, even some Marvel cast members, to show humility discussing them. After all, we have to start somewhere!