EDITORIAL: You’re wrong!!! It won’t make it any better

A lot of fans rightfully feel that their favorite superhero should have a shot at making it to the big screen. Therefore, they come up with arguments as to why a movie about superhero X could be the best one to date. But if you look at it, most if not all of these arguments are usually invalid.

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By AgentZero - 8/3/2012

A lot of fans rightfully feel that their favorite superhero should have a shot at making it to the big screen. Therefore, they come up with arguments as to why a movie about superhero X could be the best one to date. But if you look at it, most if not all of these arguments are usually invalid.



The main arguments that are brought up concern either a character, a location, and/or a particular tragedy that happened to the superhero. Let’s take the time to consider a few examples. A lot of people wanted the helicarrier to be included in The Avengers movie (a noble wish in itself). But the way I see it, it didn’t matter if it was a static ground base or a naval base: it simply did not have a direct impact on the story: bottom line is Shield needed a place to operate. We also have the fact that some fans want to see Hank Pym slap his wife in the upcoming Ant-Man movie. In all seriousness, is it that important? Is Ant-Man’s story-arc portfolio so small that the filmmakers don’t have anything else to choose from? From what I know, it isn’t part of his origin story and it adds nothing.

Another editorial suggested that, in order for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 to be the best Spider-Man movie yet, it would need to have (among other things) Easter eggs. These little nods are simply a little extra put forth for the fans: they don’t shape the course of the story. If the movie doesn’t lead anywhere plot-wise, it’s pretty much a done deal: Easter eggs will not make it any better.

Now let’s take a look at the matter from another perspective.

The Avengers was acclaimed by fans and critics alike because it had great performances by the actors, amazing action scenes and the story was laid out perfectly (some say it folded before you like a comic book). The Dark Knight trilogy is now the first in the genre to be considered good because it also had top performances by the main actors and a deep and AMAZING story. The likes of X-Men, Iron Man, Spider-Man 2 are also in the conversation.

It really doesn’t matter if there is a love interest in the movie or if a reference is made. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: what makes a good superhero movie is a combination of three things done well: the Acting, the Action, and most importantly the Story.

Have an opinion? Sound off in the comment section.

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22 Comments
ekrolo2 - 8/3/2012, 12:34 PM
@SotoJuiceMan

Lol I agree with everything you said dude, his fail on the easter eggs was pretty funny though XD
JBatesyFilmreviews - 8/3/2012, 12:38 PM
Rightttt, well I think for example Ant-man and Wasp are a must have for Avengers and their respective sequels, he creates one of their greatest foes, also, the fact you think that character has a small 'story arc portfolio' is stupid. The domestic abuse relationship between Ant man and wasp was something that changed the whole view on comics and the industry itself. I also have to disagree with your statement 'It really doesn’t matter if there is a love interest in the movie or if a reference is made. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: what makes a good superhero movie is a combination of three things done well: the Acting, the Action, and most importantly the Story.'. You have contradicted yourself there because by saying you don't need a love interest etc is wrong because something like that actually shapes the characters, for example, the death of Gwen shaped Spidermans life forever and hopefully eventually we will see that on the big screen. Action is important but a film should not be defined by it because if that happens you simply end up with some Michael Bay transformers wannabe shit. Rant over.
JBatesyFilmreviews - 8/3/2012, 12:39 PM
@SotoJuiceMan Damn man! You beat me to it, but yes, I obviously agree with everything @sotojuiceman just said
teabag - 8/3/2012, 12:43 PM
You forgot the 4th thing


boobs





:P
RedHood13 - 8/3/2012, 12:44 PM
You people don't get it. The point of the article is that these don't make the movie great. He's saying that a movie is good based on acting and story not the effects and Easter eggs.m
AgentZero - 8/3/2012, 12:49 PM
@RedHood13 Finally someone who understands. These guys seem to lack logic to comprehend anything.
teabag - 8/3/2012, 12:53 PM
If Easter Eggs make a movie more enjoyable to someone they are a valid factor for a CBM :)
BattlinMurdock - 8/3/2012, 1:18 PM
"what makes a good superhero movie is a combination of three things done well: the Acting, the Action, and most importantly the Story"

The definition of generic.

The acting, action, and story in Daredevil meets that criteria. The first Punisher is the same. Heck, Batman Forever has fine acting for its hammy script, and the action and story never really suffer, either.

There's a lot more that goes into a "good" movie than everything just being "good." We've seen it all before. It's got to be fresh. Relevant. Exciting.

I don't like settling for "good" when I've seen amazing, and if people are spending upwards of 100 million dollars on a project, we shouldn't have to settle for just "good."
BarnaclePete - 8/3/2012, 1:18 PM
I agree about the Easter egg thing. There are a lot of editorials on here about what will make any random comic movie great and everyone seems to think referencing other stuff makes it better. It doesn't. It can be kinda cool to have a nod to something else, but it really doesn't make the movie better. Is Batman Forever and Batman & Robin better because of the Superman reference?? NOPE. I'd much rather have hints of things that are acting building up to something, not just a Dr Strange reference just for the hell of it.
I agree also to a certain extent about the helicarrier. It really didn't serve much purpose in the movie other than to have a mid movie action scene when Hawkeye attacked it and it started to fall. Just used to add a little bit of extra tension to the scene. If it wasn't in the movie, I don't think the movie would have been worse and I don't think it's inclusion made the movie better.
Lastly, as far as Ant Man goes, I really hope as well there is more to this character than hitting his wife. This could be an interesting storyline in a sequel. Build up to it. Have it shown that he is stressed or troubled or whatever led to it. Just wanting it in there cause it happened in the comics s silly. It has to make sense in terms of the movies.
BattlinMurdock - 8/3/2012, 1:23 PM
@Soto

Disney helped finance and produce "Pulp Fiction" as Miramax was bought out by Disney in the 90s.
BattlinMurdock - 8/3/2012, 1:42 PM
Also, one last thing:

The only thing that seperates Zombieland from other zombie comedies is the Bill Murray cameo. End of story.

And Pirates is a Bruckheimer production. Just distributed by Disney.
BattlinMurdock - 8/3/2012, 2:51 PM
So, back to the point: Disney does the same thing with Marvel as they did with Miramax. They finance and offer backing and hold the rights to the characters; they don't necessairly govern the themes or scripts of the movies. If Disney helped make Pulp Fiction, you can't aay they're afraid to produce and finance specific projects based on content.

Anyway, @Soto, let's stick to the main point of the article.

BECAUSE WE AGREE FOR ONCE. We should really be celebrating this haha.

The difference between Daredevil and Batman are their story arcs and characters. The two vigilantes are almost identical. I've actually read lots of arguments about how Batman Begins is just an "improved" Daredevil from '03.

Source material separates Batman from Daredevil, Hawkeye from Green Arrow, Flash from Quicksilver...etc. etc. And the films need to be different. Considering how you posted this to my article about Daredevil:



it made me assume you didn't get any of it. Daredevil's source material allows the film to take a completely different direction than any superhero film preceding it.

What separates the Hulk movies? Why does everyone seem to loathe Ang Lee's Hulk? There was good action, acting, and story. The same with Louis Lettier's take on the hero. But one seems to stand above the other, even though by your logic, they should both be equal.
ArtisticErotic - 8/3/2012, 6:37 PM
Easter eggs are only cool if you understand them. If no one gets them then it's useless and just pointless. Comic book fans may get this stuff but your average joe does not care about it.


Tainted87 - 8/3/2012, 6:38 PM
I'm in the minority with Ang Lee's Hulk. My brother (older, judgmental) takes a look through my dvds, finds it, grabs it, and says: "really?"

I never understood the hate, never found it boring - my only real gripe is that the Hulk doesn't say anything - but with what little dialogue there is in the Incredible Hulk and the Avengers, it doesn't have much bearing.

More on that some other time.

Do you know why Nolan's Batman is not Batman? Why Nolan's Gotham is not Gotham... why his Two-Face is not Two-Face, his Talia is not Talia, etc...?

Because there isn't a theme. No rich atmosphere that refers to a character's history. Gotham is, in fact, so ridiculously clean that it doesn't need Batman until 8 years later. You read a comic and see that that will never happen. You play an Arkham game and will know that there's no WAY Batman will ever be done rounding up all the crazies, and it isn't a job for the National Guard or the cops. If that was the case, then why bother being Batman? Why dress up like a bat and use bat-themed gadgets and weaponry to scare people into submission? No, I did not answer my own question - there is no reason for Bruce to work alone, to be a stormtrooper, an outlaw... when the cops are able to do his job for him. Truly, the story didn't need to progress any further than Batman Begins.
BattlinMurdock - 8/3/2012, 7:19 PM
@Artistic

But the whole thing about an Easter Egg is the fact that it's a "gimme" for the core audience. Easter eggs aren't detrimental to the plot. It doesn't matter if not everyone gets them. They don't get in the way, they merely reference an object to the already loyal fanbase.

And@Tainted

I agree with you. I prefer Lee's Hulk. I like cartoony Hulk more than "real" Hulk, and I think Avengers' balance of the two is the best we've seen.
johnblake - 8/3/2012, 7:33 PM
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johnblake - 8/3/2012, 7:33 PM
i failed at makin a commet :(
BattlinMurdock - 8/3/2012, 7:35 PM
@johnblake

It's okay. You're Batman.
johnblake - 8/3/2012, 7:37 PM
hahahaahaha i am
MisterFixit - 8/4/2012, 12:20 AM
does some of you remember that famous slap was the beginning of
the loss of "sanity" for Pym? It is not simply domestic violence, is part of a larger psychosis which lasted years. It would not make sense to put the slap in the movie without showing that it was all his mind to be shocked.
If they choose this path can be good,otherwise is pointless
BattlinMurdock - 8/4/2012, 12:33 PM
Did anyone ever notice the easter egg in Ang Lee's Hulk that if you watch the movie with subtitles, any time Hulk appears, the subtitles turn green?
Tainted87 - 8/4/2012, 4:46 PM
I haven't tried that yet... strange, I usually watch movies with subtitles, but not that one.

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