Hey, I wanted to talk about how I think there's a stigma toward superhero and comic book movies.
And unfortunately, I think the Dark Knight Trilogy is a big contributor to it.
It's unfortunate that geek culture still suffers this stigma even though it's arguably mainstream now. Apparently we're a bunch of kid-ults (adults who act like kids) who don't want to take the time to look into more "mature" or "real" entertainment.
By that logic, they should chunk all the great Greek myths and such out of their classical works. Comic book superheroes really are, if you think about it, the great modern myths. Some of these characters even play out like Greek tragedies.
But all of these "mature" people apparently don't think of comic books (and video games, but that's for another time) as art, and as such, in their minds, they shouldn't be taken seriously. Yeah, that's a reason why a lot of movies suck nowadays. Everything has to be "serious" (i.e. "dark," "gritty," and "painful."). If you like serious stuff, that's fine, but don't knock down other people who don't like seriousness that isn't earned.
Anyway, these are the same people who would gladly give awards to the Walking Dead TV series, and not the Walking Dead comic book, even though the latter has been met with widespread acclaim, and has been praised for its incredible storytelling.
For that matter, I seriously think the Dark Knight trilogy is one of the most overrated things ever and changed the view of comic book movies for the worse.
Why? Because they aren't "just comic book movies." What's wrong with being a comic book movie? Why can't comic book movies be regarded as great in their own right? Oh that's right. They aren't dark and depressing and "realistic." Yeah, like the Dark Knight trilogy is totally realistic.
Superheroes are not supposed to be realistic. They're supposed to be people we either see ourselves in or aspire to be like. That's a big reason why the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been so successful. They know they're comic book movies, but they don't talk down to the audience. Not to mention, how many franchises can boast that not ONE of their TWENTY titles has a rotten score on Rotten Tomatoes?
Now, I know the MCU isn't perfect, but I think a lot of people tend to dismiss them because they're "comic book movies." To me, that's reeks of pretentiousness and elitism. I'd much rather to aspire to be like Captain America than Batman. Captain America doesn't mope around about how he lost everyone dear to him, like Batman does. The former doesn't lose his ideals just because he suffered huge losses.
For that matter, I'd even aspire to be like Iron Man rather than Batman. Now Iron Man you can argue is more flawed than Captain America, and you're right. But what I really like about Iron Man is that he's constantly trying to make himself a better person, even if he's sometimes misguided or even fails. What matters to me is that he's making the effort and trying to hold himself accountable.
For the record, I like Batman fine. There's nothing wrong with him. But I seriously think he's the most overrated superhero ever. You can say the same thing about the Avengers or any other MCU movie, but the fact is people will say they can't hold a candle to the "masterpiece" that is the Dark Knight. Wow, talk about a double standard.
As I said before, if you like the Dark Knight trilogy, that's fine. But it's not perfect, just as the MCU is not perfect. Heck, I wouldn't even consider them superhero movies. They work better as crime/psychodramas.
Why would I want to watch Batman monologue and brood for a couple hours when I can watch the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy fight the immense odds for everything they hold dear against the Mad Titan Thanos? So what if he's a giant purple alien man? The Joker is a madman who dresses like a clown. Is that really less ridiculous?
Anyway, these were just frustrations I wanted to get out. Let me know what you thought.
And unfortunately, I think the Dark Knight Trilogy is a big contributor to it.
It's unfortunate that geek culture still suffers this stigma even though it's arguably mainstream now. Apparently we're a bunch of kid-ults (adults who act like kids) who don't want to take the time to look into more "mature" or "real" entertainment.
By that logic, they should chunk all the great Greek myths and such out of their classical works. Comic book superheroes really are, if you think about it, the great modern myths. Some of these characters even play out like Greek tragedies.
But all of these "mature" people apparently don't think of comic books (and video games, but that's for another time) as art, and as such, in their minds, they shouldn't be taken seriously. Yeah, that's a reason why a lot of movies suck nowadays. Everything has to be "serious" (i.e. "dark," "gritty," and "painful."). If you like serious stuff, that's fine, but don't knock down other people who don't like seriousness that isn't earned.
Anyway, these are the same people who would gladly give awards to the Walking Dead TV series, and not the Walking Dead comic book, even though the latter has been met with widespread acclaim, and has been praised for its incredible storytelling.
For that matter, I seriously think the Dark Knight trilogy is one of the most overrated things ever and changed the view of comic book movies for the worse.
Why? Because they aren't "just comic book movies." What's wrong with being a comic book movie? Why can't comic book movies be regarded as great in their own right? Oh that's right. They aren't dark and depressing and "realistic." Yeah, like the Dark Knight trilogy is totally realistic.
Superheroes are not supposed to be realistic. They're supposed to be people we either see ourselves in or aspire to be like. That's a big reason why the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been so successful. They know they're comic book movies, but they don't talk down to the audience. Not to mention, how many franchises can boast that not ONE of their TWENTY titles has a rotten score on Rotten Tomatoes?
Now, I know the MCU isn't perfect, but I think a lot of people tend to dismiss them because they're "comic book movies." To me, that's reeks of pretentiousness and elitism. I'd much rather to aspire to be like Captain America than Batman. Captain America doesn't mope around about how he lost everyone dear to him, like Batman does. The former doesn't lose his ideals just because he suffered huge losses.
For that matter, I'd even aspire to be like Iron Man rather than Batman. Now Iron Man you can argue is more flawed than Captain America, and you're right. But what I really like about Iron Man is that he's constantly trying to make himself a better person, even if he's sometimes misguided or even fails. What matters to me is that he's making the effort and trying to hold himself accountable.
For the record, I like Batman fine. There's nothing wrong with him. But I seriously think he's the most overrated superhero ever. You can say the same thing about the Avengers or any other MCU movie, but the fact is people will say they can't hold a candle to the "masterpiece" that is the Dark Knight. Wow, talk about a double standard.
As I said before, if you like the Dark Knight trilogy, that's fine. But it's not perfect, just as the MCU is not perfect. Heck, I wouldn't even consider them superhero movies. They work better as crime/psychodramas.
Why would I want to watch Batman monologue and brood for a couple hours when I can watch the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy fight the immense odds for everything they hold dear against the Mad Titan Thanos? So what if he's a giant purple alien man? The Joker is a madman who dresses like a clown. Is that really less ridiculous?
Anyway, these were just frustrations I wanted to get out. Let me know what you thought.
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