Greetings Terrans, I bring before you this evening a great lament regarding the modern state of the previously sacred rite known the Comic Book Movies.
All formality aside, it certainly is a great time to be a comic book nerd is it not? In previous years it was a true marvel when a film based on a comic book movie was released to the general audience. While some classics made it such as the original Batman featuring Michael Keaton as the beloved caped crusader, and the Christopher Reeve Superman film series. It was still an extreme rarity of the times to see the beloved heroes make it to the silver screen. In time though things would change.
While many have complaints or hatred regarding the early adaptations of Blade, the X-Men, Daredevil, and Spider-Man. One can not deny the sheer influence these films and directors have had on the Superhero film community. Such filmmakers as Stephen Norrington, Sam Raimi, and Bryan Singer made excellent steps towards legitimizing the idea of a Comic Book Movie to the General Audience. While personally I hold many of these films in an intensely high regard, they were merely the pavement, a stepping stone leading up to the big pay off. Puffed up fan children of the MCU will scream the name of Iron Man or the Avengers when hearing such things. However, they like to overlook the truest and best; The series that made audiences actually look at CBMs as more than a spandex clad joke.
Yes, my dear Terrans; 'Twas the 2006 superhero film known as Batman Begins directed by Christopher Nolan that truly put superhero films in a way that could be taken seriously by everyone including people who did not care for superrheroes. 'Twas just such a powerful film that moved both the heart, mind, as well as the inner will of the common viewer. (While we"re on the subject, Batman > Marvel Universe, just sayin') This fllm would launch the greatest sequel of all time, and one of the best films ever made. Period. It also set the template for a great origin film, one which would be followed in 2008. Thereby launching the intense success of:
Ah, the beloved Marvel Cinematic Universe. Many would consider them the greatest superhero film franchise of all time. As it was the first to integrate the story lines of multiple separate superheroes and villians and have them exist in a shared universe. While this is certainly what Terrans describe as "badass" it also wears out it's welcome in many ways. While I'm sure most of us jumped for joy when we saw Iron Man appear at the end of The Incredible Hulk. 'Twas a thrill that would be boring in time. But regardless, we now have countless films including Jam packed Avengers' films, an Iron Man vs Captain America film, a Batman vs Superman film featuring Wonder Woman, more X-Men films, more Fantastic Four films, a Deadpool film, and possibly another Spider-Man reboot. And that, dearest Terrans, is merely the tip of the Iceberg as far as what else is going to come out. This is just [frick]ing awesome isn't it? Right?
WRONG.
While the idea of countless superhero films coming out in a matter of a few years and only building upon each other sounds both appealing and excitng. One must understand, they can only do so much before they truly out do themselves. Though I truly am excited to see each and every one of the comic book films about to be released. I also am aware that the over saturation has alrady made it's mark. Another team up film? Nice, probably more of what I saw last time on the real. While this may come off as merely a thinly veiled stab at Marvel from a DC fan, mind you that your Hierarch was a Marvel fan first and still takes great joy in reading and watching material released from Marvel Comics. 'Tis just the simple truth: The explosions cans only get so big, the music can only get so "epic", the costumes can only get so badass, the team ups can only get so thrilling, before we have seen all there is to offer. While Marvel Studios is not the only Studio producing CBMs at the moment, they are indeed the ones responsible for inciting the mass superhero craze that has come over society the past few years.
'Tis both a blessing and a curse, Indeed. While I do relish at the thought of countless more CBMs. I also quite miss the days when just the words "Spider-Man is in theatres" was more special than damn near anything.
Thank you for reading,
En Taro Tassadar!