Imagine, if you will…
It’s confirmed - Savage Dragon is officially making the leap to the big screen. You’re pumped over this news because you’ve only been waiting for this film since the Dark Ages. Message boards are flooded with fan casts - regulars like John Hamm, Karl Urban and Joe Manganiello are mentioned. The clear favorite amongst directors - Guillermo del Torro.
But when the official announcements are made they sound something like this - Paul W.S. Anderson is tapped to write and direct with Taylor Lautner set to star. And Hayden Christensen is cast as Dragon’s nemesis, Mako.
Promising this will be a “grounded, more realistic” approach, Anderson and the producers describe the film as a “re-imagining” of the character. Outrage follows, as it usually does in these situations. Thus begins the criticism. The script isn’t even written yet and the criticism has already started. Before going any further…
Criticize (verb)
-
indicate the faults of (someone or something) in a disapproving way: technicians were criticized for defective workmanship.
-
form and express a sophisticated judgement of (a literary of artistic work): a literary text may be criticized on two grounds: the semantic and the expressive.
Why show this? Because a lot of people associate “criticism” with a negative connotation. They’re so focused on the “…in a disapproving way”, they don’t see the “…sophisticated judgement…”. It’s often construed, (unfairly), as “hate”.
A Hater looks for faults, no matter how small. A Critic acknowledges the faults that are already there.
So, while Haters are worrying Anderson will find a role for Mila Jovovich in the film or making Twilight werewolf jokes or posting Revenge of the Sith memes and gifs, Critics are basing their opinions on the filmmakers’ past bodies of work.
And when I say Critic, I don’t just mean the ones who get paid for their opinions, but fans as well. Because fans are critics, too. But, as I mentioned, criticize a film or a casting choice and you could be accused of “hating”. These accusers’ advice?
“Just be happy these movies are even getting made”.
JUST BE HAPPY…
"Just be happy...". Those three words imply a lot, when you think about it.
You essentially have fans absolving the studio and filmmakers of adhering to the source material. So long as they get key details accurate, any departures taken can be overlooked. Because, ultimately, it is only an adaptation.
Then there’s entertainment value. For some, as long as the film is “epic” (top notch FX, action and kick-ass battles), who cares how much the director changed about the property. I call this the “roller coaster” experience - the ride blows your mind so you’re willing to dismiss the excruciating wait you endured to get on it.
Telling anyone “just be happy” is basically telling them to lower their standards or expectations. Not the nitpickers. Not the people who wanted Electro to go from page to screen, green and yellow costume intact, but the ones with reasonable expectations.
LOGAN: You actually go outside in these things?
SCOTT: What did you expect, blue and yellow spandex?
Spandex? No. A blue and yellow motif instead of black leather? Is that too much to ask of a costume designer? Matthew Vaughn made it work 11 years later. Going back to the Dragon scenario for a moment…
Summer comes, (August, perhaps), and you go to the Thursday, 7pm showing of the film. You stay for the rumored post credits scene featuring Dale Keown’s Pitt (Another shared universe. Yay).
The film gets mixed reviews but people you talk to love it. You, however, can’t help but feel disappointed with the movie as a whole. Not over nitpicky things like "Dragon’s fin was too small" or "He wasn’t green enough". Important things like story, acting, faithfulness to character and tone. “Dude, just be happy we got a Savage Dragon movie”, they tell you.
By the way, I’m not saying a live action adaptation of Erik Larsen’s Savage Dragon wouldn’t be well received. Quite the opposite. I totally believe it could make a kick-ass action movie in the right hands. Whoever owns the film rights, Dragon needs to be a thing. Like, now.
“Just be happy” is a lot to ask of any fan. It’s unreasonable. Case in point…
M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender.
I didn’t know anything about the show Avatar: The Last Airbender when I saw the teaser trailer for the film in a theater. My brother had to fill me in on what the show was about. Lucky for me, he had season one on DVD. I got hooked and went out and bought all three seasons. Based on his past work, I suspected the material was beyond Night’s talents as writer-director. To anyone who has seen the movie I ask…
Should fans of Avatar just be happy they got a live action movie?
Put aside the criticism over “whitewashing” or other racial casting and just consider the film. Are fans of this fantastic show expected to accept Hollywood is incapable of offering anything better? Should they count their blessings?
How about fans of Dragonball Z? Resident Evil?
Criticism is a thing good. More accurately, constructive criticism is good. It’s necessary in any art form. In order to improve in a craft, one needs feedback.
HOLLYWOOD DOES LISTEN
Some may insist, “Hollywood doesn’t care what the fans think”. I beg to differ. There are plenty of cases where studios made decisions based on fans’ reactions. Something as simple as green lighting a sequel. “Hey, they liked this. Let’s give them another”.
Take Man of Steel. One of the criticisms of 2006’s Superman Returns was the lack of action. Response? WB, Zack Snyder & Co delivered an action packed film with huge fight scenes.
Early word surrounding last year’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles claimed they weren’t going to be “Teenage” or “Mutant” at all but rather aliens. William Fitchner was said to be the Shredder. And the film was to be called just Ninja Turtles. Fans were pretty vocal about their concerns.
Then there’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2. The reaction and performance of this film completely changed Sony’s plans for the franchise. TASM 3 was pushed back in favor of films for Venom, The Sinister Six, and an untitled female lead movie. Who knows where Sony goes from here?
The smart filmmakers and studios listen to the fans. I don’t just mean “fanboys” but the general audience as well. They’re fans, too. But here’s the interesting thing…
NOT EVERYONE CAN TAKE CRITICISM
You could say defending a great film takes effort. The irony in that is great films don’t need defending. They speak for themselves. The old saying “you can’t please everyone” is true. You can, however, please most. That’s been proven as some CBMs have gone on to become both critical and financial successes.
Still, be critical towards a certain film and you just might get nabbed with a “butt-hurt” comment or a cute “haters gonna hate” gif. That and people dismissing whatever criticisms surface altogether. Makes sense, I suppose. It’s easier than engaging in debate.
This brings us back to expectations. Some fans’ expectations are just higher than others. Or lower. Or plain different. For example…
Remember when news broke Gal Gadot was cast as Wonder Woman? Rhetorical question. Of course, you remember that.
One of the legitimate concerns expressed was/is her size. Now, nobody in their right mind expected Snyder to put her in a skirt and tiara straight out of the Fast movies. Zero doubt he would be throwing Gadot into the gym and putting her on a diet to gain weight.
Still, mention "Wonder Woman should be muscular" and possess a strong physical presence and some insist fanboys won’t be happy without a bodybuilder in the role. Why such an extreme exaggeration?
You’ll find others who state “Wonder Woman’s power isn’t in her muscles”. True. Interesting enough, a concern no one expressed when Thor, Captain America or Snyder’s Man of Steel were cast with beefy men.
But these were exchanges within the comic book community. What does a portion of the general audience think? Demographics that usually don’t know the difference between Jay Garrett, Barry Allen and Wally West.
The website HardBodyNews.com, a site frequented by female athletes and fitness gurus, took a poll on whether they believed Wonder Woman should be more muscular. Out of the 385 who participated 351 voted "Yes".
http://www.hardbodynews.com/2013/12/hardbody-poll-should-wonder-woman-be-more-muscular/#sthash.1QZ02wx9.dpbs
FitnessRX for Women Magazine asked women, “Are there any current fitness personalities or competitors you think have the ideal shape for Wonder Woman?”
https://www.facebook.com/FitnessRxforWomen/posts/10152001979473567
No one mentioned any pro bodybuilders but Gina Carano’s name came up along with these two favorites, Erin Stern and Amanda Latona.
(2 time Ms. Figure Olympia winner Erin Stern)
(Amanda Latona is an IFBB Pro Bikini Competitor. Look it up and thank me later.)
Does being critical of Gadot’s casting as an iconic figure of power like Wonder Woman make these women “haters”? Should they “just be happy” Wonder Woman is finally making it to the big screen?
There’s a saying that goes something like - if one person tells you you’re drunk, it may just be that person. If ten people tell you you’re drunk, it’s time to call a cab.
IN CLOSING
If studios and filmmakers attempt to bring a property to the big screen and the final product comes up short, they’re going to hear about it. They deserve to hear about it, otherwise they’ll deliver the same product again and again.
Paramount could’ve easily went with M. Night’s threat plans for a “darker” Last Airbender with Book 2. TLA did gross over $300M worldwide. Luckily, box office wasn’t the only thing they were concerned with.
No one’s out to change minds or opinions here. At least, I don’t think so. If you are, good luck with that. In fact, maybe that’s where the problem comes. Trying to convince someone X-Men: Days of Future Past actually “fixed” the franchise or the Mandarin twist in Iron Man 3 was a good idea.
When others point out the shortcomings of your favorite CBM, or lists five actors who were better for a certain role, try not to get defensive. Those fans just may hold the property and filmmakers to a different standard. And asking them to shelve those standards and be satisfied with what was offered isn’t realistic.
Again, criticism is a good thing, folks. It’s vital for growth. If you aren’t comfortable with it, don’t engage.
How do you feel about criticism, guys? Are you for it or do you think people should “just be happy” we’re getting so many comic book movies. Let’s hear your thoughts below and thanks for reading!