EDITORIAL: Success of Super Hero Films. What do they depend on?

EDITORIAL: Success of Super Hero Films. What do they depend on?

My analysis on how super hero films succeed. What they need to make the film good.

Editorial Opinion
By goneforever - Dec 13, 2010 10:12 PM EST
Filed Under: Other

I am not quite sure of what category to post in so I will just list this under an editorial. Basically, this article is just my overall analysis on what makes a successful super hero film based on comic book super heroes.

So, I would be listing out the aspects

5 Aspects of a Successful Super Hero Film

1) The film must be like a comic book

Don't take this literally. What I am trying to say here is that the film must have a good reference to the comics they are adapting from. Of course, this does not mean that the whole film has a comic like feel (Batman Forever, Batman and Robin). Comic like feel films have a tendency to ring the wrong bell as it somewhat doesn't do the film justice. The comic feel I am talking about here would be like incorporating fight sequences or chase sequences. Those final confrontations with hero and main villain are one of the best and high points of a super hero film. In a way, the super hero film needs to maintain two things: 1) Is based on the hero's comics (storylines and villains - villains made for the movie and not from the comics are usually unpopular) 2) Action Sequences (Fans of the hero are usually in this for the action and not watch a newly made movie. Adaptation of cool action sequences and bringing in of final confrontations are the best (The Dark Knight, Iron Man 2)

2) The film must have a tone of realism and the hero realistic and not over fantasy

Not that I favor a realistic tone and feel for all super hero films, what I am trying to say here is that the film cannot be overly imagined. Things like pseudo science gadgets and devices usually belong in a cartoon and not a full length film. Certain gadgets and devices from the comics like the popular grappling gun and the ace weapons like Repulsor Rays or Plasma Whips can be accepted but running amok with mind absorbing ray guns and Energy absorbing devices that shut down the city is a stretch.

The second part would be having the hero realistic and not infallible. Past super hero films might have accidentally made the super hero infallible when they make him impervious to injuries simply by his intelligence. There must be enough compromises with the hero's injuries and triumphs. If a hero doesn't feel pain then what is there for us to resonate with?

3) Characters must be there for a reason

You might have seen super hero films where there are either too many super heroes or characters. Things like references are still acceptable but if a character does appear then it should have a use. In The Dark Knight, you would have noticed how all the characters in there have a connection with one another. If Coleman Reese discovers Batman's secret identity then there will be a repercussion involving him and the villain. Simply to speak, a character must have a very good thing to add to the plot device.

Another thing would be to limit the number of characters in a film. Though ensemble films could do with loads of members, best figures would be from 5 to 6 as the film might be unable to deliver enough story bout these characters.

4) Interweaving Plots

In a usual super hero movie, you would see numerous sub plots take place. Those uber good films would be the ones who have sub plots that link very nicely to the main plot. Things like a robbery can lead to a further link or how a jail break leads to etc. If plots are weaved together, the film will not have audiences feeling bored halfway through the film. This is usually the part where the film comes to a lag and everything is a bore. If plots are close knit and written tightly then a consistent pace is maintained.

5) Playing up the story's strengths

A film must be able to play up on its story's strengths. Simply to say if the hero is a technological based hero, then play up the tech side. If the hero has a comedic villain then play up on it with black humor or some jokes. However, never ever try to marry humor with any character. Just look at Two Face in Batman Forever, critics felt that Two Face was just another version of the Joker.

If a character is a psycho maniac, then make him a psycho maniac. If the villain is meant to be a symbol of something, then play up the symbolism.

That pretty much wraps up what I feel are 5 Aspects of a Successful Super Hero Film. I won't say that this is a definitive check list but I feel that if some of these elements are present in a film, then we can look forward to an epic hero film.

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Orphix
Orphix - 12/14/2010, 1:38 AM
Interesting editorial and well thought out so hats of to ya!

As for you five points you could condense them down to
the script. All the points you have made are pretty much valid (tho I am not so sure about the first one) but all refer to how you approach the narrative.

The first point is how closely you stick to the source material. With that there is no real right and wrong as there are usually many different approaches even in the comic books toward a character. All a filmaker should concentrate on is making the best film they can and treating the source material as that - source. Never be a purist!

The second point is very interesting too. And this basically comes down to how the tone of the piece is portrayed. Again there is no real right or wrong way of doing this as long as you're consistant. As long as you make it clear what the tone is you can be as fantastical as you like. Obviously certain characters lend themselves better to certain tones. The tone is usually closely related to what sort of genre of film you want to make. You could make a comic book film that included aspects of comedy, science fiction, horror - even musical if you wanted.

Third point is one of those scriptwriting rules that every screenwriter should know. Every character should be there for a reason - in terms of plot, character and theme. The old adage 'use it or lose it' applies here. The same applies for the fourth point too but also you should consider themes of the story as well as basic plot.

Point five is all about research and knowing your character if you're writing the script. However humour always has some place even in the darkest films (in fact usually in the darkest films). The Dark Knight, Apocolypse Now, even All Quiet on the Western Front had elements of humour.
TheDarqueOne
TheDarqueOne - 12/14/2010, 5:26 AM
Nice job on the Editorial. Good reply Orphix.

I do have to disagree with #1. It should be... Don't make it too much like a comic book. The evidence we have to date says that the closer to the source you get the weaker the movie becomes. The most successful CBM to date is The Dark Knight and that has moved far beyond it's source material. Yes the essence of Batman is done well and the movie is excellent in almost all respects but faithful to the source it is not.

People who want 100% are always going to be disapponted. And when you are not everybody else will be. I do not see that changing anytime soon.

Last night I had a friendly discussion with Unfriendly Spidey. We agreed that Willem Dafoe played the parts of Norman Osborn and Green Goblin beautifully. Goblin was crazy, threw punkin bombs, rode a glider and even learned Spider-Man's true identity. In all possible respects save one he was perfect.

We both agree the costume was bad. The difference here is that he hopes to get another Goblin on film. He also hopes to get that magical 100%. I am gonna just stick with what I have because to me the odds are if they make another Green Goblin, even with a better costume, it will fall down in far more important areas.

Changes are necessary. Best route to movie death is 100% source material accuracy. I wish it were otherwise. Hollywood knows this full well and will only experiment with things like Watchmen.


LEEE777
LEEE777 - 12/14/2010, 5:38 AM
DarqueOne @ Closer the source (WATCHMEN/KICK ASS/SIN CITY) the better the movie is wtf are you on about lol?

Closer is always the best!!!


KEV @ Gr8 work, thumbs up! ; )
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 12/14/2010, 6:41 AM
Lee, they are direct adaptations of graphic novels or short comic runs. Its different when your adapting years and years of different characters, plots, retcons left right and center..when even the comics don't have a definitive continuity(X-Men) why should a film version follow one?

Anyway, great stuff. I agree pretty much. But for me it really only boils down to 2 things. I don't differentiate between movies and comic book movies. There are 2 types of film: Good ones and bad ones. It doesn't matter what your film is based on, book, comic, theme park ride..you just better make a good one. And also be true to the essence of the characters and stories your adapting. I give a wide berth with that one. As long as the film represents what drew me to the comic in the first place I'll be happy.
Superheromoviefan
Superheromoviefan - 12/14/2010, 6:59 AM
Great article. I totally agree.
KillerOfSaints
KillerOfSaints - 12/14/2010, 7:02 AM
Ummm has anyone seen Spider man 3 besides Ror? (nice review last month by the way) Or maybe Batman and Robin? What these people did with Venom and Bane are just two examples of how NOT to stray away from the material that WE WANT TO SEE COME TO LIFE!!!
KillerOfSaints
KillerOfSaints - 12/14/2010, 7:03 AM
By the way, I liked Daredevil ;P
TheMyth
TheMyth - 12/14/2010, 7:18 AM
LEEE, and look what such accuracy earned for Watchmen. Sure, we comic fans love it, but we're very alone in that love. As a result it took 6 weeks for it to reach 118 million. Critics actually spoke as though it would cause the end of CBM's (Obviously it didn't). The point is, if the source material were indeed good enough on it's own, billions of people would read comics, and the making of CBM's would be justified simply on this premise.

Ror has probably presented the best point in support of my argument, as it is simply IMPOSSIBLE to fit 40-60 years of history into a trilogy.
Orphix
Orphix - 12/14/2010, 7:34 AM
TheMyth @ You're right about Watchmen. In fact many critics blamed the fact that it 'honoured' and respected the source material too much.

That the director and the actors were straight-jacketed in to their roles rather than being able to express things their own way.
FanBoyBlack
FanBoyBlack - 12/14/2010, 7:41 AM
I think the source material issue isn't black or white... there is PLENTY of grey that needs to be addressed for all to be happy.

For example, there is NO NEED to MAKE UP characters – Why add Tom Sawyer to THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN – REALLY? Rob Schneider in Judge Dredd!!! COME ONE! Not to mention, not only do we want to see the hero come to life, but the villains as well. STOP MAKING UP VILLIANS if you already have a rogue’s gallery to choose from! NO ONE liked Superman fighting Nuclear Man, Bat nipples, adding or Gwildor in Master's of the Universe (and personally, I didn't like Barbara Gordon changed to Barbara WILSON and being Alfred's niece WTF?)

To SOME extent, we (I) expect to have the same characters, and essence if nothing else. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind different interpretations (I’m looking forward to a more brooding Superman), different conflicts, etc., but if you stray too far from the CB world, then why make the damn movie in the first place (Looking at you Catwoman!)
KeithM
KeithM - 12/14/2010, 8:50 AM
There are no absolutes in this.

You need to stick to the source as much as is appropriate, but know when to divert from it too in order to make the most of the filmic medium and where things simply don't make a smooth transition from the page to the screen.

That's a pure case-by-case judgement call - no 'rules' can possibly cover any and all characters, storylines and even circumstances (they knew there was only ever going to be one Scott Pilgrim movie, for example, so they had to tell the whole story in one film - same with Watchmen - and we know the struggle that had getting made even remotely faithfully).

Fwiw, I'll state again for the record that Watchmen's box office doesn't reflect badly upon it at all - and in time it will be far better regarded than it was upon release - especially the Ultimate cut. To me, it's a bonafide cinematic work of art.

In general I agree with many of the points in the article - in some cases, but on the other hand I also agree with some of the objections, qualifications and disagreements voiced by others too.

That's why it's art, not science. ;)
Orphix
Orphix - 12/14/2010, 8:55 AM
AllPurposeNaji @ You raise an interesting point with your first comment. Films are like comics in that regard. Every scene in a film should be pushing you and adding to the final confrontation (or climax) of the movie.

So in that regard each panel in a comic book has the same job to do as each scene in a film. If a scene fails to drive the story onwards then it isn't doing its job properly (and thats when you tend to find films lag and become too slow).
LP4
LP4 - 12/14/2010, 10:51 AM
For a CBM to be successful they would require Bryan Singer to be faaaaaar away from any form of filming lol. Dude is a jackass. Superman Returns was a total piece of shit and his Xmen films were only subpar. I hate that asshole
TheDarqueOne
TheDarqueOne - 12/14/2010, 2:12 PM
@LEEE

I have come to appreciate Watchmen but the general public never did. Since the Editorial said the point was about Success then that means Box Office to me.

Personally I want movies that are very true to the source material BUT updated properly for a modern adult audience. I want UltraAction and am quite willing to ignore other flaws when they give me that.

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