Realism in superhero films is very serious problem in today’s movie going world. Comic books were originally used to take people away from reality with fantastical stories and entertain a reader. So are films. As of late (2000 and onwards) Superhero films have been trying to go with a more realistic tone and feel to it. Examples would be with the Spider-Man Franchise and the such. The first film changed the way The origin from a radioactive spider to a genetically altered one.
My problem with this is that why should it matter if it is realistic or not? Even if you are bit by something like the spider in the film it would not give you powers. Why not go with the original? Although the Fantastic Four Films were not as good as they were expected to be they did somewhat stick with the original origin by showing that they went into space and received there powers via something cosmic. They are still guilty of of the “Realism” factor. In the second film they decided to use Galactus, who in the comics was a giant cosmic being that would go around eating planets. He used the Silver Surfer as a Herald to tell the planet of there imminent doom. Now this is used in the film, however Galactus is just a massive cloud. no shape or form… My problem with this is when asking someone why they didn’t use it they would respond with “Well its not that realistic” Hold on… you are telling me that 4 human beings can go into space get superpowers, (Stretching, Invisibility, turning into fire, and becoming a rock monster) Is fine, but a dude in a purple suit going around eating planets is not? There is some great hypocrisy here.
Also I am angered when someone looks at a film…a fictional creation, which is not a documentary. And says that since it is not correct according to science it is bad and unrealistic, and complain over and over. There are so many weird things going on in the film but that bugs you? I am glad that the most recent films such as The incredible Hulk, Thor, Green Lantern, and so on are retaining similar elements to the comics because in those it is really difficult to make those “REAL” With the Hulk, Gamma radiation can not really turn you into a hulking green monster. Nor will an alien race that protects the universe could really exist. I will not comment on the Thor Situation because he is a religious figure to some and it is their belief that he exists, so I will not say anything about that, but still in a modern era that wants realism everywhere, that can not be done the same way.
Now movies that have been able to pull off the “Realism” Well are The Nolan Batman films. Batman has no discernible super powers himself. He relies on his cash intellect and fighting skills to fight crime. Now, many villains in Batman also do not have powers, as with Nolanverse. (Amalgam of Universe and Nolan.) That can be argued with Ra’s Al Ghul’s appearance in the first one due to the fact that it is never revealed whether or not there is a Lazarus Pit. However they way he works it he pulls it off. Now if he were to try to make a supernatural villain his films and dumb's them down to realistic then there would be a problem.
I have heard a few people say that they want a more realistic Flash film, not having the same type origin because of its realism. Regardless of how it is done, it cannot be done realistically. The flash was hit by lightning while in a lab with chemicals and can run fast. Yes it is silly, but if done right would be cool to see. There is nothing “Realistic” in this world that could give someone that amount of speed.
One more thing before i stop ranting. The new Wonder Woman TV show. Though i am not a big fan of Wonder Woman, I do want her to be done right in a live action adaptation. In the show she will be Diana Prince, the CEO of a Company known as Themiscyra Industries… Why do this? Is there a problem with having a Amazon Princess as a character? No there isn’t. It makes no since if she is just a regular woman. I mean the whole reason Wonder Woman was created was to make her a strong female. What female is stronger than a Amazonian Princess? I mean yea you want people to be able to relate with her better, but still…