The amount of creative liberties CBM's should make

Is using comic book story arcs in the movies a lazy way of staying true to the source material, or is it exactly what is needed to make a CBM decent? I will label where companies fall flat when it comes to creative liberties as well.

Editorial Opinion
By Godot - May 27, 2013 10:05 AM EST
Filed Under: Other

Deadpoolwithcomicsans here again. First, let me say I am well aware of how bad you guys think my articles are, and I respect your opinion. However, unless you have actual criticism, don't just leave "Dafuq did I just read?". For those of you who provide me with criticism, thank you. Now onto the article.

Should they take creative liberties

You're probably wondering "Why take any creative liberties at all?"

Well here is how I see it. Why go to a movie theater for 20-30 something $ (including popcorn and drink), to see something you've already read? You know what's going to happen, and you know each and every little bit of story.

We already know the industry can create excellent media based on these heroes without EVEN USING a story directly from the comic books. We've seen it in the Arkham games and Injustice. My point is that if they if they didn't take creative liberties, we would just get what we've ALREADY SEEN, only in live action.

This is where two famous CBM icons fall flat. Nolan and MARVEL STUDIOS Every last movie has to be directly from a story arc. While this seems good at first, it means nothing will really surprise the person watching.

FOX (Personally I like to spell it with a "U" instead of an "O".

They have zero respect for what made these characters great, which is why they deserve to be slapped ... with a pissed off lion.

What about key events?

Key events should always be EXACTLY as they are in the comics.

This is where Sony falls flat.

It should be a random thug who kills Uncle Ben, not Sandman. According to rumors, Electro will be the one to kill Gwen Stacy, despite her death being the spark of violence between Peter and Norman. It's like Cobblepot breaking the bat instead of Bane. It's BS.

Key events are something, if you're planning to bring in a certain character, you HAVE to bring onto the screen and make MINIMAL change to because usually they define that character.

The Verdict

Creative liberties SHOULD be taken, but only in a certain way. For example, If you're making a Deadpool movie, it doesn't have to follow the story of the Joe Kelly run. In fact, why not throw Wolverine in as a side antagonist, to mix things up. However, no matter what the character, stay true to what made the characters great. Make Deadpool's one liners hit where it hurts, make Hulk go on a rampage of blind fury, make Batman a vigilante of the night. Do justice to the legacy the characters have. THAT is the important part of making a CBM.

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Lindsey35
Lindsey35 - 5/27/2013, 10:26 AM
I don't know who was being a jerk to you about your articles (and this is the first article of yours that I've read) but it was a great read. I believe studios should have the power to make an original story, but when it comes down to what builds and drives that characters origin and motive, they better get it right like you said.

I really hope Norman is the one who causes Gwen's death (even though Spider-Man's attempt to rescue her is what actually killed her). But I'll be happy if it's Norman's doing, by hiring Electro, and he's the one pulling the strings, making TASM 3 Peter's quest to vengeance. I'm excited.

Sandman killing Ben is BS.

Good article ;)
sikwon
sikwon - 5/27/2013, 10:59 AM
I agree 100%. There are many things that can be changed but there are main points that are difinitive. Those are important. And more then that, they are GOOD.
tonytony
tonytony - 5/27/2013, 11:36 AM
What did you think of the mandarin twist? I think some things can be changed to help make a better story as long as character does not become unrecognisable or erased as in mandarin. I loved the first two spiderman movies by raimi and to me the changes enhanced the story.
AC1
AC1 - 5/27/2013, 12:06 PM
Nice article, don't think I've ever read one of yours before. Anyway, I think sometimes story arcs can make a good foundation for a movie to be built upon, but I also love seeing more original stuff.

I'm a film fan first and a comic fan second, and I find it very easy to separate the two, so I enjoy a lot of things based on their own merits whereas a lot of people hate them for being too different from the comics. Like Iron Man 3 - I think that is honestly the best film Marvel Studios has made, and I liked the way the Mandarin was used in the film. It wouldn't have worked with a less well known villain, but he's a character who's not great in the comics anyway, so I was OK with him being changed so much. I enjoyed Iron Man 3 as a movie, I don't care how good it was as an adaptation, and while initially I was a bit conflicted about the Mandarin (based on my expectations from the trailers, not the character in the comics) I've grown to accept the movie, and I now think it's really good.

I agree that key events should always remain the same - Green Goblin should always kill Gwen, a random mugger should always kill Uncle Ben/Bruce Wayne's parents, Bane should break the Bat, etc. But I'm a fan of good storytelling. If that means straying from the source material, then so be it, as long as it stays true to the spirit of the original (for example, Batman being billionaire orphan Bruce Wayne and not killing bad guys, or Spider-Man being NY orphan Peter Parker raised by his Aunt and Uncle and inspired into heroism following his Uncle's murder and being bitten by a spider, or Superman being an alien sent from Krypton and adopted by the Kents).
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 5/27/2013, 2:21 PM
Cool.

Here's something that really bugged me about Bane. It wasn't his appearance (I love Tom Hardy in everything, and this is no different), not even the Darth Vader/Sean Connery voice (I thought it was amusing)... but what exactly necessitates him BREAKING THE BAT?

We all know the details. He's pretty much doing Talia a big favor, but why? Big creative paradox here. Comic book Talia refers to Bruce as her "beloved" because in some twisted sense, she'll always be torn between her father and Batman. In TDKR, she wants to destroy everything near and dear to Bruce because he let her father die, even though she admits she really didn't get on with him to begin with. At this point - why bother with the character if you're just going to take away one very VERY big aspect of her relationship with Batman and make her some psycho bitch who wants completely disproportionate retribution?

So Bane is there to BREAK THE BAT - but he's the one who brought him out of retirement after 8 years. And why? So he can help Talia with her stupid revenge scheme - something she would never take part in had she been true to her comic book counterpart.

It just seemed like such a waste, when there's so many other characters out there.
calin88
calin88 - 5/27/2013, 2:51 PM
Comic fans are the worst critics. Yeah, I also think movie-makers should have some liberty with the story and characters. Fans would bitch about anything, they fricked up the Tangerine, Bane's voice, the name "Catwoman" wasn't mentioned etc. of course some of these liberties will backfire, but that's the point: improving on a formula for a genre that is a little difficult to improve, CBMs will always be "good vs evil"( good wins) I love a good adaptations like Watcen and 300, but I prefer movies to have theiroen personality and not be held bu the balls bu a gazillion comics
maryboo
maryboo - 5/27/2013, 5:26 PM
I think people need to see these movies as alternate universes, WHICH THEY ARE.

Think Elseworlds or What Ifs.

NovaCorpsFan
NovaCorpsFan - 5/27/2013, 5:52 PM
Changes are necassary sometimes, but alterations should not be made if the thought "Will the fans like this?" crosses your mind.

Nice article by the way.
bronzetiger01
bronzetiger01 - 5/28/2013, 5:00 AM
Just one comment, or rather question/s.

Are there studios who were given creative liberties and at the same time remained true to the source material? If so, which studios and what films?
tonytony
tonytony - 5/28/2013, 10:44 AM
@imadick thats exactly what i mean, when i say they shouldnt change the characters beyond recognition. The mandarin change really took the biscuit for me. I dont mind the changes in raimis spiderman or thor for that matter (donald blake? no sir)you can modify things for a good reason but dont piss on them completely.
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