How AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON Succeeds Where MAN OF STEEL So Miserably Failed
Marvel vs. DC Comics is a pointless argument when the DC Cinematic Universe currently consists of a single release. However, there are some startling similarities between Avengers: Age of Ultron and Man of Steel, and the former comes out on top for one obvious reason. Why? Find out here...
I'll be honest; the first time I watched Man of Steel, the mass destruction in Metropolis never really caught my attention. Well, it did, but in no other way than the fact that it was just an amazing fight sequence between Superman and General Zod. The destroyed buildings and casualties seemed to be just part and parcel of a battle between two incredibly powerful beings, one of whom was trying to destroy the Earth and the other to save it. Whatever faults I might have with Man of Steel, this fight scene was exactly what I've always wanted to see in a Superman movie, and Zack Snyder did a stellar job here, just like he did with other comic book adaptations like 300 and Watchmen.
Once Man of Steel was released, it didn't take long for think pieces to start showing up which took a closer look at the fact that Superman had effectively killed thousands of people. Of course, that wasn't half as controversial as the hero ending his battle with Zod by snapping his neck, but that too didn't bother me and is a conversation for another day. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is actually going to pick up on that destruction anyway, but you have to wonder if that was always the plan or a result of the very vocal response online. It could be either one, though you have to give them credit for further exploring it regardless because some would just act like it never happened.
Looking back at those criticisms, I get it. Superman was never really shown saving civilians, and while it could be argued that saving the world was more important than a few lives of those in a single city, not seeing more of that definitely hurt this interpretation of the iconic DC Comics superhero. It's not that big of a deal, and I actually think it's pretty impressive that Superman was shown killing the only link to his home world to save a family, so Man of Steel no doubt deserves a lot of credit in other respects. However, Avengers: Age of Ultron gives a very different perspective on how heroes should act in situations like this. Yes, they're a team, and there's more than one of them. That's a fair point, and one which is definitely taken into account here. However, it still gets something right which Man of Steel failed greatly to.
In the final act of Avengers: Age of Ultron, the team [minor spoiler alert] is threatened with an event which could end the world. Billions of lives are on the line, and they're all that stands between humanity and Ultron. However, rather than focusing solely on taking the villain down, the team makes sure to save and each and every civilian in sight, even if it means that they die. When Black Widow points out to Captain America that saving a few thousand people isn't as important as saving the world, he refuses to let a single person die. In fact, the line "If you get hurt, hurt them back. If you die, walk it off," says all you need to know.
Their determination to save everyone means that great sacrifices are made on their part, and the team isn't the same as a result. However, they keep those people safe, and isn't that what superheroes should do? It's great seeing a being powerful beyond our understanding fight to save the planet, but how are we supposed to really relate to that when we're being crushed by falling debris? Meanwhile, a normal man with a bow and arrow is putting his life on the line to save a child from death, even if it potentially means the end of his own life. Even the billionaire in the iron suit takes a break from trying to stop Ultron's plan to rescue a family in a collapsing building. Superman is no doubt a hero, but The Avengers' actions in this movie make them feel like true heroes. The kind of real-life heroes who run into building burnings to save people or put themselves in great danger each and every time they go to work for the day. You know, firemen and cops.
The destruction in Man of Steel has set up some interesting stories for the future. However, Avengers: Age of Ultron shows heroes actually protecting people, and isn't that what's really important? Is Batman v Superman going to be more "destruction porn" as some dubbed it when those heroes go to war? People die, thats a sad fact of life, but superheroes at least should be able to save those people...even if that's not how things go in the real world. What do you guys think?