Critics seem to have a strange relationship with comic book movies. They've enjoyed and even loved most of the MCU movies. The same can't be said on when it comes to DC. However should we judge moves that are part of a shared universe solely on their own merits. Movies that are part of a shared universe rely on each other to tell an overarching story. Some of these movies set things up that one resolve till years down the road. Should we find a new way to critique these movies?
Interesting point. I think you can look at how movie adaptations are critiqued for a start. There are two points you can consider: judging how well a movie adapts from the original source, and how well it stands on its own, needing no prior knowledge of the original source. With a shared universe, I agree that it should be critiqued collectively, but also how each subsequent addition to the universe expands the overarching story. – Starfire7 years ago
I strongly feel each movie should stand on it's own, as an individual story, even when it is part of a shared universe and story. I think the DC movies don't receive the same adoration as the MCU movies, simply because they're not as good (Wonder Woman notwithstanding). They prioritise flashy explosions and action sequences over character development. The MCU movies have been leading up to Avengers: Infinity War for nearly a decade, but each movie still told a self-contained story, as well as contributing to the shared over-arching story. The DC films are yet to pull this off. – rachelfreeman7 years ago
I agree with the comments made by Starfire and rachelfreeman. My comment isn't so much about reviewing MCU films as much as it is about reviewing films in general. Your last question about finding new ways to critique these movies is especially I think that we need to find new ways to view, critique, and interact with ALL movies. In my opinion, many people view films too passively. I think that every film should be actively supplemented (or complemented) by the viewer's empathy and imagination. The viewer must actively try to meet the film halfway by encouraging themselves to empathise with the films characters, to imagine the unseen implications of the film's central plot line, and by encouraging themselves to actively consider and extend the themes and ideas presented by the film. It can't just be about the passive consumption of a story. Anyway, I think that one of the benefits of having a shared universe is that it invites viewers to consider what happens at the periphery of the main story. It encourages viewers to imagine the implications of any given event across time, space, and other films. Furthermore, comic book movies have such passionate fans that deeply enjoy debate, critique, discussion, imitation, emulation, and so much more. Maybe this is the beginning of a new kind of film criticism? – Vertov.Isou6 years ago
Since the two companies became huge competitors in the comic book industry, DC and Marvel have split fandoms and caused many heated debates among their followings. Why is this? Why do people swear that Zach Snyder films are terrible and say Superman is a boring character, and than praise the Marvel movies? Are there biases involved? Do DC movies simply not put enough jokes in them? Why all the hate? And is there any hope that it will be acceptable to enjoy DC movies as well as marvel movies? I would like the person who picks this topic up to discover first the differences between these two franchises, and then talk about how these differences play out into the Cinematic Universes.
You wrote: "Do DC movies simply not put enough jokes in them?" Maybe it's not just the presence/absence of jokes but rather the type of humor used? For me, there's definitely a streak of camp and self-awareness in many of the Marvel movies that is not present in the DC movies. – JamesBKelley7 years ago
Shazam was a good attempt from DC. Can we expect to have more of the same in the Snyder cut? – Dr. Vishnu Unnithan4 years ago
Titanic and unnecessary project. – T. Palomino2 years ago
