MovieChat Forums > Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) Discussion > Is Marvel being so awesome hurting the r...

Is Marvel being so awesome hurting the rest of the movie industry?

posted 9 years ago by mightymac101
44 replies | jump to latest

Honestly, I know a lot of people are like me and can't help hold all other blockbusters up to the new standard Marvel has set. It's not fair but it's happening now all the time. I try and pretend that it's the 20th century and flashback to judge new films on their own stand alone merit but it's difficult when Marvel keeps refreshing the cinema twice a year with interconnected true greatness. Each MCU film is a classic all on its own but they also build and add to the depth that's come before. That's quite a treat and still very unique.

It's like witnessing the beauty and awe of Niagara Falls live and then going to watch a mall fountain or a toilet flushing in a nice bathroom the following week. Not much is going to register and most everything will pale in comparison. This is exactly what Marvel has done to the movie industry at this point.

It's a large part of why people leave the theatre with a giant "meh" on their lips after seeing things like Terminator Genisys, Mad Max or San Andreas. It's why people flock to see Jurassic World even though most think of that movie as brain damaged and flawed. They hope that Jurassic World is another Jurassic Park and as great as they remember when they were younger, pre-Marvel. Subconsciously, they can't put it together why the Jurassic World experience is so empty even though the makers of that film tried to pull a Marvel and link the films.

Everyone is rushing to copy Marvel but none will succeed simply because they are in a hurry to play catch up and will take shortcuts. They also don't have the rich history Marvel has with their characters. Example: No matter how many Ghostbusters they crank out it's not going to help.

Add the fact that Marvel's ability to make truly exceptional films has agitated fan bases all over the Internet. This has started sniping among every frustrated fan base from DC to Terminator to Star Trek to Hunger Games to whatever. All this sets people in to separate camps (even subconsciously) and makes them dislike everything not their favorite even if consciously they want to be fair. That may be Marvel's fault indirectly.

At least a plus side is the studios that can copy Marvel (because they have the rights to some of their characters) are learning and falling in line. Fox can and has done so with the X-Men and now Sony is begging Marvel to save Spider-Man. So, the superhero genre will remain strong for years to come even with DC soon to crap the bed yet again.

I just feel bad for the other genres at this time.

[–] samhmd-7489 9 years ago

This happened with Pixar as well. Other studios were getting upset at how they kept putting out Oscar winners.

[–] Mandy999 9 years ago

Not really. I only compare Marvel's stuff to other CBMs. I wouldn't rent Hunger Games and be upset it wasn't like Avengers.

[–] DeusExKatrina 9 years ago

Your initial premise is very highly flawed. It's perfectly fine if you hold Marvel in such high regard, but it's incorrect to act as though that's the general consensus. Half of Marvel Studios films have been received merely decently. Mad Max obliterated Marvel's latest in critical acclaim and Jurassic World obliterated Marvel's latest in financial success.

Marvel has completely changed the way blockbusters are done -- you are 500% correct about that. They're not only the sole cause of the shared universe trend but they've also been instrumental in upping a franchise's basic machinations from once every few years to coming out with a new film one to three times a year.

But this reception gap you see between Marvel and other studios is illusory. Marvel Studios has always stumbled once for every massive success -- even if their massive successes are world-shattering. It's possible Age of Ultron might not even make the top 5 for the year at the box office, and don't even dream about Ant-Man getting there.

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Pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the antidote to shame.

[–] SpanishRicky 9 years ago

The concept is sound and indeed has merit.

[–] mariano_yuba 9 years ago

Considering Age of Ultron was widely considered to be underwhelming (decent...but far below the first one), and Ant-Man, good as it may be, is a much smaller franchise (pun unintended), i doubt Marvel really has had much of an impact in movies this year. There've been hits this year outside of Marvel which left much more of an impression, and really have nothing to envy.
I sound like a hater, but i'm not, i'm just speaking from what i feel is going on. I won't say the MCU is irrelevant, that is very much not the case, and yes, it has had some superb movies, but much of the craze is rather starting wear off, and the numbers prove it. Again, not that Marvel isn't succesful anymore, it definitely is, but the truth is that the world doesn't stop for Marvel, and if there's good movies, people will just go and watch them, and yes, even like them better and go watch it more than the current Marvel flick.
I DO have faith in next year's Civil War, though, and i think it can seriously turn things around, if the Russo's previous movie, The Winter Soldier, is anything to go by. It can probably be a better Avengers 2 than the actual Avengers 2.

[–] DeusExKatrina 9 years ago

The concept is sound and indeed has merit.

Well, you certainly make a good point with your complete lack of any corroborating content or thoughtful elaboration, and your blind optimism couldn't possibly be based purely on fanciful fan bias.

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Pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the antidote to shame.

[–] AfterBuzz 9 years ago

When you make 12 great films in a row to start you studio, what more is there to say?

I accept your surrender.

[–] Wuchakk 9 years ago

It's possible Age of Ultron might not even make the top 5 for the year at the box office

It's currently #2 in the USA for 2015 with the closest competition ("Furious 7") $106 million behind; and #3 worldwide. Do you see any serious competition from the remainder of the year?

My 150 (or so) favorite movies:
http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070122364/

[–] DeusExKatrina 9 years ago

It's currently #2 in the USA for 2015 with the closest competition ("Furious 7") $106 million behind

#3 WW. Which means it could be bumped out if we get a few more big hits.

Do you see any serious competition from the remainder of the year?

I certainly do.

Star Wars
Hunger Games
James Bond

Plus who knew American Sniper would come out of nowhere to top the US Box Office last year? There are always wild cards.

I never said Age of Ultron isn't going to be in the top 5 for the year. It most likely will be. I said it's possible it won't be, which is very clearly true.

---
Pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the antidote to shame.

[–] Wuchakk 9 years ago

Of course Star Wars has enough fans to rake in the bucks and James Bond might be in contention, but the last (2014) Hunger Games movie made $750 million worldwide; so this year's sequel would have to double that to beat Avengers 2 and that's not likely.

American Sniper grossed $547,126,372 worldwide so any wild card movie this year would have to make almost triple that to compete with AAoU's earnings.

My 150 (or so) favorite movies:
http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070122364/

[–] skoobydoo6789 9 years ago

I only compare Marvel to other comic book movies. You are correct that Marvel has an effect on blockbusters.

If it's all the same to you, I'll have that drink now.-Loki (Marvel's Avengers)

[–] ridicoolest 9 years ago

lol at OP for thinking that a dumb popcorn franchise can hurt an art form that has existed for many years. Yeah, your superheroes are a real threat for Kubrick and Hitchcock movies. LOL give me a fvcking break

[–] TheHiawatha 9 years ago

Well, I wouldn't say that the Marvel films are considered the golden standard for quality and money comparisons, even though I'm a hardcore Marvel fan. "Avengers: Age of Ultron" was well-received, but "Mad Max: Fury Road" got almost universal fan and critical acclaim, and "Jurassic World" and "Furious 7" beat AOU at the box office by a good-sized margin.

However, you are absolutely correct in that Marvel has changed the way blockbusters and franchises are made. Marvel took the idea of a shared universe and perfected it, and now other studios are trying to follow suit.

[–] helderuto 9 years ago

It's so funny how you talk to yourself on IMDB, Uber

[–] IronBallsM 9 years ago

People had better just up their game if they want to hang with Marvel. It's as simple as that.