If you've been paying any attention to the current climate in the world of film, you'll notice one thing: superheroes are ruling the day. Comic book movies have become the most lucrative films in the biz, breaking box office records and ensuring boat loads of money for their respective studios. And while they're usually visual masterpieces with stunning effects, it seems unlikely that movies about men flying around in tights would be so universally adored. So the question that rises is: why the hell do we love superhero movies so much?
Director James Wan, who will be helming his very own superhero flick with the DC Extended Universe's Aquaman, recently opened up to Collider and answered that very question, saying:
I think a big part of it is because we're finally at the point where we can actually tell these larger than life stories and have the technology to make them work. That's one factor, that we can create these whizz-bang visuals to go with the story and ultimately superheroes say a lot about the society we grow up in. Pretty much all the good superheroes have some kind of social commentary about why they are who they are. It teaches values and so it's a very important thing. On one hand it works on a surface level because it's super incredible to watch from a visual feast standpoint but on another level it works on a very human level it works on a very human, emotional level and I think it makes it fun for us. Let me pose you a question. Do you think people are having superhero fatigue?
James Wan's statement offers some answers and as well as an important question, while also erasing any trace of doubt as to whether or not he'll be able to make Aquaman a successful superhero flick. He just gets it.
To start, James Wan cites our current technology as what is causing this superhero renaissance. This seems to make a great deal of sense. Sure, comic fans would have liked to see Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman together kicking some ass years ago, but the visual effects might not have allowed the action sequences to be what they should have been. We certainly got some questionable Batman flicks in the 90's, with the Dark Knight becoming campy and with less intense fight scenes. We're in a point where action sequences become some of the highlights of superhero movies, with amazing and extensive scenes like Captain America: Civil War's airport battle and Batman v Superman's heroic beatdown truly wowing audiences.
Additionally, James Wan notes that there is something essentially moral about superhero movies. These heroes fight for what is right, we all inherently want the good guys to win and for villains to get their comeuppance. Sorry Suicide Squad.
But the Conjuring and Aquaman director ended this statement on an important question. Are we facing superhero fatigue? With so many heroes dominating both the small and big screen, it definitely has the potential to become a bit saturated and stale. The MCU might be untouchable, but it's entirely possible that other studios may suffer in the future due to overcrowding. Only time will tell.
