Shari Vaidya - Q4 Blog 13 - The Gateway
For a good three years of my life, I used to watch everything Marvel-related; I would stay up on school nights to watch the new WandaVision episodes, I was a regular at Century 25 in Pacific Commons (which is arguably the best theater in Fremont), and I even watched No Way Home in theaters three times during my seventh-grade Christmas break. It is safe to say I was a Marvel superfan.
To me, superhero movies are one of the best simple pleasures in life. I love the over-the-top explosions and cheesy dialogue that come with this genre of film, which is funny because one of my favorite superhero films is Captain America: Civil War, one of Marvel's more serious movies. But I digress, the overall unserious atmosphere that these movies harbor is what makes them so great. Think of any Spider-Man movie; they have this special ability of being light-hearted despite the situation at hand being absolutely dire. Andrew Garfield taunting that fifty-foot lizard in The Amazing Spider-Man? Just pure gold.
While I am not very familiar with the newer movies– I handed in my Marvel citizenship after watching that fever dream of an Ant-Man movie– I can still explain to you the events in the Infinity Saga as if I had gone through them…Considering I have watched every single one of those movies in any order you can think of multiple times. Before I figured out who Del Toro, Coppola, or Lynch was, I knew about the Russo brothers. And while their recent films have been…subpar at best, I feel like they carry some responsibility for my debilitating film obsession.
Hi Shari, I wanted to start off by saying I am also a huge Marvel superfan. I agree that almost everything after Endgame, starting with Ant-Man 3, was subpar at best, but the Marvel cinematic universe played a huge role in shaping my childhood. At one point in time I was Iron Man’s biggest fan, having watched his movies so many times I could recite his lines like they were my daily conversations and I lived under the delusion that one day I could be the Indian version of Tony Stark. While that is obviously not attainable for me, I still find myself indulging in the guilty pleasure of a marvel movie on a school night even with a mountain of work that continues to pile up. I think that superhero movies in general play such an integral role in the childhood of children everywhere. It gives us something to look up to, the very basis of our morals and values come from superhero movies and comics. Children spend their time cosplaying and dressing up as their favorite superheroes whether it be Iron Man, Captain America, or Superman (yes I know I just mixed two different universes), not villains. Because at their very core, superheroes are the epitome of society, they are the most perfect imperfect beings. A superhero is flawed, but that is what makes them so super, the fact that even though they are flawed they can still do the things they do, they are given their powers or their brains for a reason and that is why for the most part, at least to children, superheroes always win. I really enjoyed this blast from the past and this was the perfect reminder for me to log back into my Disney+ account and rewatch the early Marvel movies.
ReplyDeleteHello, Shari! Marvel Movies are great! I'm glad to know that someone else enjoys the early Marvel Movies, like Iron Man and Captain America! Iron Man 1 is probably the only movie twice, so Marvel Movies (at least the first few) hold a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteFrom your various blogs, it seems like you really like movies and I’m assuming you really know your stuff. Since I don’t watch many movies, I can’t help but feel a bit of satisfaction that someone who really likes movies also appreciates Marvel movies.
Marvel movies just seem so cool, and they represent a sort of fantasy that seems so appealing. I suppose that’s what made the comics so appealing, and the early Marvel movies captured that quality really well. They’ve managed to retain their charm even years after, and that’s why I really like them.
Marvel, while I am not personally a fan, is an iconic franchise. Thousands across the globe adore the series and dedicate themselves to watching every movie that currently exists and all those that would be later released. Regardless of what critics may say, the franchise is a soft spot for many, especially those who grew up watching these movies and shows.
ReplyDeleteSuperhero movies are indeed a simple pleasure. While movies that dive deep into moral debates and discuss different aspects of life are enjoyable, sometimes one simply wishes to see a straightforward movie where good defeats evil to give them hope. Regardless of whether the movie is more on the serious side or more comedic, the fundamental story highlights the triumph of our favorite heroes, inspiring hope and reminding one that good still exists and that they shall prevail regardless of the obstacles in their way.