Of the 10 highest-grossing films of 2014, eight were franchises and half of those eight were superhero films. Alejandro González Iñárritu, director of the independently produced “Birdman,” proclaimed in a Rolling Stone interview that these movies are “ruining things in a lot of ways” and “keep taking up room that could be going to smaller films.” Conversely, when asked by Rolling Stone if there are too many superhero films on the market, Paul Thomas Anderson, who helmed the also independently produced “Inherent Vice,” quipped that “people need to get a life if they’re having that discussion.”
So what’s the answer to this question of franchise fatigue? There’s no disputing that studios are churning out superhero movies at a breakneck pace, but is that really evidence of a deteriorating film landscape? Like many, I’m frustrated when the confluence of art and commerce disproportionately favors commerce, and I sympathize with people like Iñárritu who feel the current volume of superhero franchises precludes the possibility studios will ever give the green light to smaller films.
The crucial flaw of this consternation, however, is that it’s premised to a large extent on a naive understanding of how the film industry operates. The ubiquity of superhero movies is symptomatic not of the deterioration of quality film but a commercial system whose prerogative has always been to turn a profit. If your goal is to produce as many hits as possible, you’ll inevitably put a premium on reliability, which is why we shouldn’t be surprised when we find ourselves with a million “X-Men” movies (and counting). Studios are so hellbent on maximizing their profits that even when 2006’s “Superman Returns” recouped its budget by $187 million Warner Bros. declared the film a disappointment and rebooted the franchise in 2013 with “Man of Steel.” I liked “Superman Returns,” and from what I’ve read a lot of people did too, but when it comes to the industry dollars speak louder than acclaim.
While the notion that there exists a number beyond which we can say there are too many of a certain kind of movie might appeal to disaffected cinephiles, it’s complete nonsense in the context of Hollywood. By no means do you have to enjoy the myriad franchises pervading our multiplexes, but there’s no sense in faulting studios for making the logical decision to extend the lives of successful film series. Plus, movies aren’t inherently bad just because they’re part of franchises; to assume so would be to deny the unique creative imprint left by the writers, producers and directors who bring these films to life. I might not be gonzo in love with every comic book crusader whose exploits have found their way to the silver screen, but that doesn’t mean I never find myself enjoying a smattering of superhero flicks every now and then.
We shouldn’t lament the demise of quality film when we see more and more franchises crowding the market, because the truth is that good films are being made all the time. Some come from independent producers and some come from the traditional Hollywood guard. Just because the economic underpinnings of the studio system are such that we’re continually saddled with the latest in a long line of superhero movies shouldn’t mean we don’t give these films their day in court. Yeah, “Birdman” and “Inherent Vice” were awfully good, but didn’t “Guardians of the Galaxy” kick ass?
In Madison we are lucky to have access to a plethora of movie theaters that show all different kinds of cinema, whether it be independent film, standard studio fare or even avant garde projects. The city is home to one of only five Sundance theaters in the country, and the UW itself puts on movies in both the Union South Marquee and Cinematheque, all for free. If you have an interest in film, I encourage you to cash in on these opportunities and to decide for yourself what constitutes quality cinema. Just be careful to pace yourself and not get too fatigued in the process.
Do you agree or disagree superhero movies are saturating the flim market? Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
