Lack of Originality
The vast majority of superhero movies seem to be regurgitations of the same plotlines, with each new film only barely straying away from the original concept while remaining as faithful to the source material as possible. This stunning lack of originality is in stark contrast to other genres of films where the filmmakers have much more freedom to experiment and create something truly unique.
This isn’t to say that all superhero films have the same exact plot, but the genre is quite formulaic in nature. For example, the hero will face a dangerous villain, the hero must save the world, the hero ultimately emerges as the victor, and the final act will leave the audience with a sense of closure. These are all archetypal plot points within most superhero films, regardless of genre.
Stereotypical Characters
Another major problem with superhero films is they are often filled with one-dimensional characters that lack complexity or nuance. These characters rely heavily on stereotypes and cliches, which are rarely challenged or subverted in the films. For example, the hero is usually manly, brave, and noble, and the villain is often excessively evil and cunning. Other characters such as the supporting cast are often just there for comic relief or to provide some expository backstory to the hero.
This stereotype-filled cast of characters creates a boring and predictable viewing experience that many audiences find tiresome. Furthermore, the lack of character development also prevents superhero films from really making an emotional impact or resonating with audiences like a good drama or mystery film can.
CGI Overload
The effects in superhero films are often too much and detract from the overall story and emotion of the film. The CGI effects in many of these films are intrusive and take away from the characters and the plot points. The heavy reliance on CGI is often a result of the film makers trying to recreate an exact virtual world or a particular sequence that is only in the comics, but in reality it often fails to capture the same feel and emotion that a real life set would have.
Furthermore, the reliance on CGI also brings up the issue of budget. As many superhero films try to deliver as many breathtaking special effects as possible, the scale of the productions grows larger and larger, thus increasing the budget of the film. This often causes the filmmakers to cut corners in order to save money, which can often affect the overall quality of the film.
Unfamiliarity
Part of the reason why superhero films can be so bad is because many audiences are unfamiliar with the source material and the characters. This can be further compounded by the fact that some superhero films try to cram too much into one movie, or introduce too many characters in one go. This can confusing or frustrating for audiences who are just looking for a simple story that is easy to follow.
Many people are familiar with the idea of the deeply flawed flawed superhero, but the genre often fails to address this concept in its source material, or worse, actively ignore it. Characters often remain one-dimensional and heroic without any meaningful exploration, thus further alienating audiences about the complexity of human nature that can be explored in more realistic films.
Lack of Realism
Superhero films can lack a sense of realism, as the characters and their stories often exist within a bubble of comic-book logic rather then the reality of the world. This can prevent the stories from resonating with audiences and connecting with them in a meaningful way. For example, the characters often have access to exceptional technology and abilities beyond the realm of the feasible, thus leaving audiences no room to even begin to question the possibilities.
The lack of realism also relates to the characters themselves. Many of the characters in superhero films fail to feel like real human beings with real emotions, as they often exist within a safe cocoon of morality or justice that doesn’t really reflect our reality.
Poor Message
Finally, the poor messages that often come from superhero films only further add to their negative reputation. Many superhero films are focused on getting the audience to root for their hero and to defeat the villain, without any real exploration of the moral complexities of these stories. This can be problematic for audiences, as it fails to challenge them or to encourage them to reflect on their own beliefs and values.
Moreover, many superhero films also lack any real underlying message outside of the simplistic notion of good vs. evil. This often leaves audiences unfulfilled and unsatisfied, as they don’t come away with anything deeper to think about once the movie is over.
Rampant Merchandising
One of the most frequent complaints about superhero movies is the rampant merchandising that is intertwined with the productions. It has become a common practice for major franchises to heavily push merchandise and products that are related to the movie. This often results in a film being released as a two to two-and-a-half-hour commercial for the various toys, games, and other products that come with it.
Furthermore, this kind of marketing often takes away from the quality of the film itself. It has been argued that if production companies put the same level of resources into the quality of the film instead of just the marketing and merchandising, the overall quality of the movie would be drastically improved.
Repetitive Story Arcs
Another major problem with superhero movies is that the story arcs often become repetitive after a certain point. It becomes increasingly difficult for filmmakers to keep audiences engaged as the familiar story beats become monotonous and dull. This is often a result of the filmmakers relying too heavily on the comic book source material, which can make it difficult to deviate or innovate.
The problem with this approach is that it can become incredibly formulaic, as audiences can accurately predict what will happen in certain moments or what certain characters will do. This can make it difficult for superhero films to stand out from one another and become more memorable, as the general formula stays largely the same.
Lack of Cultural Relevance
Finally, another issue with superhero films is that they lack cultural relevance. The characters and stories often remain unchanged for several decades, even if the world around them changes drastically. This can make it difficult for the film to connect with contemporary audiences, as it will feel outdated and irrelevant.
Furthermore, many superhero films don’t try to tackle contemporary issues or discuss the current state of the world. This can create a jolting disconnect between the real world and the world depicted in the film, which many audiences might find jarring and off-putting.
Cutory-Paste Characters
Characters in superhero movies are often cutouts from the original source material, providing no backstory, motivations or development. If a character is a hero, they will remain a flawless hero, and if they are a villain, they will remain a relentless villain. This keeps them static, making them boring and unmemorable for the audience.
The lack of character development often leads to a lack of relatability for the audience, as the characters can be so far removed from the real world. The audience can struggle to put themselves in the shoes of the characters, making it difficult for them to be emotionally invested in the outcome of the story.
Exploitation of Franchises
The last common issue with superhero movies is the exploitation of the source material and the franchise. Superhero franchises are extremely lucrative, as evidenced by the billion-dollar box office takes of virtually every film. Thus, many studios are more focused on making money off the franchise than telling an engaging and compelling story.
This often leads to studios rushing the production and the release of multiple sequels in order to capitalize on the franchise’s success, while sacrificing quality for the sake of expediency. This can be detrimental to the entire franchise, as it can leave fans and audiences unsatisfied with the direction of the film.
Pressure from Fan Bases
The pressure from fan bases to remain loyal to the source material can also lead to mediocre and lifeless superhero movies. Directors and producers often feel compelled to stick to the traditional storyline and characters, in order to please the rabid fan base that has been heavily invested in the story for so long.
This often leads to a lack of originality and creativity, as the filmmakers can sometimes be afraid to take risks and to deviate from the source material. The result is a stale and generic superhero movie that doesn’t really stand out from the rest of the genre.
Obstacles to Innovation
The obstacles to innovation also add to the lackluster quality of some superhero movies. Studios often have to tread lightly when it comes to experimentation and innovation, as the risk of failure is often too great. Thus, filmmakers often resort to familiar tropes and tried-and-tested formulas, for fear of causing anger or backlash from the fan base.
The lack of experimentation and willingness to take risks also affects the quality of the film, as the audience often feels like they’ve seen the same movie before. This can be detrimental to the genre, as it keeps the same storylines, characters, and plotlines without any real progression or evolution.
Inadequate Resources
The inadequate resources available to many superhero movie productions can also lead to a reduction in quality. Some movies can be rushed through production and post-production as a way to save costs, while others can just be hindered by their budget. This can lead to some issues with the overall quality of the movie, such as poor performances, flash-in-the-pan special effects, and wobbly storylines.
The lack of resources often means that the movie can’t fulfil its potential, as the producers are often unwilling to take risks due to the fear of failure. This can hold back the film, as it prevents it from doing anything truly original or interesting.
