{"id":9295,"date":"2023-11-04T07:50:04","date_gmt":"2023-11-04T06:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.moviestumper.com\/?p=9295"},"modified":"2023-11-04T07:50:04","modified_gmt":"2023-11-04T06:50:04","slug":"are-superhero-movies-magical-realism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moviestumper.com\/are-superhero-movies-magical-realism\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Superhero Movies Magical Realism"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Background information<\/h2>\n

Superhero movies have become a staple of the big screen, but in spite of the scale, budget, and special effects, they are not just action films. Superhero movies are in fact a genre of magical realism. Magical realism is a genre of literature, art, and films that combine elements of fantasy and everyday life. It has been strongly associated with Latin American authors, but the work of one of its key originators – Gabriel Garcia Marquez – actually belongs to a much larger, global magical realism movement. In the superhero movie genre, traditional magical realism elements are used, such as extraordinary characters and objects, mundane settings, everyday situations, and a belief in the fantastical.<\/p>\n

Characteristics<\/h2>\n

Magical realism focuses on the ordinary, everyday elements of life, replacing them with bits of the extraordinary. Superhero films create worlds that are strangely familiar but are populated with characters and objects that feel surreal. Theme and tone are also commonly used in magical realism to create a world of contrasts, often filled with tragedy and irony. Superhero films share this approach, as the larger-than-life figures are inextricably linked to the complexity of the everyday. It is through this magical lens that the two worlds can come together, creating a unique cinematic experience.<\/p>\n

Popular Examples<\/h2>\n

Some of the most successful superhero films in recent years have embraced magical realism to great effect. The “Dark Knight Trilogy” by Christopher Nolan, which won four Oscars and redefined the superhero genre, is a great example of this. Other acclaimed films such as “Black Panther” blend everyday life with Marvel’s unique magical touch, while “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is an animated vision of magical realism. The highly acclaimed “The Incredibles” puts an emphasis on everyday life, filled with the superheroes’ typical magic. <\/p>\n

Realism<\/h2>\n

One of the common elements of magical realism is a realistic focus that allows for the extraordinary to creep through. Superhero films focus on the real characters, the relationships and the motives. This helps to ground the narrative, providing a bridge between the mundane and the fantastic. The audience can relate to the characters, feelings and environment, even as events become increasingly extraordinary. The themes of ordinary life are enacted in the narrative, with characters overcoming the daily struggles of life and finding strength. <\/p>\n

Connection to the Ordinary<\/h2>\n