Whilst surfing the waves of the world wide web, I have found many sites of interest to the topic of the superhero genre. Many of these sites or blogs are decidedly cynical towards the superhero genre as a whole - indeed they more slag off the genre rather than show the transformation of the superhero figure. However, the information posted on the pages does offer some useful context about the superhero figure, and can be used to represent how the representation has changed of these mythic figures.
Information below is from:
http://io9.com/5166889/are-superhero-stories-even-a-genre
Grant Morris, the writer of Superman, has this to say about the superhero genre;
"The basic idea of the superhuman is a very malleable one – you can do ‘realistic' superhero stories like say Watchmen, which takes a hard-nosed look at how these creatures might alter the social and political landscape of our own world, or you can – as I prefer to do – position them as archetypes that allow us to talk about the world using the language of symbolism and allegory. There have been ‘realistic' superhero stories, ‘surreal' superhero stories, superhero westerns, superhero war stories, superhero detective stories, superhero horror stories, superhero romances etc"
" I'm not even sure if there is a superhero genre or if the idea of the superhero is a special chilli pepper-like ingredient designed to energize other genres"
"costumed superhero has survived since 1938, constantly shifting in tone from decade to decade to reflect the fears and the needs of the audience. The current mainstream popularity of the superhero has, I think, a lot to do with the fact that the Terror-stricken, environmentally-handicapped, overpopulated, paedophile-haunted world that's being peddled by our news media is crying out for utopian role models and for any hopeful images of humankind's future potential!"
Sad but true I'm afraid. The idea of the superhero is a good one, the article showing the difference between the realistic superhero films - such as Kick ass, Super (two of the films I am looking into for this project) which have the potential to offer the social and political effects such masked vigilantes would have on our society. Perhaps Watchmen is a better example of these two features, but the representation of the superhero in all three movies is the game - gritty, real, and having a feel of an indie movie with it.
However, another way the quote positions the superhero, in direct contrast to the realistic stereotype is the representation of superheroes as a mythical archetype, or as Morris describes it - The current mainstream popularity of the superhero has, I think, a lot to do with the fact that the Terror-stricken, environmentally-handicapped, overpopulated, paedophile-haunted world that's being peddled by our news media is crying out for utopian role models and for any hopeful images of humankind's future potential!"
In such terms, Morris implies that the reason for the popularity of mainstream superhero films is that the media is persuading us of the inequalities of society - of the dangers hidden around every corner, or in the shady corners of our minds; the murderers, and the bad men. In short, it makes us worship these figures as idealised figures of human excellence, giving us superficial hope that there are some who are signs that humanity has a bright future, detracting from the more gritty, and realistic image of superheroes and casting them into the shadows.
But this quote also offers us some context by which we can compare between these two, markedly different types of superhero movies, the fact that they represent the shifting in tone from decade to decade to reflect the fears and the needs of the audience. Despite having been around since 1938, it seems this genre has a timeless quality to it - with universal themes that seem to apply to us all. We all want to be superheroes, maybe in our dreams perhaps but such different types of superheroes, one gritty, and the other romantic both have those same qualities - that apply to us all.
Wednesday 29 June 2011
Wednesday 22 June 2011
What am I going to research?
You will forgive if this post doesn't sound as confident, or as sure as the previous. I am trying to work out how I will do this project and how I will carry out the research. Throughout this project, my plan is to look into the change that the Superhero genre has undergone in the decades in which it has occupied the hearts of many film fans. The representation of the superhero has indeed changed drastically over the years, from the romantic figure of Batman and Superman to the more easier to empathize with characters of "Kickass" , which paints a very different picture of a superhero. It shows them as an everyday, average bloke that all of us in some way can relate too, interestingly all are outsiders - as is the stereotypical image of a superhero, one who is isolated from the rest of society.
However, I am not limiting this to just men, far from it - I am exploring how the female heroine is represented as well - examples of this include Catwoman (specifically from the Batman universe, and who is set to make a comeback in the latest Batman movie). But, in a more interesting light - in contrast to the romantic and frankly objectifying appearance that female heroines is shared by the independent as well as the High concept movies. However, as noted in the article from the second link below, the author notes that there have been "no good female super hero film", that i agree to be kind of true. The film Industry definitely has a dim view of women, more portraying them as sex objects, or as love interests to the protagonists.
However, I am of the opinion that just like the superhero protagonist, the role of the female heroine is also changing - transforming into something overall more interesting and exciting. The example I use for this is Hit Girl from Kickass. It shows the maturing of such characters into regions where they create empathy between the audience, spectator and that character. They are also getting more dirty, serious and less romantic - an excellent example being a rather gruesome clip of Ellen Page on Super, where the spectator gets a real sense that her character isn't entirely there.
What these two examples show, Ellen Pages character being an additional example by which I can draw upon.
These links are always important in my research - apart from the importance of books which of course I will use, but even so the internet plays an equally important role:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_superheroines
http://dirtywithclass.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/why-has-there-been-no-good-female-superhero-film/
This is a link to a list of superheroines, from television and popular media
http://io9.com/5166889/are-superhero-stories-even-a-genre
http://cinemaroll.com/cinemarolling/superhero-genre-the-sub-genre-of-the-action-film/
http://www.coronacomingattractions.com/news/directors-cut-whats-wrong-superhero-movie-genre
http://www.pajiba.com/think_pieces/its-time-to-kick-the-superhero-genre-in-the-ass-.php
However, I am not limiting this to just men, far from it - I am exploring how the female heroine is represented as well - examples of this include Catwoman (specifically from the Batman universe, and who is set to make a comeback in the latest Batman movie). But, in a more interesting light - in contrast to the romantic and frankly objectifying appearance that female heroines is shared by the independent as well as the High concept movies. However, as noted in the article from the second link below, the author notes that there have been "no good female super hero film", that i agree to be kind of true. The film Industry definitely has a dim view of women, more portraying them as sex objects, or as love interests to the protagonists.
 |
| Poster of Anne Hathaway being cast as Catwoman in the latest Christopher Nolan Batman film - the Dark Knight rises. |
 | ||
| Poster of Hit Girl from Kickass |
 |
| Ellen Page playing the slightly crackers Libby, also Boltie in Super, which I have just found out is being released in this country on the 1st August - Yeah!!!! |
What these two examples show, Ellen Pages character being an additional example by which I can draw upon.
These links are always important in my research - apart from the importance of books which of course I will use, but even so the internet plays an equally important role:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_superheroines
http://dirtywithclass.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/why-has-there-been-no-good-female-superhero-film/
This is a link to a list of superheroines, from television and popular media
http://io9.com/5166889/are-superhero-stories-even-a-genre
http://cinemaroll.com/cinemarolling/superhero-genre-the-sub-genre-of-the-action-film/
http://www.coronacomingattractions.com/news/directors-cut-whats-wrong-superhero-movie-genre
http://www.pajiba.com/think_pieces/its-time-to-kick-the-superhero-genre-in-the-ass-.php
First post
Welcome to my small scale research blog for my A2 film studies. The point of this blog is to become the medium by which all the research that I will carry out in order to find out all the facts I need for the project. This, in my opinion is what film Studies is all about - the evaluation of a genre, actors signature, or technology. Sure, the latter two are interesting, but to my mind genre takes my fancy more. The fact you can evaluate and look into a certain genre of film, which there are thousands of. It can be horror, comedy, superheroes, the list goes on. The purpose of this first post is to create a sense of the brain waves that went through my mind whilst I was thinking and partially deciding what question I should focus on.
My interest for this project lay at first in a character type - which I have changed now due to that being not allowed. I thought of doing the outsider character, an interesting figure in a film to me in particular as I have always felt like one. Odd. This was prompted after watching "How to train your dragon" (2010, directed by Dean Deblois, and Chris Sanders). Below I will paste a link to the trailer, as it is actually quite a good movie and I recommend seeing it. It may be pixar, some of their films are naff in themselves but this film in my mind is one of their best.
One of my favorite scenes from the movie. Really. I am not kidding, this is one of my favorite scenes in the entire plot, showing my attraction towards the outsider figure - the subtle surprise one gets from finding out the hidden depths of a figure.
But then, came the superhero genre. An unexpected surprise, I found myself instantly attracted to this cliche genre, which is flooding our cinemas with the latest release of "Green Lantern" (2011, Martin Campbell). This is an open ended question, but with the key to an treasure trove of information that can be extracted and added to my previous assumptions. However, in addition to the attraction of the genre there was also the appearance of "Super" (2010, James Gunn). The film had independent vibes but was a flop not reaching the same level as "Kickass", but still I believe it is an example of how the Super hero genre has come into its own, maturing into something intriguing and compelling. Released around the same time as "Kickass" (2010, Matthew Vaughn) it takes on the character of an average man becoming a superhero. I will attach the trailers for both movies, as well as additional clips of "Super", which sadly is not released on DVD. The film is violent, and there is swearing in it. Less than in "Kickass" admittedly but I like it nevertheless. You may dislike it, but I advise an open mind - look at it for its merits and what it has contributed to the Superhero genre. Or hasn't, in the case of the viewings and its gross profit.
Watch these clips, watch the trailers. You may be subtly surprised by the good quality of of "Super", but also off the performance of Ellen Page in it, sure it wasn't one of her greatest films but film fans all agree that her performance in this movie, playing a disturbed, desperate, and slightly wacky character in this motion picture. Sadly, I repeat it is not on DVD, but it will be one of my movies that I will study, specifically the clips I have. Its on Video on Demand, whatever that is. Anyhow, I hope you like them, I know I do and I think that I have stumbled upon a topic which I will love to look into and enjoy writing about. With that, and excellent research I am sure to succeed. If you put your mind to something, work hard at it, you will do well.
My interest for this project lay at first in a character type - which I have changed now due to that being not allowed. I thought of doing the outsider character, an interesting figure in a film to me in particular as I have always felt like one. Odd. This was prompted after watching "How to train your dragon" (2010, directed by Dean Deblois, and Chris Sanders). Below I will paste a link to the trailer, as it is actually quite a good movie and I recommend seeing it. It may be pixar, some of their films are naff in themselves but this film in my mind is one of their best.
One of my favorite scenes from the movie. Really. I am not kidding, this is one of my favorite scenes in the entire plot, showing my attraction towards the outsider figure - the subtle surprise one gets from finding out the hidden depths of a figure.
But then, came the superhero genre. An unexpected surprise, I found myself instantly attracted to this cliche genre, which is flooding our cinemas with the latest release of "Green Lantern" (2011, Martin Campbell). This is an open ended question, but with the key to an treasure trove of information that can be extracted and added to my previous assumptions. However, in addition to the attraction of the genre there was also the appearance of "Super" (2010, James Gunn). The film had independent vibes but was a flop not reaching the same level as "Kickass", but still I believe it is an example of how the Super hero genre has come into its own, maturing into something intriguing and compelling. Released around the same time as "Kickass" (2010, Matthew Vaughn) it takes on the character of an average man becoming a superhero. I will attach the trailers for both movies, as well as additional clips of "Super", which sadly is not released on DVD. The film is violent, and there is swearing in it. Less than in "Kickass" admittedly but I like it nevertheless. You may dislike it, but I advise an open mind - look at it for its merits and what it has contributed to the Superhero genre. Or hasn't, in the case of the viewings and its gross profit.
Watch these clips, watch the trailers. You may be subtly surprised by the good quality of of "Super", but also off the performance of Ellen Page in it, sure it wasn't one of her greatest films but film fans all agree that her performance in this movie, playing a disturbed, desperate, and slightly wacky character in this motion picture. Sadly, I repeat it is not on DVD, but it will be one of my movies that I will study, specifically the clips I have. Its on Video on Demand, whatever that is. Anyhow, I hope you like them, I know I do and I think that I have stumbled upon a topic which I will love to look into and enjoy writing about. With that, and excellent research I am sure to succeed. If you put your mind to something, work hard at it, you will do well.
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