Our present is stranger than most movies. How’s that changing the way I watch them?
Captain America: Brave New World stars Anthony Mackie as Steve Rogers’ successor. It’s been released after a few delays and re-shoots. The result is a mid-film that should’ve been released directly on Disney+ instead of IMAX theaters. It’s a mess of a nonsensical plot and bad CGI. I call Giancarlo Esposito the cilantro of movies and series. Cause he makes everything better. Well, not even he could save the new MCU film.
Everything said is not new or is an individual opinion. This has been one of the worst-reviewed Marvel movies ever. Interestingly enough, I saw Harrison Ford as President Ross turning into Red Hulk and asked myself, “We got a pathetic, hypersensitive POTUS in real life. He’s our Orange Hulk, and we see the news for free.” This begs the question: Is our current political and social situation affecting how we watch movies?
Thunderbolts*
On the other hand, Thunderbolts* is a movie about mental health directed by Jake Schreier (Beef) starring Florence Pugh. It sounds like an A24 film. But, I’m talking about Thunderbolts*. Which I consider the best MCU movie since Endgame.
An MCU movie that prioritizes character development over its extended universe and CGI spectacle is refreshing. It takes us back to when practical effects were an option, and Andrew Droz Palermo (The Green Knight) shot it magnificently. It also reminded me of what characterizes Marvel over DC. Most of the characters are humans with their insecurities, traumas, and flaws. Even Thor, the God of Thunder, can be seen struggling with alcoholism and his trauma. It’s what I like the most in some of my favorite comic book movies, and it worked in this one.
Naturally, all MCU films will have some similarities. The climax will be a fight with a supervillain, cause that’s what superheroes do. But if something Thunderbolts* proves, it is still possible to make it about the characters, be creative, and make it look good.
Faceless Characters
© 2024, Paramount Pictures
Back in February, I watched and logged September 5. My review complained about the lack of character development of faceless terrorists taking Israeli hostages during the 1972 Munich Olympics. Even though that would’ve been tasteless and xenophobic any time under any circumstances. It’s more visible now that Palestine is suffering from genocide and the involvement of our government in ethnic cleansing.
In times like these, we need better films. This is not a time for half-assed shallow characters like President Ross or nameless enemies reminiscent of 80s Reagan Era action flicks. It is time to write films that take us to another world for a few hours. Films that shed light on the nuances of communities under attack. And that will inspire us to rise and fight for our rights. Or have no political content at all.
Let’s have some good old fun for a few hours without thinking about politics for a change. We want to break free from reality, or remember we are not alone when spending money on expensive tickets and popcorn.
Back to the Hulk in the Room
Returning to Captain America: Brave New World and their universe’s POTUS turning into Red Hulk. It is no stranger than fiction. We have an evil billionaire con man who inspired many similar movie characters sitting in the Oval Office with the wealthiest man in the world, who is equally vile, standing next to him and dismantling the government. We are past the Idiocracy phase. Now, we are in the dystopian oligarchy of Metropolis, Brazil, and Robocop.
To answer my question, the world we live in today is changing how we watch movies. American films are in danger. The Trump regime is threatening our First Amendment rights and imposing tariffs on movies filmed outside the country. It is our opportunity to make the best of it. To express our thoughts within the context of our terrible present. Writing about the parallelism between pop culture and our real-life timeline is one way to make our voices heard.
