The Reasons behind the Recent Success of Superhero Movies

The Reasons behind the Recent Success of Superhero Movies The superhero movie genre has made an outstanding comeback in recent years. Moviegoers eagerly await the next installment of their favorite superhero franchise as new superhero movies are being produced introducing characters never before seen in movie theaters with no end in sight. The popularity of these movies goes beyond the spectacular special effects and costumes. The popularity of the superhero movie in today’s culture satisfies a need for clarity in a very confusing, complex world as well as a much needed escape from the realities of life which the individual feels helpless to change. The first reason for the astounding growth in the popularity of superhero movies is the clarity it provides viewers who are trying to make sense of the world around them. The world is an increasing complex place with a lot of gray areas that are difficult for a person to make sense of. As news reporting of conflicts and events around the world has improved, so many different sides of these conflicts and events have become available to the viewer. There is seldom a clear right side or wrong side. The situation is much more complex making the world a very confusing place for those who live in it. Superhero movies depict a black and white world where good and bad, right and wrong are easily distinguished. Although modern superhero movies do incorporate some of the complexity of the world in their characters, the hero and the villain are clearly distinct from each other. Each has made a conscious choice to do good or evil. They live in a world that is easy for viewers to understand and to relate to. The world we live in, however, is not so easy for a lot of people to relate to. On the one hand, the roles of the players on the world stage are not so clearly defined. Individuals who are seen as heroes at times act very out of character and could be seen by others more as a villain than a hero. On the same token, those

Cited: Beggs, Scott. "Editorial: Is the Iraq War Propelling the Superhero Film Phenomenon?" Film School Rejects. N.p., 11 Sep 2008. Web. 19 Jan 2014. Bryant, Aidan. "Iron Man: A Study in Orientalism and Hegemony." 2012 PCA/ACA Conference. Popular Culture Association. Mass., Boston. 11 Apr 2012. Address. Bryant, Aidan. “Effects of Superhero Media on Nationalistic Attitudes.” Newhouse School of Public Communications. Syracuse, NY. 09 Dec 2010.