The Four Color Media Monitor

The Triangle at Drexel University wrote a commentary on the subject of video games looking to become the next big deal for Hollywood, not unlike an earlier publication making similar observations:

There are a number of factors that could explain why video game adaptations are succeeding where comic book movies are failing. First, video game stories like “Super-Mario Bros,” “The Last of Us” and “Sonic the Hedgehog” often contain more unique and engaging storylines than modern comic books movies, as many — even DC Studio’s Co-CEO James Gunn — admit that superhero movies have become formulaic and mundane. Additionally, video games’ productions are usually one-off films or a trilogy at most, so there is no need for an in-depth understanding of the cinematic universe or a dozen movies and television shows to watch for context.

I wonder why they consider The Last of Us worthy of note? If memory serves, that's become a drainpipe for LGBT propaganda, not unlike the 2nd game itself did. And it's kind of silly to merely claim the video game movies are more engaging, because it all depends how faithful the filmmakers are being to entertainment merit. Also, until recently, Hollywood's had a poor track record with live action video game adaptations, so it's not like there's many sequels to speak of.

To understand the storyline of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” — the second Doctor Strange movie released by Marvel Studios — one would need to watch the first “Doctor Strange” to know who Doctor Strange is, “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame” to know why he is not the Sorcerer Supreme anymore, “WandaVision” to know why Wanda is suddenly evil — and if you do not know who Wanda or Vision is good luck, because you now need to add on “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Captain America: Civil War” onto the watchlist to get the skinny on their whole storyline which is incredibly relevant to her motivations in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.”

In that case, how well do these Marvel adaptations hold up in retrospect if you have to rely heavily on one film to understand the other? Funny how a decade ago, there were some hack writers in comicdom who claimed "continuity is the devil", and then these movies come along and they don't have a beef? And any complaints about Wanda reduced to evil were muted or non-existent, which just proves the very sources writing these columns aren't true fans themselves.

Personally, I understand why people are starting to switch from hyping up comic book films to video game adaptations. Even as a major fan of DC and Marvel, there is only so much time and money I can spend in theaters watching the same basic storyline. Even with anti-superhero superhero shows like Amazon Prime’s “The Boys” and “Invincible,” I find myself tired with the concept after a season or two. Despite comic book movies and shows having a plethora of captivating storylines, I feel that studios do not utilize them to their best ability and instead opt to redo tired, overdone plots and characters since they think that is what the audience wants. I also believe that the releases of one to two comic book movies every season is making the genre seem overproduced, with many online even joking that Marvel movies are like jury duty for actors. While I do not feel that comic book movies are going to fade into obscurity, I do think they will need to change their tactics if they want to remain relevant in the ever-changing landscape of entertainment.

But of course they'll change their tactics - to woke social justice, and already have. But, will these college clowns complain about the sad state of PC they've sunk to? Guess not, so there's no use writing any further about comic movies, because they won't clearly identify what exactly's gone wrong, and why the audience doesn't want it. College papers are such a joke.

Labels: animation, dc comics, licensed products, marvel comics, msm propaganda, politics, technology