Everyone has an opinion on something, but some people’s opinions get more attention than others. Case in point, director Martin Scorsese‘s dislike of Marvel Studios’ films and of superhero films in general. The Oscar-winner went so far as to liken them to theme parks, even though he admittedly has never sat through a full Marvel movie, and claimed that they are “not cinema.
The backlash on social media to the Taxi Driver director’s comments has been great. However, another acclaimed director just proclaimed his disdain towards Marvel Studios’ films as well. Francis Ford Coppola, whose credits include Apocalypse Now, The Godfather, The Outsiders, and many more, defended Scorsese’s comments, saying that Marvel Studios films are “despicable.” More on the report below.
Yahoo News spoke to Coppola, who was at the Prix Lumiere in Lyon, France, where he accepted an award for his contributions to film. There, he was asked about Scorsese’s comments:
“When Martin Scorsese says that the Marvel pictures are not cinema, he’s right because we expect to learn something from cinema, we expect to gain something, some enlightenment, some knowledge, some inspiration. I don’t know that anyone gets anything out of seeing the same movie over and over again.”
Coppola then added:
“Martin was kind when he said it’s not cinema. He didn’t say it’s despicable, which I just say it is.”
There you have it, Coppola doesn’t like superhero movies. So don’t expect to see him direct one anytime soon. Unless, of course, Warner Bros. or Disney makes him an offer he can’t refuse.
Joking aside, when one of the greatest and most respected filmmakers of our lifetime has something to say about the current state of cinema, you’d best believe people will be listening. With all of those credits under his belt, it’s no wonder he feels that studios are veering away from the kinds of films he would make and are releasing more films just to make truckloads of money.
These are only the opinions of two of the greatest filmmakers who have honed their craft during a very different time. Part of what they are saying is that theaters should house more narrative films, as we see frequently these days that big-budget blockbuster films like those from Marvel dominate movie theaters. While I agree that there’s not enough attention being given to other films like The Farewell, Parasite, or Jojo Rabbit, that doesn’t mean that superhero movies are not cinema or that you can’t love both types of films. Audiences can enjoy a Scorsese film as much as a Marvel Studios film — or dislike both.
But there are those who will also defend Marvel films as well, like Guardians Of The Galaxy and The Suicide Squad director James Gunn, as well as Kevin Smith and Samuel L. Jackson.
In the end, you can watch whatever gets you into the theater. If it’s a Marvel Studios movie, that’s super. If it’s something artsy, then that’s fine too. You are entitled to watch whatever you want. Just don’t let others tell you what is cinema and what isn’t.
[Source: Yahoo News]
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