Written
Analysis: Formulas
Melissa
Tucker
Popular
Culture
Professor
Whitney Iles
Aug
1, 2014
Introduction
For
this discussion we will be talking about how formularies fit into the topic of
superheroes. The best way to describe formularies with the superhero are in the
movies. Since superhero movies became popular way back in the early to mid 1940’s,
there have been a steady incline in the interest of the superhero in our
movies. The formula has stayed pretty much the same until the late 1990’s early
2000’s.
What
theories seem to apply to the topic, and how do they help analyze it?
The theory of convention seems to come to mind most when
thinking of the superhero movie. For example, if you look at early superhero
movies you will see that there is the common theme or “formula” present in
almost all of them. They focus on action, fantasy and/or a science fiction
element, a focus on the origin of the superhero’s power, and includes a
climatic fight scene with a “super villain” or archenemy. Almost all superhero
movies are based on a comic of the hero and will include some elements from the
comic just to make loyal fans of the comic happy.
The early superhero movie would include some special
effects, (but didn’t focus on them), and would include some satire/comedy element,
and would have a romance blossom between the hero and the main female character.
Throw in some good fight scenes with the main villain and you have box office
gold. Some great examples of this formula would be the Superman movies of the
1980’s and even the “B-movies” of the 60’s and 70’s like Mr. Freedom (1969) and
The Wild World of Batwoman (1966).
However in later years, we started to see a transition
from this conventional formula to a new one. The old elements were still there,
but with a newer, more edgy tone. The film that really started this trend was
1989’s Batman directed by Tim Burton. With Mr. Burton’s dark take on the
superhero, he really brought a edginess to the character. There was still the
old formula present, (big elaborate fight scenes, damsel in distress that was
the love interest of Batman, climatic end fight with the hero’s archenemy the
Joker, and lots of explosions), but we also got to see the realistic side of
Batman. We saw how conflicted he was when he would see Vicky Vale (the damsel
in distress I mentioned earlier) and how he wanted to save her and take her
away from the danger but wasn’t able to because he had to hide the fact that he
was the Batman.
This has evolved even more with the more recent superhero
movies. The Iron Man movies, The Spiderman movies, and even a “reboot” of the
Batman movies has an even darker tone to them and a gritty “realism” that would
not have been present had these movies been made thirty years ago. It is all
due to a shift in what the audience wants to see. Yes they want to see lots of
cool fight scenes and explosions and special effects, but today’s audience
wants more than that as well. They want to see “the man behind the mask” so to
speak. They want that edge of realism to their superhero, and that is because,
as I had mentioned in an earlier analysis, the audience wants very much to
relate to that hero. They want to be like them, and the Superman of 1978, is
not the Superman people want to watch today.
What
insights do you gain from applying these theories to your popular culture
topic?
The best way to sum this all up is the fact that
audiences want more from their superhero. They don’t want to lay down $10 or
more for a movie ticket and see a hero flying around acting like they are morally
better than everyone else for 2 hours. They want a more gritty, realistic hero,
because that is how the real world is. Yes they want to escape the real world
for 2 ½ hours, that’s why people go to the movies. But they also want to be
able to see that yes, Superman or Batman is an awesome superhero, but they are
also simple men as well. When they take the costume off and are no longer the
hero, they have everyday issues to deal with, (stereotypes and prejudices) and deal
with those issues mostly the same way we would. And that helps us to relate to
them. It is why audiences keep going back for more. My personal favorite type
of hero is the “anti-hero”, the one that helps saves the lives of people and
trouble and wants justice done but also, does things with a little bit of sarcasm
and has a nonchalant attitude about the whole situation. I’ve noticed in my
research that this is how most audiences feel today and I truly believe that it
is because it is a reflection of our society and the constant turmoil we feel
with the state of things in the world.
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