So on April 27(in the U.S. at least) there will be a major cross over event in the Marvel Cinematic Universe(MCU). Cross-over events are common in comic books that are published by companies with many titles taking place in the same world such as DC and Marvel. Cross-over events are usually big story lines involving many of the characters that exist in that fictional universe of the comic book publishers. Often these storylines result in major changes in the status quo not only for the individual characters but the fictional universe as a whole. Although Captain America: Civil War was a cross-over event with many different heroes in one movie(it was based on the major cross over event Civil War that marvel published in 2006-2007) Infinity War will be even bigger with more characters and we have been told will drastically change the MCU.
Cross-over events are often used to relaunch titles, boost sales and take characters in new directions. I have no doubt Disney/Marvel will be doing just that with Infinity War. And I along with other comic book fans are hopeful that they live up to the excitement that usually comes with big cross-over events such as the original The Infinity Gauntlet comic cross-over event in 1991.
But I also hope they take advantage of an event like this to show us what a great story can be. Since Disney took over Marvel we have seen a cinematic version of what Marvel fans have always loved about their comics. With intersecting storylines and characters fighting larger than life action sequences. They have almost made going to the movies like going on an exciting ride at Disneyland or Disney World. I love Disney World and the fun carefree rides and amusements there. Their parks are specifically designed to make people feel happy. And pretty much every Marvel movie I have seen since Disney took over has been an enjoyable experience.
Recently though I watched the Elektra movie which was a Marvel movie that was released in 2005 before Disney took over Marvel. I always wanted to see Elektra since I love martial arts movies and was always intrigued by Elektra's character even if I never got into her comics. However the movie was pretty much universally panned when it was released. It currently has a score of 10% on Rotten Tomatoes which is pretty awful. Even only 29% of viewers liked it on that website. So I didn't rush out to see it and only happened to get around to it 13 years after its release.
Now there are reasons it was not liked. Jennifer Gardner does a phenomenal job inhabiting the role but it tends to be very simplistic with plot holes. Not to mention it is littered with side characters who you don't quite understand their motivations. I don't want to spoil it for those who like me still wish to check it out but haven't gotten around to it yet so I won't go into detail. But for all it's flaws it definitely is different than what a lot of comic book movies have become. Although the hero does find a sort of redemption at the end there no rainbows and sunshine. The storyline of the movie just like real life is not that cut and dry. Instead the hero must still find their way they just managed to climb out of a pit of darkness. The evil is not fully vanquished but simply wounded. This wasn't a movie made to have us feel good. Instead it wanted to show a character in pain and darkness who had to navigate a dark world. But by doing that it allowed us to identify with our own shadows. At least it did for me. Yes it definitely could have been more clearly executed(an OCD diagnose in the movie was almost completely missed by me). But it was those flaws of the script and the characters that made the world and characters portrayed seem less idealized and more real.
Now I am not saying Infinity Wars should be like Elektra. But I am hoping Infinity Wars gives us depth besides spectacle. Yes I understand summer blockbuster about an alien god courting death herself is not going to be gritty and realistic but I hope it can still do what stories were originally meant to do in my opinion. You see my take on stories of any kind is that some can just simply be entertainment and even then they always have a kernel of truth to them that touches the collective consciousness(even if only slightly). But the stories I prefer are the ones that symbolize our internal struggles or the struggles of the collective consciousness of humanity. The ones that make us dream or believe in something or make us examine who we are or the shadow parts of our collective psyche.
Disney/Marvel has been able to touch on big social/political/economic issues such as the phenomena they created with Black Panther. But even if they don't go that far I hope Infinity War is a story that can be more than a thrill ride. It is going to be hugely popular no matter what. I hope they capitalize on that opportunity to give us a story that can help all of us in some way examine our demons and fight them or teach us a lesson we need to learn or to inspire us as to how far our potential can reach. Or maybe all three. Because in human history and especially in these times we need stories that can do that more than ever. We can't mask the pain that lies within us and we can't hide from lessons we need to learn and we have to keep moving forward to the beauty that we can be. Sometimes that means going into shadows or looking at things that aren't that pretty. And stories can not only offer us a breather in our journey but help us go where sometimes we don't want to go or are afraid to go. Like any creative art form they are most powerful when they propel us to where we need to go.
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