Look I don't know squat about what this movie will be- this will be all SPECULATION...so if there is a SPOILER in this blog then it's just dumb luck.
Now... BATMAN v. SUPERMAN : Dawn of Justice, besides having the longest comic book movie title ever it also has 3 of the most ICONIC SUPERHEROES EVER. People that live in caves and start fires with rocks and sticks know Batman, Superman and maybe even Wonder Woman...everyone and their mother will go to see this movie at least once. If it's good - twice. If it's great ? Well then somebody call James Cameron and tell him AVATAR is going down.
As a fan, as a movie goer- what do I want to see in this movie ?
As a comic book nerd- what do I want to see in this movie ?
The Movie Nerd Upstairs presents: 5 things needed to make this movie "Awesome like a rotten Possum"
1. Trust
Huh? what do you mean ? TRUST. Trust the intelligence of your audience. Trust the material you are drawing inspiration from. Trust your targeted fanbase. Trust the script. Trust the actors. Trust the director. Trust will free everyone involved from unnecessary worry. Trust in something allows for more and higher levels of creativity...it eliminates hesitation. If Zack Snyder feels like Batman should throw a left hook instead of a batarang then let it happen. When there is no trust in every aspect of the process you end up with :
Now... BATMAN v. SUPERMAN : Dawn of Justice, besides having the longest comic book movie title ever it also has 3 of the most ICONIC SUPERHEROES EVER. People that live in caves and start fires with rocks and sticks know Batman, Superman and maybe even Wonder Woman...everyone and their mother will go to see this movie at least once. If it's good - twice. If it's great ? Well then somebody call James Cameron and tell him AVATAR is going down.
As a fan, as a movie goer- what do I want to see in this movie ?
As a comic book nerd- what do I want to see in this movie ?
The Movie Nerd Upstairs presents: 5 things needed to make this movie "Awesome like a rotten Possum"
1. Trust
Huh? what do you mean ? TRUST. Trust the intelligence of your audience. Trust the material you are drawing inspiration from. Trust your targeted fanbase. Trust the script. Trust the actors. Trust the director. Trust will free everyone involved from unnecessary worry. Trust in something allows for more and higher levels of creativity...it eliminates hesitation. If Zack Snyder feels like Batman should throw a left hook instead of a batarang then let it happen. When there is no trust in every aspect of the process you end up with :
2. Accountability
What ? well every action has to have a reaction, every element has to have a point, a purpose- it can't just be there for shits and giggles because whether you realize it or not when you are watching the film you can feel the "bumps in the road". Events and occurrences spark other events and occurrences. Too many elements that don't further the story or push the plot along can be so damaging in the viewing experience because you are sitting there and a character does something and immediately you think "that was random.." and then when there is a payoff to the action ITS GREAT! when there is no payoff- "well what the hell was all that for?"
3. Tone
Stick to the tone you set! when there are tonal shifts in a film it feels like a punch in the throat. You can have comedy, you can have drama, you can have action- but marry them harmoniously. Remember you are creating one film - if it feels like mid way thru the 2nd act I'm in a different movie then something went wrong....
What ? well every action has to have a reaction, every element has to have a point, a purpose- it can't just be there for shits and giggles because whether you realize it or not when you are watching the film you can feel the "bumps in the road". Events and occurrences spark other events and occurrences. Too many elements that don't further the story or push the plot along can be so damaging in the viewing experience because you are sitting there and a character does something and immediately you think "that was random.." and then when there is a payoff to the action ITS GREAT! when there is no payoff- "well what the hell was all that for?"
3. Tone
Stick to the tone you set! when there are tonal shifts in a film it feels like a punch in the throat. You can have comedy, you can have drama, you can have action- but marry them harmoniously. Remember you are creating one film - if it feels like mid way thru the 2nd act I'm in a different movie then something went wrong....
4. Antagonist
A powerful antagonist makes all the difference...The Dark Knight was an awesome film ? Well thank you Heath Ledger. The Avengers was awesome ? Well thank you Tom Hiddleston. What ? you want a non comic book movie reference ? COLLATERAL- Thank you Tom Cruise. GLADIATOR- Thank you Joaquin Phoenix. TITANIC- Thank you Billy Zane. STAR WARS- Thank you James Earl Jones/David Prowse.
This weight falls on the talented shoulders presumably of Jesse Eisenberg... or does it ? Until we get a better synopsis and character breakdown - it's LEX LUTHOR. The better the villain, the higher the stakes- the more the heroes have to work to 'win' and save the day.
5. Balance
Huh ? what do you mean ? Well half of the movie going audience called MAN OF STEEL- 'disaster porn', 'Man of Destruction'. Everyone feels the Transformer franchise is nothing but robot disaster porn. It may be Batman and Superman and yes we want to see them trade blows(with fists)...but 2 hours of them kicking the shit out of each other will not be all that entertaining. Trust me though 2 hours of discussing why they are going to fight isn't that great either. Balance it out....inciting incident..set up the film...flesh out the characters a bit...spread out the action sequences and save the money shot for the climax. Look I love The Dark Knight but after Joker escapes the police station- that's where it should have been maybe five minutes from credits rolling...27 minutes later was soooooooooo anti-climatic. On the flip side Transformers 4 went over board and I swear there was a 30 minute all out battle that just seemed to go FOREVER. ......BALANCE IT OUT ;)
Well that's all my current random free flowing thoughts for now....
A powerful antagonist makes all the difference...The Dark Knight was an awesome film ? Well thank you Heath Ledger. The Avengers was awesome ? Well thank you Tom Hiddleston. What ? you want a non comic book movie reference ? COLLATERAL- Thank you Tom Cruise. GLADIATOR- Thank you Joaquin Phoenix. TITANIC- Thank you Billy Zane. STAR WARS- Thank you James Earl Jones/David Prowse.
This weight falls on the talented shoulders presumably of Jesse Eisenberg... or does it ? Until we get a better synopsis and character breakdown - it's LEX LUTHOR. The better the villain, the higher the stakes- the more the heroes have to work to 'win' and save the day.
5. Balance
Huh ? what do you mean ? Well half of the movie going audience called MAN OF STEEL- 'disaster porn', 'Man of Destruction'. Everyone feels the Transformer franchise is nothing but robot disaster porn. It may be Batman and Superman and yes we want to see them trade blows(with fists)...but 2 hours of them kicking the shit out of each other will not be all that entertaining. Trust me though 2 hours of discussing why they are going to fight isn't that great either. Balance it out....inciting incident..set up the film...flesh out the characters a bit...spread out the action sequences and save the money shot for the climax. Look I love The Dark Knight but after Joker escapes the police station- that's where it should have been maybe five minutes from credits rolling...27 minutes later was soooooooooo anti-climatic. On the flip side Transformers 4 went over board and I swear there was a 30 minute all out battle that just seemed to go FOREVER. ......BALANCE IT OUT ;)
Well that's all my current random free flowing thoughts for now....