From Martin Scorsese to Marvel, both have fans in millions worldwide. Although, for vastly different reasons. Marvel brings to life some of the best superheroes and their out-of-ordinary, larger-than-life stories of struggles and the bigger picture of the good vs bad fight. Scorsese, on the other hand, is infamous for bringing stories of everyday regular humans, their emotional, and deeply psychological on-goings, and how that affects their lives and the people around them at the same time. As such, it is very obvious to see why they do not mesh much.
In fact, the larger-than-life and commercially successful Marvel movies and the deeply thoughtful, critically successful Scorsese movies also garner completely different types of fans. Whereas the Marvel movies are known to be huge celebrations of life that you can enjoy with anyone, Martin Scorsese often appeals to a much quieter, niche genre of fans. And although fans have fought before on this topic of which one can be considered is better cinema, this is the first time Martin Scorsese and Marvel themselves have started beefing. Basically, Scorsese commented on how he does not think of Marvel movies as cinema, following which
Martin Scorsese does not think Marvel produces “cinema”
Martin Scorsese in an interview shared his thoughts about Marvel movies, saying how he doesn’t really think of them as cinema. According to him, he did indeed try to enjoy them, “But that’s not cinema. Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks.” Now such a comment from one of Hollywood’s most worshipped directors is definitely a pill too bitter to swallow.
However, he went on to elaborate further how “It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.” As such, although it is understandable how The Departed director might not relate to the superhero movie genre all that much, such definite and blatant dismissal is sure to get some backlash. Especially, as Marvel harbors some of the most celebrated and highest-grossing actors in Hollywood, they were quick to share their thoughts on the matter.
Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Downey Jr. defend Marvel
Following Scorsese’s comments, Marvel actors Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Downey Jr. came forward to defend the beloved franchise. RDJ, speaking on this in an interview said, “I didn’t expect it to become what it became and it is this very large multi-headed hydra at this point. I’ve always had other interests. And according to Scorsese, it’s ‘not cinema,’ I gotta take a look at that.” He further elaborated,
“In his view – and by the way, there’s a lot to be said for how these genre movies, and I was happy to be part of the problem if there is one – denigrated the art form of cinema. When you come in like a stomping beast and you eliminate the competition in such a demonstrative way, it’s phenomenal.”
As such, it is quite evident that Robert Downey Jr. did not really like such dismissal presented their way. Samuel L. Jackson as well spoke up on this matter, however, he was a lot more forthright, “That’s kind of like saying Bugs Bunny ain’t funny. Films are films. You know, everybody doesn’t like his stuff either.” He elaborated,
“There are a lot of Italian-Americans that don’t think he should be making films about them like that. Everybody’s got an opinion, so it’s okay. It’s not going to stop anyone from making movies.”
Directors James Gunn and Joss Whedon as well came out to defend Marvel, as did millions of fans worldwide. While some seem to think that Scorsese is an “elitist“, others think that his movies glorify “toxic masculinity.” Basically, Martin Scorsese focuses more on minute character studies, and the raw human experience while Marvel focuses more on pleasing the masses.
As such, Scorsese and Marvel both offer such vastly different takes on cinema it is understandable why one might not care about the other genre much. Especially as none are looking to switch up their preferred genre or audiences much currently.
Source: Peeping Moon
