Recently, venerable directors such as Martin Scorsese and Frances Ford Coppola have voiced their displeasure with current king of the box office, the Disney owned Marvel Cinematic Universe. Scorsese called the films “not cinema,” while Coppola took it one step further, labeling the films “despicable”.
And, while MCU actors such as Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) have politely acknowledged the directors’ opinions, longtime Disney CEO Bob Iger isn’t mincing words because, well, he’s the boss. During the Wall Street Journal Tech Live conference earlier this week, Iger made his feelings known.
"I reserve the word ‘despicable’ for someone who committed mass murder. These are movies."
My thoughts exactly, Mr. Iger. Now sure, Marvel films aren’t for everyone, and yes they can end up being a bit formulaic, but labeling them “despicable” or not calling them “cinema” is going a bit too far.
Iger stepped up his clap-back game, saying “They want to bitch about movies, it’s certainly their right,” while adding that he would happily put MCU films such as the Oscar-nominated Black Panther, or the critically praised Thor: Ragnarok up against Scorsese and Coppola’s films. Consider the gauntlet thrown.
But look, comparing MCU films to legendary films like Raging Bull or The Godfather, is just nonsense. Just like calling the MCU “not cinema” is nonsense. Each catalog of films can be enjoyed and heaped with praise without damaging the other.
Do I want to slog through an hour of Michael Corleone saving his father from a hospital assassination attempt every Saturday night? No. Do I always want to watch pretty people bash each to pieces like in the MCU? No. Luckily I don’t have to choose between the two, I can enjoy both.
Ultimately, it’s just a bad look for everyone involved. Enjoy what you want to enjoy. Some people like Shakespeare for breakfast, other people want to read the Sunday comic strip (if you still get a paper). I prefer a nice bourbon to unwind, but if you want a White Claw, you do you. Let’s all just calm down, and enjoy what we like without putting down what others enjoy. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll get down off my soapbox.
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h/t Deadline