I would argue that it is the first mainstream, big-budget film to do so.
(Its robots were directly inspired by the 1941 Superman-inspired shortThe Mechanical Monsters.)
We wanted the film to feel like a lost film of that era.
Fifteen years later, theMarvel Cinematic Universeis one of the biggest, most lucrative film franchises of all time.
I would never argue that the MCU owes most of its success toSky Captain.
Both have the 1939 New York Worlds Fair as a direct influence.
Its the place where Steve meets Dr. Erskine and his journey into becoming Captain America truly begins.
And the film took the fairs theme as part of its own title.
Were more cynical, more practical…
They both start their journeys there (before heading off on an international adventure).
Both have scenes set in Radio City Music Hall and in New York City movie theaters.
New York City represents the tangible stake to be protected at all costs in both films.
A celebration of all things pulpy.
and wear an eyepatch that in no way hinders her ability to fly an aircraft or shoot down enemies.
Its not hard to see the similarities between Franky and the MCUs own eyepatch-wearing, helicarrier-touting Nick Fury.
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This pulpiness extends toThe First Avengers villain.
LikeSky Captain, the main antagonist is straight out of WWII-era adventure films.
InSky Captains case, Dr. Totenkopf which literally mean deaths head or skull in German.
InThe First Avengers case, Johann Schmidts Red Skull.
RewatchingSky Captainin a post-Marvel Cinematic Universe world is a particularly interesting experience.
(ThoughWonder Womanand DCs new direction complicates this characterization.)
