Its simplistic and juvenile, but it also ignores a whole third rail: the X-Men movie franchise.
It probably didnt help that with the exception ofThe Rocketeer, they were also awful.
Similarly, the less said about 1997sSpawnandSteel,the better.
Nevertheless, the firstX-Menfilm remains one of the most important superhero movies ever released.
X-Mentreated its material with more respect and cinematic reverence than any filmmaker since Richard Donner in 1978.
X-Menalso features a Joseph McCarthy-esque U.S. Again grounded for a post-Batman & Robinsentiment, the films pacing and budget were repeatedly forced to be economized.
So, it is really a surprise how goodX-Menturned out to be.
It, along with the following yearsSpider-Man 2,represented the pinnacle of the pre-Nolan and pre-MCU superhero movies.
The poor reception of these films represented a kind of franchise crossroads.
It would have been the perfect time to jump on the reboot bandwagon that was pulling into the station.
Yep, the superhero movie craze entered a new era by 2009one populated by gritty reboots.
In 2005, Christopher Nolan changed the landscape of superheroes and franchise moviemaking overall withBatman Begins.
And afterward, 2008sThe Dark Knightmarked a high point that the genre has never again reached.
But during this period, the X-Men movies both followed the trends and disobeyed them.
Also, the studio would simply make anotherWolverinemovie while ignoringeverythingabout the one that came before it.
But quite honestly, who cares?
Suddenly, the X-Men movies were offering variety and individuality, as opposed to the conformity seen everywhere else.
It also is when a movie likeDeadpoolstarted to become possible.
It also was a chance for Bryan Singer to return as director.
While I personally preferred Vaughns lighter touch, Singers returned earnestness came with a scale that intentionally matches Marvel.
A Genre Leader Again?
WhileDays of Future PastoutgrossedCaptain Americain 2014, it didnt come close toAvengers$1 billion totals.
It also seems unlikely thatApocalypsewill hit the billion dollar mark.
Deadpooljust hinted at a time traveling gunslinger named Cable.
Jennifer Lawrence is already halfway out the door.
No matter what, these mutants are about to multiply at movie theaters, extensively.
Maybe thats therealnew dawn for the genre?
