If movie fans look ahead to 2020, they will notice that from now until then over 25 superhero movies will be released with more likely to be announced. Let’s face it…that’s a lot. With so many studios getting involved in the superhero game, the question has to be asked, will audiences start to experience superhero fatigue? At some point will audiences stop caring if the world gets saved in the end?
The superhero movie has become its own genre, much like that of comedies or dramas. Franchises like X-Men and the entire Marvel cinematic universe have taken over the box office domestically and internationally. More times than not, with each new superhero film, we see an increase in stakes. From saving a city to saving the world, these films keep getting larger in scale and in budget.
The simple answer is that superhero fatigue is possible but Marvel’s Ant-Man is proving why it isn’t likely. Marvel is not making paint-by-number comic book films. Guardians of the Galaxy felt like a space opera, Captain America: Winter Solider was modeled after a 70s spy movie and Ant-Man was created in the vein of a classic heist film. Marvel has avoided superhero fatigue by not making superhero films; instead they are focusing on different genres and exploring them through the lens of superpowers.
If someone walked into Ant-Man without knowing that it was a Marvel film, you could still follow along with the story. Marvel tie-ins can be found during the film, but Ant-Man doesn't rely on the Avengers to save the day. It is a separate story that is a part of the universe but also stands alone. Ant-Man stands apart in the Marvel cinematic universe because it brought the story back to a grounded place. The entire scale of this film was brought down to a smaller level including the main character of Scott Lang played by Paul Rudd.
Ant-Man doesn’t feel like a superhero movie, it feels like an emotional, action driven and fun summer movie that is refreshing because of interesting character development, plot twists and comedic timing that isn’t over done. It's the breath of fresh air that was needed after Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Marvel realized that they don't have to continue to one up themselves movie after movie. They can take a moment to rest and bring the stakes into our own backyards. Every so often audiences have to be reminded that a battle in their backyard can be just as important as a fight for all of Earth.
If superhero movies can continue to do things differently, like Ant-Man and not stick to one simple formula, superhero fatigue isn’t likely to infect the box office anytime soon.
Image courtesy of Roger Wong/INFphoto.com