Re-Making The Myth: Appreciating The Big Budget Super-Hero Film

Hero - A person who is admired for their noble and courageous qualities, usually at the benefit of others.

Every time a super-hero film comes out, there are always detractors who say "it's just a super-hero film." Sure you may not see these statements as much in the reviews (which have been positively kind to super-hero films as of late), but if the barometer of critical praise and "seriousness" is Academy Awards than it's clear that our heroes are not taken seriously. This is a real shame, because the best super-hero films in addition to being massively entertaining and well crafted, are carrying the flame of the role that the hero places in society, a moral example for people to strive for.

Before you get going on on how people should look up to real heroes, you need to chill out. Right now anyone who is labeled a hero is quickly praised, processed, and/or penalized. In our 24/7 world, the person we praise today, is often forgotten or scorned tomorrow. We rarely have figures in our culture who endure a time-tested examples of being true heroes. Politicians are out because they are prone to the brutally cynic nature of politics these days. Any athlete that is well known enough to a massive hero, probably got there because his corporate sponsorship team put him there. Technology figures like Steve Jobs, who are praised for their innovation are quickly lambasted for their relentless drive. I think everyone can agree that we love to look for chinks in the armor, hell it's almost a national pastime. If only we could have heroes that can't be corrupted (or be free from skeletons in the closet).

That's where the superheroes come in. Long before big movie budgets made comic books come to life, I mean, technically way before comics, we had myths about great heroes who we could look to as ideals to strive for. Our current crop of modern heroes is no different. In his spectacular third outing

Iron Man excels not because of his money, but because of his creativity and determination ideals that we can truly work towards. And let's not forget Batman a hero who's entire recent trilogy was focused on Batman's true "super" power of - being completely selfless. After all he pays the cost dearly (dead parents, dead girlfriend, public thinks he's a killer, broken back, no love life, etc) so we can live free and be happy (reminds me of someone else, but we don't need to get into that!)

Ultimately these super-hero films are resonating with a natural longing for the spectacular hero. More than any other factor (actors, directors, budgets, continuity between films) Marvel excels because they recognize that longing for traditional heroes and stories and they provide that. The upcoming Superman film "Man of Steel" looks like it's on the same wavelength as well. So while people may scoff at super-hero films and say they're just to sell toys, they need to realize that they're scoffing not just a history, but at their own longing for something better.

Iron Man 3 Trailer

This looks like Marvel is finally making their "serious" super hero movie. I would have seen it if the whole thing was Iron Man watching the highlights from The Avengers while eating popcorn, but this looks pretty great.

A Brief Update About Iron Man 3

In the world of geeks, nerds, and dweebs, it is now considered cool to rip on "Iron Man 2." In fact, it's generally considered cool to rip on that one that come out before the new one comes out. Translation: if you're making part 3, be like Michael Bay and go in the press and say part 2 was crap. If you're making part 2, take the internet and say "this one is gonna make the first look like a game!" And now with Iron Man 3 wayyyyy on the horizon, writer/director Shane Black is doing just that.

Lemme break it down now with some recent Hollywood history. Once upon a time there was a movie star named Robert Downey Jr. who had a problem with drugs. People didn't want to work with him, but he was ready to make a comeback. So he got together with Shane Black, an accomplished screenwriter (he wrote Lethal Weapon) and actor (he was in Predator!) and made a film called "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang." The film is a zany murder mystery taking place in LA and is a whole lot of fun. Simply put, Downey and Black were back.

And now with Black set to direct Downey again in "Iron Man 3," which doesn't come out until 2013, the machine is slowly coming to life with some details. According to Aint It Cool News Black has said he's about to start writing and his aim is to tell a "Tom Clancy thriller" with real-world villains. I've always thought the greatest part in any Iron Man film was when he rolled into Afghanistan and destroyed those terrorist dudes, which is here below with the worst soundtrack ever

I'm intrigued to see "Iron Man" in a Tom Clancy thriller. All those old school Jack Ryan films, yeah you know "Clear & Present Danger," "The Hunt for Red October," and "Patriot Games" are pretty damn badass so Iron Man in that world could be fresh. Honestly though, the film is still a long ways off, and in the mean time we got the Avengers to get pumped for, so keep this one on the backburner for now.

UPDATED WITH TRAILER - Can The Marvel Machine Sell Thor?

Today is Kenneth Branagh's birthday. And so it is fighting that on his 50th birthday, the advertising blitz for "Thor," the film he directed should begin. I wrote a couple of weeks ago about how this summer's "Green Lantern" and "Thor" represent a risky departure for the super hero film genre. And now we have our first official poster for Marvel Entertainment's "Thor" and the word is we should have a trailer tonight (check back in for updates).

Sometimes it's hard to remember that in 2008, "Iron Man" was a middle ground super-hero and making the film, let alone casting wild card Robert Downey Jr. was a gamble. Now "Iron Man" is the anchor of the entire Marvel Universe, a household name, and capable of creating nerd poetry. With "The Avengers" on the horizon, it was announced recently that "Iron Man 3" will be a direct sequel to not only "Iron Man 2," but also "Thor" and "The Avengers."

But "Thor" is not Iron Man. And while the initial posters look similar (striking background, heroic weapons), it is no doubt easier to sell a playboy bachelor surrounded by hot babes and cool toys to the world than a Asgardian viking warrior with some serious domestic issues. With this poster and the upcoming trailer, Marvel certainly has it's work cut out for it with Mr. Hammer Time. However, I'm hopeful, Marvel sold "Iron Man" on some simple images. Iron Man blows up tanks, beds hot chicks and flies around kicking ass.  Thor kicks ass with a hammer, makes things explode, and beds Natalie Portman, who is number one on many bros list of ultimate babes, so they have that in common.

I think "Marvel" is going to try to sell "Thor" kind of the same way. I mean, people have to show up if we see someone getting destroyed by a gigantic hammer right? Right?