Are we dumbing down movies?

[Falaskan]

We complain when good movies don't get the credit they deserve, but ultimately pay to see movies that become box office successes (Transformers). We complain when a storyline is hard to follow, but complain when not every single character isn't treated as a main character. Now movie studios, like DC, are talking about simplifying the plot of their next few offerings to appease their fanbase.

Still, I'm expecting at this rate to be able to fall asleep during half of the film now and still be able to follow it, and they'll start making spin off films for everyone. Maybe the Aunt May movie will actually become reality!!

[Batmon77]

What was the last "smart" blockbuster?

The Matrix seemed to be a good balance of sci-fi, social commentary, and love story, yet they went overboard w/ the sequels Imo w/ thinking it was deeper than what it was.

[grape_jelly]

In general? Most likely. Studios make what brings them the highest return on investment. However, smart blockbusters often triumph financially over dumb blockbusters. See: Guardians of the Galaxy vs. TMNT re-boot.

I do my part for the greater good. I'm the guy that goes to see The Witch in theaters twice, and already has plans to see The Infiltrator, The Neon Demon, Jason Bourne, The Founder, The Accountant, and The Light Between Oceans when they're released. (that's a lot of 'The's)

[grape_jelly]

Originally Posted by Batmon77

What was the last "smart" blockbuster?

The Matrix seemed to be a good balance of sci-fi, social commentary, and love story, yet they went overboard w/ the sequels Imo w/ thinking it was deeper than what it was.

I didn't see it, but if Civil War followed the comic arc closely enough, it should have a massive amount of social commentary - no? Same goes for the X-Men films.

Otherwise, maybe... The Martian? Lots of fun science in that film.

[kylor]

Not everyone can be pleased all at once by one particular movie. Everyone has different tastes and not one movie studio can change that. If a movie is "dumbed down", it's not because of us, it's because money talks and everything else walks in the movie business. The movie business used up all original ideas and now only focus on Prequels, Sequels, Remakes, Spin-offs, and Video Game Adaptations of ideas that already had their moments elsewhere. We're lucky to get an original story nowadays, at least one that actually seems good enough to give a shot.

[Batmon77]

Originally Posted by grape_jelly

I didn't see it, but if Civil War followed the comic arc closely enough, it should have a massive amount of social commentary - no? Same goes for the X-Men films.

Otherwise, maybe... The Martian? Lots of fun science in that film.

Id agree w Martian and even Interstellar.

But ive heard these arent that smart compared to Moon.

[Bourne1886]

A lot of audience viewers are thick and need everything spelt out for them and can't read between the lines. Studios can't win!

[Abby is Q]

Originally Posted by Falaskan

We complain when good movies don't get the credit they deserve, but ultimately pay to see movies that become box office successes (Transformers). We complain when a storyline is hard to follow, but complain when not every single character isn't treated as a main character. Now movie studios, like DC, are talking about simplifying the plot of their next few offerings to appease their fanbase.

Still, I'm expecting at this rate to be able to fall asleep during half of the film now and still be able to follow it, and they'll start making spin off films for everyone. Maybe the Aunt May movie will actually become reality!!

Because DC is stupid. Zack Snyder's blunt symbolism isn't over anyone's head, it's just bad.

Anyway, if movies are getting dumbed down, it's mostly with the reliance on post-production SFX. So much s*** gets crammed into shots now that every Hollywood movie is like a sensory overload.

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

If everyone really thinks Hollywood is as bad as they think. Just stop seeing the movies then. No one is forcing you to see a movie. Mainly cause it looks "dumb" or "watered down"

[Impossible]

Theres always been dumb movies and they've always made the most money.

[Jett Rink]

In regards to all superhero movies/TV shows: yes.

Also the writers, they are 75% to blame.

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

I think some are confusing dumb as to what others consider fun.

[DanTheMan]

Originally Posted by Batmon77

What was the last "smart" blockbuster?

Edge of Tomorrow

[A Sith Lord?]

Originally Posted by Batmon77

What was the last "smart" blockbuster?

The Matrix seemed to be a good balance of sci-fi, social commentary, and love story, yet they went overboard w/ the sequels Imo w/ thinking it was deeper than what it was.

I'm going to get chastised for this, but I found Batman vs. Superman to be very smart. The themes, metaphors, symbolism, were great in that movie.

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

Quick question.

Where is there always so much negativity about movies in genereal everywhere online? That's all I see all the time. is it just simpler to be negative about a movie. Going oh, that looks, or i' sure that'll suck. Even though when nothing has been filmed or even written yet.

Is it that hard to be positive about movies. Or are people just now too jaded as society. and that's the new norm now?

[Bates_Motel]

Why is this a question when the answer is obvious?

[dgoswald]

Originally Posted by Jennifer Lawrence Fan

Quick question.

Where is there always so much negativity about movies in genereal everywhere online? That's all I see all the time. is it just simpler to be negative about a movie. Going oh, that looks, or i' sure that'll suck. Even though when nothing has been filmed or even written yet.

Is it that hard to be positive about movies. Or are people just now too jaded as society. and that's the new norm now?

To be fair, i don't get the impression OP was complaining or being negative. Seemed like a pretty reasoned and mature question about an issue that must cross the minds of a fair few film fans. Apologies if that's not what you were responding to.

[TheLaughingMann]

I have a friend I know of who teaches writing classes. He does work in some nice opinion and commentary for a lot of his lectures, even manages to work in some material based on recent releases.

One he did recently was when he crafted a lecture on villains. Around the week of having both Batman v Superman AND Captain America: Civil War out, he was able to exemplify how Baron Zemo was worked so well from his origins into a cohesive and capable and well rounded villain in CW, but Lex Luthor went through such a radical reversal of what made him such a significant villain in comics into his incarnation in BvS (though he did cite a couple of instances in the movie were good).

He does make the argument that a lot of movies turn into CG-fests with simplistic plots intent to draw a lot of people to the theaters to watch, be entertained and amazed, and come back for more. The foreign audiences LOVE it. They see theaters still as places to go and be entertained, yet they treat it with less scrutiny than Americans do.

If you want an example of dumbing down, look no further than Adam Sandler. He's a worldwide comedy icon. And his movies over the past few years have been trite in the American sense. But worldwide? Foreign audiences gobble it up. They have HUGE worldwide returns compared to domestic. That's why every movie he's done so far keeps getting done. Sony's bankrolled least 8 out of every 10 movies he starred or contributed to, and they know his stuff earns. Ridiculous Six on Netflix is also a success, despite how terribad it is...

[Jett Rink]

Originally Posted by Jennifer Lawrence Fan

Quick question.

Where is there always so much negativity about movies in genereal everywhere online? That's all I see all the time. is it just simpler to be negative about a movie. Going oh, that looks, or i' sure that'll suck. Even though when nothing has been filmed or even written yet.

Is it that hard to be positive about movies. Or are people just now too jaded as society. and that's the new norm now?

Like I have said and know from experience watching movies. The writers fail to make the story watchable. Most movies in the last ten years are good until the end, when they completely tank. Why is that, are the writers bored or are they pressured by studio executives? The only thing making them write these bad stories is greed and money. I seriously feel Hollywood is a very selfish industry and they do not really care about the consumer. This is my opinion, which most people will probably not share.

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

Originally Posted by dgoswald

To be fair, i don't get the impression OP was complaining or being negative. Seemed like a pretty reasoned and mature question about an issue that must cross the minds of a fair few film fans. Apologies if that's not what you were responding to.

Not just going against the OP. but that's what it seems like in almost every movie thread on here. About how something sucks so much. Yet to continue to see the films still.