Joe Russo, the Avengers: Endgame co-director, is playfully taking a job at Martin Scorsese after the director Killers of the Flower Moon director took a dig at Marvel films. In a recent interview, …
Yeah, true. I just feel like MCU movies are still art. Filmmaking is art. Kids watching MCU movies look at them the same way people looked at Star Wars back in the day. They are transported to another universe and feel good for a couple hours. That’s art, IMO, whether that was the goal or not. But I’m just confused at everyone taking Joe Russo’s silly tik tok as this hardcore clapback like he was really putting up a serious contrasting argument. Maybe I’m wrong, but it just came off like a silly joke to me.
I agree that not every film has to be high art but Scorcese is saying (and I agree) that we’re in a slump of high art because of films like the post-End Game MCU. They have completely taken over and not necessarily because they’re great and people want to watch them - the push from these studios is actively suffocating high art films. People see movies regardless and there’s way fewer art-focused ones.
If others are like me, it’s because they’re cringing a bit at the irony. It’s a clever reply but completely missing the point.
Also, though not my main disagreement…Marvel is so profitable in part because they pay VFX artists next to nothing for their work. So it’s like saying “yeah you make art, but check out how much I exploited the working class!”
[Edit] added “in part” to the last paragraph. I’m not foolishly claiming that VFX slave wages are the only reason they’re popular and profitable!
I agree that not every film has to be high art but Scorcese is saying (and I agree) that we’re in a slump of high art because of films like the post-End Game MCU. They have completely taken over and not necessarily because they’re great and people want to watch them - the push from these studios is actively suffocating high art films. People see movies regardless and there’s way fewer art-focused ones.
Yeah I definitely agree that “high art” is stifled, but that’s always been the case from what I’ve seen. It may be more nowadays, but theaters always went towards the money makers. I think there’s more high art out there than ever, but of course it’s hard to find.
If others are like me, it’s because they’re cringing a bit at the irony. It’s a clever reply but completely missing the point.
Ah, yeah I can see that.
Also, though not my main disagreement…Marvel is so profitable in part because they pay VFX artists next to nothing for their work. So it’s like saying “yeah you make art, but check out how much I exploited the working class!”
Yeah, good point there. I went to college for VFX, but ended up switching to graphic design instead and I’m kinda glad I didn’t end up at a VFX studio.
Good points overall and I definitely agree. But I also think Russo wasn’t looking that deep. He was just giving a tongue-in-cheek response, but then again, that is an issue on its own not addressing the systemic issues outside of this little friendly banter.
Yeah I definitely agree that “high art” is stifled, but that’s always been the case from what I’ve seen. It may be more nowadays, but theaters always went towards the money makers. I think there’s more high art out there than ever, but of course it’s hard to find.
The amount of stifling is at levels we haven’t seen since vertical integration laws were passed unfortunately. But we’re slowly coming out of it now thanks to the popularity of studios like A24! Barbie was a big deal, too.
The only two top-grossing movies in the past 25 years that weren’t built off an existing IP have been American Sniper (2014) and Avatar (2009). If you look at the prior 25 years, it’s almost the exact opposite
It’s just ironic because that’s literally what Scorcese is criticizing the industry for doing… Valuing profits over everything lol
Yeah, true. I just feel like MCU movies are still art. Filmmaking is art. Kids watching MCU movies look at them the same way people looked at Star Wars back in the day. They are transported to another universe and feel good for a couple hours. That’s art, IMO, whether that was the goal or not. But I’m just confused at everyone taking Joe Russo’s silly tik tok as this hardcore clapback like he was really putting up a serious contrasting argument. Maybe I’m wrong, but it just came off like a silly joke to me.
I agree that not every film has to be high art but Scorcese is saying (and I agree) that we’re in a slump of high art because of films like the post-End Game MCU. They have completely taken over and not necessarily because they’re great and people want to watch them - the push from these studios is actively suffocating high art films. People see movies regardless and there’s way fewer art-focused ones.
If others are like me, it’s because they’re cringing a bit at the irony. It’s a clever reply but completely missing the point.
Also, though not my main disagreement…Marvel is so profitable in part because they pay VFX artists next to nothing for their work. So it’s like saying “yeah you make art, but check out how much I exploited the working class!”
[Edit] added “in part” to the last paragraph. I’m not foolishly claiming that VFX slave wages are the only reason they’re popular and profitable!
Yeah I definitely agree that “high art” is stifled, but that’s always been the case from what I’ve seen. It may be more nowadays, but theaters always went towards the money makers. I think there’s more high art out there than ever, but of course it’s hard to find.
Ah, yeah I can see that.
Yeah, good point there. I went to college for VFX, but ended up switching to graphic design instead and I’m kinda glad I didn’t end up at a VFX studio.
Good points overall and I definitely agree. But I also think Russo wasn’t looking that deep. He was just giving a tongue-in-cheek response, but then again, that is an issue on its own not addressing the systemic issues outside of this little friendly banter.
The amount of stifling is at levels we haven’t seen since vertical integration laws were passed unfortunately. But we’re slowly coming out of it now thanks to the popularity of studios like A24! Barbie was a big deal, too.
The only two top-grossing movies in the past 25 years that weren’t built off an existing IP have been American Sniper (2014) and Avatar (2009). If you look at the prior 25 years, it’s almost the exact opposite
Oh my favorite studio ever. I’m worried about their pivot to more mainstream stuff they announced though.
Me, too. Hopefully they continue to produce the stuff they became famous for alongside the bigger films
I really hope so. Thanks for the civil and enlightening conversation. I enjoyed it!
Me too, have a good one!