Superheroes - light or dark?

[CaptainCrazy]

So how do you like your superhero films – light or dark in tone? It doesn’t matter to me as long as it has a good story, strong direction and not Batman and Robin.

However, on every message board I always see arguments about tone, for example, why is FF so light (read the comic book, you nerd), or why is Superman (or Iron Man 3) so heavy like The Dark Knight or “…insert generic internet nerd rage comment here…”?

What are your thoughts?

[sporkydorky]

Each superhero movie, whether comic book inspired or not, would have light and dark aspects to it, wouldn't you think?

What you are describing appears to be more of an issue of the directors interpretation of the comic book/story with which they are working with - a common discussion. Some of the greatest stories for superheros are not true to the comic books - an issue for another forum I think...

For example, while you say you don't like superhero films that are batman & robin, I would have to say that some of the greatest superhero stories are in fact the batman & robin series.... well maybe not that bizarre robin one, but the batman ones are still epic stories.

Most of the arguments for light or dark in comic books made into films still come down to the viewers interpretation of the fictional world they create in their own mind. Unfortunately these arguments will always arise where you are recreating a fictional written story into an animated story.

[CaptainCrazy]

Welcome to TF Sporky and you it out the park with your first post.

[IsotopeBill]

I have a friend who is so incredibly upset that X-Men isn't an 18. He thinks that X-Men would have reached amazing heights of entertainment if they were a bit darker and closer to some of the comics. He compares Wolverine to a very tame cat compared to the Wolverine in the comics.

[morris]

More like a lap dog I'd say. Jackman scowls for all he's worth but at the end of the day, there's still that kiddie rating keeping it all safe n'clean. I remember reading Wolverine comics as a lad and they were dark, which was what I loved but a mainstream Hollywood film can't capture that. It'd have to be Asian or European I think.

[IsotopeBill]

A real shame that that essence can't be captured or translated efficiently for Hollywood audiences or that there is no space for such a version to the western movie-going demographic.

An asian version sounds intense, I actually can't stop thinking about that now..

[morris]

Yeah it could be wicked. When the early Wolverine comics were set in Japan - it really suited him. Imagine something as dark and violent as Ichi the Killer.