As the Guardians of the Galaxy prepare to team up and pave the streets of Disney with gold, we flashback to the time we discussed the first major milestone in the MCU, The Avengers.
Avengers Assemble!
As we head back to the vault for Flashback Friday, we discuss all things blockbuster. On episode 61 of GTGC, we looked at Marvel’s giant storytelling experiment—The Avengers. At the time, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was still being birthed and nobody was sure what the end product would look like. On May 5th, 2017, we welcome the 15th entry into that cinematic universe. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is like nothing before it. And now, it is the model other franchises are trying to emulate—DC, Godzilla, and even Hanna-Barbera.
The Superhero films of the past 17 years have become one the largest and most financially successful film cycles of all time. The credit must be attributed to two parties—Marvel Studios and Christopher Nolan. The cycle has seen more mainstream success than any cycle since the studio era and the Westerns, Musicals and Horror Films of that period. Think about that for a moment. Vampires and zombies have been big. Yet, there has not been a consistent cinematic cycle that can match the success of Superhero Movies in the past two decades. And they aren’t slowing down.
Our Analysis of The Avengers
Arthur discusses how this movie is plotted like a classic action film. He explains that this crossover film finally does what comics has been doing for years. He examines various universes that participate in transmedia storytelling. Also, he contemplates the post-credit sequence as used by these films. He cites the article The Revenge of the Origami Unicorn.
Next, Dalton talks about sociological systems and how working in sometimes negative systems can be a good thing. He also examines teamwork and globalism. Dustin suggests reading The Globalization of Nothing.
Dustin examines how comic book films are ruminations on the 9/11 experience and the War on Terror. He said then the rest of the movie is the metaphorical hunt for Osama Bin Laden. Then he discusses problematic events of “avenging” 9/11.
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Arthur is a creator of content, lover of movies, and father of dogs. If you want to keep the conversation going, then click here to follow Arthur on Twitter. If you would like to keep up with what Arthur is watching, then head over to Letterboxd and give him a follow!
