January 4, 2025
Hollywood prognosticators and social media replies alike say that Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps are hobbled from the start. Superman is a boring goody-goody and the Fantastic Four are hokey. Earnest stories about doing the right thing and the thrill of discovery for their own sake? Yawn. Our times are dark, we have a plethora of superhero movies that prioritize grit and complexity over straightforward heroism, and it's easy to see why many would assume that these two films are doomed to fail.
However, what if this perception is entirely misguided? What if these films, rather than being outdated relics of a bygone era, are actually the key to reviving a subgenre that has been dormant for far too long? The subgenre in question is, of course, the classic sci-fi tale of adventure and discovery, where heroes are heroic, not brooding or morally ambiguous, and the thrill of exploration is enough to drive the plot forward.
In recent years, we've seen a trend towards darker, more cynical storytelling in the world of science fiction. This is not necessarily a bad thing - after all, some of the best sci-fi films of all time, such as Blade Runner and Alien, are known for their darkness and complexity. However, this trend has also led to a lack of diversity in the types of sci-fi films that are being made. Where are the films that inspire us with their sense of wonder and awe? Where are the heroes who are truly heroic, rather than being flawed and brooding?
This is where Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps come in. These films, rather than being hobbled by their perceived lack of darkness and complexity, may actually be the key to reviving a subgenre that has been lost in recent years. By embracing the classic sci-fi tropes of adventure and discovery, these films may be able to tap into a sense of nostalgia and wonder that has been missing from many modern sci-fi films.
Of course, this is not to say that these films will be without their challenges. In order to succeed, they will need to find a way to balance their classic sci-fi sensibilities with the demands of modern audiences, who are accustomed to more complex and nuanced storytelling. They will also need to find a way to make their heroes relatable and interesting, without resorting to the types of flaws and brooding that have become so common in modern superhero films.
Despite these challenges, there is reason to be optimistic about the potential of these films. After all, there is a long history of sci-fi films that have succeeded by embracing the classic tropes of adventure and discovery. Films like Star Wars, E.T., and Close Encounters of the Third Kind are just a few examples of how sci-fi can be used to inspire and uplift, rather than just to entertain or thrill.
In the end, only time will tell if Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be able to succeed in their mission to revive the classic sci-fi subgenre. However, if they are able to tap into the sense of wonder and awe that has been missing from many modern sci-fi films, they may be able to achieve something truly special. They may be able to remind us of the power of science fiction to inspire and uplift, and to show us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a brighter future.
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