2012 featured some of the greatest superhero films of all
time. The Amazing Spiderman displayed Peter Parker and the rest of the Spidey
universe in a unique, darker way, as well as being more realistic. The Avengers
gave us our very first superhero team-up, blockbuster film earning over 1.5
billion dollars. Then there was The Dark Knight Rises, being the best of last year and the most epic, providing a fitting end to the ultimate superhero
trilogy. The three films released last year are all praised in their own ways,
that it will become increasingly difficult to measure up to their standards,
and the films of 2013 are the first to step up to the challenge. This is an
analysis of The Wolverine, Thor: The Dark World, Iron Man 3 and The Man Of
Steel, next in line of the new generation of superhero movies. Are they up to
the challenge?
The Wolverine (July 26th)
“Logan travels to Japan where he engages a mysterious figure
from his past in a fight that will have lasting consequences.”
Yet another film centered on the solo adventures of
Wolverine, which surprisingly takes place far after the events of X-Men 3. Its
good to see Hugh Jackman back at the helm of the character he’s spent over a
decade building in 5 different films. Wolverine marks the sixth time he’ll portray
the character.
By now he should have it down pat, but he has to be on the
top of his game to make up for the critically reviled incarnations featured in
X3 and X-Men Origins, especially due to the fact that reports say the film will
feature very little guest appearances from other X-Men characters. I personally
like this approach because it gives Wolverine a chance to establish himself
without any side stories of the other heroes.
While I’m not expecting it to be anything we haven’t seen
before, I am hoping the film will be more on par with the first two X-films and
First Class. With the script adapted from Wolverine’s original stories, written
by Chris Claremont and drawn by Frank Millar, I have faith that it won’t
disappoint.
Thor: The Dark World (November 8th)
“A primeval race led by Malekith, who is out for revenge,
intends to descend the universe into darkness as Thor fights to save all nine
realms from a mysterious enemy older than the universe itself.”
Little is known about the Thor sequel, but some fans,
including myself, are already beginning to question its very existence (as well
as the upcoming Captain America sequel). Was the first Thor film really good
enough to deserve a sequel? Is there so many layers to the character that we
need another film to explore them all? Or is this simply a way to promote the
success of the character after The Avengers? I vote the latter.
Thor is very much like the Hulk in terms of their roles in
movies. Both these characters work fantastically in a group movie like The
Avengers, but ultimately fail, or at least do average at best, on their own.
While I loved the fight sequences and special effects in the first film, I
question whether Thor is well rounded enough and not just a one-dimensional
hero. He’s not as relatable to the general audience, he doesn’t have a
mild-mannered alter-ego (at least not in this film franchise) and he seems a
little head strong; qualities that ultimately doomed any of the Hulk movies.
Its thoughts and speculations like these that I hope get put to rest upon the
sequel’s release, but until then, I continue to speculate.
