Wonder Woman: Is it time for DC to sprinkle in some much needed “escapism” into its gritty, realisti
The notion that “art imitates life; life imitates art” is especially seen in films. Most directors and writers of movies would probably agree that their inspirations for films often speak to the times and sensibilities of the current era. In this case for Warner Bros., this process could not be any clearer than its handling of the Batman movies during the enormously successful “Nolan era”- dark, gritty, and real-world relevant themes reflecting the post 9/11 era.
The war on terror and terrorism itself is something explicitly explored in arguably the most successful Batman film of the Nolan trilogy known as, “The Dark Knight.” And once Nolan’s approach of real world sensibilities through one of the world’s most famous super-heroes (i.e. Batman) reached its inevitable end with, “The Dark Knight Rises” – the studio scrambled to figure out what’s next?
After Marvel Studios had proved to the world that the “shared universe” approach is the next big thing, naturally the rest of the major Hollywood studios followed in kind. And so, Warner Bros. put a plan in place to launch their universe – now known as, the DC Extended Universe. Simple, right? After all, Batman, Superman, and even Wonder Woman are arguably more A-list (or recognizable) than the likes of Iron Man, and Captain America ten years ago. However, I do wonder: Are audiences responding well to Marvel because it represents the “escapism” that fans desperately need today – instead of the gritty, complicated, post- 9/11 themes our world deals with on an everyday basis? And specifically, for the DCEU – could not injecting some of this escapism be one of the biggest things holding the success of the DCEU back?
The DCEU has no doubt faced a rocky start since 2013 when the Superman reboot, “Man of Steel” debuted. I’m sure the utmost confidence for the film, both producers, and fans alike, rested on the idea that former DC architect Christopher Nolan was behind the scenes giving his two cents. Critically, the film is one of the most divided, and commercially speaking despite its impressive numbers for most films, Warner Bros. didn’t exactly hide the fact that they were disappointed in the movie’s total grossing at the box office (668 million).
Hence why Superman’s (sort of) sequel – “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” - was filled with one of the most bankable iconic characters of all time – a rebooted, “comic book” Batman. Despite that these iconic heroes were featured in the unprecedented situation of fighting each other – the film never made the billion-grossing tag (878 million roughly) that most studios (perhaps unfairly?) expect out of their major films. There is no mistaking the fact that nearly unanimously the shining highlight of “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” was Wonder Woman – a badass whose origin story comes straight out of escapism- demi-god and an Amazonian warrior.
Now let’s be clear – the setting in which the Wonder Woman film takes place is the WWI era. Not the most pleasant atmosphere for a superhero film to be set in – however, critical response to Wonder Woman has been more than favorable than any DC film before. Not to mention, if the approach to the DCEU is to be real world & gritty – ONLY Wonder Woman has featured a real-life war as opposed to MoS and BvS. Despite that this film should be a poster child for the universe, its critical reception (and so far, predictable commercial response) stands nearly worlds apart from the previous two films mentioned.
So why? Maybe what the DCEU has been missing all this time is not the seriousness of things or the themes, but the real hope and optimism that these DC heroes inspire at the film’s conclusion. For instance, Superman’s arc of hope and optimism arguably begins literally after his death – since the world finally “claims him” after he sacrifices his life. MoS was about him accepting his destiny, and for the most part, BvS was about the criticism towards Superman’s “savior-like” actions.
Unfortunately, that’s the point – his only two appearances in the DCEU never truly peaked to what he represents. As a fan, and writer I appreciate the seriousness that DCEU is shooting for, and I’ll be the first to say that the campier aspects of majority Marvel films could eventually run its course. For instance, the overabudance of humor trademark throughout nearly every Marvel movie (see Iron Man 3, Guardians of the Galaxy 1 & 2, Ant-Man). The approaching success of Wonder Woman shows that the critics are NOT paid off by Disney/Marvel and are receiving the Marvels films in a positive light because these movies don’t forget to one crucial element. The “escapism” that all of our real world applicable tragedies and issues are never in our face during our much needed times of enjoyment. We can deal with these matters AFTER we leave the cinema.
Yes, viewers need character drama, and we need to be able to relate to the plight of our favorite heroes firmly – but at the end, when the curtains close, we should walk out of the movie theater reminded that the bigger picture of these heroes is the fun, escapist aspects they represent. From the reception of “Wonder Woman”- that escapism, mixed in with a thoughtful ending of hope and optimism lands the mark. The DCEU (and Warner Bros.) seem to be taking note, and are charting a new course – thankfully, it seems Warner Bros. and the DCEU is finally listening.