I am sure most of you have seen the film "Guardians of the Galaxy." It is definitely a fun, entertaining film. I found the following article, though, that analyzes the film on a deeper level. I though you might enjoy the article. It is also a good example of analysis, which we will be doing a lot. The superhero genre has exploded recently. I would like you to comment on the article as well as why you think superheroes are so popular right now.
"Guardains of the Galaxy: An Origin Story that Is Also a Satire of an Origin Story"
Reading this article really sparked my interest. Since I have not seen the movie yet it was really great to learn about the back story of the characters and what the movie involves. I really love watching movies and try to figure about the small details no one else and figure out. By reading this article it was like figuring out those small details.
ReplyDeleteWhen describing the characters I liked how they told their back story and why exactly they were fighting together. By just watching the commercial I wouldn't have known they were outcasts and sellouts. I wouldn't have known that one of the characters wanted revenge because his wife and daughter were killed. SO after reading this article I learned more about the movie then I would have by just watching the trailer. And I'm also pretty interested in seeing the movie now!
In the article, "Guardians of the Galaxy's Happy Satire of the Sad Origin Story" by Katie Kilkenny is a story that does a very good job of going over the movie "Guardians of the Galaxy". It talks about the movies past in comic books and also what the movie is about. The writer does an excellent job going into detail about this movie. She also made comparisons to other movies. I haven't seen this movie but because of how well she went into detail and explained the events and reasons for them in the movie I have a pretty good idea about the story line. I think superheroes and super hero movies are becoming really popular lately due to the advancement in technology in the movie making industry. They can now make things look so real and so amazing. Special effects has really helped action movies become more popular because of how cool and intense film makers can make the movie. If you watch old Superman movies and compare them to the new ones it's amazing how technology has transformed over the years and how real and lifelike they can make these films. This article has now made me want to go watch this film and other superhero movies as well.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard about the movie, "Guardians of The Galaxy", I thought to myself that it just looked like a cheap knockoff of "The Avengers". But, after reading the article I found that isn't case. The movie has more depth to it than the commercials make it appear. I have not yet seen the movie but know the characters have more of a back story then just a normal superhero facade.
ReplyDeleteWhy are superheros so popular? Simple answer. Everyone loves a hero. People like the idea that someone with a power to fix everything; even if it may be a fictional character such as Superman, Ironman, or the new 'Guardians'. It's human instinct to look up to someone greater than ourselves, that is especially true with little kids. That's why little kids like the idea of super heroes. That's mostly because kids don't internally comprehend the difference between reality and pretend, so to them these superhumans are real. It's the same thing as to looking up to a singing, actress, or a writer.
I think the article was good, because it took a film that could be considered a parody of other superhero stories, and made such a good analysis about it, that it really made you sit down and think about the movie itself without getting distracted by all the peculiarness. The main message of this article is that Guardians of the Galaxy features not highly-sophisticated, moralistic “people” that seem to be above normal humans, but rather it embraces regular beings that are just trying to get by in life, and almost act as anti-heroes like Wolverine or Batman. In fact, the only reason they team up in the first place is to get money by selling the Infinity Stone.
ReplyDeleteAbout the superhero genre in general, I think superheroes, and especially superhero films, are popular right now because films are probably the best way available today to share the stories of these heroes, and now, we finally have the film-making technology to produce films about classic superhero characters, like Spiderman, Batman, and even Iron Man, in the likeness they were meant to be created in. If you take Iron Man, for instance, the idea of the hero is very technologically advanced itself, with a metal suit that can fly, withstand amazing amounts of damage from bullets, fire, and pretty much anything else you can throw at it, as well as countless other things like understanding voice controls, etc. If this film had been produced in the 1960s, when Iron Man first originated as a comic book character, the film would not have even come close to the level it did in 2008 when the film actually came out, especially in the special effects department, because back then, they only had hand-drawn animation and primitive live-action, which in no way could have displayed Iron Man well in a major motion picture. In fact, if the film had been released in any other decade, like the 70s, 80s, or even the 90s, the special effects available during those times would not have gotten the job done either.
In conclusion to the first part, the article about Guardians of the Galaxy was good, because it took a zany, humorous film, and analyzed it on a much more serious note. The article’s main message is that the film is focused on regular “people” that team up only to get some money and are not above human-values, unlike most other superheroes, who seem completely above those “petty” human values.
In summary of why superheroes are very popular in today’s time, it is because of how popular films are today, and in the modern-day world, we have the technology in film-making, especially special effects, to produce these films like they were meant to be produced in when they were first created. So basically, we have been waiting to do it for a very long time, but we could not, until now.
Also, another reason for the genre’s success is that from the 2000s onward, starting with the popular film X-Men, which was released in the year 2000 and spawned many sequels and spinoffs, was very successful in the box office, and helped to reignite the public interest in superheroes, especially comic book superheroes. There were actually a great deal of superhero films released before the 2000s, but the after-2000s group really helped reignite interest, as a lot of the other films just did not garner the interest required, because they were mostly either experimental or just not as good as they were anticipated to be. So this new genre was really sparked by early box office successes, and companies realized that they could make large amounts of money by translating comic book superheroes onto the big-screen, and when companies did this with other heroes like Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk, and The Fantastic Four, this just set a trend that is really continuing today, and probably will continue for many years to come, until there is something equally entertaining to take its place.
When I first saw a commercial of Guardians of The Galaxy I thought great an other sci-fi movie my dad will ask if I'd go see with him. I'm not a fan of superhero movies or science fiction movies. I have seen a few of those movies because my dad loves them. After reading this article though I might give this movie a chance. I am personally a fan of real life stories or movies where people have a troubled past. Which all the main characters in this movie do. These characters are underdogs in a way, and most people like an underdog. So after reading this article I'll most likely see Guardians of The Galaxy.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I think superheroes are so popular is because people who grew up with these characters still love them. For those people who loved the original movies want to see what they changed improved etc. I also think it's popular because producers noticed there was a market when the franchise for Batman and Spiderman was super successful. So when they realized that the made Thor and Superman and Captain America movies. Which became successful so as long as people are interested movies will be made building the interest of the audience.
Superheroes are popular right now because many people who grew up with comic books are now passing them on to their kids. They are sharing the things they enjoyed growing up with those they love. Also many of the lessons and morals represented by heroes (such as sacrifice and redemption) still ring true now as they did back then. With new breakthroughs in special effects these films are now more visually appealing than ever.
ReplyDeleteThe article itself reflects on the nature of comic books. All comics have an origin story revolving around similar contexts. Author Katie Kilkenny makes the point that Peter Quill from "Guardians of the Galaxy" is no different. Where this story diverges from others is that Peter is nearly the opposite of your traditional hero/heroine. The article goes on making more points about how this movie is so different than others so far.
I have been meaning to see this movie in theaters for a long stretch of time. The playing of Blue Suede's super hit "Hooked on a Feeling" really attracted my attention, but I think the quirkiness and outlandish feeling that you receive from watching the preview really piques a person's interest.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the actual article, I thought that it addressed many unique points of interest concerning the origin story and how it can positively affect the way that ordinary folk look at life. However, there was one point that I disagreed with. The movie "The Matrix" was released on March 31st, 1999 (the exact month, day, and year that I was born), so you could call me a "Matrix baby", if you will. I have always been fond of the film and its uncanny ability to create a world that seemed so convincing and intelligently constructed. With this being said, I am not defending Keanu Reeves's acting abilities, because, frankly, they're terrible. But, I do think that Kilkenny's one point about "Guardians of the Galaxy" being more of a "we" movie than that of a "chosen one" movie was questionable. If you are wondering about where I think Kilkenny makes a reference to "The Matrix", it's where she writes: "If Guardians of the Galaxy is an origin story, it is also a satire of the origin story, one that emphasizes the power of the "We" over that of the "Chosen One."
Also, I wanted to make a point about Kilkenny's comments on Chris Pratt's dry spell of acting. Instead of using his time away from the big screen as a reason to be surprised at the qualities of his character in the film, commend him for an outstanding performance in the movie. It doesn't make sense to laud him at the end of the opinion piece and ridicule him at the beginning!
Considering I have yet to see the movie, this article is very detailed and covered a lot about the movie (I assume,) in my opinion the author did a good job of writing the article. They also pointed out the one thing about super heroes that has always bothered me, the tragic back story every one of them seems to have. Why can't we have a happy super hero? Who fights crime just to get evil off the streets- not out of spite for the villain that ruined their life!
ReplyDeleteI believe super hero movies re so popular now for two reasons. One being, it's just a timeless thing of Good vs. Evil and some good old explosions and fight scenes. The classics. Two, now in modern times with new technology to make action scenes look even more awesome. Which means, making all the classics comics and old movies into brand new high definition quality. I mean, there are thousands or even millions of people out there who collect old time comics and adore those characters, so it's a profit for the companies to make them into outstanding movies and then sell merchandise, the whole shabang. Like we just saw with the new Godzilla movie! Just like vampires and werewolves were in, super heroes are all the rage now, what's next?
In my opinion the author described the movie well. The author also explained what it was about for people who haven't seen it. When the author described the characters, they stated their history and why they were there.
ReplyDeleteAs to why I think superheros are so popular now is because creating superheros and making movies out of them have grown. Movies are now more advanced with the technology we have to add dramatic effects. The dramatic effects make the movie more interesting, demanding people for it's attention. This world has come more effective in making action and superhero movies burst. This is why I think superheros are becoming so popular.
In all honesty, I’m just not a fan of superheroes and this article was not particularly of my interest. There’s been a few superhero movies I’ve liked such as Thor, but other than that not so many. So not having seen the movie, Guardians of the Galaxy I do not know all that much about the movie. But based on the article, I do agree with the whole idea about how superheroes don’t always need to have a sob story or set backs to save a place. Why not do it for happy reason like maybe a positive goal, or just to save the town?
ReplyDeleteThough I, myself am not the hugest fan of superhero movies, I can definitely understand why others would be. I have actually seen many of these types of movies due to friends and family members wanting me to go with, and the visuals are pretty great. The action parts I am interested in, the reasons they’re fighting, not so much. I really just don’t understand the whole super-human thing. It’s hard for me to focus on what they’re saying because of the graphics as well. I know that people do like the storylines though, so that’s a factor towards popularity. I feel like superheroes have just been around for a long time, so it might be a favorite pastime sort of thing that’s passed down through generations. The general stories stay the same and interest people of all ages. The older people are even interested and it’s given them a look at how technology has grown as well. Even though I don’t like superheroes all that much, I understand why they’re popular and I think they’re a great source of entertainment for people of all ages.
I have yet to see the movie “Gardians of the Galaxy”, but after reading this article I would really like to see it. I like the fact of having more than just one hero. With this movie there are more characters all with different stories. This movie seems different than the avengers because its a group of misfits, not heros. But they work together and become heros, it sounds like. I don’t like all the re-makes and sequels of superhero movies because they all are basically the same. Like the new “Amazing Spiderman Movies”. I don’t see a need to make more because the original was great and now its just copying it. The Gardians movie is different than the usual superhero movies and I think it will be good.
ReplyDeleteWhy are superheros so popular right now? I think that could be because they give people (especially children) a role model and a hero. They can be a form of escapism for people. Not only children like superhero movies though. All ages go to see them. The older generation grew up reading the marvel comics and now they get to see them on the big screen. It may be an flashback to childhood memories for them. One of the biggest reasons for the popularity of superheroes is that they are just really fun for people of all ages.
I have never really been a big superhero movie fan so I don't know a bunch on this topic. It just doesn't interest me, although "Guardians of the Galaxy" sounds like a great movie, I wouldn't like seeing it. Based on thee article though, it isn't like Superman or Spiderman, Guardians of the Galaxy has a more original story about how he gets his super powers. I like this better than how it happens in Spiderman, it gives more action and detail to the movie.
ReplyDeleteWhy are superheros so popular right now? I think that superheros are so popular right now because everyone (even adults) like having that favorite superhero to look up to. It's something that doesn't matter if your big or little for. Some superheros could be role models to young kids, and inspire them to do great things. I think that makes more kids get interested in superheros.
I think that so many people love the idea of being a superhero or super heroes existing because superheros always save the day, they make everything look glamourous. Most people realize that they can not be thrown threw building and still survive, but when the superhero dramatically rises from the ashes it makes anything look possible and gives people hope. Even though they know that the main character wouldn’t die! I also thinks that why people love crazy stories like a mom lifting her car to save her child, or other crazy stories because they are just so amazing. Saving peoples lives on the daily basis, saving the world numerous times, and falling in love with some hot chick who some how got involved with the huge mess. Even if they can get repetitive, everyone roots for the superhero to save the day; and the human race.
ReplyDeleteI think that “Guardians of the Galaxy” is better than all of the other superhero movies. The 5 main characters are all misfits, unlike “The Avengers,” where they are all heroes. This makes the movie more interesting because they don’t all have their own movie and come together to make one big, action packed movie. In this movie, it explains everyone’s backstory and why they are working together. The 5 work together to take down the same villain, just like “The Avengers,” but in this case, they didn’t know each other at the beginning of the movie, unlike “The Avengers.”
ReplyDeleteI think that superheroes are so popular today is because everyone loves a good action movie. Most people of all ages like action movies, so why not make action movies that are fun to watch. I think that adults are interested in superheroes is because they grew up reading all the superhero comic books and now they get to see them on the big screen. Kids like superheroes because they seem to look up to someone whether it be an older sibling, a parent, or a superhero.
I have not see the movie, Guardians of the Galaxy but reading this article has really got me interested. The author really took a deeper route in explaining the reasoning behind all the characters, the plot line and not just the generic explaining of movies. It interested me because they main characters are not the "Chose Ones," but some "lucky sellouts," or "losers." The movie also has a very good lesson, too, " for one moment, they forget their own baggage and hack out a semblance of a plan first." Maybe that's is what we all need to do, we all need to forget about our own problems and all unite to fight a bugger cause. Luckily the author, Katie Kilkenny, compares this movie to other superhero movies. I think that the superhero industry is becoming very popular because we all like to see the good guy win. We like to see good win over evil. We like to see that hope, especially in a movie. It also is fantasy which brings out the little to big nerdiness in each person. Not to mention, the technology that we have nowadays. I mean, c'mon, green screens, people flying, bridges falling down, historical buildings being destroyed, how awesome does that look on tv?
ReplyDeleteI have not seen “Guardians of the Galaxy” yet, so the article was a bit confusing at some points. The article made me think of superheros in a completely different way. I am that person who always cries during superhero movies because of the tragedies the main characters experience (I have no shame), but after reading this article I realized how similar and cliche the majority of superhero movies are. I really enjoyed this article.
ReplyDeleteI think that superheroes are so popular because they are everything that ordinary people want to be. We want to be able to do extraordinary things, help people, and be looked up to. I think watching superhero movies makes us desire to be more than we are, or strive to be something more than ordinary.
Why are superheros so popular now? I think that superheroes are so popular now is because everyone used to or still does look up to a hero. And now with all the amazing effect movie producers can use to make superheroes look really cool it makes kids want to be just like them. Some examples might be spider man or the hulk. Every kid wanted to be just like spider man and climb up walls and shoot out webs that can sling you across the city.
ReplyDeleteBefore I read this article I thought I should create an opinion on the movie, so I watched the trailer for the movie. After watching the trailer my initial opinion was that the movie was a bad combination of Avengers and Star Wars, but after reading the article my opinion on the movie has changed. The article shows that everyone of the characters has known deep sorrow, it also spoke of each of there back stories and what the whole movie involves.It changed my opinion by showing me that this is a different kind of hero, a kind that even at his best moment is a flawed loser who can still beat an planetary dictator.
ReplyDeleteI believe superheros have become so popular because of the advancements in movie technology and special effects. Also due to the fact that everyone dreams of being something extraordinary, to help people, which is what superheros do and every time you watch them in a movie it re sparks that dream and keeps it alive.
In my opinion superheros are so popular now because everyone loves a story about a person or a group of people saving the day. Also I've noticed that it's mostly the Marvel franchise that is so popular. I think that's because the comicbooks were so popular at first that when they started making them into movies all of the comic book fans wanted to see what the movies would be like. If they really captured the essence of the comic books. Not only did the comic book fans want to see the movie but there's also the audience that loves a good superhero film. Now that the Marvel is so big it's hard to find someone who doesn't want to see their new movies.
ReplyDeleteIn the article, “Guardians of the Galaxy's Happy Satire of the Sad Origin Story” it tells how people look up to superheroes and how the the Guardians of the Galaxy movie is different than most superhero stories. They aren't the typical amazing person with no flaws that saves the day, they are people with baggage and when crime appears they help fight it. The author gave good details on how the story goes and the storyline of the movie. I think like the writer said, the reason superheros are big right now is because people look up to people who save the day. They even if its in their dreams want to be that person. Also new technology has boosted the superhero genre because of the way special effects make the movie and actions look real.
ReplyDeleteHaving not ever seen the movie, or really wanting to at all, I actually found this analysis very interesting. Seeing the authors take on superhero movies in today's society gave me a little more perspective on the trend. It also made me want to see the movie. In a lot of cases, I'm the type of person that takes things as they come and try my best not to make much more out of it as I see it deserves. But having a deeper insight on the movie and what it truly is according to this author gave me something that I would not have gotten on my own. To say the least, his piece gave me more longing to see the movie than any of its commercials did, so I really appreciated the writing. And I think the interest in super human abilities are something that have always been appreciated. Even going back to biblical strongmen and legends of people who are capable of people who are capable of much more than ourselves. I just think its human nature to want to do more than we actually can. And when we can't, its a lot either to create someone who can.
ReplyDeleteI personally am not a person to watch movies, but the movie "Guardians of the Galaxy" intrigues me not really because of the plot line but because of the characters themselves. I don't like stories about people who are superior to others by nature (Superman), compared to others about how people worked hard in order to accomplish their goals. What I happen to be a real sucker for is the character's backgrounds and what made them wish to accomplish what they did and why.
ReplyDeleteWhat I really enjoyed was the authors perspective on "heroes" nowadays. It really made me think what really makes a hero, you know? I grew up reading comics and watching things like criminal minds which I believe helped me developed a more empathetic view of characters and people. I'm also a book lover and one day it hit me; everyone is the same in one manner and that is we've all had some sort of unhappy (of course some worse than others) that have taken place in our lives. What I've felt growing up multiple times growing up is wanting to be perfect. So whenever I try and write I tent to make the main character have as little of flaws as possible and happy endings every time. But we know that that's deferentially not reality. So I'm happy and love how the author made the characters personalities as realistic as possible fitting their back stories and showed how if they can rise up from rock bottom, so can we.
I read the article “Guardians of the Galaxy's Happy Satire of the Sad Origin Story,” by Katie Kilkenny. In the article, the author shows the audience (who are more than likely movie fans) the backstory to the box office hit “Guardians of the Galaxy,” a Marvel film. In the article, the author points out common trends in superhero films, and also shows the audience the films history and incredibly detailed backstory. The author also analyzes from the film that it sends out the message that you don’t need to be a chosen one or be special, you can just think and use teamwork and anything can be accomplished.
ReplyDeleteI hypothesize that superheroes have become incredibly famous because that technological advancements now allow us to create films that seem incredibly realistic and amazing, and some of these films with amazingly massive budgets create superhero movies that simply blow the common persons mind because the animations are so incredibly detailed that many computers have to be hooked together to run them, and these animations work together with actors, green screens, and just incredibly tailored stories to make superhero movies that people who have dull and unpicturesque lives (whose numbers are rising to to certain economic events) can imagine being a person with incredible power whose lives are amazing.