Superhero movies continue to top the box-office charts. Released this April, “Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron,” for example, garnered a whopping $1.4 billion worldwide. Unlike superhero movies of the past, when they were discounted as light entertainment, today’s superhero movies are often among the best movies of any given year.
They have convincing storylines, in-depth character development, and realistic depictions of life. The revival of superhero movies has surpassed all expectations and criticisms.
Why is the genre ever so popular? Mr. Sohn, a seasoned veteran in the media industry, explains that “I like superhero movies because they have cool costumes, and I get excited about those eye-spinning action scenes that involve multiple characters.” Like him, many people are fascinated by stunning visual effects, but there is more. They are in love with stories about relatable heroes, each with a unique charm.
Apart from their super powers, almost all superhero characters are effectively human. Superheroes suffer through ordinary human experiences, grappling with their own inner conflicts or other superheroes. Watching the films, the audience can identify with the characters. All people have their own unique past experiences which shape their personal characteristics and behaviors.
They watch the way superheroes accept and battle through ordeals of life and discover what they have in common with the characters, drawing life messages they find to be important. Moreover, people satisfy themselves vicariously through the acts of superheroes. Bringing the evil forces to justice is something people are rarely able to accomplish in today’s society, in which many feel oppressed by an impassable glass ceiling.
Nowadays, superhero films are constantly being loved by many people, and this golden age of superhero films will last long as long as people keep empathizing with films.