What if a corporate merger became the hottest movie of the year? The hosts dive into the latest Deadpool and Wolverine film, questioning whether it lives up to its predecessors. They explore Disney's influence on superhero cinema and lament the drop in storytelling quality. Amid humorous critiques, they dissect the clash of tones in the multiverse, contrasting humor with emotional depth. The conversation highlights cinematic contradictions, aesthetic failures, and the commodification of beloved characters, all while reflecting on modern filmmaking's impact on audiences.
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Quick takeaways
The podcast underscores the impact of corporate mergers on character ownership, fundamentally altering the landscape of superhero narratives.
Hosts express their disillusionment with the latest film, highlighting potential audience fatigue from repetitive and unsatisfying superhero stories.
The discussion raises concerns about meta-narratives in film, which blur the lines between genuine storytelling and corporate interests, affecting audience engagement.
Deep dives
The Ownership of Deadpool and the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Deadpool was originally a Marvel character owned by Fox, which created a complex landscape for Marvel Studios during the early years. With the acquisition of Fox by Disney, Deadpool found his way back to the Marvel franchise, clarifying his rightful place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The episode highlights the significance of character ownership in shaping the movies we see today, as many iconic superheroes had been sold off to other studios in the past. This history not only reflects the turmoil of superhero licensing but also influences the ongoing narrative around mergers and acquisitions within Hollywood.
Audience Expectations and Disappointment
The episode expresses deep disappointment in a movie that has been a major box office success, contrasting it with prior notable releases. The hosts recount their feelings of deflation and disillusionment, stating that the film did not meet their expectations and felt like an exhaustive exercise in disappointment. They compare the movie unfavorably to others they have seen for the podcast, even suggesting that it might rank as worse than past disappointments like The Flash. This discussion reflects on the broader implications of audience satisfaction in tailored superhero narratives and how it could lead to a sense of fatigue among viewers.
Corporate Influences on Plot and Characterization
The podcast delves into how the narrative of the film is intertwined with corporate interests, framing the storyline as a shareholders meeting rather than a traditional story arc. The film's plot revolves around the implications of Disney's acquisition of Fox and how this merger affects character motivations and actions, representing a shift away from genuine storytelling. By embedding the discussions about corporate policy and shared universes directly into the plot, the creators risk alienating audiences accustomed to more substantive storytelling. This illustrates how marketing and corporate narratives are increasingly inseparable from the films themselves, potentially diluting creative integrity.
Meta-Narratives and Audience Participation
A large theme discussed is the use of meta-narratives where characters often address the audience, breaking the fourth wall to comment on their situations. Throughout the movie, characters openly acknowledge their roles within a corporate matrix, which serves as an ironic nod to the fans who have invested emotionally in these stories. This tactic aims to create a camaraderie between the characters and the audience, yet it inadvertently underscores a lack of genuine stakes or emotional depth. By consistently juggling irreverence and sincerity, the film raises questions about the overall impact of such narratives on audience engagement and interpretation.
Final Thoughts on Cinematic Trends and Implications
The hosts conclude that the film reflects a troubling trend in mass entertainment, where the focus seems more on commodification of characters and universes than on substantive storytelling. They argue that the film's plot serves not only as a continuation of fanservice but also as a means of corporate consolidation, characterized by empty spectacle and a lack of meaningful character development. The endless multiverse explorations are seen as a tactic to distract audiences from deeper issues in filmmaking, reinforcing the notion that nothing within these narratives carries real weight. Such trends signal a concerning direction for the future of superhero films, where personal investment and character integrity may be sacrificed for financial gain.
What if a movie about a corporate merger became the most popular movie of the year? Friends, you don't have to imagine it. We discuss DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE (2024) and ponder the question that Vulture asked: "Is Shawn Levy the Future of Populist Filmmaking?"
Michael and Us is a podcast about political cinema and our crumbling world hosted by Will Sloan and Luke Savage.
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