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| Scene from The Avengers: Infinity War |
Welcome to the sporadic column Trailing Off in which I take a look at a trailer from the past week and analyze its potential. This will be done using an obnoxious amount of analyzing and personal thoughts on the cast and crew as well as expectations. I will attempt to highlight films ranging from new blockbusters to lesser known indies and give them their due. Partially to spread awareness, I do believe that there is an art to the sell and will do my best to highlight why these trailers matter or don't with approval (trove) or disapproval (trash). So please stop by, recommend some trailers, and I will see you next time.
Trailer in Discussion
Directed By: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Written By: Jack Kirby (Comic Book), Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely (Screenplay), Jim Starlin (Comic Book)
Starring: Tessa Thompson, Scarlett Johnasson, Karen Gillan
- Preamble -
It's hard to believe, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe is only nine years old. With almost 20 movies to their credit, they have expanded the potential of modern blockbuster entertainment by interweaving narratives in a comic book fashion. The idea that characters as diverse as Iron Man, Captain America, Doctor Strange, and even Black Panther could not only coexist in the same universe but star in top of the line, highly successful movies is an astounding feat. While the films have generally been successful, its reputation didn't come over night. In fact, its 10th anniversary feels like it's marked by the biggest and most exciting title yet from a studio that continually reinvents itself and finds ways to make these characters interesting without isolating mainstream audiences.
Infinity War is a culmination of these 20 or so movies, of which have created memorable engagements with the characters. It's the type of long con that only works because of how invested audiences have been since the original Iron Man in 2008. It's because this gambit paid off that the film was allowed to go into insane directions while exploring the capacity of what a comic book movie could be. Infinity War is the type of movie that probably wouldn't work if it came out in 2008, and it's not just because of how foreign most of the characters would seem to audiences who had yet to embrace the supernatural side of superhero movies.
However, there's one detail that's largely unseen. Even as the world expands the mixture of supernatural characters and those grounded in a more familiar ethos, the characters haven't had the overlap that some could hope for. With exception to Thor, there's been two wings of the franchise that have existed without crossing over. It's part of the appeal of Infinity War that, along with introducing big bad Thanos, audiences will get that thrill that they once did during The Avengers where suddenly dozens of memorable characters are fighting unbeatable foes. It helps that the wait for this battle was 10 years, but will its wait feel as constructed and effective as most of these other steps in the MCU?
Infinity War is a culmination of these 20 or so movies, of which have created memorable engagements with the characters. It's the type of long con that only works because of how invested audiences have been since the original Iron Man in 2008. It's because this gambit paid off that the film was allowed to go into insane directions while exploring the capacity of what a comic book movie could be. Infinity War is the type of movie that probably wouldn't work if it came out in 2008, and it's not just because of how foreign most of the characters would seem to audiences who had yet to embrace the supernatural side of superhero movies.
However, there's one detail that's largely unseen. Even as the world expands the mixture of supernatural characters and those grounded in a more familiar ethos, the characters haven't had the overlap that some could hope for. With exception to Thor, there's been two wings of the franchise that have existed without crossing over. It's part of the appeal of Infinity War that, along with introducing big bad Thanos, audiences will get that thrill that they once did during The Avengers where suddenly dozens of memorable characters are fighting unbeatable foes. It helps that the wait for this battle was 10 years, but will its wait feel as constructed and effective as most of these other steps in the MCU?
- Dissection -
For those who have been following the movies, the trailer is a bit on the predictable side. Infinity War was always going to be about fighting Thanos. There's no way to get around the conceit of what this movie is selling. However, it's important to note that within comic book lore, Thanos is one of the strongest villains possible. It makes sense then why he would be saved for this late in the game. Despite the potential promise of over two dozen more MCU movies, this is bound to be a film that challenges the structure of what came before. Everyone is involved - even characters like The Hulk that took several years off. It does help that so many of them have become endearing in the time since so that any possible outcome is still going to be a fun and engaging journey into superhero movies.
Beyond that, the trailer's bigger success is showing all of these characters existing in the same realm. While it's been alluded to in various entries, the idea of seeing certain characters stand face to face with each other is delightful, especially with the stinger of Thor meeting the Guardians of the Galaxy. They are likely to work together on something big, and one can only imagine what type of banter Thor and Drax will get into as they cruise around the galaxy. Likewise, the chance to see everyone fighting on Earth is a lot of fun, and it creates enough of the stimulation that one would expect from superhero movies. The only downside to a trailer like this is that those who know they will see the movie already know they will see the movie. No trailer can really persuade one way or the other.
Beyond that, I am skeptical about what The Russo Brothers will bring to the movie. I don't think that they're necessarily bad filmmakers, but their work for the franchises have largely been hit and miss. They make good movies, but their work generally feels more like a studio hand than the increasingly personable line-up that they have developed over the recent years. I worry that this means that the film will be a bit bleak and stylish, but lacking something engaging. I know that Joss Whedon probably will never do another movie with them again, but I hope that this film has more of a personality and gives the wide array of characters a lot to do besides awesome fight scenes. There's so much exciting about what this trailer possesses that the idea of seeing them merely talking to each other is better than wasting energy on a two hour battle sequence.
Beyond that, the trailer's bigger success is showing all of these characters existing in the same realm. While it's been alluded to in various entries, the idea of seeing certain characters stand face to face with each other is delightful, especially with the stinger of Thor meeting the Guardians of the Galaxy. They are likely to work together on something big, and one can only imagine what type of banter Thor and Drax will get into as they cruise around the galaxy. Likewise, the chance to see everyone fighting on Earth is a lot of fun, and it creates enough of the stimulation that one would expect from superhero movies. The only downside to a trailer like this is that those who know they will see the movie already know they will see the movie. No trailer can really persuade one way or the other.
Beyond that, I am skeptical about what The Russo Brothers will bring to the movie. I don't think that they're necessarily bad filmmakers, but their work for the franchises have largely been hit and miss. They make good movies, but their work generally feels more like a studio hand than the increasingly personable line-up that they have developed over the recent years. I worry that this means that the film will be a bit bleak and stylish, but lacking something engaging. I know that Joss Whedon probably will never do another movie with them again, but I hope that this film has more of a personality and gives the wide array of characters a lot to do besides awesome fight scenes. There's so much exciting about what this trailer possesses that the idea of seeing them merely talking to each other is better than wasting energy on a two hour battle sequence.
- One Sentence Sell -
The Avengers are back, and they brought everyone with them this time.
- Trove or Trash -
TROVE
Your mileage may vary, but the idea of having every character from this 20 or so movies together is very promising. If they have developed any sentimentality towards you, there are shots in this that should at least raise anticipation as to what will happen. It may not provide much else besides easy speculation, but it's still pretty good.
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