In the interest of getting “hard” copies of my work under one roof, I plan to spend the next few weeks posting the entire archive of my film journalism here on ScullyVision. With due respect to the many publications I’ve written for, the internet remains quite temporary, and I’d hate to see any of my work disappear for digital reasons. As such, this gargantuan project must begin! I don’t want to do it. I hate doing it. But it needs to be done. Please note that my opinions, like everyone’s, have changed a LOT since I started, so many of these reviews will only represent a snapshot in time. Objectivity has absolutely no place in film criticism, at least not how I do it.
One of the unforeseen side effects of the success of Marvel Studios is the concept of a “cinematic universe.” Now that Marvel has tied many of its franchises under a singular heading, other franchises are seeking to do the same. Star Wars is in the early stages of building its own cinematic universe which will likely be just as successful. Business-wise, creating a giant filmic sandbox in which to play is a great idea. Heck, not only will I watch anything with the Marvel label, I make it a point not to miss it.
But is it a good idea in terms of content? For something like the above mentioned franchises, absolutely. There are decades worth of tried and true material to draw upon, and with the nature of both Marvel and Star Wars being so fluid, it’s pretty easy to fail spectacularly and still survive. My concern is with some of the more recent new of universes being planned. It was recently announced that the upcoming Ghostbusters 3 isn’t just a new franchise entry, but also the jumping off point for an entire world which, as much as I love Ghostbusters, doesn’t feel like a good idea. While I do have high hopes for the somewhat controversial third entry, the world of Ghostbusters just isn’t rich enough for more than simple franchising. Sure, the cartoons of the 80’s and 90’s were a type of world-building, but they don’t carry the same style of canonization that Star Wars’ extended universe or Marvel’s comics do.
Just last week it was announced that Transformers is up for the same treatment, and I’ve got to ask, how much more of this can anybody watch? The most recent film, despite being a box-office success, was a huge critical failure. It seems as if franchise fatigue has long since set in for Optimus and his pals. This franchise doesn’t even have the luxury of nostalgia to push it along that Ghostbusters has (nostalgia being precisely what launched the Transformers film franchise in the first place). Is there a bigger world to explore outside of yet more toy sales? I don’t think so, and even if there was, who could stomach it? Who would stomach it?
I’m the last person to lament that there are no more original movies being made — 2014’s films were a strong case for originality still being alive and well. And while I don’t feel that originality is being threatened by studios moving toward universe construction, I do wonder if it’s an overzealous, and ultimately fruitless exercise. I’ve written a lot in the past about how much I LOVE the Fast & Furious franchise, but I think it should exist solely as that: a franchise. Remember when they made a Bourne movie without Jason Bourne? Not so much fun. Remember Halloween 3?* Exactly.
As much money that can be made in creating a multi-franchise cinematic world, studios may end up killing their own product. As far as I’m concerned, the (space)ship has sailed on that. I’ll root for Transformers and Ghostbusters to take off and succeed the way Marvel has, but I won’t be surprised if people don’t get on board. I’m already exhausted trying to consume every ounce of Marvel’s media assault, and I simply don’t have time for more. I suspect that many other consumers feel the same way.
*For the record, I LOVE Halloween 3. LOVELOVELOVE it. It’s still a failure.
