FUN
Marvel: A
This is where Marvel excels. Even the most pedestrian Marvel movies are fun pieces of sugar-coated shlock. At their best, the Marvel films are an absolute blast. I can’t imagine a more fun film than Civil War. If you didn’t have a big, stupid smile on your face during the airport fight scene, I don’t think I want to know you.
DC: C
At some point Warner Bros. decided that fun wasn’t going to be the compass they used to steer their ship. Man of Steel and Batman v Superman were about as fun as a trip to the charcuterie shop, though Suicide Squad did a much better job of lightening the tone. Still, a little more fun wouldn’t hurt.
SCORE/MUSIC
Marvel: D
Marvel movies seem to skimp on the score. Once in a while you get a knock it out of the park soundtrack like James Gunn assembled for Guardians of the Galaxy. But for the most part the cinematic Marvel scores are kind of forgettable. While writing this piece I tried to think of a single piece of memorable music, and all I could muster was a few bars of the music playing during the Avengers credits.
DC: B+
This would have been an ‘A’, because Hans Zimmer’s Man of Steel and Batman v Superman output are amazing works and used in unique ways. Like how the World Engine noises from Man of Steel are woven into Batman’s flashbacks and nightmares. The Man of Steel theme is one of the most iconic of the past decade. The reason it’s not an “A” is because Suicide Squad shit the bed with their kitchen sink soundtrack of on-the-nose greatest hits that often felt woefully placed.
REWATCHABILITY (technically not a word)
Marvel: C+
There are three Marvel movies I’ve watched more than once: Iron Man, Avengers, and Guardians of the Galaxy. I could probably go the rest of my life without seeing any of the rest. I’ll probably watch Civil War again in the comfort of my own home to enjoy some of those amazing moments. The rest of the Marvel catalog are one-and-done affairs that don’t really offer much in terms of repeat viewings.
DC: C+
Man of Steel was such a weird, wonderful monstrosity of a film, as was Batman v Superman. There were so many questionable choices and deviations from the source material. I’m still trying to figure out why the Kryptonian prison pods for Zod and company looked like intergalactic dildos. The haphazard editing on the theatrical cut of Batman v Superman made watching the Ultimate Edition practically a mandate. If there is ever a director’s Cut of Suicide Squad, I will most assuredly watch it for the same reasons: morbid curiosity. So while I found myself more interested in rewatching the DC movies, I don’t know if I can legitimately grade them higher.
FUTURE POTENTIAL
Marvel: A
Doctor Strange with Cumberbatch and the team behind Sinister. Guardians of the Galaxy 2. Ryan Coogler helming Black Panther. Captain Marvel with Brie Larson. Infinity War. Thor: Ragnarok featuring Planet Hulk. If you can’t muster enthusiasm for this line up, then you may be an undiagnosed CIPA patient.
DC: B
That Justice League Comic-Con footage was fantastic. It felt like after three films we’re starting to see some tonal shifts in the right direction. I loved Bruce assembling… I mean bringing together the Justice League. I loved Ezra Miller’s Flash. The trailer for Wonder Woman was pretty damn great. In spite of the messy monstrosities of their first three efforts, there are still things to look forward to in the DC Extended Universe.
So there we have it: two franchises with pros and cons but with plenty to look forward to. Do you agree?
Anghus Houvouras
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Originally published August 16, 2016. Updated November 30, 2022.
