The Power and the Curse of Expectations
Apr. 4th, 2016 05:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alobearThe cinema experience is largely determined by expectations. This weekend has been a prime example.
I went to see Zootropolis on Friday night, expecting great things. And yes, it was very good, with lots of great visual detail, tons of clever devices, great characters, funny moments, and a feel-good vibe. But it didn't surprise and delight me the way it probably would have done if I'd gone in with no prior information about what to expect.
Today, on the other hand, I went to see Batman vs Superman - and loved it. Anyone going in, expecting an Avengers-style romp is going to be sorely disappointed, because Marvel, this ain't. And the trailer is at least partially to blame here, because it made the film look fun, and it's really not. I went in, knowing very little about the plot (I'm really glad I wasn't spoilered) and knowing only that most people don't seem to have liked it so far, and that it wasn't very funny. It turned out to be, in my opinion, a quite hard-hitting exploration of power, the abuse of power, and the perception and portrayal of those with power. And, in terms of tone and spectacle - it was Wagnerian - that's the only word for it. Sturm und drang, all the way. I just went with it, and it was tremendous. Don't get me wrong - it made very little sense, and had some serious flaws (Martha and Lois apparently exist only to be rescued, and don't get me started on Wonder Woman's costume) - but it swept me along in a storm of excitement, action and operatic music - and I loved it.
I went to see Zootropolis on Friday night, expecting great things. And yes, it was very good, with lots of great visual detail, tons of clever devices, great characters, funny moments, and a feel-good vibe. But it didn't surprise and delight me the way it probably would have done if I'd gone in with no prior information about what to expect.
Today, on the other hand, I went to see Batman vs Superman - and loved it. Anyone going in, expecting an Avengers-style romp is going to be sorely disappointed, because Marvel, this ain't. And the trailer is at least partially to blame here, because it made the film look fun, and it's really not. I went in, knowing very little about the plot (I'm really glad I wasn't spoilered) and knowing only that most people don't seem to have liked it so far, and that it wasn't very funny. It turned out to be, in my opinion, a quite hard-hitting exploration of power, the abuse of power, and the perception and portrayal of those with power. And, in terms of tone and spectacle - it was Wagnerian - that's the only word for it. Sturm und drang, all the way. I just went with it, and it was tremendous. Don't get me wrong - it made very little sense, and had some serious flaws (Martha and Lois apparently exist only to be rescued, and don't get me started on Wonder Woman's costume) - but it swept me along in a storm of excitement, action and operatic music - and I loved it.
