Okay, here it goes.
I hate the geeks who go to a movie based on a comic book or video game and can't just roll with the punches. It has to be understood that these movies aren't really made for the die hard fans.
They aren't made for the collectors or the fanboys or the cosplayers. They will never be made for the people like us who are actually really passionate and care about these characters and worlds that have been shaped for us, and by us, for many, many years.
That being said, Iron Man 3 made me want to draw and quarter everyone involved with it.
It's not because they made up an original story that isn't based on any comic book story; That's great.
It's not because they added a ton of spectacle and flash; That has to be there to make an interesting movie.
It isn't even because they took the one real opportunity they had to make an honest to God believable and interesting villain for Iron Man to fight in a movie and made him a completely juvenile joke.
The reason that I had so much issue with this movie is the same reason I had issue with X-men Origins: Wolverine.
They lead the hardcore fan base, like myself, to believe that maybe, this time at least, they are going to do something different and take an interesting and unusual character and use that character to it's full potential. They pick a great actor to play the character so that you are even more interested and excited. Then they show you the previews for a year with everything set up to make things look like they will be miraculously true to form.
And then you go to the movie and the first half of it is amazing and you get wrapped up in it and the suspense starts to become unbearable. And then, at that climactic moment, the people responsible for the great film you have been watching, decide to take a minute to laugh behind their hands and then there is a big FUCK YOU, NERDS!!!
And that character that you have been so excited for takes a total 180 and turns into the whole reason why you will always and have always hated movie adaptations of anything.
It's like if you were listening to your favorite band play a live show and they started to play your all time favorite song, that one that taps into all your best emotions and memories, and it's the best you've ever heard, until they hit the midway point in the song and stop, look at the audience and say, "Well, you idiots gave us your money already, so instead of finishing this song the way you love it, we're just gonna sing a few rounds of row, row, row your boat and piss in your face when we're done. Why? Mostly because fuck you, that's why."
I don't begrudge Hollywood making money and I understand that the majority of people will really enjoy the movie. It's a fun, action filled escape from real life and I don't think anyone is stupid or foolish for liking it and having a good time.
I do however hate the idea they have that people are incapable of adapting to a different concept and enjoying it. Then again, I suppose that's what we have demonstrated in the past.
Hell, look at the success of Avatar. There has never been a more blatant rip off of someone else's work than that movie. But it made a tone of money. Not because the story was interesting or the acting was good or even because the writing was adequate; It wasn't.
It made a ton of money because it was shiny and had pretty colors.
Oh well. I'm done now. Sorry to anyone who actually read this. i just had to complain and it seemed the best place to do it was on here. Don't want to ruin anyone's fun.
-HC
