Volgens Martin Scorsese zijn Marvel films geen cinema

Recentelijk deelde regisseur Martin Scorsese (The Irishman) zijn mening over de Marvel-franchise – of het MCU – en hij is geen fan. Volgens Scorsese zijn de films ‘geen cinema’ maar ‘themaparken’. Hij zei tegenover Empire:

“I don’t see them. I tried, you know? But that’s not cinema. Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks. It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.”

Scorsese’s kritiek op het MCU heeft reacties gekregen van diverse prominenten binnen de franchise. Zo ook Guardians of the Galaxy regisseur James Gunn. Hij reageerde:

“Martin Scorsese is one of my 5 favourite living filmmakers. I was outraged when people picketed [his film] The Last Temptation of Christ without having seen the film. I’m saddened that he’s now judging my films in the same way. That said, I will always love Scorsese, be grateful for his contribution to cinema, and can’t wait to see The Irishman. And I’m not saying religious zealotry is the same as not liking my movies, or in the same category. What I’m saying is I’m not fond of people judging things without actually seeing them, whether it’s a movie about Jesus or a genre.”

Samuel L. Jackson, die Nick Fury speelt in het MCU, reageerde ook op Scorsese’s commentaar. In gesprek met Variety, verdedigde Jackson Marvel-films tegen de kritiek van de regisseur, een regisseur waar hij in het verleden mee samenwerkte met Goodfellas. Hij vertelde:

“I mean that’s like saying Bugs Bunny ain’t funny. Films are films. Everybody doesn’t like his stuff either. Everybody’s got an opinion, so I mean it’s okay. Ain’t going to stop nobody from making movies.”

Tijdens The Howard Stern Show sprak ook Robert Downey Jr. over de opmerking van Scorsese. De acteur reageerde:

“I mean it plays in theaters. I appreciate [Scorsese’s] opinion. I think it’s like anything where we need all of the different perspectives so we can come to center and move on. It’d be like saying Howard Stern isn’t radio. It makes no sense to say it. Of course he’s not jealous of the success. He’s Martin Scorsese. By the way, there is a lot to be said for how these genre movies, and I was happy to be part of the “problem,” if there is one, but how they have denigrated the era, the art form of cinema. When you come in like a stomping beast and you eliminate the competition in such a demonstrative way, it’s phenomenal.”