Super-duper

Why is it that Superhero movies command such popularity, what is it we love about them so much? I saw the new Avengers movie this weekend, which in my humble opinion has a stellar cast and excellent script. Still it doesn’t matter whether the film is particularly good or not, Superhero and Action hero films do draw people in. You would think that in the current socio-political and economic climate people would hold less stock in such flights of fantasy. Sure folk want a bit of escapism, maybe a comedy or light hearted romance, but not the seemingly unachievable. You would think Superhero movies would make reality seem so much worse.


I don’t think that is the case though, I think they give us hope. They remind us to believe in a little bit of the unexpected, to aim for great things, because who knows how far we can reach? I should have come away from the film depressed at how ordinary and utterly mediocre, my life is. I didn’t though, I came away exhilarated. Ok I had just spent a couple of hours not having to think about my personal worries and engaging in something very enjoyable, but never-the-less I still felt inspired to do something a little bit better. That is the magic in these films that people take with them.


Superhero movies feel like a bit of escapism, but they also give us a boost and remind us what we are capable of. One of the wonderful things about human nature is our ability to see the bright side. We might not always feel like we can, but we do. We find the things to smile about, things to keep us going despite all the nonsense around us. The government is a bit shit, you might not love your job, or maybe you’re fed up with how things are at home, and if you think about it all at once, it probably makes you feel pretty rubbish. I bet you though, if you really think about it, something made you smile today. Heck maybe it was only something small, maybe it was a bit of schadenfreude, but I bet you did. I am also willing to bet that whatever you are struggling with, even if you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, you are still plowing on. That is what we do. It’s easy to miss things like that in the soup of everyday life, Superhero movies are just something we use to remind ourselves to smile and be a bit more awesome everyday. Right I’m off to find my cape and make the “whoosh” noises!  

(PS if you don’t feel like you can keep going until the light appears at the end of your tunnel, please talk to someone! The Samaritans are on 08457 90 90 90.)