Rebooting (and re-rebooting) known film franchises seems to be a curious trend of the new millenium. The Hulk, Spiderman, Batman, Superman (twice), Robocop, Judge Dredd, TMNT... you name it.
Don't get me wrong. There's nothing inherently wrong with rebooting a film franchise. If the previous series (or even first film) was just not working, then better start anew with fresh ideas than try to forcefully drag a dead horse any more. Most of the mentioned reboots are, in fact, quite ok. For example the Batman film series of the 80's and 90's was getting completely ridiculous and needed a serious and complete rehaul. The same can be said of most of the other film series as well.
However, what does grind my gears with this is that every single time without fail, when they reboot the series, they just have to show the origin story again in the first new film. Every. Single. Time.
Why? How many times do we have to see how Spiderman got his powers or where Superman came from? Why do they always have to repeat this over and over and over (even if it's with small variations)?
We don't need to see the origin story over and over. We already know it. Just skip it. Treat the world as the superhero just existing and that's it. No need to explain where he or she came from.
Take note of, for example, the Judge Dredd movies (the horrible Stallone one and the quite good new one.) They don't have to show any kind of origin story. The world is just as it is, no explanations needed. Dredd just is, no need to tell his childhood story. Skip all the boring stuff and go directly to the action. That's how it should be.
Don't get me wrong. There's nothing inherently wrong with rebooting a film franchise. If the previous series (or even first film) was just not working, then better start anew with fresh ideas than try to forcefully drag a dead horse any more. Most of the mentioned reboots are, in fact, quite ok. For example the Batman film series of the 80's and 90's was getting completely ridiculous and needed a serious and complete rehaul. The same can be said of most of the other film series as well.
However, what does grind my gears with this is that every single time without fail, when they reboot the series, they just have to show the origin story again in the first new film. Every. Single. Time.
Why? How many times do we have to see how Spiderman got his powers or where Superman came from? Why do they always have to repeat this over and over and over (even if it's with small variations)?
We don't need to see the origin story over and over. We already know it. Just skip it. Treat the world as the superhero just existing and that's it. No need to explain where he or she came from.
Take note of, for example, the Judge Dredd movies (the horrible Stallone one and the quite good new one.) They don't have to show any kind of origin story. The world is just as it is, no explanations needed. Dredd just is, no need to tell his childhood story. Skip all the boring stuff and go directly to the action. That's how it should be.
In my opinion, origin is often the most interesting part of a superhero's story. They are often unique, and have great potential. They can be combined with other plots and action too. Guess we have to agree to disagree here.
ReplyDeleteWe might know it, having been fans for years, and it may be annoying to see it every single reboot... However, I believe the origin story is included more for the benefit of those new to the story and/or character than for us. . .
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