tech
Why do this spring’s blockbusters feel so smug?
From action thrillers to sci-fi flicks, a deluge of recent releases are riddled with self-satisfied smarm
TL;DR
- Many new films, including Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, are marketed as genre-mashing but rely on dated comedic modes like pop culture references and jokes about ignorance.
- The "screenwriter comedy" trend, influenced by Joss Whedon, Tarantino, and Deadpool, prioritizes a smug, self-aware irreverence over genuine humor.
- These films often substitute actual comedy with profanity, ironic music cues, and a focus on showing off the filmmakers' supposed cleverness.
- The success of Deadpool is blamed for turning R-rated superhero movies into outlets for comedy, leading to a lack of dedicated comedy films and a reliance on spectacle with embedded humor.
- The article suggests these films are more about "attitudes in search of a joke" or "cleverness in search of a subject" rather than true genre hybrids.