论文总字数：32333字
摘 要
随着DC和Marvel等公司近年来的不断壮大，超级英雄电影成为美国电影市场上迅速崛起的新星，创造了一个又一个票房奇迹。那么超级英雄电影的形成原因是什么呢？本文将从个性、文化、社会等角度对其进行分析。
关键字：超级英雄电影；形成；漫威；原因；性格；文化；社会
Contents
Abstract i
摘要 ii
Contents iii
Chapter One: Introduction 1
1.1 Background 1
1.2 Features of Superhero Movies 1
1.2.1 Construction of A Systemized Movie Universe 1
1.2.2 Characters of Costume 2
1.2.3 Narrative Mode 3
1.3 Significance of the research 4
1.4 Layout of the thesis 4
Chapter Two: Personality Cause 6
2.1 Individualism 6
2.1.1 History of Individualism 6
2.1.2 Individualism in Superhero Movies and Its Influences on Audience 7
2.2 Spirit of Adventure 7
2.2.1 Origin of Spirit of Adventure 7
2.2.2 Spirit of Adventure in Superhero Movies 8
ChapterThree: Cultural Cause 9
3.1 Cultural Imperialism 9
3.1.1 Definition 9
3.1.2 Relations between Superhero Movies and Cultural Imperialism 9
3.2 Several Stages of Comic Books 10
Chapter Four: Social Cause 12
4.1 Pursuit of Democracy and Freedom 12
4.2 Sense of Crisis 12
4.2.1 Survival Crisis 12
4.2.2 Humanity Crisis 13
4.2.3 Faith Crisis 13
4.3 American Exceptionalism 14
Chapter Five: Conclusion 15
5.1 Summary 15
5.2 Predictions on the Future of Superhero Movies 15
5.3 Limitations and suggestions for further study 16
References 17
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background
“Hero” has always been a concept with great emotional appeal in American movies. Superhero, as an imaginary character, was firstly created by American or Japanese comics and later brought to TV series and films. Equipped with super power, they are able to do something extremely brave and heroic, such as protecting civilians from vicious powers. Generally, each one of them has a characteristic costume and a unique name matched with his or her powers.
Since the Richard Donner movie Superman in 1978, films about how a hero with super power punishes the evil and praises the good have became prevalent and blockbusters. Then, superheroes like Batman, Ironman, Captain America and Hulk emerge constantly and are all well liked by audience. When it comes to the 21st century, technology of filmmaking has been developing rapidly, which enables superhero movies to dominate film market. From 2000 to 2012, Hollywood made 62 superhero movies, accounting for less than 1% of the total number of films but more than 10% of market shares (Charlie, 2013). Among the top 10 movies in 2014, 4 were superhero movies; Guardians of the Galaxy, the box office champion, reaped 0.33 billion dollars. In addition to domestic success, those superhero films are well-received overseas. Take China as an example. In 2014, Captain America reaped more than 60 million dollars in the mainland of China, top 1 grade in its overseas box office. X-Men: Days of Future Past in China contributes 250 million dollars in the second weekend. What are superhero films and what are the characteristics they all share? This chapter will first offer a definition of superhero movies and then expand on the significance of the current study as well as an overview of the thesis.
1.2 Features of Superhero Movies
1.2.1 Construction of A Systemized Movie Universe
Superhero movies generally refer to films that are focused on the actions of one or more superheroes: individuals who usually possess superhuman abilities relative to a normal person and are dedicated to protecting the public. More or less, three elements cut across all superhero films: a systematic universe, characteristic costumes and similar narrative mode.
All the superheroes reside in the same “universe” that the film industry created along with all these characters. The new “universe” resembles or reflects the real world to a certain degree but also runs on its own logics and rules. Marvel, the film company went several stages of constructing the “new” universe.
The first stage began with the stories about those three characters and ended with The Avengers. At the time Ironman was released, the public had not realized Marvel’s ambition. Not until Tony Stark showed up in the end of Incredible Hulk did we know there was going to be a series of superhero movies.
From Ironman in 2008 to the coming The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Marvel is about to finish two stages of its universe construction. Last year, Marvel’s CEO Kevin Feige claimed the third stage, including Ant-Man, Captain America III, Doctor Strange, The Avengers III, etc.
Such relevance will drive audience to watch the entire series to seek for clues and predict the future direction. Such bundle sales make sure that Marvel’s every superhero movie will win great attention and box office.
With this “new” universe, an exotic but also familiar world to the audience, Marvel could incorporate an infinite number of new characters. Each time Marvel comes up with a new creation, all it has to do is to find a place for this newly emerged hero among a group of existing heroes. Furthermore, Marvel could create interactions between different characters. For instance, it would not surprise us if we see Hulk and Ironman fight side by side against evil. But allowing different superhero story lines to intersect, the film company successfully draws the audience to a new film or characters, if they are already fond of the existing ones.
1.2.2 Characters of Costume
For most people, the most obvious feature that superhero movies have is that every superhero has an eye-catching and iconic costume that by itself speaks loudly. Superman’s red and blue tight with a big S in the chest and a red cloak is the earliest well-known costume. With more and more superheroes emerging, costumes have changed a lot. The appearance of Ironman’s armor means costume is no longer limited to tights while Hulk’s green skin, also a kind of costume to some extent, means that costume is not just clothes any more. But all those costumes have one thing in common: representative and unforgettable. Costumes are the totem and symbol of superheroes. For instance, batman has a bat-like mask and a black costume with a cloak, which correspond with the creature bat and batman’s preference to act at night. Spiderman’s costume has a reticulated surface, much like a cobweb, which also accord to Spiderman’s special power to produce cobwebs.
Those costumes play a significant part in the superhero movies with the ability to leave a quick impression on audience’s mind. What’s more, totems, symbols and costumes are likely to attract worship. Since superheroes are marked by their costumes, they can easily attract millions of followers worldwide.
1.2.3 Narrative Mode
All superhero films, despite their vanity, follow a uniform narrative mode that resembles a fairy tale or a folklore. First, none of the superhero are born superheroes; on the contrary, they all have to experience or deals, quests or tests in order to achieve self-discovery and growth. Sometimes the process of coming to terms with their own destinies was so prolonged that the move process of self-discovery becomes the heroic act itself. For example, Spiderman did not intend to change the world at the first time, but due to his guilt to his family member and anger to the killer, he began to use his superpower and gradually felt responsible for every ordinary people’s life. Ironman built his first super armor just to escape alive from the terrorists. However, later, he upgraded his armor again and again and finally he realized the more powerful he was, the more responsibility he should take.
Second, there are always “antagonist”, the dark, evil characters that rival with superheroes throughout the film. It would not be an overstatement to say that superheroes are made by their rivals. Without “antagonist”, the exact contrast and opposite of everything the superheroes stand for, the superheroes would not turn out to be the persons they are.
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