The "realism" thread

[Mrs. Sawyer]

From my perspective, the 'realism' thing is blown completely out of proportion. The fact of the matter is if there's a logic and reason behind the outfit it's going to be easily more accepted by the masses. If it makes sense, even semi-sense, then suspension of disbelief is made easier, suddenly that silly costume has some substance, depth and tangibility to it. And there's nothing wrong with that, there's nothing wrong with segmented costume pieces, with texture, with logic. To use the excuse that it's 'just a superhero film' is kinda lazy, if that's the mind set then fans shouldn't be surprised if people don't take the film seriously, and that's ultimately what it boils down to. For the genre to be taken seriously it has to be treated as such. There's a reason simplicity is paramount in comics, it's because there isn't the time to go into great detail, if there was the time I'd hazard a guess many of the characters we have know be far more detailed, maybe even look completely different. Comics and film really are two completely different mediums, they're not really as adaptable as people think, so there's gotta be compromise somewhere, and to date I think most films have done exactly that.

This is what I've been trying to say. Something's always gotta give with Superhero films because you're trying to input some level of logic in a genre in which little is usually accepted by fans. There has to be some real world logic in order for the GA to accept it. Film and Comics are two different genres with two different sets of rules for a good level of suspension of disbelief.

Just because Captain America's costume has changed doesn't mean the film's going to be grounded in reality.

 

[jmc]

There's a certain irony that fans are so desperate to have their favourite superhero brought to life yet they don't want the costume to look like something from real life. I hate to tell you folks, comic books are not a genre, they're a medium, the sooner you get the design simplicity of comics out of your head the better it will be, and maybe you'll enjoy the movies more. Lets look at superhero films as a whole, the movies studios have done a pretty good job for the most part of in terms of adapting the designs of these characters.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Its not just comics either. Look how Jackson made LOTR more "grounded" than the books.

 

[BlackLantern]

There's a certain irony that fans are so desperate to have their favourite superhero brought to life yet they don't want the costume to look like something from real life. I hate to tell you folks, comic books are not a genre, they're a medium, the sooner you get the design simplicity of comics out of your head the better it will be, and maybe you'll enjoy the movies more. Lets look at superhero films as a whole, the movies studios have done a pretty good job for the most part of in terms of adapting the designs of these characters.

mostly....still not a fan of how the FF uniforms came out

 

[Red Mask]

The costume issue is more about current fashion than style.

 

[BlackLantern]

The costume issue is more about current fashion than style.

could you cite a specific example? I'm a bit murky by what you mean

 

[jmc]

Its not just comics either. Look how Jackson made LOTR more ''grounded'' than the books.

I wouldn't agree with that at all, Jackson's take on LOTR was more or less exactly how I pictured it, I know many others who say the same, Tokien developed such a rich world that it almost feels like a history book as opposed to a piece of fiction, in fact if anything Tokien's books are probably more grounded than Jackson's films, Jackson had to make it cinematic.

 

[kedrell]

Its not just comics either. Look how Jackson made LOTR more "grounded" than the books.

I wouldn'tsay 'grounded' is what he did.

I'd moreso say he simply condensed the story since a film will never have the time luxury that a book gets.

 

[Red Mask]

could you cite a specific example? I'm a bit murky by what you mean

Fashion is more about current clothing trends. Style is more personal and reflects the person who wears the clothes.

A superhero costume is supposed to be flashy. So colors don't always have to mix right. Let's face it, western comic artists aren't fashion designers.

But in today's movie standards bright colored costumes don't look good anymore. This is proven in the X-Men films because the comic costumes would look more ridiculous and outdated. Superman's bright red doesn't mix well with the bright blue and yellow. That's fashion. Nobody believes Capt. America should wear bucaneer boots anymore. Nobody would accept a Batman not wearing body armor instead of the simple leotards and leather boots of the old days. That view is what messed up the costumes in Watchmen. That was supposed to be set in the early 1980's, but instead they're dressed like it was decades later.

It still looks good in comics but not in live-action. This issue is one of the biggest debates on the Wonder Woman film.

 

[BlackLantern]

I thought the costumes in Watchmen (aside from Ozymandias) were pretty good

 

[JAK®]

Fashion is more about current clothing trends. Style is more personal and reflects the person who wears the clothes.

A superhero costume is supposed to be flashy. So colors don't always have to mix right. Let's face it, western comic artists aren't fashion designers.

But in today's movie standards bright colored costumes don't look good anymore. This is proven in the X-Men films because the comic costumes would look more ridiculous and outdated. Superman's bright red doesn't mix well with the bright blue and yellow. That's fashion. Nobody believes Capt. America should wear bucaneer boots anymore. Nobody would accept a Batman not wearing body armor instead of the simple leotards and leather boots of the old days. That view is what messed up the costumes in Watchmen. That was supposed to be set in the early 1980's, but instead they're dressed like it was decades later.

It still looks good in comics but not in live-action.

 

[BlackLantern]

certain colors work on screen....Superman and Spider-man being prime examples

the X-men....bright yellow/gold looks like absolute ass on film

 

[Red Mask]

I thought the costumes in Watchmen (aside from Ozymandias) were pretty good

But not believable for 1980's standards. If it was supposed to help sell toys, I don't think many people really bought them.

 

[JAK®]

certain colors work on screen....Superman and Spider-man being prime examples

the X-men....bright yellow/gold looks like absolute ass on film

X-Men is a strange case. I think they're part of a different argument altogether.

 

[Red Mask]

certain colors work on screen....Superman and Spider-man being prime examples

the X-men....bright yellow/gold looks like absolute ass on film

That's fashion right there. Tim Gunn loved the new WW costume over the classic one. I bet the X-Men flashy costumes would have been great in a 1970's film.

 

[BlackLantern]

X-Men is a strange case. I think they're part of a different argument altogether.

probably...but anyone thinking they are going to get Cyclops in gold/blue, Rogue in yellow/green and Wolverine in blue/gold on the big screen is going to be sorely disappointed

 

[Red Mask]

probably...but anyone thinking they are going to get Cyclops in gold/blue, Rogue in yellow/green and Wolverine in blue/gold on the big screen is going to be sorely disappointed

The X-Men are a peculiar case. The team is supposed to represent different people - those who are outsiders. But to sell the whole team, and the theme, they need to look more subdued and unified. They're repackaging a group of hippies to the squares who love totalitarian Batman.

 

[BlackLantern]

The X-Men are a peculiar case. The team is supposed to represent different people - those who are outsiders. But to sell the whole team, and the theme, they need to look more subdued and unified. They're repackaging a group of hippies to the squares who love totalitarian Batman.

I always liked the old school black and gold outfits...they are essentially a paramilitary strike team, they should look like it

 

[roach]

probably...but anyone thinking they are going to get Cyclops in gold/blue, Rogue in yellow/green and Wolverine in blue/gold on the big screen is going to be sorely disappointed

didnt they say they would be in the old school blue and golds

 

[Red Mask]

I always liked the old school black and gold outfits...they are essentially a paramilitary strike team, they should look like it

I wouldn't really compare them to a paramilitary strike team, but I get your drift. Personality wise, I saw the X-Men as more loose and easy going.

 

[JAK®]

Can I ask anyone what is so ridiculous about a black and grey colour combination?

 

[WildcatNC]

Can I ask anyone what is so ridiculous about a black and grey colour combination?

Nothing at all. If done right it could look bad***.

I also see the point of all black for stealth as well though.



All you really need to do is maintain the suspension of disbelief. Realism is not a factor really, its more the latter.

People just call it realism IMO.

 

[Chris Wallace]

Can I ask anyone what is so ridiculous about a black and grey colour combination?

I could've told you a year or so ago.

 

[roach]

Frank Miller:
"People are attempting to bring a superficial reality to superheroes which is rather stupid. They work best as the flamboyant fantasies they are. I mean, these are characters that are broad and big. I don't need to see sweat patches under Superman's arms. I want to see him fly."

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

Yes, listen to the guy who made the Spirit.