Martin Scorsesedoesn’t consider the Marvel Cinematic Universe to be cinema.The Irishmandirector is out promoting the movie, which has been getting rave reviews. Some are even hailing Scorsese’s Netflix collaboration an instant classic and a masterpiece. WhileMarvel movieshave been able to dominate the box office,Avengers: Endgameis the highest grossing movie of all time, and get good marks with critics, Scorsese isn’t buying what they’re selling at all.
Marvel Studios has been able to take over the theatrical landscape in the past eleven years, but not everybody thinks the movies are all that great. Martin Scorsese doesn’t believe they are, and yes, he has tried watching them, though he did not reveal which ones. He had this to say about the MCU and where it fits in with today’s cultural landscape in the entertainment industry.
“I don’t see them. I tried, you know? But that’s not cinema. Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks. It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.”
Martin Scorsese’s opinion may bum out some hardcore MCU fans, but it’s his own belief. He isn’t trashing the movies or saying he’s glad Iron Man is dead, he’s simply voicing his opinion. The 76-year old director is a cinematic legend and has earned the right to his own opinion, though many wish Marvel Studios would have handled the de-aging technology inThe Irishman. Scorsese has paid his dues and made cinematic history in the process.
Raging Bull,Good Fellas,Taxi Driver,Casino,The King of Comedy, andThe Departedare just a sampling of some of Martin Scorsese’s work over his long career. Scorsese made so many iconic movies that everyone tries to emulate, which is proven by Todd Phillips’Jokermovie. Phillips is trying to take the superhero comic book movie and elevate it by taking inspiration from what Scorsese did in the past, specifically withThe King of Comedy. Scorsese read theJokerscript and offered his advice, though Phillips won’t reveal what thelegendary directortold him.
Quentin Tarantino is a big fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. BeforeAvengers: Endgamehit theaters, the director was trying to go back and fill in the gaps of the ones he missed. When asked about a favorite, Tarantino likesThor: Ragnarokthe best, which is a testament to the hard work that Taika Waititi and Chris Hemsworth put into reinventing the God of Thunder. Martin Scorsese does not agree, and that’s fine. He has earned the right to basically do whatever he wants, including calling the MCU out for not being cinema. The interview with Martin Scorsese was originally conducted byEmpire Magazineand can be found in the latest issue.
