Exploring the Greatest Challenges in DC Comics Cinema: Writing and Character Development

When it comes to evaluating the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) and Marvel's offerings, there are several aspects that stand out in comparison. This article delves into the unique challenges faced by the DCEU, particularly focusing on writing and character development, as well as how these elements impact the overall plot and cinematography. We'll also look at how recent efforts by DC have improved in these areas.

The Biggest Problem: Writing

According to many critics and fans, the core issue with the DCEU lies in its writing. While the dialogue is often praised, the broader narratives and storytelling suffer, leading to plot complications and cinematic pacing issues. Notable examples include Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League.

In Man of Steel, the storyline is solid, but the execution, or projection, could be better. On the other hand, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice tried to tackle a complex range of ideas, but the overabundance of plot elements obscured the main narrative. The Justice League film, a combination of two movies, suffers from a bloated runtime and excessive use of slow-motion shots, which detracted from the overall quality. A shorter runtime, around 3 hours, might have made the film more coherent and engaging.

A Balanced Approach: Characters and Humor

While writing is crucial, character development and humor play significant roles in making a character-driven film more appealing. In contrast to the brooding and serious tone often associated with Batman, Iron Man introduced a more light-hearted and humorous approach, which resonated well with audiences.

The Guardians of the Galaxy film exemplified this approach, with its kitsch characters, sense of humor, and big adventure elements. Despite Suicide Squad attempting to capture the offbeat humor, it fell short of delivering a cohesive blend of humor and drama. Shazam came close to success but perhaps went too far with its portrayal, as mentioned by the author's wife, who noted some valid critiques.

Towards Improvement: Recent Efforts by DC

While the DCEU has faced criticism, recent films have shown promising signs of improvement. The storytelling in Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) and Peacemaker (2022), in particular, has been more cohesive and focused. Snyder's version of Justice League, although longer, was well-received by some fans who felt it offered a more consistent storyline. On the other hand, the 2-hour cut of Justice League left out significant details but was praised for its brisk pacing.

Another positive step is the shift towards a more light-hearted and less serious tone in recent films, as seen in the SPDC (Suicide Squad: Peacemaker). This approach helps in making the characters more relatable and engaging, providing a balance between drama and humor.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while writing and character development are the two most critical issues in DC movies, there is hope for improvement. The key lies in maintaining a balanced narrative that can appeal to a wider audience. By integrating more light-hearted elements and focusing on character arcs, DC can further enhance the writing and storytelling in its films, making them more engaging and memorable for viewers.