Superhero Movies That Won’t Hold Up In The Present Day
Superhero Movies have mesmerized kids and born dreamers through many generations. A few movies intrigued the audience right from the time of their release till the present. Despite being well-loved by the viewers of their time, a few films cannot hold their own in front of today’s viewers. The scientific advancement during the past 20 years has brought a profound change in the style of sci-fi and superhero entertainment. Hence, today’s audience may not appreciate some famous superhero movies well-liked by current Gen-X. This article explores some of those films that might be irrelevant on today’s screens.
1. Zorro, The Gay Blade (1981)
1940 film ‘The Mark of Zorro’ had gained accolades from that age’s viewers. ‘Zorro, the Gay Blade’ was developed as a sequel to the cult-classic. The plot revolves around Don Diego de la Vega and his gay twin brother Ramon ‘Bunny’ de la Vega. The movie failed to keep up the comic sequences and smooth relay of the story as its prequel.
2. Meteor Man (1993)
Inspired by an eponymous comic series, it was a hit among 90s kids. Following in the footsteps of the ‘Batman’ film, it revolves around teacher Jefferson Reed, who draws power from a meteor fragment and fights crimes in an urban setting. The film has lost its sting over time. Viewers still applaud Bill Cosby’s portrayal of vagrant ‘Marvin.’
3. The Shadow (1994)
This superhero movie centers around one of the earlier versions of a hero with mind-control powers. Protagonist Lamont Cranston learns hypnotism and reality-bending from Tibetan godman Tulku. he uses those powers to foil terrorist plots. More developed characters like Dr. Strange and Scarlet Witch will easily overshadow the Shadow.
4. Mask of Zorro (1998)
Mask of Zorro was a blockbuster superhero movie of its time with a versatile star-cast and the Spielberg-Salomon dream-team. The Zorro vigilante saga gained a new protagonist in Don Diego’s successor. The plot was similar to many Latino revenge dramas. However, the lack of a gripping unique story would not appeal to today’s viewers.
5. Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV (2000)
This superhero movie was an earlier variant of satire comedies, making it an excellent watch for a diverse audience. The mockery of socio-economic disparities mixed up with a seemingly childish storyline appealed to the Gen-X audience. however, more versatile films in the satire genre have successfully wiped out the series’ popularity.
6. Iron Man (2008)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has delivered multiple mind-blowing movies in the Avengers series. Iron Man is a well-loved character, but his original film doesn’t have much appeal. A weak ill-spun ending dampens the edge present in the comics. This superhero movie was a disappointment compared to other MCU creations.
7. The Lone Ranger (2013)
Armie Hammer’s character John Reid takes the viewers through a lawless old West journey, spun on the Cowboy-Indian rivalry. It wasn’t very well received by the audience or critics, primarily because of Johnny Depp’s weak portrayal of Tonto. Today’s youth considers the rivalry distasteful and prefers inclusion of all races, so the film gaining popularity is unlikely.
8. Doctor Strange (2016)
The Doctor Strange comics were another series of Marvel that readers adored. The screen adaptation was substandard at best. The movie contained multiple labels of oriental mystery-magic, the white savior concept, and other subtle racist symbols. Today’s viewers may actively avoid indulging in such a film.
All of the above superhero movies were moderately well-received by the audience and critics alike during their time. But real cult-classics stand the test of time and changing taste of the viewers. So tell us about your thoughts in the comments.
