by Herbie J Pilato
Don’t you dare smile.
Not if you’re a superhero in any feature film related to the Justice League franchise with Warner Bros. and DC Comics.
In other words: No laughter.
Apparently, that’s the underlined rule (theme?) of the franchise – and what’s good and plenty and profitable enough for the Marvel-Disney Avengers/Guardians of the Galaxy cinematic universe is not so much for the other guys.
This, of course, is insane, mostly because any fully-conceived, well-thought-out and/or successful story, script, film or TV show presents the full-spectrum and balance of drama and humor – as that is the ultimate and sincere reflection of life.
Today, more than ever.
Back in the day, there were dramas and comedies; and for a while, there was dramadies.
But truth be told, in the midst of today’s various genres (straight fiction sci-fi/fantasy, etc.) drama and humor go hand in hand. Again, just like life.
In the contemporary way of thinking, TV shows and films may still be defined in the basic two categories of comedy or drama, but both elements only add to the appeal of any particular script of any definition or genre, mostly because today’s audience (of the big screen and small) are so hip and snarky unto themselves.
No humor? Really? And especially not in a superhero film?
Seriously – what would Guardians of the Galaxy, the most popular motion picture in the universe, have done without humor?
Or how about that winky, witty dialogue created by the genius of Joss Whedon in The Avengers?
What would we have done without that?
What would Disney-Marvel have done without that?
I tell you what we all would have done without that: none of us would have enjoyed either of those films.
Conclusion: to exclude humor from drama, and vice-versa, doesn’t do anything for anybody – and creates nothing but boredom and dullness.
Hello Man of Steel.
Please say it isn’t so Batman v. Superman.
And thank you Downton Abbey, Mad Men, and every other worthy creative platform of balance between the laughter and the tears, be they presentations of the super-heroic or otherwise.
Herbie J Pilato is a Contributing Editor to TVWriter™. You can learn more about him HERE.
