A Reel Opinion: Oscars v. Superheroes

This week, history was made when Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER became the first film based on a comic book/superhero to be nominated for Best Picture. The Ryan Coogler-directed adaptation of one of Marvel Comics’ oldest heroes, earned six other nominations, making it the third-most nominated of the year. The film has also earned several nominations in the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, and the Critics Choice Awards. The nominations top off a very successful year for Marvel and its competitors, with seven of the top 11 domestic earners of 2018 being superhero films. 

The accolades are a big step forward not only for Marvel, but for comic book and superhero films in general. Usually films like BLACK PANTHER and its cousins are restricted to the technical categories, such as visual effects and sound editing/mixing. For decades, there has been a snobbery among the Oscars and the awards circuits when it comes to superhero films; they were seemingly considered to be too cartoony, too flashy, too noisy…and basically kids movies. But as this Blogger wrote a year ago (HERE), the path for a superhero to make Best Picture has been made easier in recent years. In 2008, Heath Ledger from THE DARK KNIGHT took home a Best Supporting Actor win, and last year, LOGAN earned a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay; the first of its kind to do so. After nearly 40 years, it seems that capes and masks are finally being taken seriously. 

With the overabundance of superhero films every year, audiences and voters certainly have enough to choose from, but not all of them hit that special mark to earn a Best Picture consideration. THE DARK KNIGHT was the first to actually feel like a true film, and LOGAN played out like a Western. BLACK PANTHER, which was the first black superhero, certainly earned its place in history by bringing that character to the screen, but its story was by-the-numbers; a common criticism from even the films biggest fans. 

So why the accolades? BLACK PANTHER may seem like any other Marvel film, but there is something to be said about a movie that makes such a massive cultural impact. Today the character can be seen on t-shirts everywhere, and people yelling “Wakanda forever” is now quite common. When a film inserts itself into pop culture, even the snobbiest of awards voters can’t look away. 

BLACK PANTHER is not expected to win Best Picture, as it lacks nominations in the vital categories such as Directing, Screenplay, Editing, and Acting. But just as the character opened doors for others in the 1960’s, it can and will open doors for its followers. Just as this Blogger predicted a year ago (HERE), the day is coming when a superhero wins the last Oscar of the evening, and we are one hero closer.

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Read Reel Speak’s reaction to the 91^stAcademy Award nominations HERE.