In the perpetual clash of DC versus Marvel, a new battleground emerges – cinematography. Despite Marvel’s box office dominance, recent critiques suggest a shortfall in the cinematic storytelling arena, labeling it an “artistic failure” compared to its DC counterpart.
While Marvel’s earlier phases, especially the MCU until Phase 3, saw significant success, the quality appears to have tapered off in Phase 4. On the flip side, DC, with its ups and downs, is currently undergoing a promising renaissance under James Gunn and Peter Safran.
DC’s cinematic triumph lies in its attention to detail and cinematography, a feature notably praised in Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker,’ Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight‘ trilogy, Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman,’ and Zack Snyder’s ‘Justice League/Snyderverse.’ The meticulous composition of shots and sequences contributes to the storytelling, evident in the cinematic masterpiece ‘The Batman.’
Marvel, despite commanding larger audiences and box office revenue, faces criticism for lackluster cinematography. The comparison between ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home‘ and ‘The Batman,’ both created with similar budgets, underscores the glaring difference in visual storytelling.
While ‘No Way Home‘ succeeded commercially, fans argue it falls short as an artistic endeavor, emphasizing the need for Marvel to address the issue in how their big-budget films are visually presented.
Fans on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) express their sentiments, highlighting the stark contrast in cinematographic prowess between the two comic book giants. Roger Deakins’ endorsement of ‘The Batman’s‘ cinematography, suggesting it deserved the Oscar for Best Cinematography at the 2023 Oscars, adds weight to the argument.
The debate extends to CGI quality, with fans asserting that ‘No Way Home‘ resembles a collection of extended cameos and fan service, lacking a coherent story. Marvel’s cinematic approach is criticized for resembling “ugly TV episodes with a grey filter.”
As fans passionately engage in the Marvel vs. DC debate on cinematography, it becomes evident that, for this aspect, DC has gained an upper hand, leaving Marvel enthusiasts with less ground to defend their cinematic achievements.
