Defending ‘Dumb’ Superheroes

Superheroes are the coin of Hollywood’s realm, but two prominent stars wish that weren’t the case.

Director William Friedkin of “The Exorcist” and “French Connection” fame recently blasted the genre, saying he would never accept a gig directing an actor in tights. Films used to focus on real people and events, not colorfully clad heroes saving the day one pixel at a time, Friedkin argued.

Actor and writer Simon Pegg of “Shaun of the Dead” and “Star Trek” fame also targeted superhero projects for “dumbing down” the culture at large. These costumed heroes are distracting us from real-world problems, he contends.

Does he mean terrorism, the evolving media landscape and what it means to sacrifice for the people you love? Because those principles are front and center in the best superhero fare. Yes, the genre’s bombast and vapid punch lines can leave some audiences cold, but the modern superhero project is far more ambitious than Adam West parading around in a rubber cowl circa the 1960s series “Batman.”

Take “The Dark Knight” trilogy, arguably the most beloved superhero franchise in the minds of both critics and movie goers. Bruce Wayne didn’t just battle the Joker and Bane in the final two films. The millionaire’s saga revolved around the notion of terrorism, media manipulation and the very real Occupy Wall Street movement. There’s nothing dumb about those topics, and Batman drilled deep into each in fascinating ways.

The modern superhero project is far more ambitious than Adam West parading around in a rubber cowl …

Alfred, the butler, shared his views on how grease paint covered villains like the Joker must be handled with his employer. Not all bad guys can be rehabilitated, let alone talked out of their dastardly plans.

“Some men just wanna watch the world burn,” Michael Caine’s Alfred cautioned during an emotionally tense exchange.

Or consider “Daredevil,” Netflix’s gritty take on the blind Marvel hero. The show explores what it means to be a hero, to put one’s life on the line to protect the innocent. It’s a battle Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) struggles with on a daily basis. The show treats the subject seriously, no matter how silly our hero may look in his crimson fighting attire.

The 2014 smash “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” questioned the use of technology like drone warfare in the age of terror. Next year’s “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” examines what it means to have the ultimate power, a possible metaphor for America’s place on the world stage.

Even the Iron Man franchise, built around the indefatigable Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), deals directly with weapons manufacturers. Just how much responsibility do they deserve when their product falls into the wrong hangs? Or even the right ones?

Had Hollywood produced a superhero film once every few years the industry could have stuck to the Pow! Bam! Zoom! storytelling model. Today’s superhero films aim higher, incorporating serious issues into the blockbuster theatrics. And there’s nothing dumb about that.