An Analysis of Superhero Movies and Spider-Man Sequels "As a Basic Need of Humanity"

Analyzing Ideology and Narratology in Film Series, Sequels, and Trilogies

Introduction

The superhero figure, which has emerged as one of the most notable cultural phenomena of the past few years, is discussed in this article along with the possibility that it represents a desire for “a basic need of humanity.” After appearing for thousands of years in myths and becoming popular in comic books during the 19th century, the superhero presentation eventually made its way into motion pictures. In these movies, the realism that superheroes represent shapes the audience's conceptions of fantastical places, periods, and realms. Just like any other superhero figure, Spider-Man may appeal to a variety of audiences thanks to its multi-layered, romantic, realistic narrative framework. The study employs a structuralist methodology to examine the superhero figure and the narrative in detail, drawing on sociological and psychological reflections of the savior and hero myth elements. The study intends to explore audience interpretations in addition to delving into a discourse and content analysis of the stories. However, the study also raises the question of whether superheroes are necessary for the audience. The narratives of Spider-Man also illustrate some of the core ideas of mankind, including justice, guilt, citizenship, and governance. With an emphasis on these elements, the study investigates whether or not the audience's preference for superhero blockbusters and Spider-Man sequels can be seen as an attempt to satisfy “a basic desire of humanity.”

Since the 1930s, superheroes—both male and female—have dominated a variety of media formats. With the superhero making a smooth transition from comic books and graphic novels to multi-million dollar blockbuster movies, their popularity has increased beyond measure. A small number of films and their sequels—like the Spider-Man series—are among the numerous ones that have recently attracted tremendous box office revenue or cult followings.

Film productions that are popular usually require large budgets and adaptable plots. Moreover, the ability to produce follow-ups in a series shows how lucrative and difficult the work needs to be. Because of this, it's often accepted as a more reasonable strategy to start with well-known novels, historical fiction, or well-known personalities that have a history in the film industry. Nowadays, it is not unusual to see films based on comic books that first drew readers because these works not only draw sizable audiences but also bring in a sizable sum of money. To sum up, the superhero archetype, prevalent in comic books since the 19th century and depicted in mythology for generations, eventually made a comeback in motion pictures. In these movies, the realism that superheroes represent shapes the audience's conceptions of fantastical places, periods, and realms.

Even though many of the events and actions in the movie could be considered unbelievable or futuristic, fans are likely to stay watching since they are so certain that these superheroes can accomplish anything in life. Since they consciously or unconsciously emulate these superheroes and take them as role models, they aim to be individuals who know no obstacles, are motivated for success, and understand various ways of coping. It doesn't seem like a coincidence that many people still wear superhero t-shirts today. For example, since the beginning of human history, people have fantasized about becoming “mobile” and having the ability to fly. Because of this, the audience found it always exciting when superheroes in the movies displayed this kind of mobility. There have been numerous superhero movies since 1978, when “Superman” had its premiere as Hollywood's first superhero movie. These include “Batman (1989), Spider-Man (2002), Ant-Man (2015), Iron-Man (2008),” etc. Sequels to the first films were made as they became more and more popular.