Marvel films do explore ideas though. Just like Star Wars does, Marvel has a central theme of good vs evil. They captivate, they make people identify with the characters. I mean Goodfellas shows the innerworking of the criminal underworld, thats as far removed from normal life as say an alien invasion. People were cheering Capt America on, they were moved to tears when Iron Man sacrifices himself, they clearly identified with the fantastic storylines. I think Scorcese does a disservice to people when he starts to dictate what their imagination should be limited to.
But does of this really have any ideological heft? Having a central theme in itself is easy. Any of us could come up with a central theme or idea or even basic storyline for a Marvel movie quite quickly. Actually executing that storyline in a way that's highly original, interesting or unique, or in a way that actually has something to say, is an entirely different matter.
The latest Avengers film wasn't really the product of a director's wider vision - had the directors not done what the studio wanted them to they'd have probably been sacked for new ones to come in, because the primary purpose of most Marvel films isn't to necessarily say something but to be marketable and entertaining in a way that's fairly accessible and easy to watch for a wide family audience. Had the directors who made it not been around, someone else would've done it instead. The product, while perhaps slightly different in places, would've largely been the same.
Goodfellas is, I'd argue, something that's much more closely related to normal life than your average Marvel film. The idea of being a nobody in life and having no real choices but using crime as a way to advance yourself is probably relevant to a lot of people in poorer areas who've had struggles with the law. It takes a look at corruption and how this works on a minute level. It looks at the power structures of the Italian mafia, and when characters overstep the boundaries of these structures or feck with them there are consequences. It takes a look at the psychological impact of drug use and domestic abuse. I'd say these things hit home a lot closer to people than an entire city being destroyed on a whim and then being fine the next day.
It's sort of a difficult one to fully pin down...because even films that do say something are simultaneously trying to make money, and Scorsese certainly will want his films to do well...because most people like having money, and that money then justifies whatever film project he's got going on next. Indeed, part of the reason Scorsese's done well is because he's combined being a genuinely talented director with films that are often incredibly stimulating and enjoyable in a way that's viable commercially. He knows how to use big actors and knows how to exploit their star appeal.
But while the Avengers, or any of the other Marvel films are movies that are made, are going to be made anyway, Scorsese's films are undoubtedly Scorsese films. They aren't perfect, and some of them aren't necessarily even
that good, but he's got a recognisable directorial style that shines through in pretty much all of his movies, and he's generally trying to say something or show something in those films, even if they're not perfect, and even if the point isn't always that interesting.
I'm not sure the same can be said for Marvel movies. Iron Man sacrificing himself may seem dramatic now...but will it mean anything when some major Hollywood actor is inevitably cast as him again in five years?
