Martin Scorsese Says Marvel Movies Are ‘Not Cinema’

Iconic director Martin Scorsese has lashed out on the topic of Marvel movies. The director of films such as Goodfellas and Taxi Driver told Empire magazine that his attempt to get up to speed with superhero movies, the driving force in today’s industry, had failed.

When asked if he had seen the Marvel movies he admitted, “I tried, you know? But that’s not cinema.” “Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks. It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.”

Marvel films have taken over the box offices, with Avengers: Endgame being the highest grossing film in history after making more than $2.8 billion earlier this year. Fans were quick to defend the franchise. Marvel head Kevin Feige made comments last year after the series garnered few award nominations. “Maybe it’s easy to dismiss VFX or flying people or spaceships or billion-dollar grosses,” Feige said. “I think it is easy to say that you have already been awarded in a certain way. Hitchcock never won best director, so it’s very nice, but it doesn’t mean everything. I would much rather be in a room full of engaged fans.”

Scorsese’s newest film, The Irishman, premiered last week at the New York Film Festival with rave reviews and praise for the use of “de-aging” technology.