Stop, Already, With Superhero Movies Ending With Big, Dumb CG Smash Battles

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Back in 2017, Wonder Woman was going so well.

Do you recall? It was Wonder Woman who dispatched that World War I general believed to be Ares, the deity of war. However, the conflict persisted, leaving Diana Prince, a woman of idealistic beliefs, heartbroken as she uncovered that it’s not gods who spark wars, but rather humanity itself that carries the flaws. It was an emotional scene indeed. Unfortunately, DC Films altered the narrative. For Ares eventually made an appearance – transformed into a large, computer-generated fire monster. Wonder Woman engaged him in combat – crash, bang, wallop. Initially, viewers found the film excellent – until that point.

As a die-hard fan, I must say that James Gunn’s Superman was truly shaping up marvelously. The film was brimming with warmth, humor, and entertainment, with David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan delivering outstanding performances. However, the third act took an unexpected turn into a chaotic CGI brawl, filled with Superman getting repeatedly pummeled, skyscrapers collapsing (apparently everyone was evacuated… let’s just go with it), characters flying around and crashing through objects, and of course, the mandatory inter-dimensional portal threatening the planet, demanding closure. Some critics have praised the movie, but others feel that the film takes a turn for the worse in this final act.

It’s true that Marvel/DC movies often resemble animated films, and it’s not a problem to conclude them with a spectacular CGI battle scene. However, the issue arises when it seems as though this is the only type of finale we ever see. The well has been drained too many times, particularly by Marvel, yet here we are still witnessing the same formula. After Avengers: Endgame presented a massive battle with numerous heroes fighting countless CGI adversaries and leaving us in tears for Tony Stark, one would expect a shift towards something new.

As a die-hard fan, I’d like to address the talented filmmakers behind superhero movies. Could someone enlighten me, have any of you ever pondered, in all seriousness, alternative ways to bring these cinematic adventures to an end? I’m genuinely curious – are there any new ideas on the table that might spice up the predictable denouement?

For quite some time, filmmakers have expressed concerns about this issue. This topic, however, is not particularly groundbreaking. Some filmmakers have openly voiced their opinions on it as well. Consider the insightful director from a few years ago who remarked, “People are growing complacent with their superhero narratives.” He went on to say, “There’s an excessive amount of action sequences like biff-pow-bam. I find myself watching third acts of superhero films where I don’t feel there’s a logical sequence of events unfolding.

You might recognize that quote – it was James Gunn who spiced up the climax of Superman with some action-packed “zing-pow-wallop” scenes.

The internal discussion appears to revolve around this: “Should we stick with the overused trope of concluding the movie with a portal that needs closing, an intense CGI fight, and a spectacle that pushes physical laws beyond their limits, reminiscent of a child wildly playing with action figures for 20 minutes, amplified by loud music and sound effects, while we hope the 900 video game enthusiasts in a UK special effects studio manage to save our third act… or should we deviate from this pattern that almost every blockbuster movie which has earned a billion dollars has followed… to ensure our movie still feels grandiose and successful enough (and more critically, will it also earn a billion dollars)? Will audiences be unsatisfied if there aren’t life-threatening stakes and a battle large enough to consume an entire city?

Here’s the thing: You don’t need it. Want proof?

Do you recall the iconic movies like “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back”, widely regarded as the finest Star Wars film? Unlike its counterparts, it didn’t require a Death Star for its grandeur. Instead, it showcased an incredible lightsaber duel and a shocking twist that kept us hooked. Similarly, there’s “Casino Royale”, often hailed as the best modern James Bond movie. Despite the climax being a less action-packed set piece compared to other parts of the film, it still resonated due to Bond’s emotional turmoil over losing Vesper. Lastly, we have “The Dark Knight”, frequently named the greatest superhero movie ever made. Unlike director Christopher Nolan’s other Batman films, it didn’t necessitate a Gotham City-wide battle. Instead, the Caped Crusader engaged in an intense tussle with the Joker, while the citizens of Gotham were put to a moral test. Interestingly, the climax did not involve an explosion as one might expect, which was a remarkable display of restraint.

Instead of requiring Superman, in Richard Donner’s cherished 1978 film Superman: The Movie, to engage in a massive destruction battle, it chose to emotionally impact audiences through an intense scene where Lois Lane was buried alive, with dirt cascading into her screaming mouth as she struggled for breath and ultimately passed away. This heart-wrenching moment left an indelible mark on the minds of many who watched this PG-rated “family film.” If such a scene were to be depicted in today’s movies, directors might opt for computer-generated dirt to showcase more detail, even potentially introducing a dirt monster (an approach similar to that taken in Spider-Man 3, and one reminiscent of the new Superman as well).

It’s worth noting that these films’ endings are universally well-received, and they are all regarded as exceptional, top-tier fantasy action epics in their genre.

Instead of continually depicting Superman being struck in the face or crashing through walls and floors, which we all know doesn’t faze him, wouldn’t it be more engaging to create a film where virtually every moment counts, instead of filling it with scenes that don’t have an impact on his character or the plot?

In a different phrasing, it’s clear that fans expecting a Superman movie wouldn’t be content with an ending featuring Clark and Lex wrestling in a taxi or similar. Of course, there should be action and visual excitement in the finale of your Superman film. Given the characters possess superpowers, it’s essential to display those powers. It’s typical for fight scenes in movies to involve characters taking blows without any repercussions and then getting back up, but we need to avoid excessive repetition that can become dulling. This isn’t about shunning these elements entirely, but rather resisting their overuse.

In simpler terms, compared to other action-heavy scenes in some superhero movies like Justice League, the CG smash battle in Superman’s third act isn’t as overwhelmingly frustrating. James Gunn attempts to incorporate story and character into the action sequence, making it less chaotic than some films where everything turns into a confusing mess of fighting for an extended period (Justice League still holds the record for this). However, when the battle effects take over and the movie seems to lose control, you may feel yourself thinking, “Okay, wow, this is still going, and now there are additional things he needs to fight?” At this point, the magic of the scene fades. The film’s best moment, however, is a prolonged conversation between Clark and Lois in her apartment, which showcases Gunn’s writing talent exceptionally well.

If you’re a filmmaker, consider pausing during the planning of your story’s climax. Take some time to reflect, look introspectively, and contemplate deeply. Repeat this phrase to yourself, again and again, until it becomes ingrained: “I don’t have to make it as grand as CGI allows me to.

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2025-07-11 19:25