Gibson Denounces Flimsy Marvel Writing

Mel Gibson has been out promoting Hacksaw Ridge, which I hear is really good, with a reality of war not yet seen in movies being displayed in his.  Naturally talk gets around to violence during promotion of a movie like that and Mr. Gibson  spoke to The Washington Post about his dislike of action featured in current trendy movies as they offer ‘violence without conscience’. In particular he calls out the MCU films:

“To talk about the violence question, look at any Marvel movie. They’re more violent than anything that I’ve done, but [in my movies,] you give a shit about the characters, which makes it matter more. That’s all I’ll say.”

I suppose this is going to draw the ire of Marvel fanboys.  But anyway, Gibson also spoke about his own movie and the nastiness within;

“I’m trying to get to your animal. That’s it. That’s war. I’m trying to make a visceral, fully emotional, immersive experience… Edgy is good. Isn’t that why we work? Isn’t that why we make art? This movie is for the audience. I’m not making it for the elite.

I forget who said it, but I love this formulation: The goal of filmmaking is the three E’s: First, you entertain. Second, you educate. And the third thing, if you’re lucky, is you elevate. I’m telling a story here that asks a question: What are we capable of, as a species, in an experience that reduces most men to animals.”