If there were a deeper meaning to all the superhero movies coming out now, what might it be?

I’ll start, although I really am interested in hearing others’ ideas on this topic.

Perhaps the message behind these films is that we each have some kind of gift to give to the world. In previous generations, the goal in life seemed to be about finding a decent job and holding it down. Today, the idea seems to be more about finding our own unique gifts and talents, and then developing them.

These superhero films seem to echo that impulse, and dramatize it, cinema-style. What do you think?

It’s classic if not epic (some of the movies are pretty bad) good versus evil storytelling. A little of the Good Samaritan where man can do something to improve the human condition.

Most of it is fantasy and science-fiction and that can be a good source of escapism for some people who might want a break from a possibly mundane or unstimulating lifestyle.

I could see someone getting inspiration from these films, as @Trustinglife said, to try and go beyond what they’re normally capable of and then working to achieve their own significant mark in the world. Maybe for themselves mostly or possibly for altruistic reasons that would benefit many people.

@Bluefreedom Exactly! That’s what I really liked about “Push” – and Heroes – it’s the blend of superhuman ability with very-human vulnerability. What I see in these offerings is the message that while we’re massively powerful, we still have to deal with confusion, rejection, non-co-operation, uncertainty, and fear. Very human.

Obviously we want a hero to come along and single-handedly headshot all the bad guys like Ironman did in that one scene.. holy crap that was freaking awesome.. they thought they had him and then BAM… all at once…. amazing.. i loved it…. [/end rambling]

Escapism flourishes in hard times. Also, I think we want heroes now in our morally ambiguos society. Even morally ambiguous or flawed heroes.

In regards to Escapism, it is no coincidence that Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings gained the attention they did right after 9/11 and the beginnings of the War on Terror.

I see the Superhero movies in a couple of ways:

-They are a step back into reality from where we were with the whole fantasy realm. Following this line of thinking, it is interesting to note that The Watchmen is finally coming out because that is basically about the death of superheroes or at least the death of confidence in superheroes.

-Technologically speaking, the reason they are all coming out now is because Stan Lee and Marvel were smart enough to wait for the industry to catch up with the vision. Most Marvel movies would look pretty cheesy with the graphics of ten years ago, so they purposely held off until the time was right.

That Hollywood cab make money out of anything.

I see a lot of political allegory, especially in The X-Men movies. Discrimination, attempts to ‘cure’ the different-ness out of them, feelings of shame related to one’s own different-ness…sound familiar? I think it promotes acceptance, and seeing the inherent value of people who are different from ‘us’. Good show, I say!

“I’m holding out for a hero….”
It gives people a hope for a better day. It also proves that there are many people in this world that are making a big difference that you would never expect, as the heros fit in most of the time with the rest of the “crowd”.

Just a guess

I think it reflects a growing number of people who don’t know what to do with their lives, hoping for some destiny to thrust them upon their path. And that along the way, the alienation that they feel will be justified and made tangible when their super power or talent is discovered.

A lot of longing to be special and to find meaning in one’s life methinks.

@nimis Sounds like you don’t experience that longing?