Movie Trailer For Universal's "The Invisible Man" Will Be a Major Flop

[the_last_gunslinger]

If I may be so bold, is it possible this is more about not liking the ideological content of said "social commentary," than a universal dislike of films with social commentary?

That's part of it, absolutely. I'm not going to lie about it. My ideals, values and worldview is often at odds with the majority of filmmakers, and I'm not often appreciative of a movie director trying to sway my opinion on a serious topic when I'm just interested in being entertained.

More than that, though, I'm speaking to my personal philosophy regarding the role that stories should play in society. Among the most important is to tell a good story. Movies...especially those of the speculative and weird fiction...provide an escape hatch for the banality of real life. For a couple of hours, I like to step away from the real world and all its headaches and immerse myself in the fantastical and mysterious.

To me, movies are a sort of self-imposed quarantine from the cares and troubles of the world. Allowing real-world problems into my personal quarantine zone is self defeating.

I respectfully disagree. In fact, I argue some of the best horror and sci-fi films are rich in political and social commentary: Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Land of the Dead, Rosemary's Baby, American Psycho, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Gojira, Get Out, V for Vendetta, 1984, Candyman, The Purge, They Live, Videodrome, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Shining .  .  .

You raise a valid point here. Many of these films contain social commentary and are viewed as pioneering entries in the horror genre. So perhaps I spoke too broadly at first. In these films, the commentary was seamlessly woven into the narrative. So much so that I probably couldn't tell you what the commentary is in most of those movies because I actively try to tune my mind off such concerns. So for those who appreciate social commentary, they get an added layer to their favorite films. For people like me, I can dismiss the commentary for a movie like Night of the Living Dead and enjoy it for what it is, a story about survival during a zombie outbreak.

I'm more concerned with modern filmmaking trends where it seems that the message comes before the story, and for whom subtlety is an unknown art. That's how you end up with movies like the Black Christmas remake where the antagonist is literally toxic masculinity seeping out of a statue in a frat house. The original Black Christmas dealt with feminists themes too, but it never got in the way of the story.

That's all I was trying to say.

[geezer butler]

That's part of it, absolutely. I'm not going to lie about it. My ideals, values and worldview is often at odds with the majority of filmmakers, and I'm not often appreciative of a movie director trying to sway my opinion on a serious topic when I'm just interested in being entertained.

More than that, though, I'm speaking to my personal philosophy regarding the role that stories should play in society. Among the most important is to tell a good story. Movies...especially those of the speculative and weird fiction...provide an escape hatch for the banality of real life. For a couple of hours, I like to step away from the real world and all its headaches and immerse myself in the fantastical and mysterious.

To me, movies are a sort of self-imposed quarantine from the cares and troubles of the world. Allowing real-world problems into my personal quarantine zone is self defeating.

You raise a valid point here. Many of these films contain social commentary and are viewed as pioneering entries in the horror genre. So perhaps I spoke too broadly at first. In these films, the commentary was seamlessly woven into the narrative. So much so that I probably couldn't tell you what the commentary is in most of those movies because I actively try to tune my mind off such concerns. So for those who appreciate social commentary, they get an added layer to their favorite films. For people like me, I can dismiss the commentary for a movie like Night of the Living Dead and enjoy it for what it is, a story about survival during a zombie outbreak.

I'm more concerned with modern filmmaking trends where it seems that the message comes before the story, and for whom subtlety is an unknown art. That's how you end up with movies like the Black Christmas remake where the antagonist is literally toxic masculinity seeping out of a statue in a frat house. The original Black Christmas dealt with feminists themes too, but it never got in the way of the story.

That's all I was trying to say.

Well said Gunslinger. Very good points.  Overall I agree, regardless of one's politics, it is annoying when a filmmaker, especially in the sci-fi and horror genres has an agenda first and foremost, then says "let me come up with some half-ass story to justify this." I can't argue with you there. Anyhow, I appreciate your feedback.

Cheers,
GB

[TheMadScientist]

Watched it today because they added it to HBO's streaming service. I thought it was ok. I didn't regret watching it, but I don't think it lived up to a lot of the hype I heard going in. I will say that it's The Invisible Man in name only, and if they are going to do remakes of other Universal Monsters, I hope they don't "re-imagine" things quite as much as they did here.

[Mord]

 I really liked it when I saw it in the theater. Social commentary is just fine with me (in movies, songs, and t.v.). I think the only ones that are butt-hurt are the people who don't agree with the particular point of view. If it presented THEIR mindset, they wouldn't whine. Definitely not for the stale hillbilly types.

[Monsters For Sale]

It was OK, for what it was.

I think it suffered from its title.  Instead of bringing in appreciated fans of the previous Invisible Man movies, it saddled it with unfair expectations which it never delivered.

I believe it would have been a more successful film with a more generic title.

[Mike Scott]

I believe it would have been a more successful film with a more generic title.

Like "Hey, Buddy, Watch Where You're Going! Where'd He Go?"

[Monsters For Sale]

Like "Hey, Buddy, Watch Where You're Going! Where'd He Go?" 

Yeah.  Exactly like that.

[aura of foreboding]

I believe it would have been a more successful film with a more generic title.

More generic...  Hmmm.. The Invisible Man...  Let's see...  Ah!  How about:  The Man. 

[Mike Scott]

How about:  The Man.

To specific. We already know, going in, it's about a man.

[Hepcat]

I respectfully disagree. In fact, I argue some of the best horror and sci-fi films are rich in political and social commentary: Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Land of the Dead, Rosemary's Baby, American Psycho, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Gojira, Get Out, V for Vendetta, 1984, Candyman, The Purge, They Live, Videodrome, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Shining .  .  .

I would say some of the best films in general are rich in political and social commentary: 12 Angry Men, How to Kill a Mockingbird, Philadelphia, Thelma and Louise, Selma, Fight Club, Do the Right Thing, The Battle of Algiers, Dr. Strangelove, Grapes of Wrath, Boys n the Hood, the East . . .

Oh come on! You have to be positively determined to see social commentary in most of those flicks.

If I may be so bold, is it possible this is more about not liking the ideological content of said "social commentary," than a universal dislike of films with social commentary?

Can you name (m)any examples of "social commentary" in any Hollywood or similar studio flicks with "social commentary" that doesn't have a leftist slant? Films touted for their "social commentary" don't typically celebrate individualism, now do they?

[Hepcat]

Social commentary is just fine with me (in movies, songs, and t.v.).

Only the kind with which you agree.

I think the only ones that are butt-hurt are the people who don't agree with the particular point of view. If it presented THEIR mindset, they wouldn't whine.

Like I say, how many flicks with "social commentary" do we get celebrating the other side?

Definitely not for the stale hillbilly types.

"Stale hillbilly types? Who the hell are they? Anybody who doesn't like socialists?

[Monsters For Sale]

...  "Stale hillbilly types? Who the hell are they? Anybody who doesn't like socialists?

The ones who have to ask.

Buttermilk and Limburger are not stale; they were created that way.  Not all hillbillies live in the mountains and are named William.

[Hepcat]

The ones who have to ask.

Ask and you might learn. I've never been among those too shy to ask. You?

Why was the term introduced to this subject anyway? I see no reason other than to denigrate a certain group of people.

[Monsters For Sale]

Ask and you might learn. I've never been among those too shy to ask. You?

Why was the term introduced to this subject anyway? I see no reason other than to denigrate a certain group of people.

I just do 'em.  I don't explain 'em.

[Monsters For Sale]

Good thing all the old stories never had any social commentary. 

Of course they did.  It was usually men meddling in things that should be reserved to god and getting their comeuppance - or some such nonsense.

You know, the "If men were meant to fly, they would have been born with wings" crowd.  The ones who know the earth is flat because their plumb bob proves that everywhere is level.