One
of the things I have to look out for when watching shows like Agents
of SHIELD or Arrow is how pleased I get by little
references. I'm not alone in this, its so reliable a formula that
Marvel/Disney pretty much relies on it for good press. Think how
whenever a new Marvel film trailer comes out the chatter online
almost always focusses on details like how they “got the costumes
right” or how some snatch of dialogue or half-visible prop that
refers to something in the lore.
There
are internet videos and even semi-serious articles all over the place
that point out the Easter eggs in these movies, like the half-second
in Captain America: The Winter Soldier when one of the
helicarriers targets the Baxter Building.
Its
a great trick, too, because the filmmakers have worked out they can
use it to give themselves cover when they want to change the lore to
better suit a film. Take Guardians of the Galaxy, for
instance, which makes huge changes to Star-Lord and Drax's backstory,
even to the nature of what Nowhere is, but is so faithful in spirit
and in the little details that no one cares. It is also a fantastic
movie, don't get me wrong, but I think there is a pragmatic trade-off
going on.
And
I fall right into it, I am by no means immune. The other day I
ploughed through the first disc of Arrow season one with a friend and
I don't think a live action comicbook adaptation has ever taken as
many liberties with its source material than this one but it is also
filled with little nods and references that had me laughing and my
friend looking at me in confusion. And the biggest laugh that got the
oddest look? When Ollie, Tommy and Dig wander into a fast food place
and its Big Belly Burger. How do I even explain that? This silly
little background gag from Justice League International that exists
for no other reason than to give longterm comicbook geeks like me a
little flash of recognition.
Though
I must admit the reference that interested
me the most was when Ollie says a train is going to Bludhaven because
I would bloody love a Nightwing TV series.
2 comments:
It is the little things isn't it?
Very much.
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