I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Superman, but instead of good, he’s evil.
That’s it. That’s Brightburn. That’s the whole movie. There’s nothing else. You know every beat it’s going to hit before it hits it. Exactly like THIS, but wait, what if it’s actually THAT.
Comet baby crash-lands on a farm in Kansas, gets adopted by a nice couple desperate for a child (Elizabeth Banks [The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, The Happytime Murders] and David Denman [Puzzle, Logan Lucky]), and later puberty hits and he instantaneously morphs from a nice wholesome kid into a violent sociopath. Sure, there’s something fantastically and anti-wishful-thinky about this movie, but it ain’t the alien superpowers that help the kid do bad stuff and prevent the humans from stopping him, or the little space bassinet Mom and Dad have hidden away in the barn that talks to him in a creepy alien language and tells him to “take the world.” No, it’s the idea that a boy needs alien superpowers in order to become a violent entitled sociopath with a particular hatred for girls and women. Cuz, like, that happens every day, no science-fiction intervention needed.
I don’t know what the point of this movie is unless it is, in fact, a way for male filmmakers — director David Yarovesky and screenwriters Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn (as a team: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island), who are, respectively brother and cousin to producer James Gunn; sweet gig if you can get it — to have fun exploring what it might like to be a 12-year-old boy (Jackson A. Dunn: Avengers: Endgame) who is able to fly into the bedroom of the female classmate he like-likes but who rejected him and creep on her while she cries in terror. Brightburn is one of those movies about which some people will insist, “Oh, it’s critiquing toxic masculinity,” except that — as ever — what we see here is indistinguishable from a straight-up celebration of toxic masculinity. Young anti-Superman Brandon Breyer does not wrestle with his violence impulses. He doesn’t fight them. (There’s room for a movie about that: What if you’re “meant” to be evil and you fight it?) He has no greater purpose about which we might debate the extremes of the methods he deploys to rectify a greater injustice. (He’s no Magneto. He’s not even the Joker.) He just indulges them to do as he pleases, which is to project his sulky adolescent rage on the world.
Brightburn is nothing more than a movie about superpowers untethered from morality and ethics. It’s the precise opposite of everything that comic-book philosophy has pondered. It’s a horror movie, but the horror here isn’t the intentional bloody gore, as Brandon goes a-rampaging. It is the unfettered embrace of evil as, you know, kinda cool.
You’re Hellboy.
Or Adam Young.
Slouching towards Tadfield.
*Good Omens* did spring to mind while I was watching this, but only because I was wondering about the cultural implications of us collectively thinking about evil boy tweens.
Something to do with the current POTUS?
Possibly.
I’m hoping you have time soon to write a review of Good Omens.
ETA: I usually enjoy reading reviews before I watch something, but part of the joy of watching this show is that it’s so oddball and surprising, even in the tiniest details, that I wanted each moment to be brand-new to me.
Now that I’ve seen it, though, I’m really interested in hearing other peoples’ thoughts, particularly yours.
I’ll try.
Or Dexter?
Also a more interesting character.
Or Spike. Or Angel. Or Faith Lehane. Heck, Joss Whedon based an entire career on writing characters like this.
You’re the Iron Giant.
The point is that, before the end of the year, someone is going to post this movie online but with Max Landis’ face superimposed over the face of the main character.
Good.
I just read the accusations in that dailybeast article – this movie truly is Max’s biography. His parents and sister seem so nice and kind, how did he turn out be such a manipulative, rapey douchenozzle?
It sounds like there are many, many people with horrific stories about John Landis.
Not to mention what happened to Vic Morrow and those two kids.
Indeed.
I remember that incident. I’m still surprised it was forgotten by Hollywood so quickly.
For many years, I deliberately refused to see Twilight Zone: The Movie because of it. I still don’t know if I’d feel especially comfortable seeing it today in light of what happened.
There’s really no reason to ever watch the Twilight Zone movie. The effects add nothing to “It’s a Good Life” (and don’t hold up 35 years later). Its version of “Kick the Can” is objectively worse in that it’s utterly forgettable (and that was Spielberg’s segment). John Lithgow’s turn at crazy in George Miller’s version “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” might be worth a watch, if you can find it separately. Or you could just watch Shatner’s version, “Buckaroo Banzai”, and a few episodes of “3rd Rock from the Sun”, and get the gist of it.
There was an episode of 3rd Rock that riffed on Shatner and Lithgow both being in Nightmare, which is a pretty great reference. The original is noteworthy as a time capsule because it shows Shatner stealing a gun from someone sleeping on a plane, which is so pre-9/11 that it seems like it’s a different world.
And The Simpsons already did a perfect adaptation of “It’s a Good Life.”
I haven’t seen the movie, but I think a much more interesting idea would have the kid turning evil because of the hatred of today’s American culture, not because of a space bassinet. Reviews make it sound like he’s evil because he just is, while it would be better to watch him be corrupted
John Updike’s novel Terrorist has a similar theme to the one you mention but for some reason, I doubt we’ll ever see a movie version of that book.
In a way, I find that oddly funny because I suspect the people who most argue against various American cultural taboos would be the same ones that protest most loudly against any movie version of that book. But I could be wrong…
I think that’s going to be The Joker. To paraphrase someone else: To make 1980s Joker, throw him in a vat of acid. To make 2019 Joker, throw him into society.
But we are literally watching this happen on Reddit, YouTube, 4chan, etc, already. Hard to find fantasy or escapism in that.
Oh, sure. I’m not saying it will be enjoyable, just that this seems to be the direction the Joker movie is taking.
1950s: Yeah, they’re JDs but society made them do it.
Early 1960s: Yeah, they’re gang members but society made them do it.
Late 1960s: Yeah, they’re Manson family members but society made them do it.
Early 1970s: Yeah, they’re mad bombers and tower snipers but society made them do it.
1980s and 1990s: Yeah, they’re serial killers but society made them do it.
2000s: Yeah, they’re terrorists but society made them do it.
And so on and so forth…
Oh, sure, fair point. The line was supposed to be a joke. Like the Joker, I am not always funny.
I am not always as funny as I would like to be either.
And I would like to think I’m not like the Joker but that’s not really up to me to say.
Thanks for being more understanding than I expected.
The best “what if” Superman story is still Red Son, as far as I know, since he’s raised in a Soviet collective with totally different values but he still tries to be a good person.
That’s a much more intriguing speculative spin on the idea of Superman.
It’s a great read, even for someone like me who isn’t too familiar with the Superman mythos. The best Superman stories aren’t about fighting crime, but about exploring what it would be like to live with godlike powers.
https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Red-Son-MARK-MILLAR-ebook/dp/B00J4ZTAFI/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=red+son&qid=1561428916&s=gateway&sr=8-1
“Toxic masculinity” ? Really ?! =__= Speaking of psychos…
You’re scoffing at a well-understood term in widespread use. Disdain for introspection and self-awareness is part of toxic masculinity, as is denigrating women and feminism. Once you start to move beyond your own embrace of toxic masculinity, you’ll feel so much better. Give it a try!
Oh boy.
First of all, calling it “widespread” and “well-understood” shows how much people like you are completely disconnected from the real world, a world where people aren’t political concepts, but just people. Secondly, I agree, we hear it waaaay too often than we should, because of the progressive and postmodern hold on universities… but that doesn’t mean shit : the most prestigious universities can teach the most indefensible things in a society that is ideologically corrupted. For example, most chinese academics defended the Great Leap Forward. Very smart people.
Your toxic masculinity is a big unfunny sham orchestrated and perpetuated by pissed off women who, ironically, act in the most masculine way to force their views on people. It’s just one group refusing to share the blame for our society’s fuck ups and using sociology to put the blame on another group. Cowardice and resentment 101, disguised as righteousness, which makes it worse. But of course, writing these lines is like pissing in the wind, because in your head, my reasoning HAS to be a “part of toxic masculinity”, right ? :D
Anyway, thanks for talking to men who disagree with your worldviews like they’re children who need a lesson. Reading comments like yours, sometimes truly well-intended comments, I always feel like I’m invited to join a cult. No thanks. I don’t need to “feel much better”. I just want to stay a free man in a sane world. I reject your awfully reductive gender dictated view of humans and human history. I’d rather keep using my brain and face facts, because the best intentions can be much more dangerous than the most inconvenient truth. To sum it up, I prefer to keep using my brain to keep fighting your… TOXIC ideology (hey, I could have said “toxic femininity” just to screw with you, given that there are at least as many crazy chicks as there are crazy dudes in this world, but… that would have been idiotic, because it doesn’t exist any more than toxic masculinity).
Hey ! You made me want to know more about that Jordan Peterson guy my friends are talking about. I’m sure he’s got interesting things to say on that matter, but I never took the time to look it up, really. So, thanks. And cheers.
LOL. Keep digging, my dude. Keep doubling down on your tiresome shit. Or grow the fuck up and join the adults.
Join the adults ? Right. Because “keep digging, my dude” is something that only a fully functioning adult brain could come up with (“LOL”). The pertinence of your argument is almost as compelling as your review. But hey, keep fighting the fight, sister. Keep… not helping your cause that way. And may we never meet again.
She’s just responding with the minimum effort that you deserve, because you’re not worth more of her time than that.
You, on the other hand, seem to be quite invested in this conversation, and you’ve spent about half a thousand words declaring your stance and getting a looooot of things off your chest. Hope it did you some good.
Another cultist, I see. I love the “minimum effort” argument. It always comes in handy.
Me ? Yes, I’m very invested. That happens when an issue matters Sorry. But nah, I don’t think it “did me some good”. I’ve made that case many times in the past. I don’t do it for myself, unlike some people. I just felt it was needed. Or should I say, deserved. You can’t go soft on crazies, nowadays.
Or, you’re an easily triggered snowflake. Look at you, getting all upset because someone didn’t like a film.
LOL, what a selfless hero you are.
But whom you designate as “crazy” is telling. You’re not facing off against racists or fascists or Nazis, you’re attacking a reviewer for making a reasonable critique of a horror film. And you didn’t even address the details of her review directly, you just latched onto a phrase that triggered you and unrolled your standard stump speech. Whatever, dude. You do you.
Geez…feminist, victim, whiny baby much?
Feminist bitch VERY VERY MUCH. Thanks for noticing.
America does not need feminism anymore. Go to India or Middle East where they actually need feminism, if you’re so ballsy. You’re just frivolous chicken shit, nothing more.
And this is how you get banned. Congratulations!
What does toxic masculinity have to do with ANYTHING in this movie? It’s an alien creature with no remorse whatsoever. It does not have to contemplate anything, it’s a killing machine who appears to be a male. Freaky feminists could attach “toxic masculinity” to even a diaper commercial. Take your meds at least twice a day please.
SPOILER! Alien creatures aren’t actually real. Stories about them serve as metaphors for the human experience and human behavior, and as ways to examine and critique human culture. Read some science fiction. The good stuff, that is.
But thank you for proving how very damn fucking much feminism is still needed in the US. Were you aware that decrying feminists as “insane” and “hysterical” (as you did with your “meds” comment) has a long and storied misogynist history? Why not find a new insult?
I think there’s a sad and bitter troll rolling through the comment section making mountains where there are no molehills. It has been reported.
I liked the movie because it’s not some awful mess of effects, snarky comments, and ridiculous costumes that Marvel and DC keep pumping out. I’m not seeing toxic masculinity but a very dark “what if” movie that borrows from a superman storyline. I’d love to see one for Raven/Mystique but in a visual storytelling setting you’ll fall short in a movie. You may have ratings restrictions for a series or it can be cancelled. People will misunderstand the metaphor and flip out on you. You may have to edit a core scene for character development for any number of reasons. I have to applaud the effort because I have no idea how to portray a 12 year old boy but it was a great change from the boring new norm in my opinion. The scenes were jarring and others made my skin crawl but most of all the movie made me think, and that’s not what entertainment is known for at all.
You might want to watch more movies.
I’d rather enjoy what little free time I have doing what I enjoy: coding and designing. Movies are generally thinly disguised propaganda and people who watch them do not think at all but just follow. Watching movies is terrible for your health and Americans have a very sedentary lifestyle. Go ahead and enjoy it though if that’s what you do. Everybody needs a hobby.
Then what the actual fuck are you doing at a film criticism site?!?!
“doing what I enjoy: coding and designing”
“Americans have a very sedentary lifestyle”
My dude…
No political bias here, but you’re playing an agenda with a movie that didn’t aspire to such heights. Brandon was not rejected. The girl from class actually supported him in the classroom prior to his possession. This film also had more than its share of grisly male deaths, namely Brandon’s uncle and father. More arbitrary offings than you suggest.
In short, take a measured stance, and pick your spots to expend your ammunition. There are better movies than this to fire your bullets at. I support your direction, but this film was a poor target, and it dilutes your global cause.
Your concern trolling is noted.
Hardly trolling. Read what I wrote. No aggressiveness, no attacks. I merely stated that not every flick is imbued with a political purpose. Please reserve your trolling labels. As I said, I agree with your views regarding women in streaming and silver screen pictures – bias against women in these venues is no secret, and I do not approve of it. Save your vitriol for someone else.
Oh, honey: If you don’t know what concern trolling is, and you don’t want to be accused of engaging in concern trolling, then learn what it is and stop doing in.
Shorter me: I don’t give a flying flamingo what you think of how I chose to express my anger.
Nope, I don’t know what concern trolling is, and it frankly doesn’t matter. But you, condescending critic, definitely do care about my thoughts on your anger – hence your hostile response to a worthless, harmless comment made to a review you wrote three months ago.
Pretty thin-skinned (and hypocritical, given your profession) for a critic, especially when I simply tried to make peace in the comments.
Let it go. I’ve done nothing hostile or antagonistic. Just be nice. Your audience is watching…
You’re so thin-skinned that you won’t even look up concern trolling to see if MaryAnn’s criticism might be valid. Talk about closed-minded.
It wasn’t, though.
You just argued against anyone taking *your* comment seriously. Did you mean to do that?
You did, though.
Holy shit, you are going for a full bingo on misogynist concern trolling. Keep it up. Or fucking educate yourself if you want women to listen to you.
Reviews like this remind me of why I hate the term “toxic masculinity” so much. It is however a fave term of toxic feminists. In no way did the movie try to portray this obviously malevolent alien kid’s horrific actions as laudable or understandable. The girl and her mom victims were never demonized. As a mater of fact, their concerns were dismissed by the local powers at school and the sheriffs because they lacked a certain status that the Breyer family had. I think the glaringly obvious aspect that most of the twits missed was how Brandon started acting bad as he reached puberty. Before that he was a sweet sort of weird kid.
So what is the point of this movie, then?
Do you deny that this movie depicts superpowered toxic masculinity?
So, puberty causes toxic masculinity? What are you saying here?