When it comes to movies and TV shows, although every story has different elements within it, they are all basically the same. Every movie has a hero that’s faced with a major threat that he ends up overcoming, getting the girl in the end. An unstoppable force meets an immovable object, creating the same generic cinematographic piece.
Only a couple of movies are remarkable. Even the films with brilliant characters or great story plots are still, in essence, the same as all of the others. So, here are some reasons why most movies are the same.
They Are Made to Sell
Movies, similar to most pop culture elements are created to be appealing to the masses, to sell. Most, if not all blockbusters are created in a similar fashion, by the same studios, following the same methods. This is done solely to ensure the success of the movie, rewarding studios with a solid “Return on Investment.”
Studios are only financing movies that are appealing to pop culture since they want to stay safe. Studios can’t take huge risks with films since the stakeholders might get upset if they experience a loss of profit. So, they only create movies that are sure to sell, sharing the same stories over and over again.
Although there are directors with new ideas, wanting to create something different, they don’t stand a chance. Movies cost a lot of money to be produced, and studios can’t risk putting money into new ideas. So, they are making everything the same, a safe bet.
They Follow the Same Guidelines
Do you know what’s the similarity between every Marvel movie, the Star Wars franchise, the DC Universe, and any other blockbuster? They all follow the same guidelines. Although their cinematographic techniques might differ, they all follow the same storyline.
Joseph Campbell, as a professor of literature, he encountered a large number of stories. While analyzing ancient mythology and religion, he found a few undeniable similarities. Each myth, although from cultures that never interacted with each other, followed the same guidelines, what he called “The Hero’s Journey.”
Joseph Campbell’s guidelines for storytelling greatly impacted the movie industry, distilling each story down to a few steps. Almost 30 years later, every blockbuster is still incorporating Campbell’s work.
Stories are the one thing that drives people to do anything. To take action, to think in a certain way, and even to buy. And buying is what every studio is aiming for. So, if you have the formula for a movie that sells, why not use it every single time? And that’s why all movies are the same.
Conclusion
Although most movies are the same, saying the same stories over and over again, they can still represent a great source of wisdom. There are a couple of unique movies worth watching, movies that are still sharing something unique, something real.
