DC vs Marvel — an eternal rivalry with fans on both sides. We take the underdog's position and find the positives in the WB cinematic universe.

The fame and success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are beyond doubt. By and large, a grand battle on the cinematic field between DC and Marvel never really happened, and now they exist more in different weight classes. Nevertheless, even considering all the inadequate, hasty, and clumsy decisions in building a complex cinematic universe, DC comic book movies have things to be proud of. Today we want to highlight exactly those moments where WB studio and the filmmakers working for it succeeded better than the bosses of Disney and Marvel.

Further in the text, SPOILERS are possible.

Fantasy World of the Outsider Hero

If we consider only the comic book movies of the major studios, we can draw clear parallels between two prominent heroes — Thor and Aquaman. And as funny and paradoxical as it may seem, it was Warner Bros. that managed to better present the story of an awkward and comical god-like member of a superhero team from another world.

Atlantis, as shown in the Aquaman solo film, looks far more interesting, picturesque, rich, and spectacular than Asgard and the other eight realms, which the creators of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) frankly didn't care about. In one movie, we learned more about this fantasy world, its inhabitants, history, and traditions than in three films about Odin's son. For this, the DC cinematic universe can and should be praised.

Films Aimed at an Older Audience

It's no secret that the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) was initially positioned as a darker cinematic universe where heroes can and will die, and its films would tackle complex and controversial themes. And even numerous missteps don't negate the fact that Warner Bros. largely managed to stick to the plan.

Before "Infinity War," Marvel films had no remotely dramatic scene with the death of an important character (even Quicksilver in "Avengers: Age of Ultron" died while uttering a ridiculous joke). In contrast, recall the episode with the heroic death of Steve Trevor in "Wonder Woman." Viewers met the character in that film but grew attached to him during its course, so the empathy for Diana's loss worked as intended, evoking genuine emotions.

We can also recall other dark moments of the DCEU: the terrifying monsters from "Aquaman" in the vein of sea horrors, the sociopath Amanda Waller, who is completely unscrupulous, the ubiquitous religious allegories of Zack Snyder (sometimes even very appropriate), Cyborg's backstory, and so on.

DC films are also made more adult by their ratings. For example, "Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn" boasts an R rating (18+). This gives the creators free rein, allowing them to use violence and profanity as tools for a more authentic storytelling, within the genre, of course. The bosses at Marvel and Disney are only looking into this possibility, not daring to take risks. And courage, as they say, conquers cities.

Variety

All eight films of the DC cinematic universe are noticeably different from each other. No one would dare compare, for example, "Wonder Woman" and "Man of Steel," "Shazam" and "Birds of Prey." MCU films are largely made from the same mold. Yes, there are the "Guardians of the Galaxy," which stand apart, but overall, the plot of each new film doesn't stray far from the basic template. And the development of most key characters there is repeated time and again.

Watching DC films is simply more interesting, even considering the existing flaws and mistakes ("Justice League" doesn't count; it's just terrible). In one film, we go on an exciting adventure with a clear joker, tinged with horror; another turns out to be a Christmas family comedy; in a third, we witness an epic battle between nearly invulnerable beings (talking about Superman and Zod here). When you go to the movies for a Marvel film, you always know what to expect; you can't say the same about DC films, and that's a significant trump card for WB.

Composer Works

While composers working on Marvel films produce bland and forgettable instrumental melodies, in DC you can hear a number of luxurious composer creations. Hans Zimmer wrote several outstanding melodies that are strongly associated with superheroes (the signature theme for Wonder Woman is especially good). And even the blandly memorable "Justice League" can boast a very solid work by Danny Elfman.

In the MCU, they often use pop music and time-tested hits effectively, as in "Guardians of the Galaxy" or "Black Panther" (here, rap tracks were used much more sensibly and organically than in "Suicide Squad"), but in terms of music specifically created for the films, they have virtually nothing to counter DC films.

Female Characters

For one coherent Black Widow, who was never properly given time in team films and was "given" the most pointless death among others, the DC universe offers:

• Wonder Woman, one of the most beloved superheroes of the last decade;
• Harley Quinn, one of the most eccentric and vibrant characters in the history of comic book movies;
• Amanda Waller with a powerful performance by Viola Davis, which the lackluster "Suicide Squad" certainly didn't deserve.

And that's not even mentioning supporting heroines like Lois Lane, played by the magnificent Amy Adams, or Martha Kent (Diane Lane).

In this same point, it's worth noting that DC is better at making female characters leading heroines. Wonder Woman was placed at the center in the storyline with Superman and Batman, and Harley was the first to earn a solo film from "Suicide Squad."

Gal Gadot and her film truly became a lifeline for the entire cinematic universe, becoming an absolute hit. And what about Marvel? The only "female" solo film went to Captain Marvel, a movie that is forgotten immediately after viewing and sits somewhere in the backwaters of the MCU rankings, not holding a candle to "Wonder Woman." And there is no sense that Disney will fix the situation. Yes, even with the release of "Black Widow."

Romantic Storylines

Romance is one of the weakest points of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. More or less decent romances were achieved by Tony Stark with Pepper Potts and Peter Parker with MJ.

The love story between Steve Trevor and Wonder Woman can easily be called the best in the history of comic book movies. There is incredible chemistry between the actors, the characters are beautifully written and performed, and the development of their relationship is executed brilliantly for an entertainment blockbuster.

A decent tandem also emerged between Aquaman and Mera. Jason Momoa and Amber Heard not only look good together but also had a number of opportunities to play romance with a dose of irony.

The romantic line between Superman and Lois Lane also turned out quite interesting, developing over the course of three films. With each new film, their relationship only grew stronger and more touching.

Visuals

The last thing where DC films surpass most Marvel films is visual style. Disney blockbusters often look the same. In terms of visuals, only "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Doctor Strange," and "Black Panther" stand out.

You can have different opinions on Zack Snyder's work, but you cannot fail to notice his visionary perspective, which manifests in every detail in all three of his films within the DCEU. "Birds of Prey" features stylish and effective action that easily outdoes every second MCU film; "Aquaman" has a lavishly rendered Atlantis; "Wonder Woman" has a picturesque Themyscira and skillful use of slow-motion.

Of course, the MCU franchise is head and shoulders stronger and more thought-out than its competitors. Nevertheless, DC films often surprise and provide a wealth of emotions, which sets them apart favorably from their opponents. And what do you think is the main advantage of the DCEU cinematic universe?