Every superhero film is woven around an identical plot: someone with exceptional abilities is locked in a deadly struggle with a villain. The good guy wins, though it's not easy, and so everyone lives happily ever after.
Despite this predictability, or possibly because of it, people around the world love these films. As The National reported yesterday, 13 of the 15 highest-grossing US films of all-time are about wizards and superheroes, and another is Skyfall, the latest James Bond film. (Is Commander Bond a superhero? He certainly has the power of longevity.) The only film on the list based on real events is Titanic.
The list is testimony to the power of fantasy. The problems in a moviegoer's real life, after all, may be less severe than an attack of giant robots or evil wizards, but our real problems are not so easily and quickly solved, either. Nor can we enjoy popcorn while we tackle them.
Some experts say escapist films tend to do well in hard times. Interestingly, all but two of the 14 top earners were produced between 2009 and 2013 - when the global economy tottered and real-world hopes faltered.
But the real appeal of these films lies in what they offer: a mix of escapism and hope, plus a chance to admire something larger than ourselves.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES
Directors: John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein
Stars: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Rege-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis
Rating: 3/5
In numbers
- Number of children under five will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401m in 2100
- Over-80s will rise from 141m in 2017 to 866m in 2100
- Nigeria will become the world’s second most populous country with 791m by 2100, behind India
- China will fall dramatically from a peak of 2.4 billion in 2024 to 732 million by 2100
- an average of 2.1 children per woman is required to sustain population growth
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now