Retroactively Better

Over at Love-Hate-Things a couple of weeks ago, Anthony Marco asked, “Does the Avengers make Thor a better movie?” I surprised myself by immediately answering, “Yes! And Captain America too! But not Iron Man; it already rocked.” (Yeah, I said it out loud while listening to a podcast. Sue me.) The core argument is that all new knowledge informs that which we already know.

I’d argue that this goes both ways — following the disastrous Matrix sequels, it took a while for the stink to wear off enough that the original was watchable again. I had to forget most of what was in the latter movies in order to enjoy the first. Ditto the metachlorian nonsense of Star Wars Episode 1 — unfortunately, Lucas likes to retrofit his films with his own interpretations, much to the dismay of fans who would prefer he left well enough alone. Most directors, writers and even other megalomaniacs don’t bother to go back, they just push forward.

Back to Thor. When I saw the film, I was entertained enough but it was not by any stretch a great film. Same with Captain America — and frankly, the Captain’s puritanical goody-two-shoes act got right up my nose (I’m no fan of the man of steel, either; I prefer my superheroes to have flaws). However, both of those characters in the ensemble of the Avengers work wonderfully. Like a good recipe, each ingredient may not be to your taste on its own but they work well when blended together (and Joss Whedon is a master chef). Revisiting the films now, I can look for the clues that point toward things that unfold inside the Avengers and, despite my initial reaction, it even makes Iron Man and Iron Man 2 better.

Of course this is not limited to films; it works for all media except maybe video games — and there, it is only because the technology continually evolves that the earlier works just seem pathetic by comparison. Overall, though, one cannot help but be influenced by new information; it’s how our brains work. In fact there is a theory that just by witnessing something we inform it with our past knowledge; I’d argue that with all new knowledge we retroactively revisit previous beliefs and reassess or reaffirm them.

So… back to the original question, “Does the Avengers make Thor a better movie?”

In isolation, no. The mere existence of the Avengers does not have an effect on any other film. However, for those who view both Thor and the Avengers (especially in release order), the Avengers does, I think, make Thor retroactively better.