Comments on: Wally Pfister Says ‘The Avengers’ Is “Appalling,” Teases His Directorial Debut Is A Sci-Fi Film

By: Monica

Monica — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:09 +0000

He's right. Moreover, Avengers is unbearable.
Waiting for his debut as director.

By: Laura

Laura — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:09 +0000

I wouldn't call Avengers "appalling" but it definitely wasn't good. I have no desire to watch a bunch of do-goody superheroes bicker with each other for two hours.

By: luke

luke — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:09 +0000

Seamus McGarvey is a very talented DP but Wally is right. The Avengers was ugly to watch and felt like a TV movie you might see on the Sci-fi channel.

I'm guessing the look of The Avengers came more from Joss than Seamus.

By: AS

AS — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:09 +0000

The Avengers was awful. TDKR wasn't much better….

By: James

James — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:09 +0000

There is no denying The Avengers had a poor story and was mediocre looking, but it had some fun jokes though. I don't see the point in calling it an awful film, but whatever. People like what they like.

By: JD

JD — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:09 +0000

This coming from the DP who's three Batman films set a new low for incoherent shaky-cam action scenes and overuse of close-ups. At least in Avengers you could tell what was going on. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

In defense of Avengers, I would just like to say that Captain America's boots look very cool in the above image, thank you.

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:09 +0000

Take the context of how he said this. He was giving a discussion about cinematography to an auditorium of students and was asked what was most important about his job. I doubt his issue is with McGarvey as it is with producers who demand you really show off all the heavy product placement in the film. In all the Joe Wright films this is obviously never an issue, but in The Avengers you saw Target, SubWay, and dozens of other pieces of marketing for the sake of marketing.

By: tomincmh

tomincmh — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:09 +0000

I'm surprised at some of the hate on here for The Avengers. It's not a perfect film, but it was probably the most enjoyable experience I've had at a movie theatre in years. It was the perfect summer blockbuster and was an amazing culmination of the movies that preceded it. TDKR, on the other hand, was a bit of a disappointment compared to it's predecessor in the series. It was too long, unfocused at times, featured a villain you could barely understand, and don't get me started on logical leaps like Gotham being sealed off from the world towards the end of the film, but Bruce Wayne can just stroll back in and apparently knows right where Catwoman is at so they can work out a plan. Not to mention that Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character could tell Bruce is Batman just by looking at him. John Blake must have been one massively intuitive kid or perhaps he's psychic as well. Wally shouldn't be throwing stones at The Avengers since, as talented a filmmaker Nolan and DP Pfister are, TDKR is one very big glass house.

By: starway2001

starway2001 — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

The pompous and arrogant attitudes of Nolan and Pfister are starting to turn sour on me. You made a movie about a guy who dresses up in a bat suit and speaks in a silly voice… get over yourselves already.

By: ramubay

ramubay — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

I saw The Avengers. I didn't see The Dark Knight Rises. In Hollywood that's important. Go boo-hoo on that one diaper wetter.

By: Anonymouse

Anonymouse — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

He is absolutely correct on this. Avengers is a fun action flick but by no means academy award level in any capacity, including cinematography. Dark Knight Rises has amazing cinematography, acting, direction, yet falters in the screenplay and editing departments, imo. However, Avengers is a more enjoyable comic book romp. these are comic book movies with men in tights, right?

By: Real

Real — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

I can't wait for his directorial debut. He is incredibly talented.

By: Sean

Sean — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

Funny he says that considering Nolan is the worst director today at directing action. Some of the most frantic, confusing and mishandled scenes.

By: Nolan

Nolan — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

Avengers was fun. True. But it did look like low budget SyFy channel flick. Also WTF was the 16:9 ratio of Avengers instead of the widescreen. Wally's frames always had a expansive feel to it.

By: cory everett

cory everett — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

Avengers was fun but can't argue with him. It looks like shit.

By: Zack

Zack — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

I'd say the main difference between Nolan's films and "The Avengers" is that Pfister probably isn't going to get any death threats for saying this.

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

The Avengers did look like it was shot by a five year old. Can't blame him for calling it like it is.

By: Josue

Josue — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

I hope his directorial debut bombs and is a critical failure, I just wish for him to have the contrary to the film he was being a jerkass about.

By: Knative

Knative — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

I haven't watched The Dark Knight Rises. I am sure it might be an enjoyable enough experience, considering it at least tries to address more adult themes. The Avengers, though, was a movie for six year old children. Looper was awesome though.

By: BlackDrPhil

BlackDrPhil — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

Exactly. He is a veteran cinematographer. I doubt he was interested in starting a Marvel vs DC fan war. I went that Q & A at Ringling and it was just taken out of context. I love the Avengers, Marvel and etc. But i can see from a cinematographers view that you can definitely critique some stuff.

By: MO

MO — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

I also attend RCAD and Mr. Pfister was simply trying to teach us about accurate use of shot and lighting, his comment has been taken completely out of context.

By: Makary

Makary — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

I was there, I've heard him saying those words. They were not told to the reporter, but to students who had a master-class with him. The reporter must have been hiding behind their backs. I don't see why people make such a big deal out of it (other than the fact that people like bashing each other in escape from their disrespect for themselves). Anyway, Wally Pfister merely told his personal preference, (you can't blame a guy for not liking a particular movie), and he brought an example of how, in his opinion, things shouldn't be done in movies. He is a great, honest and very open guy, ready to share his experience with everyone. Can you bash him for that?
PS Can't see what's the connection with his directorial debut either. Shouldn't we wait till it comes out, then see it, and then decide what we think about it? I'm looking forward to seeing it

By: Knot

Knot — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

Neither "The Avengers" nor "The Dark Knight Rises" was a good movie. So there you have it.

By: NL

NL — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

I also attend Ringling. People need to get their facts straight, this was incorrect. The Wally Pfister who came to our school had great respect for all of his fellow filmmakers and this was so blown out of proportion. What he said was taken out of context from a question asked by a student. It was meant to be an example for educational purposes not intentionally bashing another film. We learned so much from Mr. Pfister it was invaluable. It's unfortunate that this was made to be a bigger issue than it actually was. Wally is a great guy and we were all so lucky to have someone of his stature share his knowledge with us.

By: Lucy

Lucy — Sun, 22 May 2016 03:41:08 +0000

I loved the Avengers, it was great!!! The world sucks at times and I personally want to escape not into another dark world of Batman but escape into the world of The Avengers. Even though I love the new Batman films but I don't find myself rewatching them a lot. But seriously I loved the Avengers, one fun entertaining ride.