Joss Whedon Responds to Wally Pfister Avengers Criticism

The other day, Oscar Winning cinematographer Wally Pfister (The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception) made some very negative comments (below) about The Avengers and it’s cinematography.

I thought ‘The Avengers’ was an appalling film. They’d shoot from some odd angle and I’d think, why is the camera there? Oh, I see, because they spent half a million on the set and they have to show it off. It took me completely out of the movie. I was driven bonkers by that illogical form of storytelling.

Needless to say, it was disappointing to hear a much loved cinemotagrapher amongst the movie geek crowds voice his dissapointment with the film.  Well, Entertainment Weekly was able to reach Avengers director Joss Whedon for comment and here’s what he had to say;

“I’m sorry to hear it, I’m a fan.”

Direct and to the point.  It’s unfortunate that Pfister was so harsh, but everyone is entitled to their opinion, especially when you are an expert in the field.  With that being said, The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises are two very different films that approach the genre in completely opposite ways (obviously), which is a good thing.  It would be a shame if all of our comic book movies were dark and brooding or fun and whimsical.  We need that variety.  The Avengers was a breath of fresh air in the midst of all the “serious” adaptations that had been coming out.  It’s funny though, Wally Pfister hasn’t always been the master cinematographer we know and love today, unless his early days as a “skinemax” DP is were he picked up his skill set.  Either way, both cinematographers have had their fair share of blemishes on their resume.  Who do you think is the better DP?

Wally Pfister

The Dark Knight Rises (director of photography) —————————————————2012

Moneyball (director of photography) —————————————————————-2011

Inception (director of photography) —————————————————————-2010

The Dark Knight (director of photography) ——————————————————-2008

The Prestige (director of photography) ———————————————————–2006

Batman Begins (director of photography) ——————————————————-2005

The Italian Job (director of photography) ——————————————————2003

Insomnia (director of photography) ———————————————————–2002

Memento (director of photography) ———————————————————-2000

Seamus McGarvey

The Avengers (director of photography) ———————————————————–2012

We Need to Talk About Kevin (director of photography) —————————————-2011

The Soloist (director of photography) ————————————————————2009

Atonement (director of photography) ———————————————————–2007

Charlotte’s Web (director of photography) —————————————————-2006

World Trade Center (director of photography) ———————————————-2006

Sahara (director of photography) ————————————————————2005

High Fidelity (director of photography) —————————————————2000