9 Levels of The Epic Movie Genre
9 Levels of Movie Epic
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at the nine levels of the movie epic genre.
Level 1: Popcorn Epics
Epic cinema’s equivalent of junk food, popcorn epics feature huge budgets and plenty of spectacle, but not necessarily a lot of depth. These films feature a ton of big stars, special effects, and action, which some other levels also feature. However, they usually don’t feature many deeper themes beyond entertainment. Think superhero films, action blockbusters, or anything directed by Michael Bay. That isn’t to say they can’t cross over into other kinds of epic movies, or have profound messages, this is merely the baseline for epic cinema. Popcorn epics over the last few decades have become more complicated, due to the rise of cinematic universes, which depict expansive worlds that carry across multiple films, and which allow for longer character arcs. But when it comes to individual movies - what you see is generally what you get.
Level 2: Adventure Epics
Few things scream “epic” quite like great deeds or journeys, and adventure epics have plenty of both. While still somewhat in the realm of pure entertainment, epic adventure films broaden the scope a bit, often taking the characters and audiences on journeys to exotic locations, with the scale of the journey or the places visited providing much of what makes them “legendary.” Movies about seeking out treasure or featuring “buckles getting swashed” are common fixtures of this level, with protagonists like Indiana Jones acting as the face of it. The heroes are usually seeking some goal or object on their quest, but what they discover about themselves, life, or history along the way can often be just as important. This holds true for the audience as much as the characters, with this level providing a bit more intellectual stimulation.
Level 3: Western Epics
Westerns have long been a popular form of cinema, particularly in the 20th century. While many are smaller in scale, there are quite a few that transcend the “gunslinger defending a small town” stereotype to tell stories on a grander stage and with more literary themes. Vivid desolate backdrops, massive casts, and sweeping stories that touch on more profound ideas help characterize films of this level. Western epics are where epic cinema starts to look at more serious topics, such as the loss of wilderness, or clashes between native and colonial cultures. Classics like “How the West Was Won” or “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and new epics like “The Revenant” lend this level about the American west its mythic feeling.
Level 4: Romance Epics
Romantic films have a reputation for being smaller in scope, considering they usually involve 2 or 3 people in love, but when combined with the epic genre, they can be positively massive. Romantic epics are often set during historical time periods, with lavish costumes, huge sets, and love stories set during times of conflict or strife. Some of the highest grossing movies of all time have been romantic epics, with titans like “Gone with the Wind,” “Doctor Zhivago,” or the aptly named “Titanic” dominating the box office and pop culture. Romance epics use their huge scale to lend these love stories an unforgettable, larger than life quality that makes our hearts swoon to the moon and back.
Level 5: Science Fiction Epics
Sci-fi is a huge genre that encompasses many facets. Although earlier efforts remained firmly among b-movies, once the budgets got larger, science fiction entered the realm of epics, with its grander films offering more than just flash and special effects. Even its more popcorn-y movies usually feature intricate constructed worlds and technologies that excite the imagination. Science fiction is often the lens through which films can examine questions like the nature of consciousness, our place in the universe, and predictions about what the future holds. Big budget franchises like “Star Wars,” “Avatar,” and “Dune” have dominated financially, as well as permeated the zeitgeist, while critical darlings like “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Arrival” still have us dissecting their messages and imagery years later.
Level 6: War Epics
When it comes to war movies, epic is generally the rule, rather than the exception. Given the size of most conflicts, the scale of war epics almost have to be impressive, with budgets to match. The enormous casts of named actors, huge numbers of extras, pyrotechnics and special effects galore - war movies take things to another level, and set the bar for levels to come. But even outside of the big battles and sweeping cinematography, epic war films tackle concepts that are just as ambitious. War is a topic that invites extensive discussion. “Apocalypse Now” examines “the horror, the horror” of war, while persistence in the face of defeat can be found in films like “A Bridge Too Far.” One of the most contentious wars of all is between cinemaphiles over which war epic is best though.
Level 7: Fantasy Epics
The fantastical has been intertwined with epic stories for centuries, and it has always been closely tied to movie epics. Its popularity can be seen in the earlier cinematic efforts, like the sword and sorcery subgenre, through films like “Jason and the Argonauts.” This level of epic can reach some truly staggering complexity, due to many of the films being based on books. The literary origins of many epic fantasy films mean that many feature entirely fictional worlds, populated by people and races otherwise impossible to find in real life, with their own cultures, histories, and sometimes languages. This is arguably best exemplified by the “Lord of the Rings” films, which set the bar immensely high. Despite epic fantasy being more common on TV these days, the impact of the genre on epic cinema can’t be overstated.
Level 8: Historical Epics
For as massive as some fictional worlds are, none can quite match the layers and nuance found in real history. Historical epics encompass a wide net. Indeed, some of the previous levels, like war and Western epics broadly fit under its umbrella, almost by definition. Some historical epics fit into the popular entertainment category, with subgenres like sword and sandal films. However, historical epics offer more than just spectacle, despite the frequently huge scale on which they operate. Whether they depict actual events, or tell fictional accounts set during various time periods, this level offers real insight into the lives lived before the present, and helps broaden our understanding of the world. Is it always accurate? No. But if it inspires an interest in the real deal, then that’s a great start.
Level 9: Biblical Epics
The deepest level of the epic iceberg is arguably that of biblical epics. These films combine real history with something more - whether you credit that to a higher power or mythology is up to the viewer. However, what isn’t up for interpretation is the effect the Bible has had on Western civilization. Biblical epics touch on not only historical events, but also religion, philosophy, law, and literature. These movies provide some interpretations on where we came from, why we’re here, and how we should treat one another. If you want to understand how much of the world became as it is and why people believe as they do, watching Biblical epics like “The Ten Commandments” or “Ben-Hur” can entertain, while bringing about greater understanding, even if you don’t believe.
Which level excites you the most? Tell us your favorites in the comments below!
