You start with this title that Mr. Willems video is wrong and then never really address his central point, which is that the "ugliness" of Marvel's movies is a result of the lack of true black in the image, and that this is a aesthetic choice made by the studio.

Mr. Willems doesn't lay out his case very well and I agree that he steps on his own point several times but I think picking out his point around the edges doesn't get us anywhere. Yes, a variety of cameras (most) can produce a beautiful, rich image from their raw footage, we shouldn't even bother entertaining any conversation to the contrary. I raised an eyebrow at the idea that going back to film would help Marvel, BUT I think his point about switching camera's for GOTG 2 is more about a possible change or loosening of standards at Marvel and less about the magic powers of the Red system. If that was his point, it was a dumb point.

You and he seem to agree (A la his point about modern music videos) that this flat desaturated look is currently a popular one (I raise the other eyebrow at the idea that music videos don't treat their raw footage for... laziness? So I agree with you that that his point is almost insulting) Like most popular visual aesthetic styles this look is pushed to the point of absurd in music videos.

His point about using one colorist (A VERY talented man) seemed more about the studio's control and attempt to keep a uniformed look to the universe and less about this one person's influence over the image. Again, I hope. If Mr. Willem's point is that the colorist has some power over the film image I may need to borrow an eyebrow.

So his reasoning is flawed but his claim is a solid one: Marvel's films look "ugly" because Marvel doesn't use a true black and that this look is out of step with both the "comic book aesthetic" and the "big budget extravaganza aesthetic". This is something I agree with and your video doesn't address.

Just to head this off at the pass... I very much enjoy the desaturated look and think it can be employed to fantastic effect. I also put ugly in quotes because this is a subjective conversation. However, I do agree that it seems out of step with the comic book world of Marvel.

I'll avoid nit-picking your video but will point out that color timing is a long standing industry practice that is as old as cinema itself, something you don't directly deny but it FAR predates Contempt. I, like you, enjoy this type of visual aesthetics conversation and think that anything that gets filmmakers talking more about the elements of the visual language, is a good thing. Thanks for the video and for your reply.