I have enjoyed Marvel characters for over forty-five years (1). As a child they helped me learn to read and fueled my imagination. My curiosity was spurred as I read Norse myths because of my interest in Thor. The Avengers, Fantastic Four, and Silver Surfer hit the sci-fi chords that I increasingly enjoyed in my young film choices, which included Star Wars, Star Trek, Alien and Aliens, and Flash Gordon (He’s a miracle!). In High School books like 1984 made more sense when I pictured Dr. Doom pulling the strings from behind the curtain.
In 2010 my book The Comic Book Curriculum was published, a combination of homage to the medium of comics and guidance to teachers looking to use them in the classroom to engage readers. The book is dedicated to my grandmother, who bought me my first comic books.
The writing of The Comic Book Curriculum coincided with the release of Iron Man (2008) and the launch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). During these years Daredevil (2015) and his extended “universe” premiered on Netflix. My enjoyment and engagement with these films and shows is highlighted by the fact eight posts on this site are directly linked the MCU. The decade long journey culminated with Endgame (2019).
Like many fans I was curious to see what came next…and disheartened by what was revealed. I do, however, know there are many gripping storylines that can be pulled from the comics and brought to life on the big screen. On February 14 Captain America: Brave New World will be released. Will it be a sign that the MCU is in a course correction or will it continue to see a studio staggering down an undesirable path? Time will tell, as will my own eyes and sensibilities as I plan on seeing the film that weekend with hope and trepidation (2).
Getting Focused
The following statement summarizes the previous thoughts; I am disheartened by the MCU’s recent phases but still hopeful that they can reclaim their storytelling acumen which has been displayed in the past. Neither hope nor disenchantment exists without reason. The reasons for their dual existence will be explored by highlighting four storytelling elements. The elements, therefore, are our focal point, not any particular film. So, let’s remember where Marvel has blasted some titanic homeruns and like Mighty Casey, also struck out.
Flawed Protagonists
We start with the granddaddy of them all! In Iron Man (2008) Tony Stark is presented to as a self-aggrandizing, self-centered, arrogant billionaire. He possessed a ferocious independent streak and dismissed accountability. I would call him misogynistic but that would ignore the fact he looks down on pretty much everybody. His superiority complex is almost limitless. More interested in fans and admirers than friendship he stomps through life utilizing his superficial charm to win plenty of both (3). Without this uninspiring baseline we would not have watched Tony struggle with the concept of responsibility, strive to become more “we centered” than “me centered”, and stumble as he developed relationships with other heroes and characters.
Thor’s hubris and entitlement (Thor 2011), Wanda’s anger and thirst for revenge
(Avengers: Age of Ultron 2015), and Jessica’s PTSD and functioning alcoholism (Jessica Jones 2015 – Netflix) are further examples of heroes with room to grow. Flawed protagonists also allow for wonderful payoffs. I didn’t know I could care so much about the emotional journey of a genetically altered, highly intelligent but deeply embittered raccoon until I met Rocket (Guardians of the Galaxy 2014).
As the MCU moved beyond the Infinity Saga their protagonists became more sterilized and less interesting. I enjoyed the film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) but can’t tell you much about the character strengths and weakness of Shang- Chi. I know what he can fight and he cares about people, but didn’t have a strong sense of what he can’t and what hinders him. I rooted for him to win but wasn’t rooting for him to grow in any particular because he was already a good guy (4). It’s ok for a protagonist to be off-putting – it allows for plenty of development.
Setting
The MCU takes the viewer to a variety of vistas, both on earth and well beyond our
galaxy. Building these venues so they resonate as if they actually exist is essential if viewers are to surrender to these fictional realities. Some settings, like Wakanda’s introduction in Black Panther (2018), were constructed with care that included attention to long standing traditions, cultural norms, and rivalries. Wakanda had an unspoken lore flowing from the screen. This is not a knock on any actors, but Wakanda itself was more interesting than some of the characters in the film. Honestly, Wakanda WAS a character in the film (5)!
Not all venues receive care and attention in the MCU. Asgard, for example, was a
woefully underdeveloped aspect of the Thor movies – especially in the hands of Taiki Waititi (6). The mediocre usages of Asgard are still superior to the Hall of the Illuminati and the temple atop Mount Wundagore in Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). I wish I could forget the quantum realm in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023). It is difficult to immerse yourself in a movie when you are painfully aware you are watching a movie. When Clint Barton’s home (revealed in Avengers: Age of Ultron 2015) is far more interesting than the quantum realm, your movie has a problem.
Great Scenes
Director Howard Hawks noted a good movie must have three great scenes and no bad ones. The MCU is littered with great scenes and their share of bad and bland ones. I am going to give you a quick list of five scenes that live rent free in my head. Feel free to tell me some of your favorites in the comments!
- The banishment of Thor (Thor 2011) is seared into my MCU memory banks. Odin’s disappointment and heartbreak Odin are communicated verbally (“I was a fool to think you were ready”) and in the snarl unleashed to silence Loki.
- Chris Hemsworth also delivers primal pain in Thor when he attempts to lift Mjolnir at the S.H.I.E.L.D. camp. He is an animal trapped in a cage as he bellows his rage and confusion to the heavens.
- The post-party lifting of Mjolnir scene in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) is not only a wonderful way to display the personalities and comraderie of the Avengers, but sets up the payoff when Captain America lifts the legendary weapon in Avengers: Endgame (2019)
4. “There are always men like you.” Thus spoke the old man to Loki in Avengers
(2012). ‘Nuff said.
5. “I am the Punisher! You want it you got it!” If you’re a fan of Netflix’s Daredevil
(2016 Season 2) then you likely loved this memorable courtroom scene.
Please note I was thinking of great scenes here, not great fights. Granted, throw
downs and smack downs part of the MCU and if I were to make that list it would
include Steve Rogers vs. Bucky in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2016), Tony in his Hulk Buster Armor vs Hulk (Avengers: Age of Ultron 2015), and Frank Castle’s bathroom battle (Punisher 2019 season 2).
Villains and Antagonists
Here me out! I know Marvel has a chronic villain problem. Many of our heroes square off with underdeveloped and forgettable rivals who last in my memory about as long as morning dew survives the rising sun. Worse, some were so underwhelming – I give you Justin Hammer in Iron Man 2 (2010) – that I remember them despite my desire to forget!
We must always give credit when it is earned. Thank you Ryan Cooglar and
Michael B. Jordan for bringing us Killmonger in Black Panther (2018). Tom Hiddleston’s Loki clearly belongs in this category as he chews up scenes and leaves us wanting more. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) would be a mediocre movie if not for Michael Keating’s Vulture elevating the film. Spider-Man: No Way Home allows us to enjoy the maniacal Green Goblin, brought to life once again by Willem Dafoe. The threat of Thanos (Avengers: Infinity War 2018 and Avengers: Endgame 2019) was perfectly presented as the Infinity Saga came to its conclusion.
I must confess, Thor taught me to temper my expectations for characters as their appearance on the screen does not always align with their comic book iterations.In the comics, The Destroyer is an engine of destruction that routinely pushes Thor to the very brink of exhaustion and death. In the MCU before I could finish the thought, “Oh shit! How will Thor defeat…” the fight was over.
This is why I was able to accept the rendering of Ultron in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and enjoy the movie (7). This leniency is not without limit which is why characters like Justin Hammer, Taskmaster (Black Widow 2021), Ronan the Accuser (Guardians of the Galaxy 2014) left me cold (8).
So Much More we Could Explore
I am putting on the breaks for the sake of keeping this post under ten pages! If I were to continue the elements next up would be character development (Captain America and Black Widow in Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a prime example), great lines (“I could snap your neck and not change a shade.” Bruce Banner to Wanda in Avengers: Age of Ultron), and tone (I prefer a grittier tone, hence Jessica Jones, Daredevil, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier hit a chord for me). If you have any interest in these topics do feel free to let me know!
Marvel has displayed the capacity to make entertaining, compelling, and thought provoking films. They have also produced some hollow clunkers. Sadly, those clunkers are now piled upon each other post Avengers: Endgame. My Marvel goodwill, which began to be cultivated around the age of eight, is waning. It has not expired. I’ll be watching Captain America: Brave New World not simply to be entertained but in the hopes that the franchise can show signs of rededication to solid storytelling. Fingers crossed until next time!
End Notes
(1) I am a fan of D.C. as well, but this is a Marvel-centric post. Stay tuned for a post
regarding James Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie.
(2) I am even MORE nervous about the pending release of Daredevil: Born Again in
March. The complete fiasco that was the introduction of Wilson Fisk and Matthew
Murdock to the MCU strained my patience to the limit. Thankfully I am a teacher
and parent of four so I always seem to find more patience!
(3) Tony Stark actually exhibits many of the traits of a sociopath.
(4) Yes, he had the issue with his father but the evaluation of it felt shallow and clichéd.
(5) We have witnessed this in other settings within the superhero genre. Gotham City in
most Batman films and Hell’s Kitchen in Daredevil are two examples.
(6) The directors and writers of these films matter. James Gunn and the Russo Brothers
are prime examples of superior talent for the interlocked universe.
(7) I am well aware of the fact that I am in the minority on this one but I have always
enjoyed Avengers: Age of Ultron. It is true that Ultron on the screen was not the menacing, nigh unconquerable menace he was in the comics. He was particularly ominous in the hands of the late, brilliant George Perez.
(8) Even when attempting a positive slant the reality remains that the MCU misses more
than they hit with their villains. I know Robert Downey jr. is a fine actor but I found his announcement as Dr. Doom to be more desperation than fulfilling…after about 12 hours.
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