As the dust settled on the battleground of Earth’s mightiest heroes in 2019, a sad truth emerged: The era of the superhero movie that was once the pinnacle of cinematic spectacle, now faces its own reckoning. What used to ignite imaginations and break box office records now struggles to maintain its grip on audiences’ attention, especially when it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (or MCU).
From the early days of Iron Man kicking off the MCU to the epic resolution of Avengers: Endgame, watching these iconic movies was nothing short of extraordinary. As I grew up, so did the MCU: Each new installment introduced millions to beloved characters that jumped from the pages of Marvel comics — from Captain America and Thor to Black Widow and Spider-Man. These characters weren’t just fictional heroes; they became symbols of magic, resilience, and excitement.
When I was a kid, Marvel never missed. With popcorn and Coca-Cola Icees in hand, my brother and I went to the theaters to see the first Thor in 2012, and so began the following seven years of my dedication to the MCU. With every new release, it was like Christmas came early, and we’d beg and barter to see every premiere. After leaving the theater, we’d be fresh off the high of a spectacular, bitter-sweet victory, or wildly debating the socio-political significance of the Avengers’ breakup.
So, when the final installment of the Infinity Saga, Avengers: Endgame, was released, we weren’t quite sure how they would come back from such a peak. Sadly, they didn’t.
Now, each time the MCU releases a new movie, I weigh the possibility that the script, plot, and place on the timeline might just suck.
On my way home from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in 2021, the MCU had tangled two of my favorite characters into a mess they didn’t know how to clean up — that was when they lost me. Now, each time the MCU releases a new movie, I weigh the possibility that the script, plot, and place on the timeline might just suck.
For every one Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, there are at least five Thor: Love and Thunders, and don’t even get me started on Madame Web (which literally got a 13% Rotten Tomatoes score)….
The disappointing truth is that Marvel has been pushing narratives of characters we aren’t connected to. The writers of the more recent projects haven’t stayed true to the narratives that the comics have so brilliantly weaved together — in fact, most aren’t even familiar with comics at all.
The iconic trilogies are being replaced by flashy, overwhelming action sequences and very little deeper emotional meaning. That’s why projects like Wakanda Forever, Shang-Chi, and Loki were the very few to be considered decent projects since 2019.
As the quality of storytelling in MCU declines, the franchise continues to lose its audience’s trust and interest. Superficial or “stepping-stone” plots, recycled characters, and formulaic narratives like Quantemania and The Marvels make it harder for us to want to drive to the theater.
Growing up watching Marvel movies was a journey filled with laughter, tears, and unforgettable moments. From childhood dreams to adolescent struggles and beyond, the MCU has been a constant source of joy and inspiration. As we anticipate the next chapter in this Multiverse saga, we MCU girlies can only hope that the franchise can revive the magic of the old Marvel, because that? I could do that all day.