By Maria Bregman
Superheroes used to rule the world. For more than a decade, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) dominated the global box office and the cultural zeitgeist, with its dazzling and diverse array of characters, stories, and genres. From Iron Man to Black Panther, from The Avengers to Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel delivered blockbuster after blockbuster, satisfying fans and critics alike with its blend of spectacle, humor, and emotion.
But something has changed. Lately, Marvel seems to have run out of steam and ideas, producing series after series that are dull, derivative, and convoluted. The MCU, which once promised an endless and exciting adventure, now feels like a tedious and exhausting chore. The era of superheroes is over. And Marvel is to blame.
What went wrong? How did Marvel lose its magic and how can it get it back? These are the questions that many viewers and reviewers are asking, as they witness the decline and fall of the once mighty franchise. Here are some of the possible reasons and solutions.
- Marvel has become too big and complex for its own good. The MCU has grown so massive and complicated that it is hard to keep track of its characters, timelines, and multiverses. The latest Marvel series, such as Echo, Hawkeye, and Loki, require a lot of prior knowledge and homework to understand and enjoy. They also rely heavily on references, callbacks, and cameos, which often feel like fan service rather than storytelling. Marvel has sacrificed clarity and coherence for quantity and continuity, making its series inaccessible and confusing for casual and new viewers.
Solution: Marvel should simplify and streamline its narrative, focusing on standalone and self-contained stories that can appeal to a wider and more diverse audience. Marvel should also balance its fan service with originality and creativity, offering new and unexpected twists and perspectives on its characters and worlds.
- Marvel has lost its edge and identity. The MCU used to be known for its innovation and experimentation, exploring different genres and styles, and pushing the boundaries of the superhero genre. Marvel also used to have a distinctive tone and voice, combining humor, action, and drama, and creating memorable and charismatic characters. But now, Marvel seems to have lost its edge and identity, producing series that are bland, generic, and formulaic. Marvel has become too safe and predictable, repeating the same tropes and clichés, and failing to surprise and challenge its viewers.
Solution: Marvel should rediscover and reinvent its edge and identity, experimenting with new and diverse genres and styles, and breaking the conventions and expectations of the superhero genre. Marvel should also inject more personality and flair into its series, creating characters that are unique and relatable, and dialogue that is witty and sharp.
- Marvel has neglected its quality and substance. The MCU used to be praised for its quality and substance, delivering series that were not only entertaining and thrilling, but also meaningful and relevant. Marvel used to tackle important and timely themes and issues, such as racism, trauma, and identity, and offer insights and messages that resonated with its viewers. But now, Marvel seems to have neglected its quality and substance, delivering series that are shallow and superficial, with weak and sloppy scripts, mediocre and cheap VFX, and hollow and forgettable themes and messages. Marvel has become more concerned with quantity and spectacle, than with quality and substance.
Solution: Marvel should improve its quality and substance, delivering series that are not only fun and exciting, but also smart and profound. Marvel should invest more in its scripts and VFX, ensuring that they are polished and impressive, and avoid cutting corners and compromising its standards. Marvel should also explore more meaningful and relevant themes and issues, and offer insights and messages that inspire and empower its viewers.
The MCU is not doomed. It still has the potential and the talent to produce great and amazing series that can captivate and satisfy its fans and critics. But it needs to change and improve, and to learn from its mistakes and failures. The era of superheroes is not over. But Marvel needs to find its magic again.