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Doc755 on 25 January 2018
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Angelus said:
Veknoid_Outcast said:

I think that's fair. Of the 17 movies, I'd probably recommend maybe six? I'd place three of those among the ten best superhero movies made, and another three in the top 20.

I don't think the genius of the MCU comes from movie quality -- although I'd argue nothing among the 17 movies is truly awful and most are in the "decent, watchable" camp -- but rather its pervasiveness. Disney and Marvel are the first ones to take advantage of this new normal where 24-hour news cycles and social media keep ideas, memes, and, yes, cinematic universes, in the public eye longer and more comprehensively. They've capitalized on a market where the cultural buzz before a movie elevates its box office performance and then the buzz after that movie feeds into the next installment. For example, you can enjoy Ant-Man's appearance in Civil War, without ever seeing Ant-Man, because his role (or even existence) is something you've probably gleaned through media consumption. It really is brilliant, if more than a little cynical.

That said, the Justice League Universe also tried this, with arguably more famous and beloved characters, and has failed so far. So the quality of the movies does fuel this MCU dynamo, at least partially.

Ya, I think that's accurate. Disney/Marvel have definitely been trend setters in this regard. Every movie studio now is looking for their own version of the MCU, be it WB with DC, or Universal with their "Dark Universe." I also think what you said about none of the movies being awful, at least from an overall quality perspective - discounting the individual weight anyone may or may not give to any single aspect of a movie - is key here. You're never going to get a whole lot of people walking away from one of the Marvel movies being so put off that they think to themselves "....ok...I'm not watching any more of these." That's not something these other studios can say about their attempts at this so far, and it shows.

My only concern is what happens when we move off the Big Four (Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Cap). They’re still pretty central to the franchise as a whole. Downey is lured back by massive paychecks and he could conceivably be Iron Man forever. I know both Hemsworth and Evans have said they’re open to doing more standalone films. But eventually we hit a point where someone says enough. Do they recast? Do supoorting players step into the costumes of the Big Four (I have my own issues with this even though it happens in comics)? Do we just proceed with the supporting heroes. I’ll be honest. I cringed at that B Team of Avengers at the end of Ultron. I just feel we’re closer to the end than the beginning. And it’s a little sad