Since the release of Avengers: Endgame and the end of the Infinity Saga back in 2019, Marvel has had to pivot and begin their new era of films. For many fans though, Endgame did not only signal the end of an era but the beginning of a rather slippery downhill slope for the franchise.
Marvel has produced movies and comics that have brought millions of people together. Between record-breaking worldwide releases of the films and the ongoing overwhelming love for the original source material, people of all ages have been fans of the franchise for a long time.
“I think it gives the audiences what they want and it’s like watching a TV series,” said English and film teacher Amy Severinski, “it keeps going [and] they keep on making more films.”
But, for some, that love for the films can not override the obvious truth that Marvel movies are not what they used to be. What were once fun action movies with tastefully dry jokes are now directionless films with gimmicky humor and weak storylines.
Despite being no real answer for the change, there are two things that have affected the franchise: the COVID-19 pandemic and their pivot in the storyline for the current saga.
“They were just about to start a new phase when COVID hit so the phase took a long time to get off its feet because of the slow production and things like that,” said Marvel fanatic and deans assistant Mark Stewart.
“[They moved away from their] ‘big-bad’ Kang because of the allegations against the actor [and they’ve had to] pivot midstory to a new big bad guy,” he added.
Between the almost pointless releases of the TV shows, which are mostly disconnected from each other and the rest of the series, and the stalling to create a new overarching villain, it feels like Marvel is just churning out films to kill time and make money while they flounder around trying to figure out their footing.
Another big issue with recent films has been their lack of quality in filmmaking factors like Computer Generated Imaging (CGI). Due to the fast-paced release schedules, it is very hard to take the time to make these films look convincing.
“Marvel is turning into the earlier DC Universe which is [where] they’re just worried about constantly pushing movies, and so if you’re pushing movies you’re not gonna get a lot of work done on each of those movies,” said OH senior Jack Beaudette.
A personal gripe, albeit widespread opinion, is with the humor of the films. In movies like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love and Thunder, what were once tasteful quips resulting in beloved inside jokes amongst the fanbase have turned into embarrassing betrayals to the sense of humor the fans enjoyed before. Quite frankly, humor like screaming goats as a cheap butt of a joke feels more like an insult than a service to fans.
With the release of Captain America: Brave New World this past month, Marvel may be trying to turn the trend around. There is a review of the film done by staff writer Terrance Acosta. The film, although still largely and seemingly disconnected from the larger story, was of much better quality, both story and filmmaking-wise, which marks a brighter future for the rest of the saga.
“I feel like we just have to get through this [saga] the best we can now and let them kind of start over with the next one,” said Stewart.
I am a senior at OH and so excited to be a Managing and Opinions Section Editor this year! I love working on 42Fifty, but I am also very involved in band and numerous honor societies here. Looking forward to doing great work this year!
I love this article! Great opinion and I agree, I miss the old Marvel.