MCU Phase Four Sucked | The Ultimate Review Part 1
The Movie Cynic・2 minutes read
Phase four of Marvel was a mixed bag, with "Spider-Man: No Way Home" standing out for its strong character development and fan-favorite elements. On the other hand, films like "Black Widow" and "Thor: Love and Thunder" faced criticism for their convoluted plots, underdeveloped characters, and lackluster storytelling, with "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" also receiving negative feedback due to rushed writing and character inconsistencies.
Insights
- "Spider-Man: No Way Home" impresses with its successful character-driven narrative, strong performances, and adept handling of fan-favorite elements, despite noticeable plot holes and reliance on convenient storytelling.
- "Black Widow" is criticized for being a belated star vehicle for Scarlett Johansson, with a convoluted plot, disappointing villain portrayal, and subpar CGI effects, failing to deliver as the long-awaited female lead MCU movie.
- "Thor: Love and Thunder" faces negative reception due to its lackluster storytelling, unfunny jokes, and disregard for previous MCU continuity, with a poorly executed villain, incoherent character arcs, and a childish writing style overshadowing the narrative.
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Recent questions
Is "Spider-Man: No Way Home" well-received?
Yes, it impresses with character-driven narrative.
What are the criticisms of "Black Widow"?
Plot convoluted, CGI effects disappointing, Taskmaster portrayal lacking.
What are the criticisms of "Thor: Love and Thunder"?
Lackluster storytelling, unfunny jokes, poor treatment of characters.
How is "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" received?
Criticized for trying to do too much at once.
What are the criticisms of "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness"?
Poor writing, rushed reshoots, irrational character behavior.
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Summary
00:00
"Spider-Man: No Way Home" impresses fans
- Phase four of Marvel was a disappointment for many fans, with one highlight being "Spider-Man: No Way Home."
- The movie was well-received, especially compared to other phase four projects like "Ant-Man 3."
- "No Way Home" continues Peter Parker's story after Mysterio exposes his identity, leading to drastic consequences.
- Doctor Strange's spell to make everyone forget Peter as Spider-Man goes awry, bringing villains from other Spider-Man universes.
- The film successfully focuses on character development, particularly for Tom Holland's Spider-Man, addressing past criticisms.
- Bringing back iconic villains like Green Goblin and Doc Ock adds depth without overshadowing the main character.
- Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's return is integrated well into the plot, avoiding mere nostalgia bait.
- Despite its strengths, "No Way Home" does have noticeable plot holes, some stemming from behind-the-scenes contract issues.
- The Multiverse concept in the movie raises questions and relies on convenient storytelling to bring multiple Spider-Men together.
- Overall, "No Way Home" impresses with its character-driven narrative, strong performances, and successful handling of fan-favorite elements.
12:28
Mixed reviews for recent Marvel movies.
- "No Way Home" succeeds due to strong character writing, with Tom Holland's Spider-Man evolving into a beloved hero despite facing significant challenges.
- Spider-Man is portrayed as a flawed yet resilient hero, embodying the best of humanity by learning from mistakes and moving forward to do what's right.
- "Black Widow" is criticized for being a belated star vehicle for Scarlett Johansson, failing to deliver the long-awaited female lead MCU movie.
- The film's plot is deemed convoluted and filled with contrived elements, struggling to integrate Natasha's past with the present timeline.
- Taskmaster is portrayed as a disappointing villain in "Black Widow," deviating significantly from the character's comic book origins.
- The movie's CGI effects are heavily criticized, with the delayed production failing to deliver visually appealing results.
- "Thor: Love and Thunder" is lambasted for its lackluster storytelling, reliance on unfunny jokes, and disregard for previous MCU continuity.
- The film introduces Gore as a villain with a poorly executed backstory, riddled with plot contrivances that undermine the narrative.
- The movie's treatment of Jane Foster's character, her cancer storyline, and the mechanics of Mjolnir's power transfer are criticized for lacking coherence.
- The overall reception of "Thor: Love and Thunder" is negative, with the film failing to meet even the lowest expectations set for it.
25:48
"Thor: Love and Thunder" Critique and Transition
- Thor and the crew embark on a McGuffin Chase, but a potential character moment between Thor and Jane is overshadowed by humor.
- The crew arrives at the shadow realm where Gore is, revealing his plan to steal Stormbreaker and reach Eternity.
- Lady Thor discovers Gore's plan but instead of stopping him, she throws the ax, leading to a fight where Thor recalls Stormbreaker.
- Gore gains access to the bifrost and can go to Eternity, but they decide to return to Earth instead of stopping him.
- Jane is dying, and Thor is warned not to use Mjolnir again, leading to Thor deciding to face Gore alone.
- Thor frees the kids in the shadow realm and gives them the power of Thor, showcasing a childish writing style.
- Natalie Portman's character saves Thor, leading to a cringy farewell before she dies, and Gore also faces his end.
- The movie ends with Thor taking responsibility for raising Gore's daughter, concluding the chaotic events.
- The text criticizes "Thor: Love and Thunder" for deviating from Thor's character in previous films and the lack of seriousness in the storyline.
- The summary transitions to discussing "Shang-Chi," highlighting its origin story structure, characters, action sequences, and the balance between comedy and drama.
39:31
"Movie Struggles with Honoring Chadwick Boseman"
- A celestial hand sticking out of the ocean is briefly mentioned in a newspaper in She-Hulk.
- Keanu Reeves is a significant part of a movie project.
- The film "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" is criticized for trying to do too much at once.
- The movie struggles to honor Chadwick Boseman while managing multiple plot elements.
- The film is described as clumsy, shallow, and plagued by poor writing.
- The plot is criticized for attempting to accomplish too many tasks in one movie.
- The character Riri Williams is introduced as a replacement main character.
- The film is noted for avoiding disrespecting Iron Man's legacy.
- The character Riri Williams is criticized for being portrayed as a Mary Sue.
- The movie is commended for its emotional scenes honoring Chadwick Boseman.
52:34
Criticism of Neymar's Winged Feet in Film
- Neymar's translation from comic to film is criticized for its poorly executed visual effects, particularly his winged feet, which are deemed embarrassing and poorly written.
- The film's inept writing, carried over from the original Black Panther, is highlighted as a major flaw that hinders its success, leaving no standout performances to elevate it.
- The movie is described as trapped in the MCU narrative, unable to progress meaningfully, resulting in messy storytelling, goofy CGI, and a plot built on weak foundations.
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is heavily criticized for its poor writing, with the effects of rushed reshoots evident in inconsistencies like shifting wig lines.
- The antagonist, Wanda Maximoff, seeks her children using the Darkhold, displaying irrational behavior that the script struggles to justify, leading to absurd character moments.
- Doctor Strange's character development is deemed lacking, with the film feeling more episodic and lacking depth in his portrayal, failing to progress his story significantly.
- The movie's lazy plot devices, like conveniently placed memories and absurd character actions, are highlighted as evidence of rushed and poorly thought-out writing.
- A bait-and-switch cameo scene with the Illuminati characters is criticized for generating hype without delivering on fan expectations, akin to the Quicksilver situation in WandaVision.
- The film's treatment of iconic characters like Reed Richards, Black Bolt, and Xavier is condemned as disrespectful, favoring lesser-known characters over fan-favorites.
- The movie is accused of undermining its own legacy by sidelining beloved characters in favor of new ones, with a lack of consideration for fan expectations and excitement for the introduction of the X-Men and Fantastic Four.
01:04:55
Doctor Strange Sequel: Multiverse Adventure and Disappointments
- The film "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" features a short sequence where Chavez and Strange traverse multiple universes, but most of the story unfolds in one universe with peculiar differences like people stopping on green and going on red. Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a strong performance, alongside Brie Larson and Elizabeth Olsen, enhancing the tragic storyline. Despite potential, Rachel McAdams and Zochitl Gomez's performances are average. The upcoming "Doctor Strange 2" will star Keanu Reeves, and the reviewer expresses disappointment in revisiting MCU projects, hinting at a lack of interest in the franchise's TV shows.
