The MCU has a Woman Problem
LostChord・28 minutes read
The Marvel Cinematic Universe's focus on female characters and identity politics has led to a decline in storytelling quality, alienating the broader audience and causing financial setbacks. The lack of clear direction and purpose in recent films, combined with unchecked experimentation with characters, has hindered the development of good female characters in the MCU.
Insights
- The Marvel Cinematic Universe has faced backlash for prioritizing identity politics over storytelling, leading to a decline in audience appeal and financial setbacks.
- Quality writing and well-crafted characters, like Black Widow, are more crucial for character popularity than forced inclusion or identity-based marketing, emphasizing the importance of storytelling over individual characters.
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Recent questions
How has the Marvel Cinematic Universe shifted focus?
Towards female characters and diversity.
What impact has the push for diversity had on the MCU?
Alienated its universal audience.
How has the introduction of female characters affected the MCU?
Sacrificed storytelling quality.
What has been the response to the introduction of specific female characters?
Criticism for lacking depth and substance.
What has been the impact of the lack of direction in storytelling in the MCU?
Hindered the development of good female characters.
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Summary
00:00
MCU's Diversity Shift: Impact on Appeal
- The Marvel Cinematic Universe has shifted focus towards female characters and diversity in recent years.
- Despite claims that the cast couldn't promote a film, they were available for other promotions, indicating a lack of significant impact.
- Interviews post-strike, like on The View, focus on diversity and inclusion, but may not add much value to the audience.
- Actors often emphasize diversity and inclusion for self-aggrandizement rather than genuine representation.
- The push for diversity in films is more about projecting the actor's importance than representing reality.
- The MCU's shift towards identity politics has alienated its universal audience, impacting its appeal.
- The success of earlier MCU films was due to well-crafted characters and stories, not identity-based marketing.
- Artificial appeals to women in films misunderstand what makes them popular, assuming women need to be asked to watch.
- Captain Marvel's forced inclusion in the MCU disrupted established storylines and character arcs, affecting the overall narrative.
- The prioritization of identity politics over storytelling in the MCU reflects a shift in priorities that risks damaging the franchise's appeal.
13:38
"MCU's Feminization Trend: Impact on Storytelling"
- The lamentable trend in real-world fashion over story began with Captain Marvel, the last film before Endgame, introducing Carol Danvers at the 11th hour.
- The public's least favorite character, Carol Danvers, disrupted Marvel's plans, leading to blame-shifting and financial concerns.
- Black Widow, a fan favorite without her own film, exemplifies that quality writing, not superpowers, drives character popularity.
- Natasha Romanov's emotional impact surpasses many male characters with minimal screen time, emphasizing the importance of story over individual characters.
- Black Widow's movie, posthumously released, was criticized for its unnecessary story and gender politicking, tarnishing the character's legacy.
- Marvel's push for female characters like America Chavez, Riri Williams, and She-Hulk has been met with criticism for lacking depth and substance.
- The MCU's attempt to shift its target audience towards fashionable female trends has sacrificed storytelling quality, leading to a decline in audience appeal.
- Despite the MCU's massive success, recent attempts to cater to specific identity-based groups have backfired, alienating the broader audience.
- The shift towards feminization in the MCU has not only damaged storytelling but also led to financial setbacks, indicating a need for reevaluation.
- While issues in recent MCU films extend beyond gender politics, the lack of direction and purpose in storytelling is a significant underlying problem affecting the franchise's quality.
26:22
Issues with MCU storytelling and character development
- Lack of clear direction and purpose in the MCU due to a lack of story and understanding by those in charge
- Absence of oversight leading to unchecked experimentation with characters
- Emphasis on personal stories and identity politics hindering the development of good female characters in the MCU
