No, There's Nothing Wrong with the MCU

We have spent the last few years seeing some strange comments about the MCU by various filmmakers and actors, including people like the great Martin Scorsese. These comments allude to the idea that the world of film should not take Marvel so seriously as cinema, but rather the films should be thought of more as theme park rides. I believe that not only is this incorrect, but it is also damaging to the film landscape. If these MCU films are to be put on the back-burner when it comes to cinema, we run into a whole host of problems...

The first problem concerns family-friendly films. For those complaining about the lack of serious filmmaking quality in Marvel movies, we also see the same complaint being made that people 'no longer go to the cinema'. If one person were to go to the cinema to see say, Gangs of New York, they aren't taking their toddler children with them and thus, probably won't be able to go since they (and a presumed partner) won't be leaving the children alone in order to go out to the cinema.

However, if they were to see a MCU movie, they would be able to take the children as well. Thus, we get four tickets paid for instead of two. People who complain about this aren't complaining that people aren't going to the cinema - they are complaining about the fact that people are choosing films that they can bank on to be good, clean and inoffensive fun for everyone. Marvel is reliable as a business model when it comes to making films that everyone can enjoy at whatever age - it is a good idea for families.

The second problem concerns bankable cinema. Let's just take the two people without the children. These two people are in their 20s, their gender and sexuality is completely irrelevant. They work average jobs and thus, in 2025/6 it takes them longer to save up to go to the cinema since it costs a lot more nowadays than it did in say 2005/6. They are unsure of what to watch but they know they want to enjoy themselves. Are they going to a) watch the new Marvel movie in which they can bank on a good time, or b) watch a movie where they have no idea whether they are going to enjoy it and risk wasting their hard-earned money?

I understand that cinema experimentation should be a thing (you're talking to someone who would pay good money to watch the films of FW Murnau on the big screen). But we have to be realistic. Are people going to spend money to watch a movie that they are unsure of - or would they like to feel perfectly financially secure in their choices? Exactly. If you want to solve this problem, I would say bring down the ticket prices, then you'll see more people experimenting with films and perhaps watching things they've never heard of. But as long as people struggle to have disposable income, they will spend less and less on uncertain outcomes regarding experience. It doesn't even have to be cinema, but if I have seen RDJ play Iron Man three times and have enjoyed myself, I would like to be sure of my enjoyment - I am more likely to pay to see him a fourth time.

If you want to extrapolate this to elsewhere, it can also explain the success of the Barbie movie.

The third problem concerns nostalgia. Of course, Marvel bases its films on its comic books and there are many people of the Gen X variety who are very nostalgic for Marvel Comics and thus look forward to seeing them on the big screen. It was this Boomer/Gen X parentage that took their children - the Millennials, to see RDJ in the early Iron Man movies and thus, Gen-Z/Alpha have also had their earful from us. This almost legacy of family-friendly movies means that people are continuously feeling nostalgia for a different time with Marvel making sure their legacy is solidified into the lives of their audience.

This is also by presenting us with a character, getting us to feel as though they are our best friend, raising us with said character, and then killing the character - allowing the audience to experience deep grief after several years. This means that people are far more invested in the story - it is really the same as how Lord of the Rings works. You need to get people invested in the 'lore' and once they are, you can keep bringing them back. The problem with stand-alone movies is that there really isn't any development of 'lore' and thus once its over, that's really it. Marvel tends to do well because there's so much story and so much to learn about our favourite characters.

I even remember breaking up with some of my friends because they were Team Cap and I was Team Iron Man, this was the Captain America: Civil War era and we honestly got so mad at each other, we didn't speak for weeks. You think I'm joking but there were very real arguments about this. But this is the magic of Marvel. It weaves itself into your life because of all the intense vivid lore.

Conclusion

I remember when Iron Man 1 came out and well, it was all very exciting. I have been one of those many who had Avengers posters on their walls and Iron Man t-shirts. As a Millennial, I was heavily invested in the lore and one could argue I am biased. But in our age of dystopia and melancholy - a little bit of magic can go a long way.

Let us march on to Doomsday...