MARVEL SAU ENDGAME ĐANG XUỐNG DỐC NHƯ THẾ NÀO?

TL;DR

Key insights

Marvel Studios faces challenges in post-Endgame era due to high expectations and a shift in storytelling.

• The perfect ending of Endgame created a 'curse' for Marvel, making it difficult to follow up on such a high point.
• The post-Endgame era has seen a mix of creative successes and critical failures in both films and series.
• Marvel is experimenting with different genres and formats, including darker themes, psychological studies, and animated series.
• While some projects are praised for their artistic merit and emotional depth, others are criticized for weak scripts, CGI, and rushed storytelling.

The MCU's expansion into Disney+ series has been a mixed bag, offering both innovative storytelling and disappointing execution.

• Series like WandaVision and Loki Season 1 are highlighted as creative peaks, exploring complex themes and character development.
• Other series, such as Secret Invasion and She-Hulk, are criticized for weak plots, underdeveloped characters, and a departure from their comic origins.
• The interconnectedness of the MCU is becoming a double-edged sword, with some series requiring extensive prior viewing, while others attempt to stand alone.
• The introduction of new characters and concepts through series has laid groundwork for future storylines but has also led to audience fatigue.

Marvel's approach to villains has varied significantly, with some being praised and others heavily criticized.

• Villains like Mysterio (Far From Home) and Kang the Conqueror (initially) were noted for their compelling motivations and presence.
• Conversely, villains in films like Eternals and Thor: Love and Thunder were deemed underdeveloped or poorly executed.
• The handling of established villains like Kingpin and the Skrulls has also drawn criticism for deviating from their comic counterparts or being underutilized.
• The potential of Kang as a major threat was undermined by his defeat and subsequent real-world issues with the actor.

The emotional core and character-driven stories are often Marvel's strongest assets, even amidst CGI-heavy action.

• Films and series that focus on character grief, personal journeys, and emotional resonance, like No Way Home and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, have resonated strongly with audiences.
• The handling of legacy characters and the passing of the torch, as seen with Captain America and Spider-Man, can be powerful when executed well.
• Nostalgia and fan service, particularly in projects like Spider-Man: No Way Home and X-Men '97, can be highly effective in connecting with long-time fans.
• Despite criticisms of CGI and plot, moments of genuine emotion and strong performances often salvage projects.

Marvel's Phase 4 and beyond show a strategic shift towards broader market appeal and experimentation, with varying degrees of success.

• The studio is exploring more mature themes and genres, including horror (Werewolf by Night) and darker narratives.
• There's a push to introduce new iconic characters and expand the cosmic and multiversal aspects of the MCU.
• The success of animated projects like What If...? and X-Men '97 suggests a strong potential in non-live-action formats.
• While some experiments have been lauded for their creativity, others have been criticized for diluting the core MCU identity or failing to meet audience expectations.

Key moments

• 00:00:01Introduction: The challenge of following up Endgame and the rocky journey of the MCU's post-Endgame era, highlighting issues like CGI, plot, and audience fatigue.
• 00:01:14Spider-Man: Far From Home: Its role in cleaning up after Endgame, Peter Parker's struggles, and the introduction of Mysterio as a compelling, modern villain.
• 00:02:36WandaVision: Praised as a creative peak, exploring Wanda's grief through a unique sitcom format, with standout performances but a conventional finale.
• 00:03:34The Falcon and The Winter Soldier: A more grounded, political series exploring themes of legacy and identity, with strong character arcs for Sam and Bucky, but a weak villain.
• 00:04:56Loki (Season 1): A pivotal series that redefined the MCU's structure with the TVA and the Sacred Timeline, featuring excellent chemistry and introducing Kang.
• 00:06:23What If...?: Praised for its creative freedom, emotional depth (especially Episode 4), and introducing powerful threats like the Infinity Ultron.
• 00:07:16Black Widow: Released at a difficult time, it focused on Natasha's family but suffered from a weak villain and lack of stakes.
• 00:08:11Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: A visually stunning film with a strong Asian influence and a deep villain, marred slightly by a conventional CGI-heavy finale.
• 00:09:36Eternals: Ambitious in scope and visuals, but criticized for an overstuffed script, underdeveloped characters, and a rushed plot.
• 00:10:31Hawkeye: A smaller, warmer series focusing on character relationships and holiday themes, with a mixed reception for the Kingpin portrayal.
• 00:12:00Spider-Man: No Way Home: An emotional triumph that delivered on fan service and character healing, despite some logical plot holes.
• 00:12:56Moon Knight: A standout series praised for Oscar Isaac's performance and its standalone nature, exploring mental health themes, though the finale's action was criticized.
• 00:14:21Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: A visually distinct film with a horror influence, but criticized for its plot and the underutilization of the Illuminati.
• 00:15:18Ms. Marvel: Praised for its creative visual style and lead performance, but criticized for a weak plot and underdeveloped villains.
• 00:16:09Thor: Love and Thunder: A major disappointment, criticized for excessive humor, tonal clashes, and a weakened Thor.
• 00:17:06I Am Groot: A lighthearted series of shorts providing a fun, character-driven break.
• 00:17:35She-Hulk: Attorney at Law: Controversial for its legal procedural approach, breaking the fourth wall, and a disappointing Kingpin portrayal.
• 00:19:03Werewolf by Night: A critically acclaimed black and white special that showcased Marvel's ability to create artistic and engaging content outside the typical superhero formula.
• 00:19:27Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: An emotional and respectful tribute to Chadwick Boseman, with a strong performance from Tenoch Huerta, but some pacing and cultural representation critiques.
• 00:20:57Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania: Intended to launch Kang as the next big villain, but hampered by poor CGI, a weak script, and Kang's underwhelming defeat.
• 00:22:16Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: A highly emotional and character-focused finale, particularly for Rocket, praised for its storytelling and James Gunn's direction.
• 00:23:08Secret Invasion: A major disappointment, criticized for its weak plot, Nick Fury's portrayal, and the controversial reveal of Rhodey as a Skrull.
• 00:24:09Loki (Season 2): A strong continuation that explored themes of free will and destiny, culminating in a powerful character arc for Loki.
• 00:25:04The Marvels: A fun film with good chemistry, but suffered from a lack of audience investment due to prior underperforming projects and a weak villain.
• 00:25:57What If...? (Season 2): Showcased genre diversity and introduced new characters, though some felt Captain Carter was overused.
• 00:26:52Echo: A gritty, street-level series that successfully brought back Netflix's Daredevil and Kingpin, but had pacing issues.
• 00:27:18X-Men '97: A critically acclaimed revival that honored the original series and delivered a powerful, emotional story, particularly the 'Remember it' episode.
• 00:28:17Deadpool & Wolverine: A highly anticipated film that served as a love letter to Fox's X-Men era, focusing on character and fan service.
• 00:29:09Agatha All Along: A surprisingly enjoyable musical horror series that expanded the magic world and set up future storylines.
• 00:30:04What If...? (Season 3): A high-energy season with giant robots and a notable Storm storyline, concluding the first chapter of Marvel Animation.
• 00:31:00Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man: An animated series offering a fresh take on Peter Parker's early days, with a unique art style and mentor relationship with Norman Osborn.
• 00:32:23Captain America: Brave New World: Featured a strong villain in Harrison Ford but suffered from production issues, a disjointed plot, and underdeveloped characters.
• 00:33:40Daredevil: Born Again: Praised for performances and psychological horror, but criticized for pacing and a diluted tone compared to the Netflix series.
• 00:35:04Thunderbolts: A heartwarming film about a group of misfits, with strong character interactions, but a slow start and underdeveloped side characters.
• 00:36:01Ironheart: Showcased potential in tech vs. magic and a charismatic Mephisto, but was let down by poor art design, CGI, and a disconnected protagonist.
• 00:36:52Fantastic Four: A visually stunning film with a strong retro aesthetic and good chemistry, but criticized for its rushed pacing and underdeveloped Galactus threat.
• 00:38:13I Am Groot (Season 2): A collection of shorts continuing Baby Groot's adventures, maintaining its lighthearted charm.
• 00:38:41Wakanda Forever: A visually beautiful animated series expanding Wakanda's history, with a standout episode on Okoye, but slow pacing in parts.
• 00:39:33Marvel Zombies: A gory, R-rated animated series that delivered on horror but suffered from a thin script and tonal inconsistencies.
• 00:40:53Conclusion: Marvel's strategic shift towards diverse genres and markets, with anticipation for future projects like Avengers: Doom Day and Spider-Man 4.