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Marvel/Disney is Making it challenging to Review their Slate of films by Critics


When reading some of the reviews for BP and the previous MCU films you start to realize that the way that the critic industry rates and reviews franchises and superhero movies is constantly evolving. The criteria for rating/reviewing these types of MCU films have these new attributes that seem to be brought into play.

1. The movie is or isn't a standalone movie. Is that a plus or a minus?
2. Having to see other movies in a series or a franchise. Plus or minus?
3. Superhero fatigue. Always seems to be a minus.
4. Too much action, end of world saving. Then, NOT enough action? Too personal and small? Go figure.
5. Another origin story. Always is a minus now.
6. SSDD. Same Stuff Different Day. Follows Marvel formula. Plus or Minus?
7. Not the character I was used to, or they changed the origin. Plus or minus?
8. Not true to the comic. Critics really care about that?
9. No "R" rating. No one dies. No stakes. Too kiddie. Becoming a hard minus!
10. Too much messaging, too much politics, too Western or America focusing. Jury is out.

Reviewers are across the board so they focus on whatever they focus on but when I hear this take that Marvel is trying to be ALL things to ALL people I kind of shrug when you see that comment made in a review. It is fascinating watching this shift in Marvel's 10 years into long form story telling across what will be soon 22 films?

When one film varies as to the previous should the other films be considered strengths or weaknesses? Should the MCU be graded in it's totality? Marvel is celebrating the journey as an event but more often the not most do not define the movies as a singularity nor the journey as a seminal event.

Maybe Marvel will get one of those Lifetime Achievement Awards or even the dreaded participation Awards.

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