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Welcome to the main discussion thread for the Marvel Cinematic Universe! This pinned post is here to establish some basic guidelines. All of the Media Forum rules still apply.

  • This thread is for talking about the live-action films, TV shows, animated works, and related content that use the Marvel brand, currently owned by Disney.
  • While mild digressions are okay, discussion of the comic books should go in this thread. Extended digressions may be thumped as off-topic.
  • Spoilers for new releases should not be discussed without spoiler tagging for at least two weeks. Rather, each title should have a dedicated thread where that sort of conversation is held. We can mention new releases in a general sense, but please be courteous to people who don't want to be spoiled.

If you're posting tagged spoilers, make sure that the film or series is clearly identified outside the spoiler tagging. People need to know what will be spoiled before they choose to read the post.

    Original post 
Since Thor and now Captain America came out this year, I wanted to get what Tropers thought of the concept and execution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in general. Personally I love the idea and wonder why this idea hasn't been seriously tried before. It sorta seems to me like the DCAU in movie form (And well, ummm, with Marvel), and really 'gets' the comic book feel of a shared universe while not being completely alienating.

Edited by Mrph1 on Jul 29th 2024 at 3:09:00 PM

alliterator Since: Jan, 2001
#93801: Jan 4th 2019 at 2:55:09 PM

The only stone that didn't appear to hurt people (well, physically hurt them) was the Mind Stone, which makes sense. Of course, it could also fire bolts of energy, so...maybe not.

HandsomeRob Leader of the Holey Brotherhood from The land of broken records Since: Jan, 2015
Leader of the Holey Brotherhood
#93802: Jan 4th 2019 at 3:18:30 PM

So it's funny but someone I knew asked the exact same question about how Thanos was able to tank Mantis' brain buggering easier than Ego did (even though Ego is a damned Celestial in this universe).

I tried to rationalize it as her having more direct access (since she literally grabbed one of his brainstems or whatever that was) when she did it, and perhaps because she was more used to being in his head, even if he'd let her all those times before.

Thanos was something new, and he just had an incredible will on top of that. That's just my guess though. I could be completely full of shit.

Also, is the MCU Captain America Trilogy the only MCU trilogy that doesn't shit the pot at some point?

If not for the original Star Wars Trilogy, I'd say The First Avenger, The Winter Soldier and Civil War are the only good trilogy period.

And I fully admit that that's totally debatable (both the quality of the three Cap movies and the quality of the OG Star Wars Trilogy as well).

Edited by HandsomeRob on Jan 4th 2019 at 4:34:55 AM

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Ikedatakeshi Baby dango from singapore Since: Nov, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
Baby dango
#93803: Jan 4th 2019 at 3:32:50 PM

Does being a Celestial somehow give Ego a stronger will? This is the dude who can't stop himself from being in love and decides that he will kill his lover because she can tempt him from his plans. Just because he's physically powerful doesn't mean he's mentally powerful.

Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#93804: Jan 4th 2019 at 3:36:06 PM

Given how much Neblua had cyber enhancements all over it would not surprise if he had something installed in his to deter mind readers

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slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#93805: Jan 4th 2019 at 3:44:09 PM

Ego strikes me as never encountering a major threat till he met the Guardians considering he just infiltrated most planets under the guise of a harmless visitor.

While Thanos has been fighting wars & God knows what for thousands of years.

They both worked towards a goal but Ego most likely never struggled as much as Thanos did.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Cross (Don’t ask)
#93806: Jan 4th 2019 at 3:44:35 PM

The Reality Stone, as depicted in The Dark World, was basically a God-Tier Symbiote.

Looks like All-Black got beaten to the punch.

chasemaddigan I'm Sad Frogerson. Since: Oct, 2011
I'm Sad Frogerson.
#93807: Jan 4th 2019 at 4:31:11 PM

I heard a rumor (it came of IMDB's trivia page, so it must have some basis in fact) that Thor: The Dark World had originally had an entirely different third act. The Aether would've consumed Jane and turned her into a Phoenix-esque figure. She would've supplanted Malekith as the main threat and Thor would have to bring her down safely in order to save the Nine Realms.

For how many people found Thor: The Dark World boring, that definitely would've made a more interesting climax if IMDB is being accurate here.

HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
#93808: Jan 4th 2019 at 5:06:38 PM

Ehhh, for that climax to work, we'd have to be invested in the romance between Thor and Jane.

Brandon Deadly Vu! from Between Thanksgiving and Christmas (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Don't hug me; I'm scared
Deadly Vu!
#93809: Jan 4th 2019 at 5:33:04 PM

It would have at least given the character Jane something interesting to do besides just stand around fawning over Thor.

On a semi-unrelating topic, anyone besides me feel like there's been way more advertising for Endgame and barely any for Captain Marvel?

Sure, I get Endgame is the more anticipated film, but given Marvel will be the first in the MCU with a female lead, I find the lack of attention the studio had put into it marketing-wise problematic.

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alliterator Since: Jan, 2001
#93810: Jan 4th 2019 at 6:12:54 PM

On a semi-unrelating topic, anyone besides me feel like there's been way more advertising for Endgame and barely any for Captain Marvel?
I haven't seen any for Endgame, but I have seen a bunch for Captain Marvel — including a giant advertisement in Times Square and some motion posters.

Also, Brie Larson is strong and adorable.

Edited by alliterator on Jan 4th 2019 at 6:14:47 AM

Tuckerscreator (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Drift compatible
#93811: Jan 4th 2019 at 6:22:31 PM

I am 70% sure that the second trailer for Endgame, when Captain Marvel gets close to release, will show Carol's inclusion in the film.

KnownUnknown Since: Jan, 2001
#93812: Jan 4th 2019 at 6:23:54 PM

My guess about Mantis is that Ego was used to allowing Mantis access to his mind, and Mantis was experiences Imin dealing with his unique mental state, whereas Thanos was not preconditioned to fall asleep the moment Mantis does so and makes a fight right away.

slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#93813: Jan 4th 2019 at 6:26:43 PM

[up] Oh yeah that should also be considered.

Mantis was basically Ego's caretaker for years so she would know how his mind works.

The battle with Thanos though was the first time ever she entered his mind.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Tuckerscreator (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Drift compatible
#93814: Jan 4th 2019 at 6:28:32 PM

A LOT about why Thanos is so inexplicably tougher than anything else the heroes try would've been solved, IMO, if the film had established that the Infinity Gauntlet provides passive benefits to Thanos like keeping his local space-time immune to Portal Cuts or the Power Stone strengthening his mental resistance to Mantis's attempt.

Edited by Tuckerscreator on Jan 4th 2019 at 6:28:52 AM

Ikedatakeshi Baby dango from singapore Since: Nov, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
Baby dango
#93815: Jan 4th 2019 at 6:47:27 PM

Okay, it bears repeating, but when has Ego demonstrated that he has strong willpower? Why is it hard to accept that a guy who is so obsessed with his goal his spent decades building armies and fighting wars is mentally stronger than an egotistical douche who killed someone because he fell in love with someone and it would tempt him from his plans?

Tuckerscreator (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Drift compatible
#93816: Jan 4th 2019 at 6:58:17 PM

In terms of raw output Ego would have that of a literal planet. Earth is capable of producing 2.5 petawatts worth of power if every resource on it were funneled into a single use, so it seems reasonable he should be stronger than a guy who's basically the Hulk but better trained.

Edited by Tuckerscreator on Jan 4th 2019 at 6:59:55 AM

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#93817: Jan 4th 2019 at 7:01:25 PM

Well, Ego's planet is described as very small relative to Earth, but we really don't get any practical sense of his capabilities. Seeding himself on other planets and then taking them over would require incalculable power, way more than a single planet-sized body could produce, but the other feats we see him accomplish are parlor tricks for something with his supposed capabilities.

There really is no way to judge. I have to assume that Mantis is able to control Ego better because of her deep familiarity with him.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Gaon Smoking Snake from Grim Up North Since: Jun, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#93818: Jan 4th 2019 at 7:09:47 PM

I mean his raw power as a planet in no way should really be compared to the power of his consciousness. Apples and grapes.

"All you Fascists bound to lose."
TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#93819: Jan 4th 2019 at 7:09:53 PM

That was actually the Power Stone. The Reality Stone is the Aether from Thor: The Dark World, and I haven't seen the movie in a while, but I'm pretty sure the plot was that it had taken Jane's body as a host, and it refused to leave, even lashing out at others. I think there might have also been a bit where it was killing her.

The Reality Stone, as depicted in The Dark World, was basically a God-Tier Symbiote.

You're right, I messed up. I meant the Power Gem.

The only stone that didn't appear to hurt people (well, physically hurt them) was the Mind Stone, which makes sense. Of course, it could also fire bolts of energy, so...maybe not.

Nobody ever actually touched the Mind Gem, which may have something to do with it.

Though if we count the Scepter's shenanigans, the Mind Gem has been shown to hurt people maliciously just by being near them.

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Ikedatakeshi Baby dango from singapore Since: Nov, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
Baby dango
#93820: Jan 4th 2019 at 7:10:47 PM

[up]x4 He's physically stronger, but that doesn't correlate to being mentally stronger. A bodybuilder isn't going to be better at withstanding torture than soldiers who are trained to resist interrogation, not to mention Ego never has to do anything to gain his powers and can get anything he wants with relative ease. He would have the mental fortitude of a narcissistic manchild.

Edited by Ikedatakeshi on Jan 4th 2019 at 11:11:21 PM

PushoverMediaCritic I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out. from the Italy of America Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out.
#93821: Jan 4th 2019 at 7:25:10 PM

[up][up]That's a good point. At least in scepter form, the Mind Stone was both implied and confirmed to be making people around it more aggressive and disagreeable.

slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#93822: Jan 4th 2019 at 7:27:25 PM

As I said Thanos got to where he is through warefare & bloodshed after surviving a traumatic event.

Ego through infiltration & by infiltration just visiting planetside & banging the locals after spending however long alone & bored.

Different experiences create different mentalities.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
HandsomeRob Leader of the Holey Brotherhood from The land of broken records Since: Jan, 2015
Leader of the Holey Brotherhood
#93823: Jan 4th 2019 at 7:49:49 PM

Re-posting this since it kinda got lost in the continued Thanos has willpower convo:

Is the MCU Captain America Trilogy the only MCU trilogy that doesn't shit the pot at some point?

If not for the original Star Wars Trilogy, I'd say The First Avenger, The Winter Soldier and Civil War are the only good trilogy period.

And I fully admit that that's totally debatable (both the quality of the three Cap movies and the quality of the OG Star Wars Trilogy as well).

One Strip! One Strip!
AyyItsMidnight Look, just be decent to one another ok? Since: Oct, 2018
Look, just be decent to one another ok?
#93824: Jan 4th 2019 at 8:00:39 PM

One reason why I'd rank Cap's trilogy as the best is that I deem TFA better than IM 2/3 and Thor 1/2. Even its lowest point is still pretty solid. Dare I say I find it better than Avengers (though worse than IM 1)? In fact I feel like it's in the upper half of the first two phases put together. Then you have Winter Soldier which is obviously awesome and Civil War, which I don't exactly love but I can still have a good time watching. This Captain America movie is a better Avengers movie than the actual Avengers movie released the previous year.

Self-serious autistic trans gal who loves rock/metal and animation with all her heart. (she/her)
Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#93825: Jan 5th 2019 at 2:41:25 AM

Personally I would rank the Captain America Trilogy as the best (I actually worked on an article about this once, but I never finished it...maybe I should go back to it), but there are a few Trilogies which other people might argue for: Back to the Future, Lord of the Rings, The original Star Trek, The Godfather (based on how much you are ready to give the third movie a pass)…

I tend to prefer the Captain America Trilogy over all of them and Agents of Shield over pretty much all Tv shows because they are doing something really rare: challenging the characters and pushing them forward instead of constantly resetting to the status quo.(And yes, I am aware that Steve himself doesn't change all that much, that is part of his character, but how his character relates to the world around him changes...and Black Widow easily gets the best arcs in the Cap movies).

I just love that!


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