TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Go To

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

KnownUnknown Since: Jan, 2001
#95526: Jan 23rd 2019 at 8:58:41 PM

Specifically, interpreting Mephisto as an entire spiritual (if still evil) being and guide akin to the ancestors T'Challa can encounter when trancing might work. A Religion Of Evil Counterpart.

Like, Achebe and Mephiso have always been a thing in the comics. But instead of going all Kaecilius and having Mephisto be the Bigger Bad, have the focus be entirely on Achebe as Big Bad and depict Mephisto not as his controller, but as Achebe's personal perversion of the kind of positive spirituality T'Challa sports.

Basically, don't focus on on Achebe serving Mephisto, focus on him worshipping Mephisto. T'Challa may or may not know he's real, but either way he's not fighting Mephisto's machinations through Achebe, he's fighting Achebe's machinations, and Achebe's belief in Mephisto is but another indicator of the kind of person he is.

Like how usual difference between a good and poor depiction of the Dark Side in Star Wars is the difference between portraying it as something that accentuates the character's own narratives and choices, vs a sapient corruption that's pulling the strings and invalidates the plots its in. Much like Star Wars, Black Panther is a series that uses a spiritual power that is real in the setting, but rarely fits literal gods or demons except in very specific situations and mostly uses that spirituality for philosophical purposes, creating a versatile setting and explaining (comparatively) mild phenomenon.

Edited by KnownUnknown on Jan 23rd 2019 at 9:09:58 AM

Gaon Smoking Snake from Grim Up North Since: Jun, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#95527: Jan 23rd 2019 at 9:09:36 PM

I actually do enjoy the idea of Achebe having a relationship to Mephisto as a Evil Counterpart to T'challa's with Bast. I can imagine Achebe wandering in a sort of warped version of the Spirit Realm to talk with Mephisto and maybe even meeting T'challa in it in a sort of midway point between the two "Spirit Realms" they inhabit.

"All you Fascists bound to lose."
slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#95528: Jan 23rd 2019 at 9:10:43 PM

I would like to see the heart & pants stuff.

That was all really dope.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
alliterator Since: Jan, 2001
#95529: Jan 23rd 2019 at 9:40:15 PM

Yeah, I want to see Agent Ross desperately try to take off his pants, only to find another pair underneath. "I sold my soul for pants."

AyyItsMidnight Look, just be decent to one another ok? Since: Oct, 2018
Look, just be decent to one another ok?
#95530: Jan 23rd 2019 at 9:42:23 PM

I guess if I were to revise my MCU rankings (excluding what I haven't seen)...

1. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

2. Black Panther

3. Thor: Ragnarok

4. Spider-Man: Homecoming

5. Guardians of the Galaxy (RIP Winter Soldier)

6. Ant-Man and the Wasp

7. Avengers: Infinity War

8. Iron Man

9. Captain America: Civil War (this could easily switch with IM tbh)

10. Ant-Man

11. Captain America: The First Avenger

======"I actually like this movie" line======

12. The Avengers

13. Iron Man 2

14. Iron Man 3 (again these could probably switch depending on the day)

15. Doctor Strange

16. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Don't at me bro. Also I've been slacking with watching more of these.

Edited by AyyItsMidnight on Jan 23rd 2019 at 10:44:36 AM

Self-serious autistic trans gal who loves rock/metal and animation with all her heart. (she/her)
wanderlustwarrior Role Model from Where Gods Belong Since: Jun, 2009 Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
Role Model
#95531: Jan 23rd 2019 at 10:38:53 PM

Hmm... I've seen them all, so I'll just rank my top tier:

  1. Black Panther
  2. Winter Soldier
  • And then, in no particular order:
    • GOTG 1
    • Infinity War
    • Civil War
    • Ant Man

As for the bottom tier, "I have no reason to ever rewatch these films":

  • Thor 2
  • Iron Man 3

Age of Ultron narrowly avoids the bottom tier, in that there's some good there, I just have next to no reason to care, when I can just search for specific scenes.

Edited by wanderlustwarrior on Jan 23rd 2019 at 12:41:50 PM

Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#95532: Jan 23rd 2019 at 11:49:12 PM

Movies I would rate "A" (roughly in Order of release):

The Avengers, The Winter Soldier, Got G, Civil War, Got G Vol 2, Infinity War

Movies I would rate "B+" for dammit, couldn't you have stuck the landing in the third act, too:

Ironman, The First Avenger, Homecoming (which actually has a strong third act, I just don't love it quite as much as the ones above)

Movies I would rate B for "needed one rewrite to correct some story problems":

Thor, Age of Ultron, Ant-man, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, Thor Ragnarok, Ant-man and the Wasp,

Movie I would rate B- for "kind of a mess"

Ironman 2, Ironman 3

Movies I would rate C+ for "what a mess, but at least there is something I enjoy:

The Dark World

And the movie I would rate C for "competently made, but got, this bores me"

The Incredible Hulk

Needless to say that the Captain America Franchise is my fav.

alliterator Since: Jan, 2001
#95533: Jan 24th 2019 at 12:13:27 AM

I don't grade movies in my head. I just like what I like.

AyyItsMidnight Look, just be decent to one another ok? Since: Oct, 2018
Look, just be decent to one another ok?
#95534: Jan 24th 2019 at 1:05:00 AM

My top 4 makes up my "truly amazing and wonderful examples of how good superhero movies can be if they really put in the effort" tier. Got G 1 and A Mat W are "some things holding them back from true amazingness but I still love them and find them delightful and fun" tier. Infinity War I like(?) but at the same time I'm really, really conflicted since it has some egregious lows to counteract its exhilerating highs. Iron Man is just a really solid and enjoyable start to the MCU, and even though it has its rough patches it's still a good watch. Civil War is generally good and has some of the best action in the franchise, but I guess I'm just not as invested as I should be, though I loved T'Challa, Peter Parker and Scott Lang. Ant-Man and TFA are fine for what they are. Not great but respectable enough. Everything below that, ehhhhh. Then there's Ao U, which is like an amalgamation of much of what's wrong with the MCU, while having virtually nothing of worth I can't find in other, better movies.

Self-serious autistic trans gal who loves rock/metal and animation with all her heart. (she/her)
Brandon Deadly Vu! from Between Thanksgiving and Christmas (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Don't hug me; I'm scared
Deadly Vu!
#95535: Jan 24th 2019 at 1:51:12 AM

I'm usually pretty critical of AOU, but after watching it and Avengers 1 back to back...

Avengers 1 is still the better film (with better action scenes and funnier moments), but I'd argue AOU has a better pace, and less cheesy dialogue.

Like creepy stories? Check out my book!
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#95536: Jan 24th 2019 at 2:05:02 AM

I want to make Infinity War my top pick, but the fact that you kind of need to watch the other movies to really get the most out of it is kind of annoying to me.

I guess my actual fave MCU movie would be the one that started it all: Iron Man.

Edited by M84 on Jan 24th 2019 at 6:05:47 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
#95537: Jan 24th 2019 at 3:41:52 AM

So we're ranking the movies now? Alright, here's my list:

  1. The Winter Soldier
  2. Infinity War
  3. Spider-Man
  4. Iron Man
  5. Civil War
  6. Guardians 2
  7. Thor Ragnarok
  8. Guardians
  9. Ant-Man And The Wasp
  10. Black Panther
  11. Doctor Strange
  12. Ant-Man
  13. The First Avenger
  14. Iron Man 3
  15. Iron Man 2
  16. Age Of Ultron
  17. The Incredible Hulk
  18. Thor
  19. The Avengers

And if you're wondering about The Dark World, I just prefer to think it was all a bad dream.

Edited by HailMuffins on Jan 24th 2019 at 8:42:17 AM

slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#95538: Jan 24th 2019 at 4:03:34 AM

Alright I just thought of something.

In the Ultimate Avengers animated movies the Black Panther had the ability to transform into a humanoid panther creature in moments of extreme rage or duress.

Would you like to see that used or referenced in some manner here?

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#95539: Jan 24th 2019 at 4:09:04 AM

Sounds ridiculous,but if you had to include it make him into literal big cat instead of a humanoid one

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#95540: Jan 24th 2019 at 4:10:34 AM

What's weird though is I don't think his Ultimate comic self ever had that ability.

So I think its exclusive to the animated film itself.

Another weird thing about the animated movie is that his mask showed off his jaw like a Batman mask & he had no sleeves so his arms were uncovered barring his gloved hands.

Two reasons why Ultimate Animated Black Panther is my least favored BP design.

Edited by slimcoder on Jan 24th 2019 at 4:12:25 AM

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#95541: Jan 24th 2019 at 4:23:56 AM

I don't think that the fact that Infinity War is the finale to all the movies which came before it is in any way something one should hold against it. After all, that is what it is supposed to be. This is like complaining that a Comedy is funny or that an action movie has a lot of explosions.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#95542: Jan 24th 2019 at 4:44:04 AM

Except I don't have to watch a bunch of other comedies to get all the jokes in a comedy movie (or I shouldn't). Same with action movies.

Generally, the more other works I have to be familiar with to get a movie, the less I'm going to enjoy it. With a few exceptions such as the original Star Wars Trilogy.

Edited by M84 on Jan 24th 2019 at 8:46:23 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#95543: Jan 24th 2019 at 5:01:20 AM

My rankings:

1. Black Panther, 9.7

2. The First Avenger, 9.4

3. Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, 9.3

4. Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor, 9.1

5. Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor: Ragnarok, 9

6. Iron Man, 8.7

7. Avengers, 7.9

8. Iron Man 2, 6.7

9. Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Ant-Man, 6

10. Doctor Strange, The Incredible Hulk, 3.3

11. Age of Ultron, 2.6

alliterator Since: Jan, 2001
#95544: Jan 24th 2019 at 7:18:37 AM

In the Ultimate Avengers animated movies the Black Panther had the ability to transform into a humanoid panther creature in moments of extreme rage or duress.
God no. Did they just combine Black Panther with the Hulk or something? Did they not think that Black Panther was cool enough on his own that they had to add him actually becoming a panther, too? That's just so stupid.

Edited by alliterator on Jan 24th 2019 at 7:18:51 AM

Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#95545: Jan 24th 2019 at 7:20:14 AM

I think becoming a literal panther is a cool so long as it's not like a weird looking humanoid

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#95546: Jan 24th 2019 at 7:23:22 AM

In a cartoon or comic book, maybe. On film it would be... weird, especially if it got pulled out for a sequel when there has been no hint that he has such abilities in the other three movies that he appears in.

Marvel has done a pretty good job of containing the Fridge Logic for their movies, even though a certain amount of it is unavoidable. The last thing you want is for your lead character to have a badass moment on screen that makes the audience laugh at how ridiculous it is, unless it's a comedy and that's the point.

[down] I wouldn't really call that "turning into a panther", but whatever.

Edited by Fighteer on Jan 24th 2019 at 10:25:47 AM

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
alliterator Since: Jan, 2001
#95547: Jan 24th 2019 at 7:23:58 AM

[up][up]This is what he looks like.

Edited by alliterator on Jan 24th 2019 at 7:24:13 AM

HalfFaust Since: Jan, 2019
#95548: Jan 24th 2019 at 7:26:24 AM

In theory it makes like an iota of sense because ''normal human but better' powers are bit boring but that does not hold up on like a single second of deeper thought.

Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#95549: Jan 24th 2019 at 7:27:59 AM

I'm now imagining Black Panther becoming..black Panther kitten

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
chasemaddigan I'm Sad Frogerson. Since: Oct, 2011
I'm Sad Frogerson.
#95550: Jan 24th 2019 at 7:28:25 AM

I think the weird changes for Black Panther in that film was because the Ultimate Avengers films were based off of The Ultimates and they hadn't introduced their version of T'challa yet. So, they decided to take some liberties.

Thankfully, they took liberties to make sure everybody wasn't a complete asshole like their comic counterparts.


Total posts: 186,763
Top