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
#122676: Nov 9th 2020 at 12:15:34 PM

Also - and I'm a huge fan of The Flash so this is a bit measured - but you can do more in live action with slower superspeed than with hyperfast super speed. It's a power that can contribute more to a scene, allows the characters to fit in with everyone around them better, and has clearer weaknesses that allow it to still be challenged.

It's like how Iron Man doesn't have an atom bomb or anything because that wouldn't be fun.

Edited by KnownUnknown on Nov 9th 2020 at 12:17:41 PM

slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#122677: Nov 9th 2020 at 12:17:33 PM

Reminded that my copy of Ultimates 2 came yesterday which has Pietro & Wanda.

Just have to wait till Ultimates 1 arrives & I can read it.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Forenperser Foreign Troper from Germany Since: Mar, 2012
Foreign Troper
#122678: Nov 9th 2020 at 12:20:56 PM

Ultimate Cap beating up Ultimate Hank is still great.

Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
miraculous Goku Black (Apprentice)
Goku Black
#122679: Nov 9th 2020 at 12:23:29 PM

[up][up]Rember to avoid the third volume and ultimatum which we don't speak off.

"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."
slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#122680: Nov 9th 2020 at 12:26:11 PM

[up] Oh trust me I know. Even saw Linkara's review of 3 & oooof it was terrible especially for canonizing Pietro and Wanda being in an actual incestous relationship.

Fucking Jeph Loeb.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
AyyItsMidnight Look, just be decent to one another ok? Since: Oct, 2018
Look, just be decent to one another ok?
#122681: Nov 9th 2020 at 12:30:39 PM

How many times have I said the Fo X-men movies never cared enough about characters outside of the main four? Well, I'll say it again.

Edited by AyyItsMidnight on Nov 9th 2020 at 12:30:51 PM

Self-serious autistic trans gal who loves rock/metal and animation with all her heart. (she/her)
Protagonist506 from Oregon Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#122682: Nov 9th 2020 at 12:34:59 PM

The problem with speedsters in a lot of superhero stories is that writers tend to be pretty quick (no pun intended) to give them all kinds of "required secondary powers" which themselves can be pretty impressive.

For example, they tend to give the superhero super-traction, the ability to ignore momentum, amazing reflexes, the ability think as fast as they can run, etc. Essentially, there's a tendency to combine it with the ability to stop time, among other things.

To use an example of how averting this creates a more "balanced" superhero: Early Sonic games. Sonic can move fast, but getting up to that speed is rather difficult, and moving that fast is potentially dangerous.

Now, admittedly, some of these are genuinely required powers for a speedster, such as invulnerability and reflexes. What I'd probably go with, personally, is the speedster has some of these secondary powers, but only while moving fast, and even then have them lack the ability to necessarily completely ignore momentum and traction.

For example, if the superhero is standing still, and you shoot them, they couldn't dodge it and would get shot. However, if the speedster is already moving towards you at a super-fast speeds, their mind would be moving fast enough to see the bullet and possibly dodge it, or even just take it because their speed-sensitive invulnerability has kicked in. Similarly, if they got hit by a truck while standing still, that'd hurt them. But if they were running super-fast into a truck, that'd destroy the truck and they'd be unharmed.

Admittedly, this concept is probably a little too Sonic-esque (as it's essentially a human cannonball that builds up speed to smash through enemies), but I think it's a good example of what sort of limits one can put on speedsters to make them non-broken.

Leviticus 19:34
KJMackley Since: Jan, 2001
#122683: Nov 9th 2020 at 12:46:27 PM

A superpower like super speed requires consistent writing and direction. Fox Quicksilver was written basically around those set pieces, and in DOFP he just disappears after he does his job. MCU Quicksilver is a little more consistent because he has to be compared to all the other characters he is fighting, but in turn his feats are less impressive (he repeatedly attacks Captain America in super speed, who reacts annoyed and inconvenienced rather than hurt or winded). Specifically it seems that his powers are something he has to activate, he doesn't naturally interact with the world waiting what feels like a hour for someone to complete a sentence.

Gaon Smoking Snake from Grim Up North Since: Jun, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#122684: Nov 9th 2020 at 12:55:01 PM

The most basic superspeed weakness that gets handwaved away is stamina. Writers usually go on the logic that the guy with superspeed also has infinite stamina and can keep up ungodly levels of speed indefinitely. If speedsters just got tired after a while it'd solve a lot of issues.

"All you Fascists bound to lose."
slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#122685: Nov 9th 2020 at 12:57:40 PM

Ironically Flash tends to get a lot of scenes of him eating a lot to maintain his metabolism but that only crops up in non-action scenes where he has no risk of energy exhaustion.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Bocaj Funny but not helpful from Here or thereabouts (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
Funny but not helpful
#122686: Nov 9th 2020 at 1:01:22 PM

Kid Flash in Teen Titans the animation had that issue

He could also zoom around for most of the episode before getting tired though and he was pretty broken as far as speedsters went

The getting tired was mostly to let the plot progress instead of an on going limitation since he doesn’t show up enough for it to factor in much at all

Forever liveblogging the Avengers
Forenperser Foreign Troper from Germany Since: Mar, 2012
Foreign Troper
#122687: Nov 9th 2020 at 1:02:09 PM

Well Flash is also powered by a cosmic force, so that might help.

Quicksilver is just a mutant.

Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#122688: Nov 9th 2020 at 1:06:42 PM

[up][up] Oh yeah he actually did get steadily exhausted throughout the episode.

It was interesting progression since he starts out the episode as effectively a juggernaut but the constantly combat slowly whittles him down to the point he had to smash walls instead of just passing through them.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
KJMackley Since: Jan, 2001
#122689: Nov 9th 2020 at 1:13:01 PM

I think it's brought up too that any distraction is especially dangerous for them. If you're accustomed to being able to react to anything, if something surprises you it can take you out of the fight.

Gaon Smoking Snake from Grim Up North Since: Jun, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
C105 Too old for this from France Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
Too old for this
#122691: Nov 9th 2020 at 1:34:05 PM

I'd certainly be interested in seeing a character who is not superhumanly fast in a film (say around 10 times faster than a normal human). It would not be too overpowered and allow some scenes possibly cooler than having a blur and a sound effect or the character running around a world in slow motion. And such a character would not need to trip on a stone to be thwarted.

Regarding Flash, I remember an episode of Justice League where he had to stop in the middle of a fight to gorge himself on food. Ironically, that was the episode where he was bodyswapped with Lex Luthor (maybe Flash is better at managing his reserves?).

Edited by C105 on Nov 9th 2020 at 10:34:45 AM

Whatever your favourite work is, there is a Vocal Minority that considers it the Worst. Whatever. Ever!.
Beatman1 Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Gone fishin'
Bocaj Funny but not helpful from Here or thereabouts (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
Funny but not helpful
#122693: Nov 10th 2020 at 6:29:12 PM

Amazing

Forever liveblogging the Avengers
Tuckerscreator (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Drift compatible
#122694: Nov 10th 2020 at 11:00:50 PM

(In initial conversations about the show, Feige won her over by referencing specific Scarlet Witch comic story lines — although she won’t reveal which ones, due to spoilers.)

DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNN

EmeraldEmperor Lies and Violence! Since: Oct, 2020
Lies and Violence!
#122695: Nov 11th 2020 at 6:32:34 AM

So... kind of fitting that this is my first post, given my avatar.

A Doctor Doom series is apparently being considered for Disney+. https://twitter.com/TheComixKid/status/1326320307515187200

Personally, I'm a bit doubtful, but there was a recent report about Marvel Studios finally starting work on the Fantastic Four, and given how much shit is in Doom's backstory a tv show would make sense.

Edited by EmeraldEmperor on Nov 11th 2020 at 6:33:48 AM

slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#122696: Nov 11th 2020 at 6:34:13 AM

Well shit, that would be fucking insane.

Especially if they keep the magical aspects of his character and backstory.

Edited by slimcoder on Nov 11th 2020 at 6:34:29 AM

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Weirdguy149 Former King from Lumiose City Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: I'd jump in front of a train for ya!
Former King
#122697: Nov 11th 2020 at 6:35:44 AM

If any villain that wasn't in the MCU already deserved a TV show to himself, it would be Doctor freaking Doom.

The legend has returned.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#122698: Nov 11th 2020 at 7:11:03 AM

Ugh, I was afraid this might happen. Did they have to make him the protagonist of a series?

As if he didn't have enough of a Draco in Leather Pants issue.

Edited by M84 on Nov 11th 2020 at 11:11:34 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
windleopard from Nigeria Since: Nov, 2014 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
EmeraldEmperor Lies and Violence! Since: Oct, 2020
Lies and Violence!
#122700: Nov 11th 2020 at 7:22:06 AM

[up][up] Most likely scenario is that the series is an origin story, so we're bound to see him commit at least a few horrific atrocities as he rises to power.

Doom as an outright protagonist would be pretty stupid, I agree. The Villain Protagonist and/or Big Bad Slippage route would probably be the best way to go.

Edited by EmeraldEmperor on Nov 11th 2020 at 7:27:52 AM


Total posts: 186,763
Top