Even Marvel Knows Its Movies And Shows Need Improvement

5 min read Post on May 04, 2025

Even Marvel Knows Its Movies And Shows Need Improvement

Over-Reliance on Formulaic Storytelling

A significant criticism leveled against recent Marvel movies and shows is their over-reliance on formulaic storytelling. This predictability diminishes the impact and leaves audiences feeling somewhat unfulfilled.

Predictable Plots and Character Arcs

Many recent Marvel productions follow a predictable three-act structure, lacking originality and surprising twists. This formulaic approach leads to a sense of déjà vu, diminishing the overall viewing experience.

Examples of predictable plots: The villain's plan is often easily guessed, the hero's journey follows a well-worn path, and the resolution is rarely unexpected. Many would argue that Thor: Love and Thunder and Black Widow suffered from this issue.
Lack of surprising twists and turns: The absence of genuine surprises contributes to audience fatigue. The predictability makes it hard for viewers to stay invested.
Audience fatigue: Repeatedly watching similar storylines with predictable outcomes leads to viewer dissatisfaction and a decline in overall engagement with Marvel movies and shows.

Lack of Stakes

Another crucial aspect of effective storytelling is the presence of substantial stakes. However, in several recent Marvel productions, the consequences of actions often feel minimal, diminishing the emotional impact.

Examples where character deaths or major events lack significant impact: The deaths of certain characters feel less impactful due to the perceived ease of resurrection or the lack of lasting consequences to the narrative.
Impact on audience engagement and emotional investment: When the stakes are low, viewers are less emotionally invested and less likely to feel the weight of the narrative.
Raising the stakes: To recapture audience interest, Marvel needs to introduce more significant risks and consequences, making viewers truly fear for the characters and the fate of the universe. A return to more grounded narratives and higher personal stakes for characters could help solve this.

Character Development Issues

Beyond the storytelling issues, Marvel faces criticism regarding character development, particularly the handling of both main and supporting characters.

Underdeveloped Supporting Characters

Many supporting characters in Marvel movies and shows feel underdeveloped, serving primarily as plot devices rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. This detracts from the richness of the overall narrative.

Examples of supporting characters who lacked depth or screen time: Several allies and antagonists felt like they were only there to further the main characters' arcs, lacking their own compelling storylines.
Impact on overall storytelling and viewer connection: When supporting characters are shallow, the world feels less lived-in and the overall story loses depth. Viewers struggle to connect emotionally.
Giving supporting characters more agency and backstory: Investing time in developing the supporting cast will create a richer, more believable world, enhancing the audience's engagement with the narrative.

Inconsistency in Character Portrayals

Another problem lies in the inconsistency of character portrayals across different films and series. The same character can display drastically different personalities or motivations, disrupting the narrative flow and audience immersion.

Specific examples of inconsistent character portrayals: Certain characters have demonstrated shifts in personality or motivations that feel jarring and out of character.
Negative impact on audience immersion and belief: Inconsistency breaks the audience's suspension of disbelief, damaging their enjoyment and investment in the narrative.
Maintaining consistency: Careful attention to character consistency across various projects is vital to maintain audience engagement and trust in the established narrative.

Pacing and Runtime Issues

The pacing of Marvel movies and shows has also been subject to considerable criticism, with many productions suffering from excessive runtimes or uneven pacing.

Overly Long Runtimes

Some Marvel movies and shows have been criticized for their excessive runtimes, leading to pacing issues and audience fatigue. Less is often more, and concise storytelling is key.

Examples of movies/shows that suffered from pacing issues due to length: Certain projects felt bloated, with subplots that didn't add significantly to the main narrative.
Overly long runtimes can lead to audience fatigue: Viewers become bored if the narrative drags on unnecessarily, losing interest in the overall story.
Importance of concise storytelling and efficient pacing: Marvel needs to prioritize concise storytelling, focusing on core plot points and removing unnecessary scenes to maintain audience engagement.

Uneven Pacing

In addition to overly long runtimes, many Marvel productions suffer from uneven pacing. Some sections drag on while others feel rushed, disrupting the overall narrative flow.

Examples of movies/shows that suffered from uneven pacing: Transitions between action sequences and slower, more dialogue-heavy scenes sometimes feel jarring and disorienting.
Negative impact of inconsistent pacing on audience enjoyment: Uneven pacing disrupts the viewing experience, making it difficult for viewers to become fully immersed in the story.
Strategies for improving pacing and maintaining audience engagement: Careful planning and editing are crucial to ensure a smooth and engaging narrative flow.

Conclusion

In summary, while Marvel's movies and shows have enjoyed immense success, addressing issues like formulaic storytelling, underdeveloped characters, and inconsistent pacing is crucial for sustaining its dominance. Improving Marvel movies and shows requires a renewed focus on originality, compelling character development, and efficient pacing. The future of Marvel movies and shows hinges on the ability to adapt and evolve, listening to audience feedback and embracing new creative directions. What are your thoughts? Do you agree that Marvel movies and shows need improvement? Share your opinions and suggestions in the comments below!