The Marvel Cinematic Universe: Cinema or Not?

After just 13 years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has accumulated 27 films, 17 television series and 5 short films.

If you look at my list of Top 100 Films, you’ll probably be surprised to see the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe on the list. But with 27 films and counting, the entire franchise deserved to be on the list due to its intricacy, levels of entertainment and just how amazing it is. As many failed franchises, like the Dark Universe, can tell you, creating a long lasting series of films that all tie together is incredibly hard but, somehow, Marvel pulled it off. 

Not since filming the entire “Lord of the Rings” trilogy at the same time have I seen such a big gamble from Hollywood. While the plan was always to make films that would accumulate into a large crossover this universe grew to unbelievable heights as the success of films like “Iron Man” and “Captain America: The First Avenger” exploded. 

Now it’s been over ten years since “Iron Man” and the MCU has expanded. Not only will there be over 30 films in the series by the end of 2022, but the franchise has expanded into network television, streaming and short films which all tie together. 

But, like anything incredibly successful in entertainment, there’s been a backlash towards the MCU. Some fans are getting tired of the series and want it to end while others are angry that the success of these films has detracted from the box office of lower budgeted films. Even filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola and Deniz Villenueve have said that these films don’t count as cinema. 

While I respect the opinions of these filmmakers (they have made some of the greatest films of all time), I do fundamentally disagree. While, yes, these films are blockbusters and probably aren’t on the same level as films like “Taxi Driver,” “The Godfather” or “Prisoners,” there is still an artistry to them that I think classifies them as cinema. Not only are the Marvel films intricately connected, but they’re all so good. Even the most standard films in the series are still okay. 

Films like “Thor: The Dark World” and “Captain Marvel” are technically the worst of the franchise, they are still thoroughly entertaining. Which is more than I can say about other comic book movies. With the exception of the “Dark Knight” trilogy, I can’t think of a single comic book franchise that is as consistently good as Marvel. And then there are films in the series like “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Black Panther” and the “Avengers” films which are complete game changers in film.

However, I also do understand why some are frustrated with the success of these films. I wish that more people would see films like “The Last Duel,” “Last Night in Soho” and “West Side Story” but, if people are going to see blockbusters, I would much rather they watch good ones like what Marvel has to offer. 

We should be grateful that Marvel exists because other comic book characters have gained massive success because filmmakers upped their game. DC films have gotten a lot better with films like “Wonder Woman,” “Joker” and “The Suicide Squad” all being critically acclaimed. 

Remember when good comic book films were the exception? For every “Superman (1978)” and “Batman (1989),” we had films like “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, “Batman and Robin,” “Steel” and “Spawn.” Even awesome franchises like the “Blade” series, Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” trilogy and the “X-Men” franchise were pretty inconsistent with their films. But now, films like “Fantastic Four (2015)” and “Dark Phoenix” are a rarity. 

So, while I do wish people would go to the movies more often and see smaller films alongside Marvel, I do think they are cinema. If you haven’t watched the entire franchise, it’s worth giving it a shot. In fact, since I’m currently off of school for Winter Break, I have decided that I will be looking at the entire Marvel Universe (including the tv shows and short films) alongside my usual reviews of new releases and the occasional classic film. Because the MCU is more than just cinema, it’s an experience.