What do you love most about the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

[TeeKay]

I don't believe that was the reason. The last superhero movie was Batman & Robin which was a costuming disaster, Bat-Nipples are still lampooned today. Audiences viewed comic book costumes as corny at that point and weren't read for them then. If X-Men had accurate costumes it probably would've flopped and we wouldn't have any Marvel movies today.

You do realise a certain film about a web crawler that had an accurate costume came out 2 years after the first X-Men film and destroyed all box office records. Your argument doesn't hold much weight, if any at all in that regard.

Even today some comic costumes won't be adapted faithfully (Hawkeye for example) as they are too difficult for the screen.

Ummmmm Hawkeye's costumes was ripped off the pages of the Ultimate comics. What the hell are you on about?

 

[Flint Marko]

There's almost too many things to pick. Overall I think the main thing I love is the fact that no studio has successfully brought a comic book to the screen with as much accuracy, no debate.

 

[metaphysician]

Then you miss the whole point of the mutant struggle. It's the bain of what they are and the whole point of the team. It's tied in to their history. Fox don't get that and the Xfilms would be much better and closer in tone and feel to the comic.

The fact that it is intentional doesn't mean its not a *bad idea* to stick in the MCU. Nor does it mean its not gratuitously overdone in the comics, to the point of practically breaking the setting.

 

[metaphysician]

You do realise a certain film about a web crawler that had an accurate costume came out 2 years after the first X-Men film and destroyed all box office records. Your argument doesn't hold much weight, if any at all in that regard.

Eh. . . the problem isn't just that their comic costumes are notably unrealistic, its that they are also kind of ugly, in a lot of cases. Or at least, would come off ugly in a live action format. Pragmatic adaptation exists for a reason: some costumes can be done accurately and well, some, less so.

 

[gildedmuse]

I just love the characters. I know a lot of people see the MCU films as silly popcorn movies no deeper than the screen they're projected on, but I don't see that. I see movies that, despite being produced as your run of the mill big blockbusters are really about characters. Find a write up for the general audience about all the big heroes and look at the way they're referenced: Batman, Spider-Man, Super Man, Steve Rogers..... There was even a category on Jeopardy a while ago about CBMs and every single character was refereed to by their code name with one exception: Tony Stark. And I don't think it's because MCU characters spend less time in their suits or using code names. I think it just goes to show how attached people are to these characters, that they are invested in them behind just when they put on a mask a blow stuff up.

Now, of course that's not going to be everyone's cup of tea and some might blame it for mask time or lack of strong villains, but I'm the sort of person that really enjoys characters. I would eagerly pay to watch a two hour Avenger's film that was just character work with very little actual Fighting To Big Bad thrown in. Which is also why I love the serial nature of the films. Too often movies and books will give you characters to fall in love with, but it's nothing more than a passionate 2 hour affair. The MCU is almost like a TV mini-series; every episode is connected and yet self-contained, rotating through to focus on a different character each time. I like that, that I don't lose these characters I've become attached to just because their movie is over.

Along with blending big blockbuster action film with smaller moments of character, I believe there is a lot more going on in those movies than even fans give them credits before. If you look at a history of my posts (I don't recommend it) you'll notice I have a tendency to write novel length posts usually about the most minor details. True, my whole career is basically taking an the chapter titles of some novel and turning it into a twenty page exploration of education as the single more emancipating force in our history which is why the white coding in our reading primes is so dangerous and clearly has destroying this character's psyche. That probably sounds like nonsense to some people; to me, it sound exciting and makes an already good story that much more powerful.

Of course. I'm not putting the MCU on level with Toni Morrison, I'm just saying that I think that, if you're willing to roll up your selves and get geeky, you'll find there are quite a few unconventional ideas and deeper themes flowing through the story. They've just done a really good job at simplifying them, covering them up, and giving you a final product that is a fun light family fare.

 

[The Avenger]

I love how they can go from one genre to another seamlessly yet still be part of the same Universe. Look at how different Guardians is to Winter Soldier.

 

[Shikamaru]

The fact they managed to pull off something everyone deemed impossible. They created a consistent-but-unique shared universe that stayed true to who these characters are without sacrificing them in the name of realism. A realm of extraordinary characters in an ordinary world.

I consider the MCU to be the Ultimate universe done right. Ultimate attempted a more modern and realistic world with a less complicated continuity, but resorted to stripping characters of everything people liked about them in the process and being different just for the sake of being different. The Avengers themselves are arguably the most well known example. Feige and Co. managed to attempt that same level of gathering new audiences - this time in live-action as opposed to a separate line of comics - but instead kept everything intact. Iron Man is still the playboy prick, but has all his good 616 qualities intact. Cap has more Ultimate influences in terms of his serum, costume and the way he's found, but is still the admirable soldier he's meant to be. The list goes on. For the most part, the characterizations and ways they occupied this universe and interacted with one another was fantastic.

They also managed to create a world as diverse as possible without stepping on other franchises and properties. Iron Man and Thor both occupy the same world with neither mythos suffering due to the other's presence. Each film and franchise has a unique tone and feel from the rest despite having the same inhabitation. Now to be fair, I did think they had some problems with this in Phase 1, but Phase 2 has been a huge success in terms of that IMO. Just this year, we had Cap 2 and Guardians - two films that are the complete total polar opposites of one another and yet both occupied the same world beautifully. It excites me to see how they'd handle the darker street-levelers like Daredevil.

 

[MarvelFan]

The fact they managed to pull off something everyone deemed impossible. They created a consistent-but-unique shared universe that stayed true to who these characters are without sacrificing them in the name of realism. A realm of extraordinary characters in an ordinary world.

I consider the MCU to be the Ultimate universe done right. Ultimate attempted a more modern and realistic world with a less complicated continuity, but resorted to stripping characters of everything people liked about them in the process and being different just for the sake of being different. The Avengers themselves are arguably the most well known example. Feige and Co. managed to attempt that same level of gathering new audiences - this time in live-action as opposed to a separate line of comics - but instead kept everything intact. Iron Man is still the playboy prick, but has all his good 616 qualities intact. Cap has more Ultimate influences in terms of his serum, costume and the way he's found, but is still the admirable soldier he's meant to be. The list goes on. For the most part, the characterizations and ways they occupied this universe and interacted with one another was fantastic.

They also managed to create a world as diverse as possible without stepping on other franchises and properties. Iron Man and Thor both occupy the same world with neither mythos suffering due to the other's presence. Each film and franchise has a unique tone and feel from the rest despite having the same inhabitation. Now to be fair, I did think they had some problems with this in Phase 1, but Phase 2 has been a huge success in terms of that IMO. Just this year, we had Cap 2 and Guardians - two films that are the complete total polar opposites of one another and yet both occupied the same world beautifully. It excites me to see how they'd handle the darker street-levelers like Daredevil.

This exactly my thoughts, I couldn't write it any better...and if I may add, it's "the Spirit"! Watching Marvel Studios' movies is like watching a comic book panel came to life. As much as I loved what DC has made with The Dark Knight Trilogy & Man of Steel but with much respect to them and their fans, I didn't feel the same spirit when watching those movies with when I was reading Batman & Superman comic books. And one more thing...what I love about MCU is "the Marvel theme" at the beginning of each films. I couldn't imagine or find any better universal theme for these heroes than what Bryan Tyler has composed. (Imagine if Spidey, FF, & X-MEN also have this theme at the beginning of their movies)

 

[fixxxer]

"10 movies and it still doesn't get old, huh?"
"Nope"
"It kinda makes you wanna..."
"Break into song?"
"Yep."

I love Dormammu
I love the Falcon's flight
I love cool armors
I love when two Hulks fight

I love the MCU
It's such an awesome place

Boom-de-yah-da
Boom-de-yah-da
Boom-de-yah-da
Boom-de-yah-da

I love Vibranium
I love arachnid stings
I love the mighty Thor
I love the trickster's tricks

I love the MCU
And all it's world-building

Boom-de-yah-da
Boom-de-yah-da
Boom-de-yah-da
Boom-de-yah-da

I love Galactic corps
I love the Ultron-bots
I love wee shrinking things
I love the Lady Death

I love the MCU
It's full of awesomeness

Boom-de-yah-da
Boom-de-yah-da
Boom-de-yah-da
Boom-de-yah-da

(For the three of you that have no clue what I'm talking about... click. )

 

[First Avenger]

^You won the internet!

 

[horacethegrey]

Three things I love most about the MCU:

1) Consistency. I think it's amazing that they've been able to achieve a standard level of quality in their films since the first Iron Man in 2008. It speaks of the quality of creative control they have in maintaining their brand despite coming out every year. And even when a film becomes something of a dud upon release, they manage to adapt and bounce back with an ever better film the following year. Examples being Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor becoming successes in 2011 after the dud that was Iron Man 2 in 2010, and Captain America:The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014 after Iron Man 3 and Thor The Dark World in 2013 had people worried.

2) Risk. I always find it laughable when some people label Marvel Film's product being generic or run of the mill, and that they avoid risky projects. Do people not realize what a risky proposition some of these films are? A movie about a Norse Thunder God walking the Earth? Another about a cheesy WW2 era superhero? A space opera starring a talking raccoon and a anthropomorphic tree? Plus trying to tie all these films together in a shared universe? THAT is a risky endeavor no matter how you look at it. Plus let's not forget the talent that they hire to direct these films, which brings me to...

3) Talent. If you look at the directors Marvel has hired to make their feature films, you'll note by browsing through their filmography that none of them have had a big time blockbuster on their resume. Jon Faveau? Kenneth Branagh? Joe Johnston? James Gunn? The Russo Brothers? None of them have had big time successes that would qualify them to make a summer tent pole, yet Marvel is able to trust in their creative vision to make their properties shine on the big screen. Despite Marvel's strict creative control, each director is able to leave his own creative stamp, making each of Marvel's films feel diverse and fresh. I really hope they continue this trend for as long as they can.

 

[Quasimod0]

The MCU films make me feel like I've been transported INTO the Marvel comics universe.
I will never forget how I felt when Tony Stark makes his suit and escapes from captivity.
Or when Steve Rogers makes the ultimate sacrifice and crashes that plane into the water.
Or when the Avengers finally assembled and that oh so epic music played.

Every time I see a MCU movie, it is an event. And I come out of each and every one of them with memories like the ones above.
I don't really get that same feeling from other CBMs. Can't put my finger on exactly what makes the Marvel Studios movies different for me.

 

[Joiner]

Like others have said, it's the diversity/balancing of all these properties within a single universe that makes it so exciting. Heck, we're getting a film with the Avengers hunting an evil robot across the globe one day to a TV series dealing with s*** in Hell's Kitchen the next.

 

[CyclopsWasRight]

There's almost too many things to pick. Overall I think the main thing I love is the fact that no studio has successfully brought a comic book to the screen with as much accuracy, no debate.

 

[First Avenger]

Sin City and Watchmen are graphic novels who have a beginning and an ending,they are not 50 years-plus ongoing series like Marvel's comics.That is a big difference.

 

[gildedmuse]

Does it bother anyone else that their hair is so clearly not getting wet? No? That's just me being insanely weird about wet hair? Okay, good, wanted to make sure.

 

[Flint Marko]

Sin City and Watchmen are graphic novels who have a beginning and an ending,they are not 50 years-plus ongoing series like Marvel's comics.That is a big difference.

Exactly. Not to mention neither of those films are as good as most of marvel studios output.
Trying to compare watchmen and sin city to anything in the marvel stable is laughable.

 

[kedrell]

Three things I love most about the MCU:

1) Consistency. I think it's amazing that they've been able to achieve a standard level of quality in their films since the first Iron Man in 2008. It speaks of the quality of creative control they have in maintaining their brand despite coming out every year. And even when a film becomes something of a dud upon release, they manage to adapt and bounce back with an ever better film the following year. Examples being Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor becoming successes in 2011 after the dud that was Iron Man 2 in 2010, and Captain America:The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014 after Iron Man 3 and Thor The Dark World in 2013 had people worried.

2) Risk. I always find it laughable when some people label Marvel Film's product being generic or run of the mill, and that they avoid risky projects. Do people not realize what a risky proposition some of these films are? A movie about a Norse Thunder God walking the Earth? Another about a cheesy WW2 era superhero? A space opera starring a talking raccoon and a anthropomorphic tree? Plus trying to tie all these films together in a shared universe? THAT is a risky endeavor no matter how you look at it. Plus let's not forget the talent that they hire to direct these films, which brings me to...

3) Talent. If you look at the directors Marvel has hired to make their feature films, you'll note by browsing through their filmography that none of them have had a big time blockbuster on their resume. Jon Faveau? Kenneth Branagh? Joe Johnston? James Gunn? The Russo Brothers? None of them have had big time successes that would qualify them to make a summer tent pole, yet Marvel is able to trust in their creative vision to make their properties shine on the big screen. Despite Marvel's strict creative control, each director is able to leave his own creative stamp, making each of Marvel's films feel diverse and fresh. I really hope they continue this trend for as long as they can.

Well Marvel Studios operates differently than other studios. Most other studios when they hire a director they're buying his/her vision and entrusting them(to varying degrees) to carry that vision out. With MS it's the studio that has the vision and they look for solid storytellers to implement that vision while also being able to add their minority input and accents to the films as well.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-marvel-became-envy-scourge-720363

While on most movies the power resides with the director and top stars, at Marvel those players have little influence. "They view the director as executing their vision," says an exec involved with the company. Another says Feige monitors filming so closely that rather than wait for dailies, he's often on set and "sees the takes as the directors see the takes."

I think they neither want prima donna's nor yes men as their directors. They want directors who can add something good to the mix while not forgetting that they are working on MS's vision and that comes first. They want talented team players. But I think if push came to shove they'd choose yes men rather than prima donna's to make the films as I believe they have faith in themselves to make the films work beyond whatever a director brings to the table. The studio is the auteur here.

 

[kedrell]

I'd say that while I agree with many points listed in the posts above, the main reason I love the MCU is that it managed to get me invested(and the continuity aspect probably has much to do with that). I've never been a Cap or Thor fan and I sure as hell never was a GotG fan back when I read comics in my youth. But them being connected to those things that I am a fan of(Hulk, Iron Man, Avengers, etc.) means that I'm far more interested in them when a new film comes out than I otherwise would be. So IMO the value of this can't be overstated.

If not for the MCU I would probably regard the superhero/CBM movie genre as a has been or bygone thing that I once held interest in and will on occasion check out if the notion strikes me(much the way I feel about space/scifi movies like Star Trek and Star Wars now) because none of the other superhero movies out there really hit home with me. Some are good enough and many are terrible but they never really satisfied me. I'd say that other than the MCU the only other film franchise IP to really get it's hooks in me was the Peter Jackson/JRR Tolkien movies. After that I'd have to go back to 1989 and the last great Indiana Jones movie as a franchise that got under my skin(in a good way).

 

[psylockolussus]

What I love about MCU is they give me more Marvel films to watch to and it makes me less impatient waiting for upcoming X-Men films.

 

[CyclopsWasRight]

Does it bother anyone else that their hair is so clearly not getting wet? No? That's just me being insanely weird about wet hair? Okay, good, wanted to make sure.

Never noticed that before

 

[Shakel92]

I used to love that there were one-shots on the DVD's.

 

[KangConquers]

The heroes. No other studio has made their heroes as consistently likeable and entertaining as Marvel Studios. Regardless of what people say about the villains, the heroes are always perfect.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

The heroes. No other studio has made their heroes as consistently likeable and entertaining as Marvel Studios. Regardless of what people say about the villains, the heroes are always perfect.

True. I can't think of a superhero they have really screwed up. Hawkeye is probably the worst, and even he isn't bad. They hit with even their supporting heroes like Falcon or Dum Dum Dugan.

 

[LTM438]

True. I can't think of a superhero they have really screwed up. Hawkeye is probably the worst, and even he isn't bad. They hit with even their supporting heroes like Falcon or Dum Dum Dugan.

I think it's fair to say that Hawkeye hasn't yet been given his chance to shine. I have a feeling that Age of Ultron is going to make a whole bunch of new Clint Barton fans out of the moviegoing public.