The Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline stretches again to 2008’s “Iron Man,” which was adopted by movies starring the Hulk, Thor, and Captain America, weaving an intricate narrative that culminated in a giant team-up movie, 2012’s “The Avengers.” The MCU grew to become a popular culture juggernaut within the years that adopted, with 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity Warfare” and 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” each pulling in over $2 billion on the worldwide field workplace. This two-part occasion cemented the MCU as Hollywood’s most dominant franchise by far, however occasions have modified.

The 2020s has not been as sort to Marvel Studios when it comes to field workplace receipts. There’s been the odd success (“Spider-Man: No Approach House” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” each broke the billion greenback barrier), however these sorts of figures are actually a rarity. On the time of this writing, 2025’s “Captain America: Courageous New World” has made lower than $390 million globally. What’s behind this downturn in fortunes? Superhero fatigue is partly in charge, however we can also’t ignore the truth that Part 5 of the MCU (which started with the critically maligned “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” in February 2023) has gotten fairly foolish. Under are the dumbest issues which have occurred in Part 5.

One of many highlights of 2023’s “The Marvels” is Iman Vellani’s portrayal of Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel. Nonetheless, one of many dumb issues about this movie is definitely a plot level involving Vellani’s character. The movie itself follows three folks with energy-based powers, the titular “Marvels.” The group consists of Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel (Brie Larson); Photon, aka Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris); and the aforementioned Ms. Marvel. At one level, our heroes arrive on the song-and-dance planet Aladna to cease the villain’s plan of sucking up Aladna’s ocean.

Earlier within the movie, Carol instructed Kamala concerning the troublesome selections she’s needed to make as Captain Marvel. Whereas she is extraordinarily highly effective, Carol’s not capable of save everybody. It is particularly exhausting for her contemplating that — as a consequence of her immense powers — Carol’s jurisdiction is actually your complete universe. So, when the struggle on Aladna will get dire, Kamala impulsively warps the Marvels away to “show” to Carol that she will be able to make morally-compromising selections, too. Kamala principally lets the villain reach decimating the planet to make a degree, which is an even bigger character assassination than the time the comics literally killed Ms. Marvel.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has a conflicted view on the morality of vigilantism. Sure, the franchise’s superheroes stand as much as injustice, particularly when the precise justice system is proven to be ineffectual and/or corrupt. Nonetheless, a few of the greatest superhero tales are concerning the risks of vigilantism. Typically we see an try and bypass that contradiction by making the heroes a part of the system itself, like most incarnations of Captain America. Although, even in Captain America’s case, that is not all the time true.

Within the comics, the Watergate scandal disturbed Steve Rogers a lot that he went rogue as Nomad. Equally, by the point Sam Wilson takes the protect from Rogers within the MCU, the Avengers have successfully disbanded and he isn’t working formally for the federal government. So why does “Courageous New World” open with Sam having a Captain America lair and entry to all types of tech? Who’s funding him? It was established that he wasn’t being paid in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” and he struggled financially. What modified? With out official authorities backing, how was he getting intel and backup from U.S. troopers in the beginning of the movie? It actually is unnecessary for a contractor to have such insane assets.

Whereas “Captain America: Courageous New World” introduced again just a few characters from years passed by, it additionally launched new characters from the comedian books in live-action for the primary time. This consists of Sabra (Shira Haas), who within the comics is actually the Israeli model of Captain America. Amid potential backlash, although, Marvel confirmed a big change to Sabra’s character: As an alternative of being a former Mossad agent, as she is within the comics, Sabra within the MCU is now a former Pink Room Black Widow, who was presumably freed on the finish of 2021’s “Black Widow.” Then (for some purpose) she grew to become the pinnacle of safety for Harrison Ford’s President Ross.

It is in no way shocking that Marvel made this variation given the tense political local weather within the Center East. However, placing politics apart, Sabra additionally simply actually has no place within the story. At first, she begins out like Tommy Lee Jones in “The Fugitive,” chasing down Sam Wilson, however that is dropped rapidly. Moreover, this character could possibly be anybody, even one other comedian e-book character — there’s actually no want for it to be Sabra. She solely wears her costume in a single scene and he or she does not even struggle in it (which was most likely for the most effective, because it appears to be like like one thing dug out of the “Energy Rangers” wardrobe). The character’s inclusion is only one of a number of dumb issues about “Captain America: Courageous New World.”

The query of whether or not or not Sam Wilson ought to take the tremendous serum is one thing that hangs over your complete runtime of “Captain America: Courageous New World.” That is as a result of, as expert a fighter as Sam is, he’s not superhuman, and that is a critical drawback in his line of labor. After all, there’s a clear thematic level being made by his refusal to take it. That is expressed most explicitly throughout the scene the place Bucky Barnes exhibits up for a cameo, giving Sam a pep speak after his personal Falcon, Joaquin Torres, is injured throughout a mission. Bucky primarily tells Sam that his bravery and heroism — all regardless of a scarcity of superpowers — proves that anybody generally is a hero, probably inspiring others to struggle, too. Joaquin later expresses the identical sentiment.

That is all effectively and good, however the truth stays that by not taking the serum, Sam is handing a bonus to the individuals who would search to hurt him and hurt America. There are little doubt numerous would-be Captain Americas on the market who would fortunately take the serum and struggle for his or her nation on an excellent enjoying discipline with all of the superpowered villains that exist within the MCU. Additionally, the concept that Sam is inspiring folks by being a traditional man is form of dumb — Sam makes use of high-tech gadgetry from Wakanda and elsewhere that’s inaccessible to the typical particular person, and he clearly has extra navy connections than your common former soldier. His refusal to take the serum is a pleasant concept, however once you boil it down, it makes little sense.

The “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy is an actual success story throughout the MCU. James Gunn took a bunch of characters that few folks exterior of comedian e-book circles had heard of and turned them into well-known superheroes. All three entries did effectively with critics, although 2023’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” scored lowest on Rotten Tomatoes with a ranking of 82%. The movie fell prey to one thing that plagues many mainstream popcorn flicks: The trope the place the heroes will mow down numerous faceless — or no less than anonymous — henchmen whereas retaining the principle villain alive to make some kind of ethical level.

That is particularly galling as we witness Peter Quill and Rocket Raccoon wipe out not simply the aforementioned henchmen, but in addition animals who have been genetically mutated in opposition to their will by The Excessive Evolutionary. Ultimately, Rocket for some purpose attracts the road at killing the aforementioned villain, who’s a canonically genocidal, planet-destroying menace. It is also bizarre that the primary mission of the brand new Guardians staff led by Rocket within the mid-credits scene sees them killing alien animals. Certain, it is to guard a village, but in addition, Rocket was a daily animal himself at one level. The morality is far and wide.

It is common information amongst each Marvel followers and moviegoers basically that Jonathan Majors’ villain Kang the Conqueror was purported to be the massive dangerous of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s fifth part. Majors misplaced the position after being discovered responsible on misdemeanor assault and harassment costs, that means that Marvel’s authentic plans main as much as the beforehand introduced movie “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” needed to be scrapped. Nonetheless, even earlier than the courtroom case, there have been some issues with Majors’ character within the MCU.

Kang technically made his debut in Part 4 throughout the finale of “Loki” Season 1, calling himself He Who Stays. His characteristic movie debut got here in 2023’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” This Kang variant is the one who began the multiversal struggle within the first place, and, due to that, is presumably probably the most highly effective and harmful — that is why the opposite Kang variants labored collectively to try to strip him of his futuristic tech and go away him to die within the Quantum Realm.

First impressions are the whole lot in terms of superhero film villains, and Kang’s movie introduction botched what ought to’ve gotten followers excited to see extra of him. “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” made him look ineffectual and, to place it bluntly, like a little bit of a joke. The way of his defeat is comical (he is principally overwhelmed by a swarm of ants), and whereas that is likely to be acceptable for a one-and-done villain, the truth that Kang went down like this was fairly dumb.

Jonathan Majors’ efficiency is among the six best things in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” the place the script failed the actor relatively than the opposite approach round. The identical can’t be stated of his efficiency as Victor Well timed (which is kind of probably probably the most distractingly on-the-nose title within the Marvel Cinematic Universe). In each “Loki” and his temporary look within the second post-credits scene of “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” Majors provides Victor Well timed a voice that is distracting, and, frankly, dumb.

Certain, it is distinct, and Well timed’s nasally staccato rhythm does make a specific amount of sense when it comes to him being an eccentric showman from the 1800s. The truth that Majors was going to be portraying a number of Kang variants meant making them distinct was needed. Nonetheless, despite the fact that there are narrative causes to go along with a voice that’s distinctive, it nonetheless does not change the truth that it’s totally grating. It turns the character into one thing from a comedy sketch relatively than a vivid thoughts with concepts forward of his time.

One of many biggest unanswered questions in “Deadpool & Wolverine” revolves across the villain of the movie, Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Paradox. Why did he inform Deadpool his complete evil plot? It is by no means a sensible factor for a foul man to do, nevertheless it’s additional dumb right here. Originally of the movie, Wade Wilson has given up his persona as Deadpool, the rambunctious, fourth wall breaking Merc with a Mouth. Wade seems like he lacks objective (particularly after he used the time-traveling system he acquired from Cable in “Deadpool 2” to use for The Avengers, solely to be rejected by Completely happy Hogan). Wade finally will get captured by brokers of the Time Variance Authority and dropped at Mr. Paradox, who tells Wade how essential he’s.

To date, so good. Nonetheless, issues get dumb when Paradox inexplicably monologues about how he’ll destroy Wade’s universe and is utilizing a brand new, experimental machine to hurry up the method. This clearly annoys Deadpool, because it means his associates can be time-ripped. Mr. Paradox’s motivations make a specific amount of sense at first, as a result of he says Deadpool is supposed to be saved alive by the “higher-ups.” Nonetheless, that makes much less sense when it is later revealed that Mr. Paradox is working in opposition to the TVA, and his Time Ripper machine is a secret. If that is the case, then why deliver Wade in in any respect? And, once more, why inform Wade his plan? It is by no means made clear what Paradox gained from doing that — the truth is, his plan might need truly succeeded if he hadn’t.

Superhero comedian books typically comprise sure visible parts that do not adhere to how issues look in actuality however make sense in a extra summary approach (or simply look actually cool). Working example: Masked heroes whose eyes turn out to be pure white whereas sporting them. The obvious instance is, after all, Batman, however there are numerous others, together with Deadpool and Marvels’ most well-known X-Man, Wolverine.

The crucial and business success of the live-action “X-Males” adaptation from 2000 marked a giant second within the historical past of comedian e-book movies. This film is broadly thought of to be the one which laid the muse for the fashionable superhero cinematic panorama. It took cues from “Blade” when it comes to wardrobe selections, taking away the colourful costumes seen within the comics in favor of darkish clothes and plenty of leather-based. Cyclops even makes enjoyable of sporting “yellow spandex” in a well-known line from “X-Males.” Fortunately, followers lastly noticed Hugh Jackman don the long-lasting yellow go well with in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which appears to be like surprisingly good in live-action. Effectively, other than the masks — or, extra particularly, the eyes.

The entire white, pupil-less eyes factor appears to be like nice on the web page, however in live-action, it may be very distracting. It is also probably not needed – Wolverine’s precise eyes do present by the masks within the comics generally. Not solely does it appear to be a Halloween costume in live-action, however you lose out on Jackman’s emoting by hiding his eyes. Deadpool’s inherent goofiness — and the actual fact the comics by no means present his pupils — implies that this method works for him, nevertheless it appears to be like dumb on Wolverine.

The primary big-budget characteristic movie starring a Marvel comics character was 1986’s “Howard the Duck,” which was a total flop. Greater than a decade handed earlier than a movie got here out that proved how well-suited sure Marvel characters are to the massive display screen: 1998’s “Blade.” The live-action characteristic movie starred Wesley Snipes because the titular, leather-based trench coat-wearing vampire hunter. Snipes and lots of of his co-stars did not actually resemble the characters from the comics (here’s what the cast of “Blade” should really look like), however the aesthetic offered a blueprint for related films and kicked off new traits (here’s how “Blade” changed superhero movies and nobody noticed).

In brief, “Blade” was a giant hit that made a cultural splash, so there was plenty of pleasure in 2019 when Kevin Feige introduced that the MCU could be rebooting the property with Mahershala Ali within the lead position. The reboot was purported to be coming within the close to future — Ali even had a voice cameo in 2021’s “Eternals.” Sadly, the undertaking has slowly sunk into growth hell. A number of writers and administrators have come and gone, and it is turn out to be such a tortured manufacturing that “Deadpool & Wolverine” even poked enjoyable at it: Wesley Snipes (who cameos as his model of Blade within the movie) stated that he is the one Blade.

Given the huge assets at their disposal and the truth that Part 5 has been gentle on big-draw initiatives, the truth that Marvel execs did not go all out to make the “Blade” reboot occur actually is dumb. Hopefully we get to see it sooner or later, however at this level, we’re not holding our breath.