In the past couple of decades, superhero movies and cinematic universes had a period where they were on top of the cinematic totem pole, with Marvel Studios and their esteemed “Marvel Cinematic...
Anna Ford, Assistant Culture Editor
• May 13, 2023
In a bittersweet and satisfying conclusion to the beloved trilogy, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (“Vol. 3”) follows the events of "Thor: Love and Thunder" as Peter Quill (Chris Pratt)—a.k.a “Star-Lord”—and the rest of the team race to save Rocket's (Bradley Cooper) life and come to terms with their ever-shifting group dynamics.
“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” kicks off Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with a zany tale of fatherhood, revolution and giant ants. Starring Paul Rudd as Ant-Man and Evangeline...
After hitting theaters on Friday, Nov. 11, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” proves an instant success for the MCU franchise. An unsurprising verdict, the sequel follows the fan-favorite “Black Panther,” which broke theaters in 2018 with its very-needed inclusion of an African MCU superhero. “Wakanda Forever” now pays tribute to late actor Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa) whilst introducing a new Black Panther in his place.
Disney+’s Marvel shows have so far proven to be strong additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the movies give us the epic narratives factoring into a larger story arc, the shows give more personable stories. Ones like “Hawkeye,” “WandaVision” and “Loki” give us introspective looks into central characters that the films can’t always allot within a two-hour runtime. “Moon Knight,” the latest series, stands out for being the first Disney+ series to adapt a new hero to headline their own show. Its first episode out of six shows promise in the series being a mind-bending and exhilarating thrill-ride unlike anything Marvel’s done before.
With the success the MCU is accustomed to, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” could have been a throw-away, fan-serving flick. Instead, it is a mature and entertaining film that fans of both the MCU and Spider-Man will not only love but respect. There is excellence in every moment of this film—its choices are deliberate, and it takes bold risks. It is the tribute that the beloved superhero deserves and speaks to the future of the character in the most encouraging sense.
“Eternals” is not the best film to come out of the MCU, but it’s an invitation to an ever-expanding future for the cinematic universe. Director Chloé Zhao presents a reflective film that elevates the scope of the MCU. Despite its shortcomings, Zhao’s creative freedom demonstrates the range of themes and new ideas that Marvel Studios may allow directors to produce in the future.
Sony’s “Venom” franchise stands out as an outlier for not being officially included in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite its initial disconnection from Spider-Man, “Venom” is noted for its action, humor and Tom Hardy’s performance. Directed by character actor Andy Serkis, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” indulges in the comedic tone of its predecessor and introduces new characters and elements to the franchise, but does it so hastily to the point where the film feels more like a short interlude rather than a major installment.
The film follows Shang-Chi, played by actor Simu Liu, on an adventure that forces him to confront the dark past that he has been trying to forget. His ordinary life in San Francisco is interrupted by the presence of the Ten Rings, the peace-destroying organization that was first introduced in “Iron Man." The organization’s leader, and Shang-Chi’s father Wenwu, played by Tony Leung, intends to enlist Shang-Chi for a supernatural task that may hold dire consequences for the entire world.
Since Marvel Studios made its Disney+ debut with “WandaVision” in January, it has been universally praised by critics and viewers alike for its daringly unique take on the MCU mythos. The series follows...
Boyce Rucker, Contributing Writer
• January 25, 2021
After facing a long hiatus brought on by the difficulties and challenges of the previous year, Marvel Studios returns with a new installment in the form of “WandaVision,” which marks the first MCU-set...
'Ello and welcome back to this week's edition of “Views from abroad.” This week, I am very excited to be jumping into a particularly favorite topic of mine – no, not the Jonas Brothers again –...
