Thoughts on the Marvel Cinematic Universe

I am a big fan of the Marvel films. And needless to say I am incredibly excited for the next Avengers film. And seeing how Avengers: Endgame is so close at hand I thought it'd be appropriate to binge the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, excluding the shows, in chronological order.

Now, I've seen all the film's. But this time around I've decided to watch them in a way I never had before. I watched them as if they were not part of a larger Cinematic Universe and instead just focused on the individual stories at hand.

After watching the film's I have come to the conclusion that every MCU installment is average at best. Nothing more nothing less. Now, some may say that I am wrong, especially when it comes to the Black Panther and Captain Marvel films.

Some may argue that the films were "Inspirational" and "Progressive". That they produced a message, enlightening many.

To that I simply say, who cares.

Now, while every MCU film is equally average, they are not equal amongst each other. Every film in existence has to have 11 key components in order for it to be considered 'Well Made'. These are the details critics focus on when judging a film.

1. Good Story: In order to create a great movie, a good plot is must have. The plot needs to capture the viewer. it needs to hold something intriguing, extraordinary or unusual.
2. Suspense: Some element(s) of the film must keep the audience on edge to make them eagerly anticipate a resolution.
3. Originality: The film must present some new concept or idea that has hardly been explored by its predecessors. Some amount of creativity and innovation should invent never-before-seen content.
4. Good Actors/Good Cinematography: No matter how great a job the writers have done coming up with a story, it must be executed properly to capture the vision. The actors must convince the audience they are the characters they're portraying. This does not bode well with actors who have little chemistry with one another.And above all, the camera crew must capture the scenes in a manner that best illustrates the story.
5. Profound Message: Within the story there should be brought to light a particular moral or ethic.
6. Realism/Accuracy: A great film should portray events, people, etc. as they are in real-word settings despite controversial themes. Actions and interactions should be believable, plausible, and at least somewhat relatable.
7. Good Setting: The characters must be placed inside an environment that contributes to their actions and interactions while also emphasizing the themes and moods of the film. The scenery should be pleasing to the eye while not detracting from the main focus of the scene.
8. Soundtrack: I heavily subscribe to the adage "music is the language of the soul". Sound should compliment the visuals, but also help convey the emotion of each scene. If those two aspects contradict each other, diegetic and nondiegetic soundtracks should each support a separate element in opposition to the other.
9. Composition: Everything must be arranged in a comprehensive manner that upholds the story.
10. Special Effects: The film visuals must maintain a professional quality and stimulate the audience. Special effects should be used appropriately, when they compliment the emotion of each scene and support the setting.
11. Consistency: A film needs to be consistent with the its' story. Contradicting elements leads to inconsistencies in the stories (i.e. plot holes).

I know many of you will say that "A film doesn't necessarily need to have all these key points to be successful." and to that I say...you're right. A films success does not depend upon these 11 ingredients that make up a 'Well Made' film. What makes a film successful in Hollywood is the amount of money it makes at the box office. 

However none of this truly matters. All that does matter is what we, the audience, think of the film. Did it fulfill our expectations? Did it leave us feeling satisfied, uneasy, excited, or disappointed? 

Give us your thoughts on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Are you a fan? Do you love every installment? Or are you just an average film viewer who couldn't care less? Let us know below!