The MCU started in 2008 in a sensational manner, with Iron Man hitting screens and wowing audiences and critics alike. Since then, the MCU has expanded to Netflix with huge success, ABC with albeit a lesser level of success, but nonetheless successful, and also growing several movie franchises, grossing over 10 billion dollars.
But, like any hugely successful franchise or series, detractors are born, eager to pounce on any and all flaws. Lately, after Age of Ultron and Civil War, many are quick to criticize both for their lack of “consequences” and often citing how “no people die in the MCU”.
Well, good ol’ BatmanHeisenberg is here to (hopefully) eradicate this common argument. To really get a full depth view on this, it’s probably best to analyze every movie and tv show to really get a full grip on the entirety of it all. While I’ll be analyzing all the Netflix shows and all the movies, I will, sadly not be going over the ABC shows. Also, I won’t be talking about the villains killed until the end.
First, let’s start by analyzing Iron Man.
IRON MAN (2008):
Ah, the granddaddy of the MCU. The movie that introduced audiences to the great potential of Marvel. Anchored by Robert Downey Jr. in a brilliant performance, this movie paves the way for all of Marvel. In it, we see the Iron Man identity established, SHIELD established, Rhodey established, the Ten Rings established, and in a bonus gift, we see the Avengers initiative established from the get-go!
To argue this was a non-consequential film is really a weird argument. Like much of Phase 1, this movie is really there to help establish its hero, and it does so spectacularly.
THE INCREDIBLE HULK (2008):
A movie that is less well known or well praised in the MCU. But the film has consequences nonetheless. Most importantly, Bruce Banner is established, and his world, such as the Ross family. This, I will admit, despite the devastation in Harlem, this is a film with little impact on the overall MCU, but there are clear consequences, the main one being Banner on the run from the law, which sets up The Avengers nicely.
IRON MAN 2 (2010):
Not a home run for Marvel by any means, but significantly better than any of certain studios efforts *cough* Manofsteel&BatmanvSuperman *cough*. Ah, excuse me. Anyhow, this movie has consequences as well. Mainly, we see Iron Man being thrown against a wall, as his chest slowly deteriorates, and he has to replace it. Black Widow is introduced. Rhodey also becomes War Machine, and Tony is rejected from the Avenger initiative.
Again, not Marvel’s best by any means (it could be argued that it’s the worst, but that’s okay!), but there are a variety of consequences and introductions in the film, as the first endgame, The Avengers, nears.
THOR (2011):
Marvel’s first adventure into space and mythology. We are introduced to Thor, Loki and all the like of Asgard, Darcy and Jane Foster. Hawkeye is also introduced. The main consequence of this film is that the world is introduced to aliens and gods and how frightening that is. This helps pave a nice road to The Avengers.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER (2011):
My favorite MCU Origin film, and one of my favorite MCU movies overall. Audiences are introduced to the heroic Steve Rogers, in a groundbreaking performance from Chris Evans. A small, yet very heroic Steve Rogers is given the super soldier serum and becomes a very capable individual. His friends, Bucky and Peggy Carter are introduced, and they both have greater arcs in store. HYDRA is introduced, which also becomes a major villain throughout the rest of the MCU. The tesseract is introduced, and this paves the way for The Avengers, as it is the macguffin of the film. The First Avenger hits in a big way, and is one of the most influential MCU movies ever.
THE AVENGERS (2012):
Ah, the culmination event that hit the world in a big way. As Loki attempts to take over the world using the mind stone and the tesseract, Nick Fury helps bring together the Avengers to stop him. This film is as much of a culmination as it is a tease of the greatness to come. The main consequence of this is that the Avengers are established, and the world is now savvy to another world invasion. New York City takes a lot of damage, and Thanos is ready. Coulson dies, sure, and it may feel inconsequential because of his revival, but his death drives the third act. This film is absolutely consequential, and as Nick Fury says, every world knows it.
IRON MAN 3 (2013):
My favorite Iron Man film and the most controversial one at that. This is one many argue has little effect on the MCU and has weird plot inconsistencies. I completely disagree. Despite not being directly mentioned in Age of Ultron, this film handily leads Tony to the place he’s in in Age of Ultron. Iron Man 3 is a character piece, pure and simple. Tony, in no stretch of the imagination, is going to be willing to create Ultron after the first Avengers film, and Iron Man 3 perfectly is the buffer of character development needed. Tony is afraid, and relies so much on his own, and he starts to realize how easily he can be defeated.
Is it the most consequential film? Not by any stretch of the imagination. As for people complaining about him destroying all his suits, he literally says “I am Iron Man”, plus it gets addressed in Civil War. Iron Man 3 is an absolutely essential film in the MCU canon. It’s also an essential film in Tony’s arc.
THOR: THE DARK WORLD (2013):
Besides Iron Man 2, this film is easily the most shat on MCU movie. If not more so. I personally love it. The film has lots of consequences, many of them teasing the great future to come. The biggest play is the Aether being established, and the awesomeness that comes along with it *whispers* INFINITYYY WARRR *whispers*. Also, Asgard gets shaped up in a much different way with Loki now leading. Obviously more of a set up film, but the payoff will be very sweet. This film, despite my love of it, is much like Iron Man 2. Bit messy sure, but the payoff in the future will make it worth it. But to argue it’s completely inconsequential is a silly argument. Frigga dies, an Infinity Gem is established, and Loki is now leader of Asgard. That’s a lot happening in one film.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (2014):
This is a film, that despite being one of the biggest game changers in the MCU, has many complaints lobbied against it for being inconsequential. The main argument against it is that Nick Fury dies but comes back. This is a rather odd argument, because death doesn’t always equal great consequences. But I will address this later. The Winter Soldier is somewhat of a culmination event in it of itself, at least of everything SHIELD and Hydra. The biggest reveal is that Hydra has been secretly in SHIELD all this time, and Nick, Black Widow and everyone has been serving them the whole time. Another bombshell that everyone saw coming is that the Winter Soldier is Bucky Barnes, and that he has been carrying out assassinations for HYDRA and the Soviet Union. This film impacts the MCU and Steve in a big way. First: SHIELD is now completely obliterated, and will go underground (I did watch SOME Agents of SHIELD!!). Second: Bucky is alive, and this will put in motion the events of Civil War. This film has a massive effect on the MCU, and to argue that Nick should have died because of those “lack of consequences” is nonsensical. The Winter Soldier is one of the best MCU films, and it’s effect is everlasting.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2014):
Another setup film, but an extremely important one. The Guardians are, most importantly, established. Another Infinity Gem is also established, paving the road for Infinity War. Plenty of galactic stuff is established including the Kree and the Collector. We also get some more insight into Thanos, and his plans for the Infinity Gems (getting more of them). Adam Warlock and Howard the Duck either get hilarious post credit scenes or an easter egg. The Nova Corps are established, which can pave the way for Nova in the future. Not the most consequential film on the overall universe as The Winter Soldier, but it is a great expansion of the already great universe.
DAREDEVIL SEASON ONE (2015):
Plenty of consequences are galore in Daredevil Season One. First, Matt Murdock is introduced to the MCU, showing the viewers an exciting new addition to the lore of the MCU. Throughout the season, consequences of both Matt and Kingpin are explored, as we get a glimpse into the world of Hell’s Kitchen. Daredevil is consistently thrown against the wall, and his vigilante activities land him in a world of hurt. Kingpin sees his empire fall, and goes to prison. Daredevil Season One perfectly introduces us into the exciting street level crime-fighting in the MCU, and its consequences are far and immense on the Netflix lore.
AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (2015):
How one could argue this has a lack of consequences is beyond me. The entire Avengers lineup is shaped differently, a city is leveled, Quicksilver dies, and Vision and Scarlet Witch are established for the MCU. If it wasn’t for Age of Ultron, half of Civil War couldn’t happen. Ultron absolutely helps shape a new dawn for the MCU, and to argue otherwise is just silly. It’s also interesting that many people argue not enough deaths happen in the MCU (don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten to address that!!), yet when they kill a somewhat important character from the comics, they cry foul. It’s like they want consequences, except when they don’t want them. It’s incredibly strange. But yes, Age of Ultron is a very necessary cornerstone of the MCU canon, and it will continue to affect the MCU from here.
ANT-MAN (2015):
A fun adventure, but like other MCU origins, is important for the character and the overall universe. If anything, Ant-Man’s main responsibility is world building. We see the origin of Hank Pym, Janet and Ant-Man as a whole. It also serves as a great buffer to establish Civil War. At the end we see Pym Tech destroyed and Scott Lang as a superhero. We also see the great potential for Luis and his masterful storytelling ability.
JESSICA JONES SEASON ONE (2015):
One of my favorite things in the MCU. Consequences are put at the forefront in this brilliant show that explores darker themes in the MCU. After a horrific life with Kilgrave, Jessica tries to make a new living for herself outside and try avoiding Kilgrave’s clutches. Jessica’s past actions affect her as she does everything she can to avoid the fight. This great show helps further establish the dark side of the MCU, and consequences are at the forefront of this show, as past actions haunt the characters, and make decisions that will affect the future of the MCU.
DAREDEVIL SEASON TWO (2016):
One batch. Two batch. Penny and dime. A haunting look at Matt and Hell’s Kitchen after Kingpin’s fall, and boy is it interesting. Consequences are at the forefront of this season, as the fallout of the last season is explored with the Yakuza. Punisher’s past is also explored, and he causes much mayhem throughout Hell’s Kitchen. Elektra and Daredevil relationship is also explored, and everything in the season causes consequences for the characters and the future of this corner of the MCU.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (2016):
The main reason I wrote this editorial was in part to address this movie and complaints about its lack of consequences. Captain America: Civil War, like Age of Ultron, is a culmination event that shows off what buildup and taking your time can lead to. Captain America: Civil War is a film that not only half of the MCU has been building to, but it also has an extreme amount of consequences that will forever change the landscape of the MCU. Black Panther and Wakanda are introduced, and T’Chaka dies at the hands of Baron Zemo, forever changing T’Challa and how he sees the world. Spider-Man is also established, and he is a huge mainstay for the MCU. Baron Zemo is established, and his future in the MCU seems certain to continue. All of Cap’s team is now on the run from the law, something that is radically different from anything we’ve seen before. Tony and Cap’s relationship is severed, and their relationship will never be the same. Tony realizes who killed his parents. Steve loses his shield, and could end up taking a similar route to his Nomad days in the comics. Rhodey is paralyzed now.
These are massive changes to the landscape of the MCU, and to suggest otherwise is very odd. Which brings me to the point I’m sure many of you would have like me to address by now… Death in the universe, and it’s relationship to consequences.
Almost every major MCU villain has died or disappeared at this point, with no return in sight. So to argue that there is little death is silly, and/or then argue killing off the villains is even more silly. A couple of other major deaths have also happened, including: Ben Urich, Frigga, Agent Coulson and Quicksilver (I’m probably missing a few). With the exception of Agent Coulson, all of them appear to be dead forever. When a major or minor character dies, that’s it. Besides some angst for their close ones after, it becomes meaningless. In no way am I arguing that killing them off was the wrong decision, but when you kill a character, no more drama can be created for that character.
For all that we know, Quicksilver could have had a fantastic arc in the MCU if he didn’t die. We’ll probably never know, since Whedon has assured us he’s toast. Not that I’m arguing for his resurrection, but death is a cop-out very often, and killing major ones every now and again aren’t always the best choice. Think about Kingpin in Daredevil Season One… By keeping him alive, they can do a fantastic arc with him in the future, maybe even adapt “Born Again”. When you kill off characters, their effect on the MCU ceases to exist completely.
Unless, of course, you kill off someone HUGE like Steve or Tony, killing characters in the MCU constantly can be a pointless exercise, and to argue that we need MORE deaths in the MCU is just silly. Especially since there are absolutely an abundance of consequences in the MCU.
What do you think? Am I a Marvel shill cashing out a Marvel check, or do I have a point? Sound off below, but remember,