Marvel movie enthusiasts are anxiously awaiting the new The Marvels which is scheduled to be released November 2023.
Marvel Franchise
The Marvel franchise dates back to 1939 when it was released as a series of comic books that featured superheroes Human Torch, Angel, and Namor the Sub-Mariner.
The superhero genre declined in the years after WWII but Publisher Stan Lee was energized to expand after DC Comics revitalized interest in superheroes in the late 50s and early 60s, Lee added new superheroes including The Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, Black Panther, the Inhumans, the Avengers, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, the Silver Surfer, and others.
His focus on adult issues and characterization meant that superhero comics were no longer just for kids which meant that there was no limit to where his franchise could go.
In 1975 Marvel started a radio show and over the years, various cartoons and other children’s shows were aired featuring the Marvel characters. In 2009, Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment and that led to the birth of the Cinematic Universe. Over the last 15 years, Marvel has continued to produce comics but it is best known for its Marvel Studios films.
To date, Marvel Entertainment has released 22 films. That’s more than other movie franchise in history.
Some of the top-rated Marvel films of the last 2 decades include:
Iron Man
Iron Man was critically acclaimed and many Marvel fans believe it to be the best Marvel movie so far. Iron Man introduced Tony Stark, is a figure who has become a pivotal character in many subsequent Marvel films.
Stark was introduced to film-going audiences in Iron Man and his appearances in follow-up films follow the characterization of that original movie as a morally-nuanced superhero whose actions were governed by his ethical standards.
Stark, as Iron Man, was featured in Iron Man 2, Avengers, Captain America: Civil War and others.
The Avengers
The Avengers was the first major superhero film to team up different superheroes. Before the release of The Avengers, much skepticism had been expressed about how it would work but the movie was a success in that it showed how characters that audiences had come to know and love could team up to accomplish their mission even while their individual stories played out on the sidelines.
Critics agreed that the quality of The Avengers was unexpected. Superheros who came together in The Avengers included Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and The Incredible Hulk. After The Avengers, Marvel fans were able to view these disparate personalities as a team. Viewers cheered on the characters who were able to function cohesively even though they were a widely diverse group and the group dynamics were not stagnant at any point.
Spiderman
No Marvel character has appeared in as many Marvel movies as Spiderman. Audiences around the world are endlessly fascinated by the iconic superhero who, through the course of 15 films, stands up for his ideals while trying to navigate the “real world.”
From the pre-Disney Spider-Man 1, 2, and 3 when Toby Maguire introduced Peter Parker into the world of live-action on the big screen, Marvel Entertainment has given us The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), 1 & 2, Captain America, Captain America: Civil War (2016), Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Spiderman Homecoming, Venom, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and more.
This raises the question, why, of all the different superheroes, is Spiderman the most popular Marvel Universe superhero? There are a number of reasons that “Spidy” predominates and that Marvel and Disney have put so much effort into promoting him as a central Marvel character.
He’s a regular guy who is relatable and goes through hard times just like everyone else. He’s determined and empathetic and uses his powers of speed, agility, stamina, durability, endurance, and stamina only for good. Regardless of the plot of each of the Spiderman movies, these qualities come through and have made Spiderman one of the most beloved Marvel characters of all time.
Black Panther
Black Panther is one of the only major films in which the entire cast was African American. This put a lot of pressure on the crew and critics were unanimous in their agreement that they did, indeed, produce a stellar, flawless performance. The black community reveled in a film in which everyone, including both villains and heroes, was black. In addition, educators noted that Black Panther created STEM role models for black youth.
Black Panther was also praised for including a number of interesting strong female characters. The black panther character wasn’t yet a household name when the movie was made but the film’s success has proven to Hollywood superhero film producers that comic book characters don’t have to be household names in order to carry title movie roles.
The Marvels
The interconnected universe is set to burst forth in The Marvels which is scheduled to be released at the end of the year. Through interconnected storytelling, Marvel is weaving together crossovers with stand-alone films into a narrative that will launch a new chapter of the Marvel Universe. The film is expected to draw from comic book storylines while it incorporates new twists in the lives of favorite Marvel heroes.
Viewers can expect to see some new faces as well which bring fresh perspectives and inject new energy into the Marvel universe.
