Daredevil: Born Again Shows the MCU What It Needs to Get Back on Track!

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The inaugural season of “Daredevil: Born Again” has concluded on Disney+, and it’s fair to conclude that it was a hit, garnering praise from both critics and viewers. The series reintroduces the main character, Daredevil, played by Charlie Cox, and his longtime foe, Kingpin, who is brilliantly portrayed once more by Vincent D’Onofrio following almost seven years of absence (except for a brief appearance in “Spider-Man: No Way Home”), since Disney obtained the original “Daredevil” series from Netflix.

This series is surprisingly gritty compared to what one might anticipate from Disney, continuing the trend set by its Netflix counterpart. Moreover, it’s significantly more violent than typical Disney+ content. Although these elements are undeniably strong points, I believe the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) could learn a different lesson from the show’s success. The MCU doesn’t necessitate increased violence; instead, it requires more standalone films featuring compact narratives. Occasionally, the ever-growing universe (or universes) needs to be reined in. Allow me to elaborate, please.

Marvel Reached A Pinnacle In 2019, But Lately, It’s Been Dicey

2019’s blockbuster film, Avengers: Endgame, marked a remarkable achievement for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It represented the conclusion of an epic journey that began with Iron Man back in 2008. Watching the MCU movies in sequence, as I did during the initial months of COVID-19 lockdown thanks to my Disney+ subscription, truly underscores the skillful way they constructed this universe from a single superhero to a multitude. The 13 films since then (with another one on the horizon in May with the release of Thunderbolts) have shown a variety of quality, at best.

Some of the movies have been decent, but none have quite matched the quality of “Endgame”. The potential shown in Disney+ series like “Loki” and “WandaVision” was intriguing, although even there, the franchise has had its ups and downs, with shows such as “Moon Knight”, which began strongly but seemed to lack resolution. However, what has been effective about these shows is that they generally tell complete stories on their own.

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The MCU Should Have Reset After Avengers: Endgame

Over a span of 11 years, I’ve been fortunate to witness the gradual expansion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe at a manageable pace. Initially, it was just Robert Downey Jr., battling a human antagonist, Obadiah Stane (portrayed by Jeff Bridges), after crafting his initial Iron Man suit. This tale, reminiscent of classic comic books, featured a lone superhero squaring off against a villain, with thrilling action and witty banter. In an unprecedented post-credit scene, the audience was introduced to Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), setting the stage for what was to come, and it promised something grand.

In the upcoming series of films, we encounter characters such as The Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Captain America (before the initial Avengers movies were released). Over time, we witness these key figures unite (alongside Hawkeye and Black Widow) to battle Loki and The Other in the movie called The Avengers.

Subsequently, the films continued to expand in scale, with an increasing number of heroes and villains making their appearance. The Guardians of the Galaxy, Ant-Man, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, Black Panther, among others, all became part of the action, leaving us, as spectators, thrilled at each new movie release. Ultimately, we reached Avengers: Endgame, a fitting culmination that tied everything together. From Captain America uttering “Avengers, assemble,” to Tony Stark’s poignant departure, the film served as a satisfying conclusion to the Infinity Saga.

As a movie critic looking back, it was evidently clear that a reboot was long overdue, even before the global pandemic arrived on our doorstep. COVID-19, unfortunately, brought the world and Hollywood to a grinding halt, making it feel like we were floating in space without a tether. However, the reality of the situation didn’t deter me from believing that it was high time for a return to normality, or at least a grounded approach. Regrettably, my vision didn’t materialize as expected.

The MCU Is Too Big

When I express that the MCU is too vast, I’m referring to the intricacy of its stories and locations. We’re tracking heroes in various corners of the universe, even beyond the finite realms of our own universe. This includes movies, series on television, and as we journey through, there are hints and clues scattered along the way, which dedicated viewers appreciate, but can become frustrating for casual fans trying to keep up.

In essence, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has seemingly disconnected from its human-centric roots. Known for its realistic portrayal of superheroes, the MCU today feels far removed from that relatable aspect. Instead, we have characters with divine powers engaging in battles across cosmic realms, a spectacle that is undeniably grand but lacks the grounded feel that once defined the universe. This shift might be an epic finale (pun acknowledged), yet it seems that after such a climax, there’s no room for continuation.

Daredevil: Born Again Is A Blueprint

In “Daredevil: Born Again,” we find a deeply emotional and realistic tale unfolding within a single New York City community. This narrative centers around a solitary hero (or perhaps two, considering some Punisher scenes), wrestling with personal struggles while seeking identity as both an individual and a superhero following the loss of a dear friend. For me, these are the kinds of superhero stories that truly resonate. Rest assured, I enjoyed “Endgame,” but for me, it’s more about developing stories rather than starting with a villain on a Thanos-like scale.

In my opinion, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) should restart with a single hero, ideally Spider-Man, facing off against one of his classic villains in the bustling streets of New York City, reminiscent of traditional Spider-Man comic books. Gradually, we could reintroduce old characters and introduce new ones across several movies before attempting to recreate the epic climax seen in Avengers: Endgame.

To put it simply, I acknowledge that there’s a commercial aspect to this, but the executives need to keep pushing boundaries, even if it’s challenging. They can’t just increase budgets and add more cameos to recreate the magic of 11 years of storytelling. Instead, let’s take a break from grandeur for a while, re-establish a human connection in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and then gradually build it up again so we can experience another exciting moment like “Avengers, assemble!” once more.

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2025-04-19 23:08