MCU Jumps the Shark with Avengers: Endgame’s Multiverse Mess

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  • Avengers: Endgame’ Faltered With Their Final Rescue
  • Endgame’s Introduction of Multiple Universes Provides a Fractured Reality

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) stands as the pinnacle of superhero movie franchises. To date, it has produced more than 30 films and amassed a staggering box office revenue exceeding $30 billion, making it the most financially successful film series ever. However, its unparalleled success may not be surpassed anytime soon, yet recent Marvel productions suggest that the MCU’s prime has passed. In light of this creative lull, it’s appropriate to acknowledge that the MCU reached a peak with “Avengers: Endgame.

The term “Jump the Shark” refers to when a creative work has gone beyond its original essence and presents concepts that are inconsistent with or exaggerate its initial goal. Essentially, it’s when a creative work runs out of fresh ideas and resorts to spectacle instead. This phrase was originated from an episode of Happy Days in 1985, where the character The Fonz (Henry Winkler) jumps over a shark while water-skiing. This event serves as a symbolic marker for the downfall of once excellent movies or TV shows.

‘Avengers: Endgame’ Faltered With Their Final Rescue

The epic tale of the Avengers peaked in 2018 with the release of “Avengers: Infinity War”. This near-flawless action film featured high-stakes, an invincible antagonist, a lineup of beloved heroes crafted over a decade through a series of precursor films. The catastrophic outcome of Thanos’ snap created a cinematic earthquake that shook the future of the franchise and left our powerful heroes defeated. This set the stage perfectly for “Endgame”. However, with such lofty expectations and stakes, it proved to be an incredibly challenging task for the film to meet them. And “Endgame” rose to this challenge by introducing…time travel and the multiverse.

Instead of dismissing the overused concept of time travel (although it’s not something we should discard. Frankly, there aren’t many issues that can’t be resolved with time travel. But let’s face it, not everyone has a McGuffin or an Ant-Man to justify such a plot point), the real turning point was when the team proposed to snatch the required infinity stones from various other dimensions. This idea was creatively barren. The sequence goes something like this: acquire McGuffin, then employ McGuffin to introduce a universe that just so happens to have exactly what your universe is missing, in order to solve problems. This leads to an emotionally vacant conclusion. Furthermore, it sets a dangerous precedent for the rest of the series, significantly lowering the level of danger and suspense.

‘Endgame’s Introduction of Multiple Universes Provides a Fractured Reality

In the movie ‘Avengers: Endgame’, the duplication of the universe has led to a loss of value for each character. Instead of irreplaceable individuals, the multiple universes have resulted in interchangeable figures, much like swapping batteries without any significant difference.

In simpler terms, isn’t Iron Man’s sacrifice any less significant when it’s known there might be another Iron Man in a different universe ready to take his place? The death of Loki, which can be undone so easily, doesn’t seem smart. Instead, it erases what could have been Loki’s only good deed and introduces a villain instead. This strategy weakens the bond we’ve formed with the old Loki because he has essentially been replaced. In essence, it feels like everything can be swapped out or replaced.

Expanding the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with the multiverse opens up numerous possibilities for unique narratives. Yet, given that the studio has previously altered the originality of the universe, will fans continue to embrace future projects with the same fervor? If one universe is discarded, can’t the MCU simply transition to another? And as for the characters, why should viewers invest more in them if their emotional resonance feels diminished, like a half-charged battery?

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2025-02-23 06:01