TCTTS said:

---

That's a great way to put it.

Speaking of Marvel being really off lately, with Wakanda Forever marking the final installment, I can't believe phase four is already over, and came and went like it did. Big picture, plot-wise, it feels like nothing happened. I know there were certain developments here and there, and sure, there were some decent character arcs, I guess (though not many), but man, what a dud of a phase, save for No Way Home.

That said, I at least have faith in what's to come, especially now that we finally have more Avengers movies announced as our North Star(s), so to speak. I'm super excited for the next two theatrical installments (Ant-Man 3 and Guardians 3), and even Secret Invasion looks cool and like it's something that will at least move the overall plot forward. In other words, the MCU has all the making for a great winter/spring, and even the entires I'm not crazy about in 2024 - Cap 4 and Thunderbolts - also at least feel like movies that will advance the overall plot in interesting ways.

I get that we needed a pallet cleanser of sorts after Endgame, and some time for the characters (and the audience) to catch their collective breath and reflect. And I know that both Covid and Boseman's death obviously wreacked havoc on Marvel's phase four plans. I just really hope that, starting with Ant-Man (and a proper introduction to Kang) in February, phase five finally gets the ball rolling again.

---

That phase sucked. Ant Man looks incredible. I'm too embarrassed to say how many times I've watched that trailer but it's a lot. A whole lot!

GREAT director choice...

BLADE news! Marvel's vampire action movie back on track as it gets a new director - Yann Demange, who did the LOVECRAFT COUNTRY pilot - and a new writer - Michael Starrbury, who worked on WHEN THEY SEE US. https://t.co/x5TxYh0X0C

— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) November 21, 2022

So which one of you is the guy on the table?

BenFiasco14 said:

---

So which one of you is the guy on the table?

---

Now make one for Aggie football.

I don't necessarily mind that though, every film being a world ending event tied into seven other things got a bit exhausting at times.

I really enjoyed some of these last films/series films like Shang-Chi and Hawkeye that were self contained really fun rides with entertaining characters and outstanding action sequences.

Hmmmmmm 🤔 pic.twitter.com/gnA8mdIEzW

— Daniel Richtman #BlackLivesMatter (@DanielRPK) November 29, 2022

Nice analogy. Can't wait for the Buu saga

rhutton125 said:

---

https://www.ign.com/articles/the-guardians-of-the-galaxy-holiday-special-filler-arc

Curious what y'all think. Phase 4 was essentially a "filler arc," because you can't go straight from the Frieza Saga to the Cell Saga without some lower-stakes goofing around.

If that analogy holds true, Phase 5 should be back to normal, balls-to-the-wall intensity.

---

Please don't disrespect my man Garlic Jr like that.

Farmer1906 said:

---

rhutton125 said:

---

https://www.ign.com/articles/the-guardians-of-the-galaxy-holiday-special-filler-arc

Curious what y'all think. Phase 4 was essentially a "filler arc," because you can't go straight from the Frieza Saga to the Cell Saga without some lower-stakes goofing around.

If that analogy holds true, Phase 5 should be back to normal, balls-to-the-wall intensity.

---

Please don't disrespect my man Garlic Jr like that.

---

He deserves all the disrespect he can get

fig96 said:

---

I don't necessarily mind that though, every film being a world ending event tied into seven other things got a bit exhausting at times.

I really enjoyed some of these last films/series films like Shang-Chi and Hawkeye that were self contained really fun rides with entertaining characters and outstanding action sequences.

---

I think making some "lower-stakes" films was ok to do. I liked Shang-Chi as well.

The problem for me has been that none of these movies have tied together at all, in anyway. Even in Phase 1, at the end of Ironman we got Thor's hammer. Nothing like that in any of these movies (to be fair I haven't watched Dr. Strange yet, so I could have missed something). It doesn't have to be big things, but the little things like that would just make it fun.

I view the MCU like a series of a TV show. Writers realized they could get the audience more invested in the show and more loyal if they had a season arching plot while still having episodes resolve. That's what the MCU did, even from the start of Phase 1. They stopped doing that for Phase 4, and I think it's really hurt them to date.

I too am hoping, as I have read others here, that Antman jump-starts the MCU back to where it was pre-Endgame. It feels like there is a lot riding on Antman and Guardians.

The connective tissue of Phase 4 has been Wong - multiverse of madness, no way home, Shang chi, and she-hulk, thus confirming Wong is Mephisto.

Low stakes are good, but I'm a little tired of low stakes suddenly being insanely high stakes by the end of the film.

- Shang-chi is a kung fu dude with daddy issues. Time for him to fight a demon dragon who will destroy the world.
- Ms Marvel is a young kid with new powers. She better figure them out before our dimension is destroyed.
- Moon Knight is (typically) a street-level hero with multiple personalities. Episode 6: souls across the world are being consumed out of bodies. Good thing he can fly now!

I guess superheroes saving the world is pretty typical, but I appreciate when it's something else they're focused on. Props to She-Hulk and Hawkeye for actually staying pretty consistent with it.

Less saving *the* world and more saving *their own* world (their own life, loved ones, way of life, etc).

rhutton125 said:

---

Low stakes are good, but I'm a little tired of low stakes suddenly being insanely high stakes by the end of the film.

- Shang-chi is a kung fu dude with daddy issues. Time for him to fight a demon dragon who will destroy the world.
- Ms Marvel is a young kid with new powers. She better figure them out before our dimension is destroyed.
- Moon Knight is (typically) a street-level hero with multiple personalities. Episode 6: souls across the world are being consumed out of bodies. Good thing he can fly now!

I guess superheroes saving the world is pretty typical, but I appreciate when it's something else they're focused on. Props to She-Hulk and Hawkeye for actually staying pretty consistent with it.

---

Hawkeye might be my favorite Disney+ show to date. I plan on a December rewatch this year!

The first trailer for ‘GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL 3’ has been released.

The film releases on May 5 in theaters. pic.twitter.com/GyMBOxdrwB

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) December 1, 2022

This movie is going to be even more of a gut punch than the end of vol 2

Whoa.

YouTube embed + the first poster...

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6791350/
May 5, 2023
Theatrical Exclusive

Looks amazing… and what an epic song choice with In The Meantime. One of the most underrated songs of all time