The MCU’s Phase 4 has been criticized because some fans feel it’s a bit disjointed and hasn’t presented the bigger picture even though six movies and seven television shows have been released during this phase. Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo are now commenting on the criticisms and fan complaints of Phase 4, and they’re coming to the MCU’s defense.
During an interview with NBC, the Russo Brothers were asked about the Phase 4 criticisms, and Anthony Russo took the lead by praising the MCU’s ambition. He says even as they try out new things, Phase 4 still has the MCU’s creative spirit:
“Here’s the thing. The entire life of the MCU has seen ups and downs, there’s going to naturally be an ebb and flow to how people are feeling about it based on the latest offering. But I think — look, at the end of the day, they’re still being very ambitious in terms of how they approach the storytelling. They’re being experimental. They’re looking for new forms of expression to keep audiences excited and surprised. It still seems like they have a vital creative code and process that they’re pursuing, so I do believe there’s still a lot of hope for what’s possible in the MCU. We haven’t lost faith in it, that’s for sure.”
Phase 4 has been all over the map regarding critical reaction. There has been near-universal praise for films like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings while Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and the recently released Thor: Love and Thunder have garnered more mixed results. The phase even saw some of the MCU’s most dismal reviews with the release of Eternals last year, so it’s safe to say that this phase has been more polarizing than most. The TV shows are faring much better critically, but I think fans are growing impatient, wondering how this all fits together in the grand scheme of things.
If anything, Phase 4 feels more like an experimentation period. Fans may not be 100% behind some of the creative decisions so far, but I think it’s a bit of a good thing that Marvel isn’t just doing what worked before. It’s all about trial and error, and I’m still on board to see where this phase is headed next.
What are YOUR thoughts on the MCU’s Phase 4 and what the Russo Brothers had to say?