The MCU used to be good, right? I know it entered Leprechaun 4: In Space territory after the first three phases, but Thor: Love & Thunder and Quantumania propelled this mega-franchise into Rumpelstiltskin (1995) territory. “Rumpelstiltskin territory” is a new phrase in Arch Nemesis canon - I actually just made it up. In the simplest of terms, it means your movie hit rock bottom. Rumpelstiltskin infamously ripped off the Leprechaun series. So if you enter “Rumpelstiltskin territory",” your movie is worse than a shitty movie that ripped off another shitty movie.
The most recent MCU entries sit in “Rumpelstiltskin territory” for so many reasons. The writing is atrocious. The CGI is sloppy. The acting borders on ridiculous. The directing is lazy - Taika Waititi should go to prison for robbing Disney. Honestly, Billy Madison’s work ethic would produce a better movie than what Taika made. He should be embarrassed, but I suspect he doesn’t care. You guys remember the Power Ranger head, right? And the children being held captive? I kept getting the vibe that Thor: Love & Thunder wanted to be too cool for fantasy and superhero movies. Years from now, we’ll identify Thor: Love & Thunder as the beginning of the end of the superhero genre’s reign.
Quantumania is in “Rumpelstiltskin territory” for its depiction of MODOK - JK but MODOK was really stupid. Honestly, there’s a mountain of reasons why this movie is in “Rumpelstiltskin territory.” Cassie Lang’s dialogue made me cringe. The comedy regurgitated Paul Rudd’s loveable idiot style, which is normally fine but … it’s the 50th MCU movie and the 3rd Ant-Man movie. Give the audience something new.
I almost miss the old days when the worst part of a Marvel movie was the Whedonesque “wit.” Now, these directors seem to hate the characters and source material. It’s very unbecoming - it changed the way I view Taika Waititi. And I regret forgiving Paul Feig for Ghostbusters. Here’s hoping the MCU starts offering directors creative control to woo some different talent.
The best part of the movie was the Quantumenu at Alamo Drafthouse. It came with a magnifying glass. I’ll post another round of Cinephile tonight and mail the winner a menu and magnifying glass!
Can’t believe you did Taika like that. Gotta say this is my fave review so far. Not because of the negativity, but it had me chortling as I drank my morning coffee.
Wow, tough but fair. Didn’t expect Paul Feig to catch a stray shot at the end there, but that Ghostbusters movie he made was bad despite a funny Chris Hemsworth performance, so I see the comparison.