An Ode to The MCU

11 years.

It’s hard to believe that, a little over 11 years ago, Marvel, now a multi-billion dollar subsidiary of Disney, threw everything they had into Iron Man so as to escape bankruptcy. It’s hard to believe that, a little over 11 years ago, no one thought a cinematic comic book universe was even possible. It’s also hard to believe that The MCU not only passed its initiation, but has lasted 11 years.

I’m running late on The MCU reflection train; after all, the franchise celebrated its first decade last year. But I don’t really care. Spider-Man: Far From Home debuted a few days ago, and since it was the perfect epilogue to Iron Man, I figured I’d discuss its impact. As in, personally. As in, complete with my own history.

Now, I’m a big MCU fan, given my posts. But I wasn’t always. The franchise grew on me, slowly. And at times it was rough and unsteady, as evidenced by me being burned out from Thor: The Dark World. It wasn’t until Captain America: The Winter Soldier that I was sold, and even then not-fully. My official fandom came later.

A lot’s changed in 11 years. Globally, the world has gotten more complicated. The US has had a presidential change twice. We’ve seen a resurgence of right-wing populism, a rebirth of fascism and a de-stability of global powers. We’ve seen a rise in global temperatures, a greater gap between the rich and the poor and the effects of war on foreign policy. And we’ve seen people mobilize in great numbers and attempt to keep world leaders accountable.

Personally, I’ve had a lot of changes as well. I graduated high school and university, and have bounced back-and-forth between jobs. My writing’s gotten stronger. My family situation has changed, with me now being an uncle. And my outlook on life has gotten more complex.

I think this is part of why my appreciation of The MCU has gotten stronger. Like me, the franchise has changed and morphed to meet the times. In its early stages, it was about setting the groundwork. In its middle stages, it was about experimentation. Now it’s about doing whatever it pleases, which it’s definitely earned.

The MCU has also gone to interesting places. Iron Man 3 delved into Tony Stark’s mind, showing his vulnerability. Captain America: The Winter Soldier delved into political espionage, showing how evil mutates to fit the times. The Guardians of the Galaxy films delved into family dynamics, leading to emotionally-resonant moments. Even the big cross-over movies, the Avengers films, became more complex, challenging what it meant to be a team of superheroes.

We’ve also seen Hollywood take cues from these movies. Prior to The MCU, the idea of a shared universe was kept to C-list franchises. But post success, this was no longer so farfetched. Studios started following the formula, missing why The MCU worked so well. They wanted the results with none of the work, much to their demise. It’s been copious and frustrating to witness.

Do I think The MCU’s impervious? Do I think it’ll last forever? I don’t know the answer to either question. All I know is that it’s made it this far, and that it has a long road ahead. A road filled with obstacles and potential, both of which it needs to tackle head-on. Will it succeed? It’s uncertain, but it should still try. That’s the only way to know.

What makes The MCU function so well is that it understands why people watch its movies. The films are about characters first, continuity second. That alone puts the franchise above the competition. It’s also why I think that the franchise’s naysayers, both critical and casual, don’t appreciate why The MCU works. It makes responding to the complaints that much more tedious.

Where next? I don’t know. The movies have already retired some of their old cast, leaving room for new ones. Perhaps some more time-travel is in order? Maybe dimension-hopping? Perhaps even genre mash-ups? The options are endless, especially since The MCU has opened its doors for so many avenues. Even the options for casting and diversity are on the table.

Will I be able to enjoy The MCU for as long as it exists? Again, I don’t know. So much had to align for me to appreciate its first 11 years, but the future is uncertain. There’s a lot I don’t know about that lies ahead, and some of that could change how I consume these movies in the future. For now, I’ll take it one step at a time. It’s easier that way, if we’re being honest.

So yeah, 11 years. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? If anything’s for certain, here’s to 11 years more…whatever those 11 years may bring. Let’s hope that they’re positive.