Thor point: Marvel needs to get back to edge-of-your-seat drama, not comedy
OPINION: I've had enough.
At the risk of incurring the wrath of a billion fanboys and fangirls everywhere, deafening me as they cry out in one single united voice, I think Marvel's gone too far.
Having sat through the 400th release from the Marvel Cinematic Universe Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok this week, and with another 700 Marvel films on the horizon (FYI that's sarcasm, before you jump on me), I'm worried for the state of Marvel's cinema - as well as my own gradually loosening grip on reality.
I also need to point out this is no Duncan Garner style takedown of the brilliant work done by Taika in the latest (his assured eye on the clarity of the action is impressive to say the least as he wrangles the CGI beasts running amok).
But I think the Marvel films are in danger of losing their way.
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Sure, Thor: Ragnarok's likely to come out swinging when it's released in the States in a couple of weeks with upwards of an opening box office of US$100 million, but creatively, it feels like the film series is starting to struggle.
Relying on humour as a major crutch has become somewhat de rigueur for the films following the unexpectedly tongue-in-cheek humour of 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy.
The box office smash of that, and the subsequent knockabout elements of films like Ant-Man and Doctor Strange, means that Marvel's adopted this approach, sacrificing drama for the likes of comedy.
The problem is it's starting to dangerously threaten any dramatic overtones the films originally had.
Sure, these flicks are from comic-book sources, and the inherent humour is there - but stop for a second and tell me when was the last time you saw a Marvel film that had a seriously strong baddie? Or where the stakes felt genuinely high that you were on the edge of your seat waiting to see how it was solved?
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 was the worst offender - a candy-coloured frippery of a film that painted inconsequence through infinitely more than caring about what it did with its characters.
Everyone I know who's been to Thor: Ragnarok has said the same thing - it's funny as, bro.
I actually overheard someone say this very morning that it was so funny, but they fell asleep in the middle of it.
Is that a good thing? It suggests to me they weren't invested in the drama and suspense of the film more than anything.
Even Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor, said the role was better this time around as he was able to play fast and loose with Thor's pomposity - and why shouldn't he enjoy it? After all, he's been doing since it 2011 - you're bound to get bored.
Yes, I know the DC Universe is suffering with a case of the over-pompous invading their ranks - hence Suicide Squad got slightly rejigged around to be more knockabout in among the seriousness of its messy plot. It's also probably why the trailer for upcoming Justice League has a few more humorous moments.
I don't want much out of my comic book films; they should be entertaining and fun, and I know they're massive favourites with the audiences and families heading to enjoy a night out at the flicks. The box office take tells me that - and also hints why these cash cows are not going to be sacrificed at the altar any time soon.
But, Kevin Feige and Marvel, I reckon it's time you have a bit of a writers' room reset - and maybe, just maybe, bring a little something more dramatic to the table to show that you've not lost your way with the upcoming cavalcade of Phase-whatever-we-are-in-now for the MCU.
Or if not, given there are Marvel releases planned for every third month next year, why not do something radical and daring?
How about you take a break from the cinematic cash-cow, let us miss the films for a bit and then come back with something that will truly blow our collective geek minds.
I dare you.
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