Trusting MCU Directors So Much Has Been Good AND Bad For Phase 4
Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has certainly allowed for a greater emphasis on directorial style to divisive responses, meaning that maybe Marvel Studios still need to find the balance between this and universe cohesion. So far in Phase 4, at least in terms of theatrical releases, there have been six projects each with differing directors. While there have been many Disney+ shows with their own distinct tone and style, the longer form of storytelling has struggled to consistently deliver substance as well as style.
When looking strictly at Phase 4's theatrical releases, the critical and audience response has been far less consistent than Phases 1, 2, and 3, especially the latter which was overwhelmingly positive. Cate Shortland began Marvel's journey into the MCU's post-Avengers: Endgame era with Black Widow to a mostly positive reception. The main reason for this was mainly due to the film feeling like a Phase 3 film, especially given its tone and place on the MCU timeline.
Related: Thanos' Infinity War Snap Created 1 Big Character Problem For Phase 4
Since then, Marvel Studios have released Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and most recently, Thor: Love and Thunder. Out of this slate, only two have been released to majorly positive reception, with those being Shang-Chi and Spider-Man. The other films, however, those with a greater emphasis on specific directorial vision, have been received less positively. With Spider-Man: No Way Home and Black Widow being the two MCU Phase 4 films with a notable lack of a distinct directorial style, though still very competently directed, it is the other four projects that are worth
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