July 28th 2023.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe series Secret Invasion reached its conclusion this week, but it didn't quite make the same impact as its predecessors Infinity War and Endgame. Led by a star-studded cast, including Samuel L Jackson, Emilia Clarke and Olivia Colman, the show saw Nick Fury and Talos discover the shapeshifting Skrulls were plotting to conquer the planet.
The show was created with the same ambition as its predecessors but unfortunately, the reception was far from the same. The approval rating for the final episode sits at a paltry 10% on Rotten Tomatoes, and, generally, there was a distinct lack of conversation or interest around the series.
As an avid MCU watcher, Secret Invasion is mainly symptomatic of Marvel’s ongoing woes. After the success of Phase Three, which included hits such as Spider-Man: Homecoming, Black Panther and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, the sheer glut of content being pumped out by the Disney-powered Marvel machine has led to an inevitable decline in quality.
Phase Four was rushed out in speeds that would make Quicksilver wince, with eight television shows and seven films released in just over 18 months. While some of these, such as No Way Home and WandaVision, showcased the MCU at its very best, there was far too much dross that made the experience as a fan feel more like obligation than enjoyment. Moon Knight started strong before becoming dull, Ms. Marvel’s saccharine tone bordered on diabetic, and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law was so poor it could be mistaken for parody.
It’s not just viewers that are noticing the decline in quality, the executives are too. Marvel president Kevin Feige recently told Entertainment Weekly, ‘It is harder to hit the zeitgeist when there’s so much product out there.' He added that the pace at which the Disney+ shows are being put out will change so they can each get a chance to shine.
Ultimately, the main problem with Secret Invasion is that it is mind-numbingly poor - not even Samuel L Jackson, Emilia Clarke and Olivia Colman can bring life to material that is laughably weak. It would be fine if the show existed as a separate entity, but Marvel flat out demands that viewers watch every second of every movie and TV show in order for the rest to make sense.
As Marvel starts Phase 5 and 6, there’s still plenty more superhero adventures to explore - but I’m sceptical about whether future movies and TV shows will reach the lofty heights of their predecessors. Judging by the franchise’s recent output, it’s fair to say that Marvel is well and truly in its flop era.
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