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marvel Archives - Page 2 of 3 - The Spool (Page 2)

“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” flies steady but lacks heat

By: Andrew Bloom

It remains to be seen if Marvel's latest TV spinoff can capture audiences' attention as well as its predecessor.

“WandaVision” starts slow, but bodes well for the MCU’s future on TV

By: Clint Worthington

Disney+'s first real time at bat for the MCU on television is a sprightly, experimental series that makes great, if deliberately-paced, use of its premise.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Spider-Man” swung us into the brightness of the modern superhero era

Sam Raimi brought his camp sensibilities to Marvel's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, launching a bright new era for superhero filmmaking.

Unraveling pop-culture one thread at a time

The Spool is an irreverent, informative source for film and television coverage, focused on diverse, thoughtful opinions that seek out a greater understanding of the media we love.

“Helstrom” takes you only as far as limbo

By: Tim Stevens

The pre-Disney era of Marvel TV finally comes to a close in the most mundane, workmanlike way possible.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Spider-Man: Far From Home” forces Peter Parker to grow up

The latest Marvel film to date is more than a mid-sized follow up to Avengers: Endgame -- it establishes Peter Parker as the beating heart of the new MCU.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Thor: Ragnarok” was a joyous punch in the face of colonialism

Taika Waititi's irreverent revamp of the Thor series, Thor: Ragnarok, manages to weave some much-needed criticism of imperialism among the gags.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Black Panther,” M’Baku, and reclaiming the savage

Ryan Coogler's superhero film not only salvages the colonialist origins of the comic's imagery, it reclaims them for a Black audience.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” Found Poignancy In Its Cosmic Weirdos

James Gunn's interstellar hangout movie is weird and messy, but deeply, admiringly focused on its characters and an earnest emotional core.

How “Spider-Man: Homecoming” Updated the Teen Film for the MCU Era

Alien robots and evil Norse gods may prove a thrill to the multiplex, but here, they're not much more intimidating than adolescence.

Is “Captain America: Civil War” More Political Thriller or Comic Book?

Building off the political intrigue of their first MCU entry, the Russo brothers further blended reality and fantasy in their second smash hit.

“Avengers: Age of Ultron” Blurs the Line Between “Good” and “Good Enough”

With production issues and a shift in the franchise's creative team, Joss Whedon's final MCU entry has just enough to work.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” Saw the MCU Grow Up

It's not perfect, but the Russo brothers' conspiracy-thriller take on the MCU turned its eye inward to the more explicitly political.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Thor: The Dark World” Feels Like MCU Filler

Thor's second standalone adventure buckles under the weight of too many characters and a confused directorial hand.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” Gave the MCU Its Identity

A break from all those iron men and thunder gods, James Gunn's blast of '70s pastiche helped solidify the Marvel movies' blend of character and comedy.

Assembling “The Avengers”

An unlikely team of heroes could have been a cliché, but Joss Whedon's first foray into the MCU worked because it toyed with its moving parts.

Filmmaker of the Month

The Throwback Charms of “Captain America: The First Avenger”

Chris Evans' first go-round with the stars and stripes remains one of Marvel Phase One's most enduring outings.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Thor” Thunders Onto the Screen as Marvel’s Millennial

Kenneth Branagh's Shakespearean tale of a godlike alien shows the cracks in Marvel's firmament amid its immature protagonist.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Iron Man 2” Offers Marvel’s First Stumble Out of the Gate

Jon Favreau's 2010 followup to the first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe also shows the weaknesses of worldbuilding over structure.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Iron Man” built a hero – and a blueprint for a franchise

Jon Favreau's acerbic superhero adventure set the template for the Marvel Cinematic Universe -- and rehabilitated Robert Downey Jr. into a movie star once again.

April’s Filmmaker of the Month: The Marvel Cinematic Universe

One year after Avengers: Endgame, we look back at the blockbuster franchise that changed superhero cinema -- and the moviegoing landscape -- forever.

Marvel’s “Runaways” Moves a Lot in Season 3, But Goes Almost Nowhere

The third season of the Marvel series has some high points, but mostly feels like it's running in place.

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