Weak Protagonists Hurt These Otherwise Great Superhero Movies

Superhero movies are often eponymous, for not only are the lead characters the faces of their respective franchises but the star power of the actors is also something that attracts fans. So, if the writing fails to make the hero stand out or the performance is subpar, it can leave audiences with a sour taste.

With the talk of superhero fatigue overpowering most comic book movie discussions, people have been taking a closer look at the blockbusters of late. While major studios are still churning out crowdpleasers that are also receiving acclaim from critics, superhero films are not without their flaws, and sometimes, the blame falls on the protagonist.

10 Iron Man 2

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Although 2008’s Iron Man laid the foundation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, its sequel made actual inroads into a connected universe of solo movies focusing on individual heroes. Iron Man 2 made good on the financial success of its predecessor but garnered less favorable reviews partly because the behind-the-scenes drama affected the onscreen narrative.

The movie completely rode on Robert Downey Jr.’s charisma. While Downey and director Jon Favreau wanted to explore the character’s alcoholism, the creative cabal wanted more worldbuilding. The ultimate victim in this mess was Tony Stark, who lacked emotional depth and had no character development as he climbed every obstacle on the shoulders of others.

9 Captain Marvel

As far as protagonists in superhero movies go, Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel is, without a doubt, the strongest of the lot in terms of power level. The movie was part of MCU’s Phase 3 release and quickly became a financial success for Marvel, taking the top spot for female-led superhero movies.

Larson plays a Kree named Vers who suffers from amnesia until she arrives on Earth and starts remembering her past. The story’s outline turns Captain Marvel into a character with almost no flaws except her apparent memory loss. But once the movie addresses it, her struggles are no longer emotionally compelling, making her one-dimensional despite her Binary powers.

8 Superman Returns

After several unsuccessful attempts to reboot the Superman franchise, Warner Bros., in 2006, decided to add to the original film series with a fresh face. Paying homage to Christopher Reeve’s legacy, a young Brandon Routh donned the iconic suit in Superman Returns, portraying a Superman who returns to Earth after five years to see much has changed.

While both the movie and Routh’s performance receive kinder reviews these days, it does not absolve the film of its lackluster plot and underutilized protagonist. Superman is one of the most powerful beings on Earth, but the character here is a shell of his former self, proving that it is not easy to fill in the Man of Steel’s shoes.

7 Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

7 Movies To Watch If You Love Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness

2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was Sam Raimi’s return to Marvel after fifteen years. The film follows Doctor Strange as he tries to protect the multiverse-jumping America Chavez from his Avengers teammate Wanda Maximoff, who wants to travel to a world where her sons are still alive.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen have received praise for their respective performances. But Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been criticized for disregarding Wanda’s character development in WandaVision, and rightly so. The film makes Doctor Strange’s variants seem more interesting than the protagonist himself, as it focuses more on the over-the-top spectacles.

6 Thor: Love and Thunder

Unlike his Avengers compatriots, Thor’s movies failed to hit the ground running. Thor: Ragnarok was a turning point in the character’s trajectory, with director Taika Waititi infusing more humor into the script. However, its sequel, Thor: Love and Thunder, missed the mark on a few items on the checklist, most of which can be traced back to Thor himself.

Although it showcases the emblematic problem with the current string of MCU movies, Thor: Love and Thunder is still fun and, at its heart, a popcorn flick. The over-the-top silliness that Chris Hemsworth’s Thor portrayed in the last movie comes out in tenfolds here and makes certain scenes a drag to watch.

5 Man of Steel

Matthew Vaughn’s Superman Trilogy Had the Right Idea

Man of Steel‘s review scores may not flatter it, but fans have a soft spot for the movie’s action elements and ethereal soundtrack. After Superman Returns failed to soar high, Warner Bros. greenlit a reboot, placing the franchise in the hands of director Zack Snyder, who brought on Henry Cavill for the role, and the rest is history.

Cavill’s performance as Superman is one of the highlights of an erstwhile uninspiring universe. But writer David S. Goyer and Snyder’s grounded vision heavily weigh down upon Superman’s characterization, robbing him of his selfless goodness. Unlike his comic book counterpart, Superman is more hesitant to do the right thing because of his upbringing, blemishing the character further as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice rolled in.

4 Spider-Man 3

Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy is one of the most critically acclaimed comic book movie franchises that blends human drama and selfless superheroics. The final film in the series, Spider-Man 3, introduced the symbiote Venom and turned Peter Parker’s already tumultuous life upside down. When looked through the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia, the movie has its moments but leaves a bitter aftertaste with its characters.

Spider-Man 3‘s Peter Parker is a far cry from his usual self. Instead of embracing the darker side, Toby Maguire’s Spider-Man gets progressively emo under the influence of the symbiote. Peter turns into an unlikeable guy instead of an anti-hero, as he takes out his anger through petty revenge.

3 Zack Snyder’s Justice League

James Gunn’s DCU Can Fix Zack Snyder’s Mistake With Martian Manhunter

As mouthful as Zack Snyder’s Justice League sounds, so is its runtime, which the film uses to flesh out characters and motivations that the disastrous 2017 release skimped on. With additional footage and never-seen-before scenes of Darkseid taking on the Olympian Gods, this new cut became a favorite among fans.

However, the Snyder Cut, as it’s popularly called, lacks depth in its protagonists despite the grandiose examination of the character the film insists upon. While the script finds common ground for all the leads, there is not much going on to make each of the lead stand out except for some segments that spend time on the heroics of a central few.

2 Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was Marvel Studios’ first theatrical release since the pandemic, ushering in MCU’s Phase 4. The film stars Simu Liu as the titular Shang-Chi, who tries to escape his father’s influence, the villainous Xu Wenwu, played by the ineffable Tony Leung.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings unabashedly celebrates Eastern Asian culture with well-choreographed action and an engrossing family drama. That said, Leung’s dominating presence completely overshadows Simu Liu’s portrayal of Shang-Chi. The story spends so much time creating the myth around Wenwu that it forgets to let Shang-Chi grow out of his father’s shadow.

1 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Chadwick Boseman’s untimely death left the world stunned. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was a somber affair, bringing fans together to mourn and celebrate the legacy Boseman left behind as director Ryan Coogler paid his respects through a vibrant Wakandan send-off.

To mitigate the loss of its star, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever thrusts Letitia Wright’s Shuri into the spotlight along with multiple characters and a tragic villain. However, Shuri is no longer the heart of the plot but an overburdened monarch. Wright’s character stays in a perpetual state of melancholy that transforms into anger by the end. Fortunately, Angela Bassett’s masterful acting chops spearhead the Wakandan faction, becoming the perfect foil for the film’s new antagonist, Namor.

 Comic book movies like Superman Returns and Captain Marvel suffered from weak protagonists.  Read More