What is the fastest way to get from compelling backstory to a bunch of heroes teaming up and kicking butt? You add the obligatory science fiction piece to fill the plot. The Cosmic Cube, the Infinity stone and the Super Soldier serum act as the boring cake part in an otherwise creamy frosting movie.
2. The Laughter Engine
A compelling plot? A serious film noir? Nah! How about tons of laughter and reaction shots? When it comes to plot you don't need to know more than 1) Evil Bad Guy wants science fiction gadget (cosmic cube/infinity stone/super soldier serum) 2) super hero needs to team up and realize potential to win. Once you get rid of that pesky plot Marvel can pay the big bucks to the humor writers who spend countless hours making sure each reaction, line, smirk, joke and action is completely hilarious. The Hulk smashing Loki=funny. How about Groot smashing alien soldiers? If you can't wow their sense of darkness with the Dark Knight you can always tickle their funny bone.
3. Foreshadow Files
When Marvel started making movies they had one request. The foreshadow had to be easy enough for a ten year old to comprehend. So far no blockbuster hit has failed that requirement. When Captain America tells Tony Stark, "Haven't you ever put it all on the line?" You know that Tony Stark is going to sacrifice himself later in the movie. When the Guardians of the Galaxy learned that 4 heroes tried to contain the Infinity stone's power but failed, you know they are going to try it later in the film. You can set your watch that anything a hero mentions offhand will happen in the future.
4. The Character Builder
This is where Marvel shines above DC. They actually try to make you fall in love with their characters. Each hero comes with a life story, a personality quirk and a sense of humor. Whether it is Bruce Banner's analytical dryness or Tony Stark's sassy attitude you can enter a Marvel movie with satisfaction. We can happily add Peter Quill's dude-man-bro demeanor and Rocket's Danny Devito quirks to the list. Did I mention that this only applies to the guys? Sorry Black Widow, Pepper Potts and Gomorra, your main purpose is to remind the protagonist that they have something worth fighting for or to kick serious alien butt.
5. The Villain Simplifier
Why does a bad guy need to have a philosophy or be deep? Can't he just be a racist scumbag or a power hungry corporate jerk? Insert any villain into the simplifier and Marvel will produce the most simple of warlords, evil scientists and megalomaniacs. The Mandarin from Iron Man 3 was the closest Marvel ever came to an idealogical villain with a deeper sense of purpose. At the last second they pulled the plug and made him a loveable and doofy side character. Baddies don't need to be complicated assassins, sociopathic clowns or righteous ninjas. Why is Thanos evil? Because he is bigger than everyone.
6. Cut + Copy + Paste
Imagine going to a zoo where instead of seeing new animals in each cage you saw a better and bigger version of the same animal. That is a sequel. Marvel has mastered the art of sequel making because they already have over 60 years of super hero stories to borrow from. If the formula works, then there is no reason in all of America to try something new. Marvel deserves credit for stitching each story together so the universe is one big blanket. It is pretty ingenius and it forces you to see the bigger picture.
7. The Origin Originator
It always starts with a young boy/man who realizes he is nothing and suddenly sees a ton of potential to save the world. The camera always starts at the very beginning of everyone's story. The audience can never ever assume that the hero has been in the game for several years and is well accustomed to it. Whether it is Peter Parker learning how to be Spiderman or The Falcon realizing his flying potential (an origin story in a sequel--nice Marvel!) the story must always start on day one.
8. The Disney Lesson Distorter
Believe in yourself. Don't be the bully. Team work makes the dream work. Look out for the little guy. Ohana means family. Be yourself. You are special. You can make a difference. A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down. All of these messages are guaranteed to be somewhere in the overall plot. It is the fluff fuel that makes each story more squeezable.
9. The Safety Switch
Keep it safe...keep it simple. That is the number 1 reason that Marvel will never ever deviate from this formula. The minute you try to add a new atmosphere, remove a piece of the puzzle, appeal to a different audience-- BAM! You end up like DC and their oh so forgettable Green Lantern film. It's a numbers game. A handful of B- to B+ titles coming out year after year makes a better average than the spotty record of other comic offerings. Every movie needs to feel like it came from the same cloth or people will start remembering The Punisher or Daredevil. Boooo!
10. The Male Transponder
Storm, Elektra, Ms. Marvel, Black Widow, Spider Woman and Rogue are just a few examples of movie ideas that could not be a priority over Ant-Man. Who is Ant-Man, you ask? Who cares, as long as he is not a female. Only one female has ever had the ability to get her own movie and Marvel is trying so hard for you to forget about her. Elektra is her name and her story bombed harder than you could ever imagine. Marvel's remedy to this? Forget girls. Marvel Movies have plenty of female super heroes: Pepper Potts, Black Widow, that chick Thor makes out with and Gomorra. .
