Comparing X-Men: Dark Phoenix and Avengers: Endgame - A Missed Opportunity

The release of Avengers: Endgame marked the conclusion of a decade-long journey that began with The Avengers in 2012. To date, this pivotal film has stood as a testament to the meticulous planning and execution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Each movie release was carefully intertwined with the next, leading up to the epic finale. However, X-Men: Dark Phoenix falls far short of the mark set by Endgame, failing to capitalize on one of the most significant story arcs in Marvel history.

The Expectations

Dark Phoenix, the second attempt at filming this story, has disappointed not just in terms of execution but in the cravenness of its effort. The tale of Jean Grey's transformation into Dark Phoenix holds a special place among Marvel legends, yet the film's creators squandered this opportunity. With an abundance of well-known story elements at their disposal, they failed to craft a cohesive and engaging narrative. This is a stark contrast to the meticulously planned and executed storyline that culminated in Endgame.

The Finality of Endgame

Avengers: Endgame stands not just as the capstone to 22 films but as a monumental cultural event. Its scale and complexity resonate with an entire generation, much like the original Star Wars trilogy did during its release. The film's significance lies in its ability to encapsulate years of anticipation, storytelling, and character development. It was a meticulously orchestrated event that culminated in a heartwarming and emotionally charged conclusion. In contrast, Dark Phoenix is merely another entry in a series that has been marked by inconsistent quality.

The Challenges of the Final Minutes

Given the success of Endgame, it's no surprise that the filmmakers approached Dark Phoenix with the intent of providing fans with a final, emotionally impactful narrative. In a statement from the film's writer/director, Simon Kinberg, he emphasized the significance of this movie in the context of the X-Men franchise: “I approach this movie as the culmination of 20 years of storytelling, of living with the X-Men for all this time and watching this family come together. This movie is the movie that challenged that family and tears them apart in a new way. And so I imagined it as the culmination and I even pitched it to the studio as this is the culmination of this cycle of X-Men stories.”

While this sentiment is admirable, the execution falls far short. The film lacks the emotional depth and coherence required to truly challenge the audience and bring closure to the characters. The story feels disjointed and lacks the resonance of Endgame which saw even the most unlikely heroes united in their grand finale.

Reverting to the X-Men Franchise

Dark Phoenix was not the final entry in the X-Men saga, despite its intentions. It was, however, a missed opportunity to capture the essence of a classic storyline. Following its release, the franchise decided to return to Marvel and be rebooted as part of the MCU. This decision underscores the lack of confidence in the superhero film's self-standing ability. While Endgame and Avengers series provided a standalone and interconnected storyline, Dark Phoenix fails to achieve this balance.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Avengers: Endgame overshadows X-Men: Dark Phoenix not just in terms of quality but in the fundamental understanding of what it means for a superhero film to stand alone while integrating with a larger narrative. Dark Phoenix was a story that had the potential to soar, but ultimately sank under its own weight due to poor execution and the lack of a coherent narrative. It marks another setback for the franchise, further highlighting the need for better cohesion in future releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did X-Men: Dark Phoenix fail to meet expectations?

Despite having the advantage of a well-known storyline, Dark Phoenix failed to execute its narrative. The film lacked the emotional depth and connection required to truly engage with the audience, setting it apart from the meticulously crafted storytelling seen in Endgame.

Q: How did Dark Phoenix compare to Endgame?

In comparison to Endgame, Dark Phoenix falls short in terms of coherence, emotional depth, and overall impact. While Endgame stood as a culmination of a decade-long journey, Dark Phoenix was a missed opportunity to revisit a beloved storyline and provide a satisfying conclusion.

Q: What does the future hold for the X-Men franchise?

In the wake of the disappointing release of Dark Phoenix, the X-Men franchise has decided to revert to Marvel and be rebooted within the MCU. This decision indicates a need for a fresh perspective and a more cohesive story arc, emphasizing the importance of better execution in future releases.