The long-delayed Phase 4 delivered arguably the most experimental entries into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Films like Eternals and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness upped the ante in terms of themes and risk-taking but featured divisive themes and choices that some fans didn't appreciate.
There's no clear consensus about whether Phase 4 was a success or, shockingly, a failure, meaning any opinion could be considered "unpopular." Fans on Reddit have many of those and aren't afraid to share them, taking advantage of the Phase's upcoming ending to express their views on what has been an undeniably shaky chapter in the MCU.
Phase 4 Is Like Phase 1 & 2
Redditor KostisPat257 comes in with the hot takes. In their mind, Phase 4 is the same quality as Phases 1 and 2. In their mind, "extremely high standards and... high levels of connectivity and build-up were only present in Phase 3." The user then describes Phases 1 and 2 as "pretty mediocre."
It's easy to see where the Redditor is coming from, but their argument won't hold with most fans, considering Phases 1 and 2 are the foundation of the MCU. Without Iron Man and The Avengers, there would be no MCU. "High levels of connectivity" can't come after the universe's first major team-up. Phase 2 also has what is arguably the best film in the MCU, Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Childish Nostalgia
In Redditor holdontoyourbuttress' opinion, people who don't enjoy Phase 4 are trapped in an illusion of the past. In the user's opinion, "some of them saw the early films when they were kids, and nothing captures the experience since, which isn't the movies' fault."
This argument implies that fans can't express any form of criticism towards the current MCU because it comes from a place of misguided nostalgia. The MCU has plenty of rewatchable movies, and fans who grew up with them have probably revisited them constantly over the years. If anything, they are more aware of the films' flaws, not the opposite.
There's No Grand Plan
In one of the most controversial opinions about the MCU, Redditor Jertimmer claims that the MCU has "no grand plan." In their eyes, "there's a general idea of where Feige wants the story to go, and they plan fast and loose."
It's a bold claim but very easily disqualified. After all, the magic of the MCU relies on its interconnectivity and willingness to tell one single, continuous story across multiple projects and mediums. Kevin Feige recently revealed he went to a Marvel Studios retreat to plan the next ten years of the MCU; that doesn't sound like a guy playing "fast and loose" with his empire. It's easy to see what the Redditor means, but their theory takes almost all the credit from the MCU.
It Doesn't Need To Be Connected
Redditor KostisPat257 claims that Phase 4 feels aimless and disconnected "on purpose." In the user's POV, Phase 4 "doesn't need to connect right now" as it is "setting the stage."
While the user does have a valid point in that Phase 4 is laying the ground for what's coming in Phases 5 and 6, their claim that it "doesn't need to connect" goes against everything the MCU preaches. The Marvel formula has clear steps to success, and respecting its interconnectivity might be the most important. The Redditor's claim that it's unnecessary is controversial and objectively wrong, considering the franchise's success.
Phase 4 Has No Memorable Characters
Phase 4 has already delivered multiple projects on the big and small screen, but Redditor PapaChewbacca feels that none have any memorable characters. Calling Phase 4 a "clusterf*ck of 'excitement,'" the user describes the new characters as "ambiguous" and "half as memorable" compared to Phase 1's introductions.
Considering Phase 1 introduced some heavy hitters like Captain America, Nick Fury, and Hulk, it's logical that their arrival might provoke more excitement than, say, Shang-Chi or the Eternals. However, that doesn't mean the new characters are disposable. Phase 4 also has some inspired casting choices, making the new characters seem even better.
The Villains Are Bad
Phase 4 has been undoubtedly shaky, but there seems to be a consensus that the villains are top-notch. Not for Redditor Chanticleer, who calls the villains "absolutely terrible."
However, the Phase 4 villains are among the MCU's most memorable. From Christian Bale's captivating take on Gorr the God Butcher to Elizabeth Olsen's tragic Scarlet Witch, Phase 4 has upped the ante in the antagonist department. Some fans might have issues with how the MCU adapted them or their overall role in the plot, but there's no denying the villains in Phase 4 are among the most powerful and menacing in the franchise.
No Way DC
Spider-Man: No Way Home ranks as one of the best entries in the ongoing MCU. It delivered the perfect combination of nostalgia and thrills while advancing the title character's story. However, Redditor F-35Actual doesn't share that opinion, calling No Way Home "a really good DC movie."
It's unclear if the comment was a compliment or an insult. However, DC films are famous for being gritty and dark, and No Way Home does take a slightly more bleak approach to Spidey's story. Perhaps that's what the user meant; in any case, the opinion is arguably untrue, as No Way Home still had the humor and spectacle that have become the MCU's bread and butter.
The Formula Has No Room For Change
The classic Marvel formula might've seemed infallible during the first three Phases, but it's starting to show signs of weakness. No one can blame the MCU for trying to change and update itself, but not everyone agrees. A since-deleted account claims that the formula "is not going to change or improve."
However, Phase 4 is undeniably experimental; that's why it's so divisive. Projects like Eternals and Thor: Love and Thunder step out of the MCU's confinements, trying new things and using new tools to tell their stories. And while their choices might not be absolute hits, they prove that the MCU isn't married to one storytelling thread as many previously thought.
It's All Unnecessary
"MCU fatigue" is a term that has been going around for a while now. It refers to the exhaustion audiences feel at the excessive amount of content Marvel puts out, which only worsened with the arrival of the Disney+ shows. Redditor hiatttobin shares this opinion, saying the new MCU projects "lack soul" and feel "unnecessary."
Some of the Phase 4 entries have indeed felt somewhat aimless and even redundant. However, going so far as to call them unnecessary is a bit reductive, especially when the MCU has repeatedly proven itself throughout the years.