Savage Screen

I can’t plan ahead to save my life. It’s simply not a part of my being. Whether it involves forcing myself to study for a test or thinking about my future, I just cannot remove myself from the present.

Strangely enough, a gigantic corporation is able to do what I cannot. Marvel Comics has decided it is not just interested in creating separate films that stand alone; instead, it wants to weave together its comic films in anticipation of an Avengers film, made up most notably of Iron Man and The Hulk.

So far, Marvel has woven together the strands that comprise the Marvel Cinematic Universe through cameos and conveniently placed props. In “Iron Man,” Captain America’s shield is briefly seen in Tony Stark’s office, and after the end credits, Samuel L. Jackson makes a small appearance as Nick Fury, who will later be involved in the Avengers film.

In “Iron Man 2,”  Black Widow is introduced, and Thor’s Hammer is discovered following the end credits. There is also a cameo in “The Incredible Hulk” for Robert Downey, Jr.

At first, all of this “cross-pollination,” as Downey puts it, doesn’t seem like such bad thing. Marvel just wants to throw a bone to the fan boys who will be looking for inside jokes, right? Unfortunately, Marvel is so determined to set up sequels and other franchises that it has no respect for any individual film.

Nick Fury’s appearance after the “Iron Man” credits is a complete mistake; the scene is so lacking in any real content that it’s obvious the only goal is to get Jackson’s face on the screen.

Marvel’s desire to set up the Avengers movie prevented “Iron Man 2” from being as great as its predecessor and instead made the sequel something that could kindly and blandly only be referred to as acceptable. By forcing Fury, Black Widow, and War Machine to take more prominent roles, Marvel sacrificed some of this film for a later one. It’s not even likely this will make the Avengers film better, considering it will be even more bloated than “Iron Man 2.”

Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I wish Marvel would just focus on making the best movies possible, instead of prostituting each film for the sake of the looming “Avengers.” Money is always the motivator, but a great comic book film will still bring in the big bucks.