The Marvel Cinematic Universe Gets a Much-Needed Boost
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, especially when it comes to critical reception. After a downward spiral in Rotten Tomatoes scores for Phase 5, Loki’s second season has emerged as a beacon of hope. With a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score, this series is not just a win for itself but a much-needed boost for the entire franchise.
“The MCU had a strong Rotten Tomatoes average before the franchise lost its perfect record with Eternals. Phases 1-3 MCU movies averaged 85 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, but Phase 4 averaged 76 percent, and so far Phase 5 is only averaging 64 percent.”
Why Loki’s Fresh Score Matters
The MCU had an impressive streak of 25 back-to-back Fresh Rotten Tomatoes scores until Eternals came along and broke it with a 47% score. Phase 5 didn’t start off well either, with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania also scoring 47%. The Disney+ shows haven’t been faring much better. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law ended Phase 4’s Disney+ shows with a low score of 77%, and Secret Invasion was the first to earn a Rotten score of 54%.
“Loki’s 90 percent (so far) is a much-needed improvement.”
The Tom Hiddleston Factor
Tom Hiddleston‘s portrayal of Loki has been a fan-favorite since his appearance in Phase 1 of the MCU. His role as the main antagonist in The Avengers and his memorable Comic-Con Hall H appearance have only added to his allure.
“He gained even more popularity in Phase 2 and 3 as a highlight of both Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok, making him one of the MCU’s most enduring characters.”
The first season of Loki was a hit, and the cliffhanger finale that opened up the multiverse has left audiences and critics eagerly awaiting its return.
What This Means for the MCU’s Future
Disney CEO Bob Iger has suggested that the rapid expansion of streaming shows might be to blame for the drop in quality. However, Loki’s success could be a sign that the MCU is regaining its footing.
“Finding success again with Loki is a big deal for the small-screen MCU, but the impact could extend to the big screen as the MCU seeks to regain its footing.”
Loki’s absence from Thor: Love and Thunder was notable, but with Avengers: Secret Wars on the horizon, we might see more of the trickster god. The success of Spider-Man: No Way Home and the hype for Hugh Jackman’s return in Deadpool 3 indicate that Disney might lean more into bringing back legacy Marvel heroes.
The Road Ahead
While Loki’s Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score is a step in the right direction, the MCU still faces challenges, such as the allegations against Jonathan Majors, who plays a significant role in the series.
“Phase 5 of the MCU still has an uphill battle on multiple fronts, but when it comes to the franchise’s recent critical struggles, Loki’s Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score is a step in the right direction.”
Loki Season 2 has just started, and its Rotten Tomatoes score could fluctuate. However, for now, it stands as a critical win for a franchise in need of some good news.
