They go from “the War on Terror is a scam and built on lies” (Iron Man) to “SHIELD is full of nazis” (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) to “CIA saves Wakanda”.

  • thefunkycomitatus [he/him,they/them]@hexbear.net
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    3 years ago

    Disney has been in bed with the military since WW2. Part of the reason Captain Marvel was even made is because they did a huge ad campaign for the Air Force and the DoD lent them locations to shoot. Iron Man was still under Paramount when it was made and released. By Iron Man 2 he goes completely Libertarian and literally says “I’m tired of the liberal agenda” in regards to philanthropy and stuff. It’s also about the Air Force getting a badass Iron Man suit which is actually more responsible because Tony was being a dick and a drunk. A military officer stole his suit and they never confront that ever again in the series. Other than some throwaway line about how if Tony didn’t actually want Rhodes to have it, he would have set a different password. Which actually doesn’t help their image as much as they think. Blaming the individual for not protecting themselves against eminent domain is pretty cringe.

    Winter Soldier doesn’t ever criticize the military with the Hydra thing. All the CIA people stand up for Cap while the evil Hydra mercs hold them hostage. Project Insight is revealed to be a Hydra plot and not the kind of status quo mass surveillance and drone warfare that everyone in government is fine with. Cap’s line about how “This isn’t security, it’s fear” or whatever falls flat in the face of that.

    The Marvel movies can sometimes give the illusion of a greater commentary, but it’s just a writing sleight of hand. It never actually challenges anyone’s beliefs or makes a real statement other than military good.

    That being said I don’t dislike the Marvel movies like a lot of other leftists. They’re hit and miss but there are some good ones.