Avengers: Doomsdaysees the return of so many great people to theMarvel Cinematic Universe, including the Russo brothers, butthe response to their latest film has me worried.Joe and Anthony Russo have been in the news quite a bit lately, with their comments about the prospect of castingMillie Bobby Brown in the MCUand further teases about their futureAvengersprojects garnering much attention. I’m still excited to see them return to the series, but their work in the intervening years, especially with the launch of this latest film, has me concerned.
Joe and Anthony Russo have directed some of thebest MCU moviesof all time, although the directors have struggled to connect with audiences outside the franchise.Prior tothe MCU timeline, they directed a couple of smaller films, includingYou, Me, and Dupree, and worked on some excellent television, includingCommunityandArrested Development. Since finding success with Marvel, however, their directorial work has changed.CherryandThe Gray Manboth failed to meet expectations, and it seems that their next project may not connect as well.
The Russo Brothers' The Electric State Looked To Have All The Ingredients Of A Major Hit
The Stars, Directors, Writers And More Seemed Great
The Electric Stateis a new Netflix movie that reunites Joe and Anthony Russo with writers Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus. The four worked together on their Marvel projects, and McFeely is set to writeDoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars, which has been described as a"very intense process"by the Russo brothers. With just these pieces,I’ve been hoping to see a return to greatness for the Russos. The project brings in an excellent cast and adapts an incredible and unique visual work by Simon Stålenhag.
The setting of the film is unusual and refreshing, with the story taking place in an alternate world with displaced technology laying about everywhere. The film also features an incredible cast. Many have hopedStar-Lord would appear inAvengers: Doomsdaywhich seems likelier after actor Chris Pratt starred inThe Electric State, asPratt appears in the Russo-led project alongside Millie Bobby Brown, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, and many more. The film was developed as a Netflix movie, and I’ve been looking forward to seeing it, although that excitement has recently become tempered.
The Electric State’s Reviews Paint A Different Picture Of The Movie
The Film’s Reviews Have Not Been Kind
Unfortunately, despite having all the right pieces,reviews forThe Electric Statedo not bode well for its overall results. The film has been described as derivative and underdeveloped, withsome of the criticisms focusing on issues with how the film deviates from the source material. Despite great components, it seems that little of the film actually lives up to its promise, andThe Electric Statecurrently holds a low and disappointing 19% with critics onRotten Tomatoes.
Critical responses to films can often deviate significantly from the audience, andit is possible that audiences will respond better to the Netflix film in the coming days. However, this is not a good sign. I hoped that the recent failures the Russos faced would be corrected with this return to science-fiction popcorn cinema. All of the pieces that point toward success are there, making this response extremely disappointing, though hopefullyAvengers: Doomsdaycan avoid repeating the 2025 film’s reception.
The Electric State’s Reviews Are Worrying With Avengers: Doomsday So Near
The Directors Clearly Do Not Make Great Movies Every Single Time
TheRusso brothers are returning forAvengers: Doomsday, and the movie is set to start filming very soon, making the timing ofThe Electric Stateseem especially concerning. The Marvel Cinematic Universe brand has suffered in recent years, withThe Marvelsbeing their biggest flop ever, and arguablyCaptain America: Brave New Worldfailed to connect as much as the studio hoped. The return of the Russos to the MCU seemed like a great thing, but examining their recent work might suggest otherwise.
It’s strange that the Russo brothers have been able to make such incredible Marvel films, while failing to connect so much outside the franchise. However, it was also the case before they joined the MCU.You, Me, and Dupree, the movie they made right beforeCaptain America: The Winter Soldier,holds a 20%Rotten Tomatoesscore.This suggests that perhaps the Russos work best within Marvel’s set studio structure.With all of the duo’s work in the MCU being successful, the recent responses to their films may not be as bad forDoomsdayas it seems.
“Read Into That What You Like”: Russo Brothers Address Rumors Of MCU Disney+ Heroes Appearing In Avengers: Doomsday & Secret Wars
With Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars getting closer, the Russo Brothers discuss whether the MCU’s Disney+ heroes will show up.
I’m not nearly ready to give up onAvengers: Doomsday, which I have hopes to be a return to greatness for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However,seeing the Russo brothers struggle to make widely-loved films in the intervening years is a difficult sign, especially as I was really looking forward toThe Electric State. Still, the Marvel brand has been where the Russos have thrived, and there is still reason to be hopeful thatAvengers: Doomsdaylives up to the greatness of the MCU’s past.
