4 things The Boys has done better than the MCU

4 things The Boys has done better than the MCU

As a dedicated gamer and avid fan of both comic book adaptations and original content, I’ve spent countless hours immersed in various universes, both on the big screen and small. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has undeniably made a significant impact on pop culture, but as someone who’s experienced both worlds, I can confidently say that The Boys, the Prime Video streaming series, excels in several aspects where Marvel falls short.


Despite the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s remarkable achievements throughout the years, it’s no secret that it hasn’t been flawless. Fans have expressed disappointment with certain aspects across various projects. However, in these very areas where Marvel falls short, The Boys excels and exceeds expectations.

As a passionate gamer and avid fan of The Boys on Prime Video, I can’t help but marvel at how this streaming series left an indelible mark on the world when it first dropped in 2019. And let me tell you, it hasn’t lost its grip on me or millions of other viewers since then. With season 4 wrapping up, we’re all eagerly anticipating the fifth and final installment in this groundbreaking franchise. But before we dive into that thrilling conclusion, let’s take a moment to appreciate four ways The Boys outshines the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) thus far:

1. More realistic effects

Let’s make something clear from the start: “The Boys” seldom goes for flashy, large-scale action sequences like those in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In addition, Prime Video’s series doesn’t boast an extensive collection of actions scenes compared to most Marvel productions. Consequently, fewer visual effects (VFX) are required to tell its story, ultimately leading to a more stunning visual presentation. However, it’s astonishing how underwhelming some recent MCU movies appear next to this.

In a reasonable assessment, Marvel’s projects appeared impressive during Phases 1-3. But since the start of Phase 4, there have been concerns about quality across the board, including VFX. Kudos to “The Boys” for delivering more authentic effects at a lower price point. For instance, each episode of “She-Hulk: Attorney At Law” costs 25 million dollars to produce, while season 3 of “The Boys” comes in at only 11.2 million dollars. Despite the significant budget difference, the outcome is well worth it.

As a gamer and an avid viewer of Prime Video series, I’ve been impressed by how realistic and immersive their productions are. And from what I’ve gathered, much of that authenticity stems from their dedication to constructing actual sets and orchestrating genuine action sequences. In contrast, Marvel has taken a different approach in recent times, leaning heavily on visual effects (VFX) shots. Don’t get me wrong; some VFX scenes in Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films are truly remarkable, seamlessly blending into the narrative. Yet, no matter how impressive those VFX may be, there’s an undeniable allure to physically-created sets and real action choreography that makes a production feel more genuine and engaging for me as a viewer.

4 things The Boys has done better than the MCU

2. Creating superior villains

From my perspective as a devoted fan, despite the MCU’s numerous merits, its villains have always left us underwhelmed. To be fair, Thanos and Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin, are exceptions. However, the majority of Marvel’s antagonists fail to evoke strong emotions from us. We don’t find ourselves rooting for or against them. Instead, they mostly serve as backdrops for our beloved heroes to outshine. Unfortunately, many of these villains meet their demise in their initial appearances, denying us the opportunity to explore their characters further.

Instead of “The Boys, however, is the complete opposite of the MCU in this aspect,” you could say “The Boys stands out from the MCU with its focus on villains.” The Prime Video series becomes more intriguing due to its well-crafted antagonists, making viewers root for Billy Butcher, Hughie, and their team primarily to witness the defeat of the wicked characters.

The best part about the villains in The Boys is that they are (usually) three-dimensional characters. Take Homelander as an example. The series goes out of its way to make sure audiences understand why he’s such a horrible person. Even the latest season lets us get glimpses into how he was tortured when he was just a child. However, when Homelander decides to be evil he’s truly relentless. Besides, it also helps that the performances from the likes of Antony Starr are absolutely memorable. All of these aspects combined make for great antagonists that are far superior to those of the MCU.

3. Better at spinning off the source material

When adapting comic book stories for film or television, writers often modify certain aspects to keep audiences engaged. A straight adaptation without any new ideas, adjustments, or deletions would be uninteresting for viewers. If one desires a faithful representation of the original work, they can simply read the source material and avoid the surprise and excitement that comes with adaptations.

When it comes to introducing new twists and interpretations, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) displays some inconsistency. It’s important to note that their innovative concepts are not inferior in any way, but they tend to spark debates among fans. For instance, Tony Stark creating Spider-Man’s suit, Bruce Banner and Natasha Romanoff dating, and a less serious Ultron are just a few examples of these differences from the source material. Conversely, The Boys presents a more consistent adaptation of its original comic books.

As a dedicated gamer and avid fan of The Boys series on Prime Video, I can confidently say that this adaptation has surpassed my expectations in a major way. Compared to the source material, the show brings the story to life with every change made, leaving fans in awe. Admittedly, season 4 has had its fair share of controversy, but overall, The Boys receives far fewer critiques than many Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, especially the more recent ones.

4. Less formulaic

The “Marvel Formula” is a common pattern found in many Marvel Cinematic Universe stories. It involves a protagonist facing off against a villain, who is essentially the opposite of the hero, culminating in the hero’s triumphant resolution near the end. While this description may be simplified, it captures the essence of the concept.

While the MCU plays it conservative with its storylines, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t often push creative boundaries. Occasionally, there are noteworthy deviations like when “Thor: Love & Thunder” used a monochromatic color scheme or “WandaVision” paid tribute to various sitcoms. Nevertheless, such instances are few and far between.

Instead of “On the contrary, you never know what type of narrative and style you’ll get with each episode of The Boys,” you could say: Each episode of The Boys on Prime Video brings something new and unexpected to the table. You might encounter a blend of animation and live-action storytelling about Black Noir. Or perhaps Ryan makes an appearance in an Avenue V puppet show. The “heroes” could even kidnap a hero who can make himself invisible, leading them to accidentally take his life. The possibilities are endless with this series, making it incredibly intriguing.

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2024-07-20 14:31

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