‘Daredevil: Born Again’: The Big Mistake That Ruined Episode 7

At ScreenCrush, we’ve been thoroughly enjoying the initial season of Daredevil: Born Again. However, Episode 7, titled “Art for Art’s Sake,” seems to mark a shift in the series, and not always a positive one. (If you haven’t watched this episode yet, it might be best to do so first before reading further to avoid spoilers.)

Throughout the entire season, Born Again has gradually emerged as a significant new antagonist in Marvel’s interpretation of New York City. However, in this particular episode, his demise was swift and seemingly effortless, leaving viewers feeling underwhelmed. This sudden turn of events seemed anticlimactic, reflecting the occasional confusion that pervaded this season of Daredevil, where scenes from the original production sometimes clashed with the tone established during the reshoots following Marvel’s replacement of the series’ original showrunners.

In the most recent video from ScreenCrush, our team delves into Episode 7 of Daredevil, unravels the significant twist involving Muse, and addresses the considerable challenge posed by the show’s insufficient supporting cast as we approach the season finale. You can check it out here:

If you enjoyed our discussion on the seventh episode of Daredevil: Born Again and felt the conclusion of the Muse storyline was a significant error, don’t miss out on more of our videos! We have intriguing content such as why Spider-Man is missing from the cast list for Avengers: Doomsday, what each member of the Avengers: Doomsday cast might bring to the table, and the reason behind RDJr.’s silence. Additionally, we delve into how the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Multiverse Saga should have unfolded differently. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel, ScreenCrush, for all future episodes. Remember, new episodes of Daredevil: Born Again are released weekly on Disney+!

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Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

35. Eternals

As a devoted Marvel fan, I must admit that I wasn’t anticipating an Oscar-winning director breathing life into a film based on Jack Kirby’s most daring comics, yet perhaps the least essential Marvel title might have been the outcome. Regrettably, the film Eternals, despite its core concepts being mostly true to Kirby’s vision, fell short of cohesion. Minor yet aggravating alterations were made – for instance, the malevolent Deviants were transformed into faceless monsters with no clear objectives or motivations.

The ensemble cast boasts commendable supporting performances from Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry. However, the main characters – Gemma Chan as Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris – struggle to convincingly portray their centuries-old romance that seems more like an awkward first date than a 6,000-year relationship.

The script occasionally delves into intriguing ideas concerning the interconnections between superheroes, mythology, and religion, only to swiftly abandon them for a series of repetitive battle scenes involving unengaging monsters. It’s challenging to imagine a more tedious film about immortal alien robots striving to thwart total Armageddon than this one.

34. The Incredible Hulk

The haphazard and hastily-produced nature of this film makes it seem like Marvel was taken aback by the success of Iron Man, with Loki’s casting as the world’s most formidable soldier, Tim Roth (who transforms into a large bone-like creature), being one of the worst decisions they’ve ever made. (You can find more details here.)

This film appears to have been thrown together hastily, as if Marvel was caught off guard by Iron Man’s success and rushed it into production. The choice to cast Loki as the world’s ultimate soldier, Tim Roth (who transforms into a large bone-like creature), is one of the most questionable decisions they’ve ever made. (You can find more details here.)

33. Thor: The Dark World

In essence, we almost had Patty Jenkins’ version of Thor, but what we got was a dull pursuit for a mystical artifact with one of the most uninteresting villains in all of Marvel Cinematic Universe. The silver lining is that if this movie hadn’t bombed as badly as it did, Marvel might not have been so open to taking risks and drastically changing things up like they did with Thor: Ragnarok (for more details, click here).

32. The Marvels

This Marvel film isn’t the poorest in quality – it surpasses three others on this list – yet it’s arguably the most disorganized and intense. The trio of captivating Marvel characters (Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau) are thrown into a situation to prevent a Kree warlord from causing havoc for unclear reasons. Despite their stellar performances, the plot, though concise, is chaotic and filled with peculiar decisions that lack coherence.

31. Captain America: Brave New World

In a nutshell, the phrase “Right hero, wrong narrative” could encapsulate several recent Marvel films, including “The Marvels” and notably “Captain America: Brave New World“. This film offers Anthony Mackie’s captivating character Sam Wilson his own movie only to burden him with a monotonous antagonist and a plot riddled with superfluous references to “The Incredible Hulk“, such as the enigma surrounding Betty Ross that left many viewers puzzled.

30. Doctor Strange

In a nutshell, the stunning visuals of Doctor Strange are commendable; however, it seems to be an upgraded version of Iron Man (with a dash of magic). On the positive side, the clever twist at the end with Dormammu was impressive. Unfortunately, the strange cape didn’t quite work for me. (For further insights, check out this review here.)

The movie Doctor Strange is visually impressive, but it feels like a revamped version of Iron Man with magic. I liked the smart ending involving Dormammu, but I wasn’t fond of the peculiar cape design. For more details, read the full review here.

29. Iron Man 2

Refreshingly better than anticipated, yet far from outstanding. Sam Rockwell’s dancing skillfully conceals many flaws, but not all of them. Trimming 15 minutes of setup from Avengers could potentially yield a much more compelling piece. (Read more here.)

28. Ant-Man

Ant-Man isn’t terrible, but it feels like a scaled-down version of what an Edgar Wright film should have been. However, Michael Peña’s character Luis stands out as one of the best non-superpowered characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (For more insights, check out the link.)

27. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

In the battle between Ant-Man and Kang the Conqueror, even Kang himself (played powerfully by Jonathan Majors) acknowledges that Scott Lang is out of his depth. This seemingly lopsided matchup mirrors the film itself: The down-to-earth, low-stakes universe of the Ant-Man series, known for its clever humor and lovable characters, struggles to compete with the grand multiversal spectacle of Marvel Phase 5. On the big screen as a Marvel adventure, it’s satisfactory. But in terms of continuing the Ant-Man storyline, it’s just average. Unfortunately, if you were hoping to see Michael Peña’s Luis in this installment, you will be disappointed because he is not present at all.

26. Ant-Man and the Wasp

The movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp” truly shines when it emphasizes its intimate aspects. This is seen through Paul Rudd’s comical exchanges with his fellow actors, Michael Peña’s heartfelt monologues, and a touching storyline revolving around a fractured family striving to mend their bonds once more. (For further reading, please visit here.)

25. Captain Marvel

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Brie Larson’s character Carol Danvers could arguably be the most powerful hero. However, the film itself seems to fall short in delivering a strong emotional punch. Nevertheless, it manages to keep audiences engaged with standout performances from two outstanding actors: Ben Mendelsohn as the cunning Skrull Talos, and Samuel L. Jackson, whose remarkable de-aging special effects leave us astonished, playing the younger Nick Fury. (For further details, read more here.)

24. Black Widow

In 2021, Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited solo film, “Black Widow,” was released. Instead of taking center stage as anticipated, she mainly served as a straight character opposite her quick-witted Russian superhero team members, including David Harbour’s self-centered Red Guardian and Florence Pugh’s captivating Yelena. Consequently, “Black Widow” didn’t entirely live up to the fitting farewell the character should have had. Regardless, it remains another strong Marvel production, boasting impressive stunts and an intriguing villain in Taskmaster, who possesses the ability to replicate the fighting styles of any adversary he encounters.

23. Thor: Love and Thunder

Viewing Taika Waititi’s second Thor movie, “Thor: Love and Thunder,” can be compared to witnessing a magician performing the same trick twice in quick succession. The initial performance was truly remarkable. However, while the repeat performance is still captivating, it lacks the shock value of the first time around. Christian Bale delivers an eerie portrayal of Gorr the God-Butcher, but his intense and deeply emotional villain character doesn’t quite harmonize with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and his constant humor. Essentially, “Thor: Love and Thunder” retains all the components found in Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” but they don’t blend together as smoothly this time around.

22. Deadpool & Wolverine

The camaraderie between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in this film is everything you’d expect, with unexpected appearances that are almost jaw-dropping. However, the story, despite packing an impressive amount of exposition, still leaves much to be desired in terms of clarity. (One might wonder if a character really needs multiple heartbreaking pasts? In this movie, at least two!) If you can manage not to overthink anything on screen for even a moment, you’ll find yourself having a reasonably enjoyable time. The actors do a commendable job of portraying Deadpool and Wolverine reluctantly teaming up to safeguard the Fox X-Men universe. You may occasionally wish that the writers, including Reynolds himself, had lived up to their responsibilities just a bit more.

21. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Less enjoyable than you might recall, yet not entirely bad. The advertising emphasized the thriller aspect of the conspiracy too strongly, but Anthony Mackie as Falcon brings a fresh and valuable perspective to the series, and Chris Evans once again delivers a solid performance as Captain America. Despite this, I can’t help but feel frustrated that Nick Fury, renowned as the world’s greatest spy, was clueless about the evil within SHIELD except for himself and his two companions. Come on, Nick, wake up! (Continue reading here.)

20. Avengers: Infinity War

This movie is grand in scale and ambition, and its finale is truly unforgettable, but it seems there’s a certain emotional depth lacking. If you’re primarily seeking an action-packed Marvel film with some witty dialogue, then this should suffice. However, if you prefer the characters, camaraderie, and tender moments amidst the battles, this might not be your preferred choice. (For more insights, check out the linked article.)

19. Iron Man 3

The film was generally enjoyable, but its quality was slightly diminished due to the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe context. The movie culminated in Tony Stark choosing to leave his Iron Man life behind, only for him to appear in several subsequent films afterwards. Despite Guy Pearce’s portrayal of Killian being underwhelming, Robert Downey Jr.’s exchanges with a sharp-witted child were exceptional. (You can read more about it here.)

18. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Initially: The climactic scene, featuring dragons and monsters clashing amidst thick gray fog, is a disappointing CGI spectacle. Prior to this, however, Shang-Chi could be Marvel’s finest action film yet, boasting numerous intense and intricate fight sequences. For instance, the one on the San Francisco bus is highly enjoyable. Simu Liu delivers a strong lead performance in this Marvel production, while Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh offer rich supporting roles. Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina consistently provide comic relief throughout, with Kingsley’s portrayal of Trevor Slattery, the former Mandarin, surprisingly charming, despite not being particularly popular as a Marvel villain initially. Marvel has managed to transform him into an endearing character.

17. Thor

In an unexpected twist, this grand, universe-wide tale primarily takes place in the tiniest town of New Mexico. While “Thor” has its share of problems, it manages to rise above structural and script issues thanks to outstanding casting and captivating performances. This knack for overcoming flaws became a signature trait of Marvel movies. (Continue reading .)

16. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

As a passionate cinephile, I must admit that Ryan Coogler’s task with “Wakanda Forever” was nothing short of daunting. Not only did he need to create a sequel worthy of the phenomenal success of the original “Black Panther,” but he had to do so without the captivating presence of Chadwick Boseman, who tragically passed away during the summer of 2020, just as filming was about to commence. The movie truly shines when it embodies Coogler and the cast’s profound grief over Boseman within the narrative of Wakanda grappling with the loss of its sovereign. Regrettably, the remainder of the film is somewhat disjointed; a tapestry of intriguing concepts, an excessive number of characters, and an antagonist, Namor, whose motives become somewhat unclear as the story progresses.

15. Captain America: Civil War

The narrative in this movie fails to withstand a moment’s examination, and it seems to be orchestrated primarily for the epic showdown between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers at the airport. Yet, I must admit: Wow, that airport battle is incredibly impressive! (Continue reading here.)

14. Spider-Man: No Way Home

Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man movie shares similarities with Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man film, both being packed with numerous villains. On the bright side, this production effectively portrays Peter Parker as a character, someone who frequently falters but never gives up on striving for improvement. Additionally, it significantly expands the multiverse concept within MCU films, making a significant mark in the ongoing storyline.

Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man film is similar to Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man movie because they both have lots of bad guys. But it does well at showing Peter Parker as a character who keeps trying to do better, and introduces the multiverse into MCU movies in a big way, which is an important step for the storyline.

13. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

15 years after departing, director Sam Raimi re-entered the Marvel universe with this exhilaratingly chaotic tale of a struggle for the survival of the multiverse. Similar to his previous Spider-Man films, Raimi managed to incorporate his unique style and motifs – such as slapstick humor, maniacal zombies, and jumpscares – into the conventional Marvel mold. (For additional details, please continue reading here.)

12. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Even though I acknowledge that this movie might not be as impressive as the initial Avengers film, and there are certain flaws with Wanda and Pietro’s storyline, the climactic sequence featuring the Avengers cooperating to rescue every individual in Sokovia is nothing short of classic Marvel magic. (Continue reading .)

11. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

The sequel to Marvel’s lighthearted franchise has an overabundance of post-credits scenes, at least four of them! Yet, the audacity required to transform this jokiest Marvel film into one with a somber ending is commendable. It’s the only Marvel movie that manages to evoke tears from me, and it even includes jokes about alien deities’ private parts. In my opinion, that makes for an unbeatable combination. (Read further details .)

In this version, I tried to maintain the original tone while making the language more natural and easy to read.

10. Thor: Ragnarok

I just really like when Jeff Goldblum plays a space god who DJs his own parties. (Read more here.)

9. Spider-Man: Far From Home

In the sequel to Marvel’s Spidey movie, starring Tom Holland as the fantastic web-slinger, “Spider-Man: Far From Home” is only slightly less impressive than its predecessor. It offers an engaging blend of romance, action, humor, and emotion. Although the phrase “with great power comes great responsibility” isn’t explicitly mentioned, this film explores that concept as thoroughly as any Spiderman movie yet. Peter Parker, portrayed by Holland, finds himself in a challenging position, torn between his feelings for MJ (played by Zendaya with a delightful touch of humor) and the instructions from Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson delivering a humorous but irritated performance) to combat a group of elemental threats.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

James Gunn concludes his exceptional “Guardians” trilogy with a film that offers the perfect blend of Marvel elements: Thrilling action, quirky sci-fi visuals, and deeply emotional characters we grow deeply attached to. By the end of “Vol. 3”, Rocket Raccoon transforms from a minor Marvel character into one of the company’s most compelling and tragic heroes. Following a series of less impressive films, Gunn makes it seem effortless. It’s unfortunate that he is moving on to work with DC instead.

7. Avengers: Endgame

A significant leap from “Infinity War” and arguably the second greatest Avengers film yet, boasting massive action sequences, abundant humor, and what might be the highest count of Easter eggs in any movie across all cinematic universes. (For more details, check out [this article](here).)

Moving a notch above “Infinity War” and ranking as one of the best Avengers films ever made, this movie offers grand action scenes, plenty of humor, and an unprecedented number of Easter eggs in any film within a cinematic universe. (For additional information, please refer to [this article](here).)

6. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Among the most enjoyable movies within the Marvel Cinematic Universe features remarkable characters, thrilling Spiderman sequences, and an unexpected street peddler requesting a flip from Spider-Man. Isn’t that simply captivating? (Continue reading here.)

5. Guardians of the Galaxy

As we reach the halfway mark of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the initial Guardians movie played a pivotal role in showing that Marvel’s unique style could captivate audiences, even for characters with minimal mainstream popularity. Before James Gunn took the helm, the Guardians were merely a small mention, but he transformed them into an unexpected blockbuster hit. It is indisputable and self-evident that Rocket is the superior Guardian; this is not open to debate, so please accept it as truth. (For more details, click here.)

4. Captain America: The First Avenger

Despite some structural issues, such as the brief portrayal of an entire war through a montage, Chris Evans’ Captain America stands out as one of the most effective character translations within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This film successfully transformed a hero often criticized as dull or outdated into a captivating, endearing, multidimensional individual embodying classic human values. A must-watch MCU movie when seeking inspiration. [Read more here.]

3. Black Panther

In contrast to many Marvel films that strive for intricate connections across the cosmos, “Black Panther” demonstrates the benefits of a self-contained narrative. At the film’s conclusion, when Black Panther decides to expose Wakanda to the global community (and its characters to future appearances), it’s intended as a joyful resolution. However, if this move leads to a less focused sequel with numerous guest appearances, it might not be so delightful after all. (Source: [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/5/17069448/black-panther-wakanda-forever-sequel))

2. The Avengers

Despite the events of “Infinity War”, the original “Avengers” movie remains an astounding marvel. Each character has a well-balanced role, the dialogue flows seamlessly, and the climactic Battle of New York is undeniably one of the most spectacular action scenes of the 21st century. (Read more here.)

1. Iron Man

The original has yet to be surpassed in quality. Looking back, not being tied to a broader universe allowed the film to excel, and the scenes where Robert Downey Jr.’s character, Tony Stark, tests his armor and takes flight for the first time, portray the excitement of superpowers more effectively than any other movie, either by Marvel Studios or anyone else. (You can read more about it here.)

2025-04-04 18:56