The MCU's Lampshading Problem

This isn't one of those 'MCU Bad' videos which have been appearing everywhere on YouTube in the past few months. No, this is a video essay looking at Marvel's cinematic franchise and its habit of lampshading - both to forestall criticism, to counterbalance threatened suspension of disbelief, and to humorously wink at common tropes of the medium. This video argues that the MCU's habit of lampshading is more impactful than it appears at first, often in negative ways, and isn't even needed, really. This video's topic was created and selected by my Patreon supporters - join up now to have your say on the next Community video!   / pillarofgarbage  

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Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:55 What is lampshading?
3:13 Example 1, lampshading the politics of Avenging
8:53 Example 2, lampshading the hypermasculine
11:22 Lampshading and ironic detachment
14:39 Conclusion

Lampshading: To intentionally call attention to the improbable, incongruent, or clichéd nature of an element or situation featured in a work of fiction within the work itself. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters that appear in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Marvel Studios releases its films in groups called "Phases", with the first three phases collectively known as "The Infinity Saga" and the following three phases as "The Multiverse Saga". The first MCU film, Iron Man (2008), began Phase One, which culminated in the 2012 crossover film The Avengers. Phase Two began with Iron Man 3 (2013) and concluded with Ant-Man (2015). Phase Three began with Captain America: Civil War (2016) and concluded with Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019). Phase Four began with Black Widow (2021) and will conclude with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) will begin Phase Five, which will end with Thunderbolts (2024), and Phase Six begins with Fantastic Four (2024). Phase Six and "The Multiverse Saga" will conclude with Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (2025) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2025).