The Impact of Sokovia Accords on the MCU: Misfires and Misunderstandings
The Sokovia Accords in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have been a divisive topic among fans. While some credit these accords for driving critical plot points, such as the conflict between Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Steve Rogers (Captain America) in Avengers: Civil War, others argue that their inclusion was a waste of time and did not meaningfully impact the broader narrative.
Why the Sokovia Accords Are Overrated
The Sokovia Accords, named after the city in which they were signed, are a set of international laws that govern the behavior and organization of the world's superheroes. Despite their formation in Avengers: Age of Ultron, the only significant impact the accords had on the MCU was in Avengers: Civil War.
However, the accords swiftly became irrelevant in subsequent films and television series. In Ant-Man and the Wasp, for example, the accords were merely mentioned and played a negligible role in the storyline. This inconsistency, coupled with their absence or minimal impact in other major MCU events, led some to question the necessity of these accords in the grand scheme of the franchise.
A Sole Reason for Disagreement
The sole reason the Sokovia Accords were of any substance in the MCU was their use as a narrative device in Avengers: Civil War. The conflicts between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers over the implementation of the accords were a central theme of the movie. Captain America’s refusal to be part of the Register led to the split in the Avengers and set the stage for the altercation between the two heroes.
Beyond Civil War, the accords’ impact was minimal. Infinity War, a film that sees a culmination of the Infinity Stones in the hands of different villains, barely acknowledges the accords. This further highlights the limited and sporadic use of the Sokovia Accords in the MCU. Moreover, the fact that Captain America: The Winter Soldier marks Chris Evans' third solo movie, it was a dark moment for fans when the accords seemed to have no real impact on the narrative.
Concluding the Misguided Accords
In conclusion, while the Sokovia Accords added value to the Avengers: Civil War storyline, their use as a narrative tool in the MCU is highly questionable. Their sporadic appearance and inconsistent impact across the various films and series suggest that these accords were a misstep in terms of plot development and franchise consistency.
It is not to say that the creation of the accords did not serve a purpose; however, the way the MCU utilized them was inadequate. The lack of significant follow-through in other films and the underuse of this narrative element in major storyline arcs indicate that there should have been a more robust integration of the Sokovia Accords into the overall story of the franchise.
Thus, it is time to question and possibly reconsider the use of the Sokovia Accords in the MCU. Fans and critics alike may find it beneficial to critically examine these accords' role and explore alternative narrative approaches that could both enrich the story and provide more substantial continuity in the future of the MCU.