10 Ways That Avengers: Infinity War Can Live Up To Expectations

6) Avoid Dedicating Time To Romance

Something about Marvel and romance just doesn’t click. Almost every romantic pairing across both standalone and Avengers team-up flicks has lacked that needed spark that sells the audience on each pair’s chemistry. Worst of all, these couples largely end up feeling forced and like they’re more of an obligation rather than a natural plot element. To avoid another Hulk-Black Widow situation, it’d be best if Infinity War avoids dedicating too much time to love interests and one-note Jane Foster-type characters.

Romance, when used properly, helps define motivations and arcs for both individuals. In Marvel films, the hero goes through an arc while the love interest remains the same person as they were before. It’s irritating and ultimately pointless as it rarely ever adds anything special to the overarching plot.

Much of Age of Ultron dragged in the moments where Bruce and Natasha would indicate a mutual, long-gestating love, even though the audience didn’t quite understand where it came from. Add that in with Jane Foster’s obligatory-feeling relationship with Thor or Star-Lord’s predictable on again/off again flirting with Gamora, and you notice an underwhelming series of relationships that go nowhere.

Besides, Infinity War already has plenty of ground to cover, so the last thing anyone needs is another romance that’s forced for the sake of the protagonist’s arc and their arc alone. If the female love interests are only in the film for the sake of a damsel in distress or a stepping stone for the main characters, then Marvel may as well leave them out of this one.