For me the first thing that comes to mind is Tales from Earthsea. I don’t think it’s excellent or anything and has plenty of problems but people act like it killed their dog. While it has its problems that have been covered extensively, I think it has a beautiful atmosphere and art.
IMO it would have been better received if it wasn’t advertised as an Earthsea adaptation and was just its own thing.
I liked Thor Love and Thunder, something I’ve been clowned on for every time I say it lol. I get why a lot of people hate it but it was enjoyable to me.
It’s a story about fatherhood. I like stories about fatherhood. God Of War is pretty great. It’s also a story about Thor becoming worthy not just to be the prince of Asgard, but its king, by exploring his tender side. I guess a lot of people complained that Thor used the Thorforce to give other people the power of Thor, but that’s literally what Odin did in the first movie back when it was called the Odinforce. It symbolises that Thor has finally become the equal of his father, following in his footsteps while learning from his mistakes. Thor is finally ready to stop being someone’s son and to finally grow up, while at the same time becoming somebody’s father. Thor’s defeat of the god slayer not through violence but through nurturing empathy, is a symbolic victory over the flaws of his father, representing that Thor will be a better god and a better king.
I see Thor 4 as a shining example of positive masculinity. It directly answers the question: “What is a man, if a woman becomes his equal?” The answer is “himself.” And as cheesy as that may be, it’s true.
The problem TL&T has is that it’s in the MCU. Had it been a solo movie with no relation to anything else it would be better received… as a comedy.