Credit: Marvel Studios/Disney; Marvel Studios logo
As Black Panther opens in theaters, a look at the current roster of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and where the current film places among them.
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For the last ten years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has revitalized and redefined comic book movies. They have taken various superheroes known only to comic book fans and made them into household names. Like the comics on which they are based, they can be regarded as individual installment which, taken together, create a sprawling epic narrative with a large cast of characters.
Last weekend, Black Panther became this latest chapter of this larger story. At the time of this writing, it has already garnered an 87% on Metacritic, a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, and has made close to $235 million in its opening weekend. Without question, it’s another blockbuster hit for Marvel Studios and Disney.
But is Black Panther truly worthy of the praise? If we go by its Rotten Tomatoes score, it would mean the 18th Marvel Studios movie is the best one since the first Iron Man and Avengers movies. And yet, if we go back over the last decade and look at all the other films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, can we say that for sure? Where would Black Panther really place among those films? And where would the others place alongside it?
Thus, like we did with the Star Wars movies, we at Bam Smack Pow are counting down from least to greatest the current crop of Marvel Studios movies. While this list is subjective, it’s also based on various criteria such as acting, story, effects, and audience appeal. It’s also safe to say that none of these movies have been at all terrible, though some do have more merit than others. Besides, with now eighteen different movies, everyone has their own personal favorite.
With that, let’s count down the eighteen Marvel Cinematic Universe films, including Black Panther.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios; poster for Thor: The Dark World (2013)
18. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
For some reason, most Hollywood Studio executives assume the best way to make a sequel to a popular movie is to make it virtually identical to first movie. Of course, there’s also tricks involved to make it seem different. In some cases, it means a bigger budget. In other cases, it’s taking the same plot points from the first film and inverting them. Naturally, such a sequel tends not to do as well as it’s predecessor.
Case in point, Thor: The Dark World. Instead of the son of Odin being banished to Earth, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is brought by Thor (Chris Hemsworth) to Asgard. Rather than having Frost Giants as the seeking revenge on the Norse Gods, its Dark Elves.” Instead of Odin (Anthony Hopkins) succumbing to his “Odinsleep,” his wife Frigga (Rene Russo) is killed by main villain, Malekith (Christopher Eccleston). This, of course, prompts Thor and Loki (Tom Hiddleston), despite being enemies, to joined forces against a common foe. It even has what looks like Loki’s death…just like the last movie.
The movie isn’t a complete disaster. It does have better effects and engages in more world building than the first Thor. Hemsworth and Hiddleston, as Thor and Loki, really play off each other well, and a scene where Loki turns into Captain America (Chris Evans) is hysterical. But in the end, Thor: The Dark World is tedious and uninspired. It also feels like it goes on forever, which is funny because it’s running time is shorter than the first Thor. No wonder Thor: Ragnarok made fun of this movie.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Paramount Pictures; poster for Iron Man 2 (2010)
17. Iron Man 2 (2010)
Given the success of Iron Man, and how committed Marvel Studios were towards an Avengers movie, a sequel to Iron Man was not only inevitable but necessary. It would also debut of Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow, and involve Tony Stark’s friend, Colonel James “Rhodey: Rhodes becoming the fan favorite War Machine. It also, based on the trailers, adopted elements from “Iron Wars,” a pivotal story arc from the Iron Man comics. Yes, Iron Man 2 looked very promising. It was also an utter mess.
It’s main problem, like most movie sequels, is it tries to do too much at once. Aside from following up on Tony publicly revealing himself as Iron Man, there’s a subplot involving one Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke) seeking revenge for what Tony’s father did to his family. Another subplot involves Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) attempting to corner the armored battle suit market. Yet another subplot involves Tony dying from metallic poisoning from his own arc reactor. Another deals with potential love triangle between Pepper Pots (Gwenyth Paltrow) and Black Widow, and another with fracturing friendship with Rhodey…and none of these narratives fully mesh together.
Despite having a shorter running time than the first Iron Man, the movie somehow feels longer due to its sluggish pacing. And even though Robert Downey Jr. is still excellent as Tony, several times it feels as if his character learned nothing from the first movie.
Still, there’s plenty to like about Iron Man 2. Like the first, it can be very funny, especially the scene where Tony testifies before Senate Armed Services Committee. Don Cheadle makes a great replacement for Terrance Howard as Rhodey, and Johansson as Black Widow is another example of great casting. The effects look better, too, particularly the reveal of Tony’s briefcase armor. And when there is action on-screen, it looks terrific. A shame such scenes are few, though.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios; poster for Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
16. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
No one had any illusions that a sequel to the highly successful Avengers could live up to such a cinematic juggernaut. What they did expect, especially since it would involve one Earth’s Mightest Heroes’ greatest villains, was something just as enjoyable as the first Avengers. While Avengers: Age of Ultron is a fun film, it also suffers from many of the problems which tend to plague sequels.
One aspect where the film really suffers is its premise, a perfect illustration of “the idiot plot.” Thanks to an apocalyptic hallucination from the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olson), Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) becomes driven to implement the artificial intelligence dubbed “Ultron” as another line of defense for the Earth. Even though he’s told more than once what a bad idea this is–and even after witnessing how bad in can get first hand–he still pursues it.
The film also devotes too much time building up its cinematic universe. A subplot involving Thor (Chris Hemsworth), for example, feels completely detached from everything else happening in the film. There’s also a budding romance between Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson) which comes out of nowhere. And its take on Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) feels quite underwhelming compared to his counterpart from X-Men: Days of Future Past.
There’s still plenty to recommend the film. James Spader makes for a sinister and, at times, amusing Ultron. The action sequences, such as Tony in his “Hulkbuster Armor” fighting the Hulk, are pure comic book joy on display. And Paul Bettany, already good as the voice of J.A.R.V.I.S, makes for an even better Vision.
15. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
In 2003, Academy Award-winning director, Ang Lee, created the first big budget live action Hulk movie. Although a box-office success at the time, audiences saw Hulk as too long, too pretentious, and too ridiculous. They just wanted to see, and hear, “Hulk smash!” A mere five years later, Universal Pictures, Marvel Studios, and director Louis Leterrier gave moviegoers their wish with The Incredible Hulk.
Acting as both a reboot and a semi-sequel to Ang Lee’s Hulk, this movie not takes more cues from the original comics, but also the iconic Incredible Hulk television series. Edward Norton makes for a sympathetic Dr. Bruce Banner, who’s on the run from the military while searching for a cure. The effects for the Hulk look great, too, and the action overall is the kind fans of the original comics would salivate over. It’s the complete opposite of Lee’s ponderous, contemplative version, running, like Banner, on adrenaline. It even has time for some cute, referential humor.
The supporting cast, though, is a mixed bag. Liv Tyler makes for a nice, attractive, but unremarkable Betty Ross, and the romance between her and Banner lacks genuine spark. Unlike Sam Elliot in the Ang Lee film, the always laconic William Hurt is totally miscast as General Ross. By contrast, you can tell Tim Roth has a blast playing Emil Blonsky/The Abomination. The plot is also safe and paint-by-numbers, setting up a potential sequel which, thanks to Marvel’s deal with Disney, never came to pass.
Even though The Incredible Hulk is canon for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s also the MCU’s most underrated film. Perhaps it’s because it’s eclipsed by the more popular Iron Man, which came out earlier that the same summer. Still, it’s a fun, if somewhat superficial, movie that’s worth a second look.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Paramount Pictures; poster for Thor (2011)
14. Thor (2011)
Though Norse Mythology seems odd when paired with the likes of Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, the first Thor movie is a noble effort. At the very least, Thor manages to take a character who is a literal god and make him relatable. And while director Kenneth Branaugh holds himself back, the movie still has enough audacity to strive for a kind of Shakespearean drama in spandex.
The cast is very good across the board, although some roles are criminally short-changed more than others. Chris Hemsworth is great as the titular Norse God of Thunder, and, no surprise, Sir Anthony Hopkins gives another great performance as Odin All-Father. But it’s Tom Hiddleston as Loki who is the real standout, giving us a Loki who is tragic who’s also very bit the diabolical, manipulative trickster you would expect. To this day, none of the other Marvel Studios films have come up with as good a villain.
Yet as I pointed out in Bam Smack Pow’s retrospective on the film, Thor isn’t quite sure what kind of film it wants to be. After Odin banishes Thor to Earth, the movie becomes an amusing “fish out of water” love story between Thor and astrophysicist, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), where everyone naturally assumes the son of Odin is a crazy, if eloquent, drifter. At the same time, the Asgard scenes look like Lord of the Rings outtakes, and the “magic is science” angle, while logical, implies an embarrassment of the original comics. Then again, this was before Avengers.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures; poster for Doctor Strange (2016)
13. Doctor Strange (2016)
Doctor Strange is the best Christopher Nolan movie not written or directed by Christopher Nolan. It bends, twists, and folds cities like Inception. It’s protagonist, also played by a British actor faking an American accent, travels to the Far East for training like Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins. It explains the “science” of magic like The Prestige. There’s a kaleidoscopic journey through other dimensions like Interstellar. And, as a major plot device, it routinely plays with time.
All kidding aside, Doctor Strange is a visually arresting movie. It contains some very imaginative sequences like the one in Sanctum Santorum with its changing doorways, or the martial arts battle where everything but the combatants move in reverse. Benedict Cumberbatch is very good the titular surgeon turned sorcerer, and as the voice of one of Strange’s classic villains. Also, despite the controversy surrounding her casting, Tilda Swanson makes for a fascinating take on The Ancient One. Even Chiwetel Ejiofer’s Mordo undergoes a logical journey from ally to adversary.
Yet the problems with Doctor Strange are the same one which seem to always infect the other entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) makes for yet another bland, underdeveloped antagonist. The flirtatious romance between Strange and Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) feels unnecessarily tacked on. Finally, it has a tendency to make some silly, not-so-clever jokes during it’s more dramatic moments. Yet these flaws in no way undermine what is still a pretty enjoyable film.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures; poster for Iron Man 3 (2013)
12. Iron Man 3 (2013)
Of all the Iron Man films, this was the one which proved most divisive with fans. Virtually all the criticism leveled against the movie centers around the twist with The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), or how Tony’s false retirement as Iron Man at the end. These are valid criticisms, to be sure. Yet there’s also a strong case that Iron Man 3 is also one of the better entries of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and certainly better than Iron Man 2.
For starters it’s a logical continuation of Tony’s story from The Avengers, as he shows clear signs of post-traumatic stress. Directed Shane Black, the writer of Lethal Weapon (1987), it’s also the most action intensive of the Iron Man films, with the Mark XLII providing for some highly inventive fights sequences. It also shows just how resourceful Tony Stark really is, particularly when he makes his homemade weapons after shopping at Home Depot. Plus, for all the controversy surrounding the Mandarin twist, it’s still brilliantly executed.
Some might also find themselves annoyed when the film detours into a subplot involving Stark befriending a ten-year old prodigy (Ty Simpkins). Rhodey (Don Cheadle) being re-branding as Iron Patriot is both unnecessary fan-service and, in the context of the film, very on the nose. Moreover, it’s pretty obvious Guy Pierce’s Aldrich Killian is the real villain, considering how movie’s prologue devotes itself to why he feels slighted by Stark.
Yet it’s because of what this film did to Iron Man’s greatest adversary is why some fans tend to dismiss Iron Man 3. They shouldn’t. While it’s not the same caliber as the first Iron Man, it’s far better than the second, and thus deserves greater appreciation.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios; poster for Ant-Man (2015)
11. Ant-Man (2015)
As a premise, Ant-Man sound like a recipe for disaster, if not an outright joke. After all, it’s not about an obscure Marvel superhero, but a thief who can shrink and talk to ants. But the strength of Ant-Man is that it embraces the silliness to the point it makes it look cool. Perhaps it’s because the film’s story originated from Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Baby Driver), who was assigned as the film’s original director before he quit over creative differences.
Even though Marvel Studios assigned Peyton Reed as the new director, Wright’s fingerprints still are all over Ant-Man. In some cases, it’s very obvious which aspects of Wright’s original script the final cut may have kept. Obviously the scene where Ant-Man takes out a pair of security guards, which resembles early test footage Wright made. Yet other scenes have similar vibe, such as the flashbacks narrated by Michael Pena’s Luis to a climatic battle involving Thomas the Tank Engine in child’s bedroom. It makes you wonder how much more zany Ant-Man would’ve been.
Credit must also must go to Paul Rudd as Scott Lang, who also helped co-write his own dialogue in later drafts. Throughout the movie, Rudd’s comedic timing is top-notch, and plays off exceedingly well with Michael Douglas’ disgruntled Hank Pym and Evangeline Levy’s sassy Hope. Along with the scenes involving Scott’s daughter, Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson), Rudd makes for a very likable protagonist who’s just trying turn his life around.
But like with so many of these Marvel Studios films, it’s the choice of villain who brings it down. Not only is Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) every stereotypical evil business mogul Hollywood somehow can’t get enough, he’s more Hank Pym’s enemy than Scott Lang’s. This makes the climatic fight between him and Ant-Man, while still entertaining, feel ultimately hollow.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Paramount Pictures; poster for Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
10. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
In many respects, Captain America: The First Avenger is the spiritual sequel to director Joe Johnson’s other wartime superhero movie, The Rocketeer (1991). Like that earlier movie, Captain America is unapologetically old-fashioned, reminiscent of the serials during the period in which it’s set. Nor does it shy away in depicting Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) as a humble boy scout; if anything, the film makes a compelling case for why these are admirable traits for a hero to have.
What’s ironic is, just like how others treat the titular star-spangled soldier in the film, audiences underestimated Chris Evans prior to the film’s release. After all, having the same actor who played Johnny Storm from the awful Fantastic Four movies seemed like a disaster waiting to happen. Yet like Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man, Evans proved an inspired choice, perfectly embodying Steve’s courage, common sense, and “ah shucks” humility.
The rest of the cast does decent work, as well. Hayley Atwell as Agent Peggy Carter shares remarkable and believable chemistry and spitfire with Evans. Tommy Lee Jones also turns in a capable job as the skeptical Colonel Phillips. It’s Stanley Tucci as Dr. Abraham Erskine, though, who gives what is perhaps the film’s best performance. The scene between him and Evans the night before Steve undergoes his transformation is arguably the heart and soul of the film.
It can also get a little cheesy at times, especially when it comes to Hugo Weaving’s over-the-top, scenery-chewing turn as the Red Skull. At the other end of the spectrum, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Toby Jones as Armin Zola, and Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark feel underused. Nevertheless, while it’s not in the same caliber as other contemporary World War II films, Captain America: The First Avenger works not just as homage to Golden Age comics but the Golden age of classic Hollywood.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Sony Pictures; poster for Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
9. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Bringing Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and fighting alongside the likes of Iron Man, Captain America, and (possibly) the Hulk was something fans craved since the first Avengers movie. Those same fans rejoiced when Marvel granted their wishes with Captain America: Civil War. Yet when Marvel and Sony announced there would be a new Spider-Man film, there was trepidation, too. That’s because this meant that in less than five years, Sony rebooted their Spider-Man movie franchise twice.
The makers of Spider-Man: Homecoming were acutely aware of this. Hence why the sixth Spider-Man movie deliberately goes out of its way to not emulate the previous movies when possible. Along with the comics, Director Jon Watts takes as much inspiration from–and directly references–the teenage comedies of John Hughes like The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. This only results in the funniest of the Spider-Man movies, but the only one where you truly feel that Spider-Man is a genuine kid in high school.
As did he did during Civil War, Tom Holland is terrific in his depiction of an adolescent Peter Parker. The supporting cast, however, varies, with some like Jacob Batalon as Ned bordering on hilarious and annoying, while others like Tony Revolori as Flash feeling like an afterthought. Yet it’s Michael Keaton who delivers a powerhouse performance as Adrian Toomes, a.k.a. The Vulture. The idea of him being a blue-collar scavenger of superhero battles is pure genius, and how he connects with Peter’s attempt in asking Liz Allen (Laura Harrier) as his date for the homecoming dance results in a brilliant twist.
Unfortunately, for what’s supposed to be a Spider-Man movie, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is so prevalent, the film is practically Iron Man 4. If anything, Peter comes off more like Iron Man’s kid sidekick, especially when his suit as his own A.I. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the lame and gutless reveal about Michelle (Zendaya). Yet, among the list of Spider-Man films, it’s definitely one of the better ones.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios; poster for Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
8. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
For whatever reason, the first two Thor movies didn’t take any risks. Despite being based off comics which combine Viking lore and space opera, a very unconventional combination, both Thor and Thor: The Dark World are very conventional films. Then along comes Thor: Ragnarok. With sheer abandon and gusto, director Taika Waititi (What We Do In the Shadows, Hunt For the Wilderpeople) it upends everything from the previous two films and radically changes the son of Odin and his universe–all to the tune of Led Zepplin’s “The Immigrant Song.”
It’s also extremely funny, clearly taking its cues from the Guardians of the Galaxy films. For once, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor is allowed to play up more of his comedic side. Only at no time does he ever feel like he’s made himself into a self-aware parody. That said, Waititi has real trouble reining the comedy in during what should otherwise be the movie’s most dramatic moments. It’s hard to feel the weight of characters’ deaths and apocalyptic destruction when it’s also trying for laughs.
Yet Thor: Ragnarok isn’t just the best Thor movie, it’s the best Hulk movie, too. Loosely adapting the fan-favorite “Planet Hulk” storyline from the comics, Mark Ruffalo gives his best performance as both Bruce Banner and his big, green alter-ego yet. The look of the planet Skaar itself looks visually unique, and Jeff Goldblum weaselly take as the Grandmaster is hysterical. Best of all, the Gladiatorial match between Thor and Hulk is simply awesome.
Unfortunately, the scenes on Skaar are so good, the conquest of Asgard by Hela (Cate Blanchett) and Heimdall’s (Idris Elba) counter-revolution seems dull by comparison. Tom Hiddleston is still great as Loki, but Tess Thompson’s Valkyrie lays on the tough girl act pretty thick. Still, one has to applaud Thor: Ragnarok for its unbridled energy and audacity, having no shame about being a comic book movie, and thus often succeeding.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Paramount Pictures; poster for Iron Man (2008)
7. Iron Man (2008)
Even after a decade, the first entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is still one the best. It’s also pretty remarkable Iron Man earned the box office that it did. After all, it’s not only an origin story of a superhero who, at the time, was below the radar of characters like Spider-Man and X-Men, the hero starts off as an unrepentant war profiteer.
Yet the film succeeds for four clear reasons. At its core, it’s a “Prodigal Son” tale of how an intelligent but selfish captain of industry who, after his capture by terrorists, uses his gifts for the betterment of humanity. Also, Robert Downey Jr. was born to play Tony Stark, perfectly balancing the character’s cockiness and sarcasm with his newly discovered altruism and obligation. Iron Man also, despite having miniaturized power plants and robotic armor, keeps one foot firmly planted in the real world. And even now, the armored suits still look amazing.
Yet, as I pointed out in its entry for Bam Smack Pow’s retrospective series, Iron Man is not without shortcomings. The movie drags a bit at times, especially during the second act. The other actors, particularly Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeff Bridges are good, but still overshadowed by Downey’s engaging performance. The antagonists are also weak, though this certainly be the last time the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be guilty of this.
Still, in an age where every Hollywood studio is struggling to create their own cinematic universe, Iron Man reminds us how Marvel Studios got it right from the start.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios; poster for Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 (2017)
6. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Comic book movies aren’t subtle when in comes to their themes. Yet because the way they convey those themes are obvious doesn’t necessarily make them hackneyed. If those themes are consistent, they can actually elevate such a film into a work of art. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, with its themes of family and father-son relationships, comes awfully close to being such as work of art.
As with the first Guardians of the Galaxy, the returning cast is excellent. In the case of Michael Rooker, who reprises his role as Yondu, he’s the movie’s most valuable performer. He also undergoes the film’s best character arc, although Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill comes in a very close second. Pom Klementieff makes a great addition as Mantis, and Kurt Russell couldn’t have been a better choice as Peter’s dad, the living planet, Ego. Well, except for David Hasselhoff, of course.
Just like the first Guardians of the Galaxy, writer-director James Gunn blends an ideal mix of action, comedy, and drama, along with its own unique style. The pacing during the second act, however, does get slow at times. And even though the subplots involving the Sovereign and Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and Nebula’s (Karen Gillan) continual sibling rivalry are essential, they also feel disconnected from everything else that’s happening.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 makes a great companion piece alongside the first “volume.” It also cements this rag-tag group of space adventurers as the top entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And if anyone claims they didn’t cry during the final moments of the movie, then they’re flat-out lying.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures; poster for Black Panther (2018)
5. Black Panther (2018)
The question of what one does with the power they have often comes up in the superhero genre. Imagine if you had access to a technology which could potentially better the lives of billions. What if it could also uplift a minority group that’s been subjected to slavery, segregation, and bigotry throughout history? Would you share this technology, or, fearing the world isn’t ready, keep it a closely guarded secret? And if you do keep it secret, how far are you willing to go to protect it? Black Panther is one the few superhero movies to address those questions head-on.
Although the CGI effects aren’t as crisp as they should be, the set and costume designs are perfect in conveying Wakanda’s unique blend of African tribalism and futurism. The action choreography and stunt work look great, too, particularly the scenes in South Korea. Those scenes alone would make a great case for Ryan Coogler to direct the next James Bond movie.
Black Panther also has an excellent cast, with Danai Gurira’s Nakia, Winston Duke’s M’Kubu, and Andy Serkis’ Ulysses Klawe as clear standouts. But it’s Michael B. Jordan as Eric Stevens/Killmonger who completely steals the film like his character steals the throne. Even though he’s the film’s villain, his character’s backstory and motivations are so compelling and sympathetic, he’d be the protagonist in any other movie.
And that’s what I find really odd about this movie: the weakest part about Black Panther is Black Panther. Unlike Captain America: Civil War, Chadwick Boseman comes off too laid back as T’Challa. The movie just takes for granted you’re supposed to root for him. All the same, Black Panther is a very good film. Maybe not as much as the critics hyped it be, but a solid entry in the MCU canon all the same.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios; poster for Captain America: Civil War (2016)
4. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Although it’s credited as the third Captain America movie, Captain America: Civil War isn’t just about Captain America. True, a good part of the film involves Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) attempting to find and protect Bucky (Sebastian Stan) from the authorities. Yet, as the title also indicates, it’s a very loose adaptation of one of Marvel’s most notable crossover events, and in many ways better than it’s source material. This is as much of an Iron Man film as it is a Captain America film, and is arguably the real third Avengers film.
Once again, the Russo Brothers prove they are top-tier action filmmakers, with the fight between Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Cap’s sides at the Leipzig/Halle airport being their crowning achievement. Even more remarkable is that they juggle no less than a dozen different major characters and not only advance each of their stories, none of them feel like they’re wasted additions in the movie. New arrivals Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa/Black Panther are especially welcome, further proving how Marvel Studios has a knack when it comes to casting.
Credit must also go to screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFreely. Somehow, they make the conflict between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark logical and true to their characters, each side making valid points. Even if you do favor one camp over the other, you still see them both as heroes, saddened as they’re philosophically driven apart. That the film pulls effectively pulls this off, without losing audience sympathy for either one, also speaks to Evans and Downey’s talents.
Like the other Marvel movies, Civil War isn’t flawless. Steve developing feelings for Peggy Carter’s niece, Sharon (Emily VanCamp) feels awkward and a little creepy. Also, one has to overlook a lot of coincidences when it comes to Helmut Zemo’s (Daniel Brühl) master plan. All the same, Civil War manages to surpass and improve upon Mark Millar’s original comic book miniseries, and shows why the Russo’s are ideal picks for directing Avengers: Infinity War.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios; poster for The Avengers (2012)
3. The Avengers (2012)
Way back with the first Iron Man, Marvel Studios producer, Kevin Feige, had this crazy vision of bringing together different Marvel superheroes together on the big screen. This was a dream of many a comic book fan, yet many didn’t think it was possible. After all, Warner Brothers, and the time, still struggled with getting Batman V. Superman and Justice League the green light, and those were better known characters.
Yet in the summer of 2012, The Avengers arrived in theaters, and audiences and critics loved it, so much so it became the third highest grossing film of all time. Like the original Star Wars, it isn’t just a movie, but a watershed moment in popular culture. The success of this one movie completely upended Hollywood’s business model when it came to film franchises. None of this would’ve been possible, of course, if The Avengers wasn’t also a terrific movie.
Thanks to a talented cast and writer-director Joss Whedon’s ear for witty, sharp dialogue, there is perfect chemistry throughout. In some cases, they give even better performances that the movies they first appeared in. Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson is particularly good, but so is Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, especially during his scenes with Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark. What’s more, while The Avengers logically builds upon the previous movie, yet one can easily jump into this one without having to have seen them.
The last forty minutes where the Avengers finally assemble to fight Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Chituari forces in downtown New York is still one of expertly crafted superhero battles ever put on-screen. And of course, Alan Silvestri’s score rivals that of John Williams’ Superman and Danny Elfman’s Batman.
Why then isn’t this movie ranked higher? Well, until the battle for New York, the movie does meander a bit. Also, it does devote quite a bit of time towards character building which, while necessary, does slow the pacing. Also Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton, a.k.a. Hawkeye does spend most of the film under Loki’s spell. Yet Marvel’s The Avengers not only is a great superhero movie, it deserves its place in the annals of cinema history.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures; poster for Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
2. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
An easy-going space pirate mentally stuck in 1980’s pop culture; the adoptive daughter of an intergalactic warlord; a brawny knife-fighter who doesn’t understand metaphors; a walking tree who only says, “I am Groot”; and a sarcastic, gun-totting raccoon. And all five of them travel around in space? Hardly a recipe for a successful movie. Yet against all odds, Guardians of the Galaxy became one of the more delightfully surprise hits of 2014.
Why did this movie featuring some of Marvel’s most obscure characters work so well? For starters, it had some great lead performers. Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Dave Bautista each give breakout performances as Peter Quill, Gamora, and Drax respectively. Bradley Cooper is almost unrecognizable as the voice of Rocket Raccoon, and Vin Diesel as the voice of Groot, and the fact he can convey so much with just the same three words, proves just how talented he really is.
Guardians of the Galaxy can also be said to be the first Marvel Studio film with its own unique style. Where previous science fiction films set in space had a muted color palate, writer-director James Gunn’s film pops with color. The entire movie looks like a comic book come to life. It also works just as well as comedy as it does an action flick. Even the soundtrack, a mix of 1970s and 1980s pop hits, feels right. Besides, it that very music, not to mention a dance off, which ends up being key to saving the day.
Does it feel unrealistic that these unlikely heroes would bond together like family so quickly? Sure, but no less than any other ensemble movie. It also goes to show that, with the right amount of talent, any comic book adaptation, no matter how obscure, can win over an audience.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios; poster for Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
When Stan Lee decided to bring Captain America back into the comics after a two decades, he came up with a very simple and ingenious idea. Since the Marvel Universe, originally, moved in real-time, Steve Rogers was in suspended animation since the end of World War II. The result of this “Rip Van Winkle” effect instantly turned Cap into an outsider, a quality which also made heroes like Spider-Man and the Hulk popular with fans. As World War II becomes more and more distant, so does Cap’s feelings of being a man out of time.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier perfectly captures this. It’s also one of the few superhero movies which doesn’t feel like a superhero movie. Yes, it has several fantastic elements like the S.H.I.E.L.D. hellicarriers, cyborg assassins, and winged flight suits, but they seem to overwhelm the movie. Like The Dark Knight was a crime drama, Winter Soldier is a spy and conspiracy thriller first, emphasizing verisimilitude over spectacle. The reason most the fight sequences seem real is that most of them are, although there are some clear, but minimal CGI assistance.
The cast is also excellent across the board. Chris Evans turns in his best work as Steve Rogers, as does Scarlet Johansson as the Black Widow and Samuel L. Jackson as Director Nick Fury. Anthony Mackie is also terrific as Sam Wilson, a.k.a. The Falcon, and Sebastian Stan as the brainwashed, resurrected Bucky Barnes really gives a powerhouse near-silent performance. That someone of Robert Redford’s caliber also stars in the film, and does such an excellent job as Alexander Pierce, further instills the idea that that’s more to Winter Soldier beyond super powers and spandex.
If the Marvel Cinematic Universe has an equivalent to The Dark Knight, then Captain America: The Winter Soldier would definitely be it. It isn’t just a movie which can be enjoyed by superhero fans, but also by those who aren’t superhero fans. Hence why it deserves its place as the number one Marvel Studios film.
Next: Top 10 Highest Grossing Super Hero Movies of All Time
Do you agree with this list? How would you rank the Marvel Studios films, and where would you place Black Panther? And, with two more films—Avengers: Infinity War and Ant-Man and the Wasp—about to debut this year, where do you believe they will rank alongside the other movies?