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Top 10 superhero movie directors of the decade

By Josh Baggins

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 07: (front L-R) Danai Gurira, Jeremy Renner, Director Anthony Russo, Chris Evans, Director Joe Russo, Brie Larson and Mark Ruffalo, (back L-R) Karen Gillan, Paul Rudd, Scarlett Johansson, President of Marvel Studios/Producer Kevin Feige, Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle and Chris Hemsworth onstage during Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Endgame" Global Junket Press Conference at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown on April 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 07: (front L-R) Danai Gurira, Jeremy Renner, Director Anthony Russo, Chris Evans, Director Joe Russo, Brie Larson and Mark Ruffalo, (back L-R) Karen Gillan, Paul Rudd, Scarlett Johansson, President of Marvel Studios/Producer Kevin Feige, Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle and Chris Hemsworth onstage during Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Endgame" Global Junket Press Conference at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown on April 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 31: Directors Joe Russo and Anthony Russo attend the Italian American Museum Of Los Angeles Unveils Exhibition Honoring The Russo Brothers at Italian American Museum of Los Angeles on May 31, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 31: Directors Joe Russo and Anthony Russo attend the Italian American Museum Of Los Angeles Unveils Exhibition Honoring The Russo Brothers at Italian American Museum of Los Angeles on May 31, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images) /

1. The Russo Brothers

Directed: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Who could have ever guessed that a couple of sitcom directors would helm some of the biggest blockbusters in film history? Although their skill at crafting intricate action shots was on display in Community’s paintball arc, being handed the keys and asked to drive the greatest cinematic universe ever created is obviously a whole nother level. Before overseeing the entire franchise, Captain America: The Winter Soldier was their test run of sorts and, boy, did they pass the test. The political thriller tone is one of the best uses of genre-mashing in any superhero movie. The Russos also recognized that the physical styles of Captain America, Black Widow, and Winter Soldier were perfect for close-quarter combat, with extremely gritty fights.

The Russos surpassed their first superhero film with Captain America: Civil War, where they effectively utilize a dozen superheroes. The catalyst, including Zemo’s backstory and motivations, is simple yet quite brilliantly orchestrated. There are several breathtaking set pieces in the film, with none more memorable than the six vs. six superhero showdown at the airport. The choreography is jaw-dropping, and the efficient implementation of each character’s powers is outstanding, making it the most entertaining superhero battle ever filmed. Then the climactic duel between Captain America and Iron Man is overwhelmingly emotional.

The Russos most uniquely structured movie is Avengers: Infinity War because the story really revolves around the big bad Thanos and his quest to obtain the six Infinity Stones. His advancement from location to location, from stone to stone is exceptionally executed. And for fans that have been following the stones since Phase One, the payoff of now watching them be wielded by Thanos with his Infinity Gauntlet is rewarding because of the specific way the Mad Titan would exert the stones depending on the circumstances and each stone’s abilities. The way in which Thanos claims victory at the end of the film is astonishing, shocking, and devastating all rolled into a few tear-jerking moments.

With both Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, the Russos took a cue from Whedon’s Avengers films by carefully incorporating certain major characters only when they fit perfectly into the narrative. With many of our beloved superheroes vanishing in Infinity War, the rest (including the original six Avengers) were left to save the universe and bring everyone back for one final glorious battle against evil. The time-traveling adventures in Endgame are enjoyable and nostalgic, though the movie truly shines when it breaks our hearts. Thor, Captain America, and even Nebula have extraordinarily delicate moments, but the two most shattering scenes are Black Widow and Hawkeye fighting to die so the other can live on Vormir and Iron Man sacrificing himself to defeat Thanos.

Next. 15 greatest superhero movies of the decade. dark

The Russo Brothers’ four films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are not just four of the best superhero movies of the decade, but also four of the best films of the decade. They are all magnificently made and have spectacularly distinctive qualities that separate each of the four movies as their own singular masterworks.

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