Ranking The Marvel Cinematic Universe
Beginning in 2008 with Iron Man, Marvel Studios has made a series of very successful superhero / comic book movies, becoming the first real successful shared film universe, known as The MCU. Regardless of what any of you may think, you can't deny Marvel's success. Managing to make "entertaining", "fun" and at times goofy (admittedly maybe too goofy), and serious action pictures. Here is my personal ranking of all those films.
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- DirectorJoss WhedonStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansScarlett JohanssonEarth's mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a team if they are going to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity.It just felt so well made. Everything, the characters, the action, the dialogue, the comedy, was all a perfect balance. Maybe I'm a bit biased towards this one, but I just love it a lot.
- DirectorJoss WhedonStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansMark RuffaloWhen Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it's up to Earth's mightiest heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plan.I would say it's on par with the first Avengers, if not better. The humor, the action, and the story even, all felt somewhat better then the first. Heck, I thought Ultron was a good sympathetic villain.
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsRobert Downey Jr.Gwyneth PaltrowTerrence HowardAfter being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.The first of the MCU movies, this one set the standard for the rest, and boy does it hold up. Great action, some interesting character development for Tony (which sadly the sequels failed to follow through on), and an all around well done origin story, make this a great film.
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansSamuel L. JacksonScarlett JohanssonAs Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Black Widow, to battle a new threat from history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.While Captain America: The First Avenger could be considering a good WW2 Captain America movie, I think CA:TWS is a great modern day Captain America.
The first manages to not only a great comic book / superhero movie, but also a great cold war styled thriller. The action is great, the humor is among the best of the MMU, coming specifically from the characters interactions, instead of being forced, and the acting, especially from Evans and Redford is superb.
This film has all the right ingredients. - DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattVin DieselBradley CooperA group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe.The film took me by surprise, as I only expected it to be amusing and fun, but it took me by surprise. It was fun, the characters were great, the humor was well done and the soundtrack was excellent.
Also I feel like saying "I am Groot" over and over again. Easily Diesel's best performance since The Iron Giant. - DirectorJoe JohnstonStarsChris EvansHugo WeavingSamuel L. JacksonSteve Rogers, a rejected military soldier, transforms into Captain America after taking a dose of a "Super-Soldier serum". But being Captain America comes at a price as he attempts to take down a warmonger and a terrorist organization.I just feel as a Captain America movie, this film works on many levels. Good action, some good comedy, and an all around sense of fun. Love the WW2 homages and the reference to the old Captain America cartoon (the theme song "When Captain America Throws His Mighty Shield" is played in the film).
Just a good time. - DirectorPeyton ReedStarsPaul RuddMichael DouglasCorey StollArmed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, pull off a plan that will save the world.Super fun.
- DirectorAlan TaylorStarsChris HemsworthNatalie PortmanTom HiddlestonWhen the Dark Elves attempt to plunge the universe into darkness, Thor must embark on a perilous and personal journey that will reunite him with doctor Jane Foster.I actually really liked this film. I liked how a lot of more it was set in Asgard as opposed to the first. I just thought as a film, it was very entertaining.
Admittedly a lot of the humor was forced (Stellan Skarsgaard running around naked was only midly assuming the first time and Kat Dennings can be really annoying), as well Malekith being an uninteresting and boring villain, but overall I enjoyed the film, more so than the first film. - DirectorShane BlackStarsRobert Downey Jr.Guy PearceGwyneth PaltrowWhen Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.I like this film. I think Tony has an decent character arc in this film, especially compared to the second, and I like the techno thriller aspect of the film.
The twist didn't bother me, as much as me annoyed me, especially since Killian was not a very good villain, and the way he's killed at the end I also found to be pretty idiotic.
Overall I found it worth watching, though. - DirectorLouis LeterrierStarsEdward NortonLiv TylerTim RothBruce Banner, a scientist on the run from the U.S. Government, must find a cure for the monster he turns into whenever he loses his temper.Probably the darkest of The MCU (at least that's what it was attempted). I like this film, its not perfect, but there a lot of things to appreciate here. The action is well done, The Abomination was also a real good villain and perfect for the movie as well.
The movie can feel boring and slow at times though.
Overall though I thought it was a pretty good Hulk film (I also like Ang Lee's film BTW). - DirectorJon FavreauStarsRobert Downey Jr.Mickey RourkeGwyneth PaltrowWith the world now aware of his identity as Iron Man, Tony Stark must contend with both his declining health and a vengeful mad man with ties to his father's legacy.Some good action scenes aside, Iron Man 2 is easily the weakest of the three, suffering from basically being an Avengers promotional film, as well having too many things going on all at once in the film.
That aside, its still entertaining, and I liked Don Cheadle as Rhodes / War Machine, even a little more than Terrence Howard. - DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsChris HemsworthAnthony HopkinsNatalie PortmanThe powerful but arrogant god Thor is cast out of Asgard to live amongst humans in Midgard (Earth), where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders.My least favorite MCU film, but a film I still enjoy. Thor features some great action and set pieces, especially in Asgard, Tom Hiddleston as Loki is also great, easily being the MMU best villain. The film though suffers from one major problem, I've never been a big fan of Thor's character, even from the comics.
While he's a god, and they attempted to make him sympathetic by having him lose his powers for a while, that wasn't enough to make interested in his character as a whole. I also wasn't a fan of The Thor and Jane romance (I prefer him to get with Sif, just like the comics to be honest).
I did enjoy the film overall, though Asgard and other unworldy places were sorely lacking in screentime.