MCU ranked

Love it or hate it, superhero’s are the way of cinema these days. It’s only been 12 years but in that time, somehow Marvel has managed to release 23 movies. No franchise has come close to that. That isn’t always necessarily a good thing though.

Ask Martin Scorsese and he would tell you its more akin to a theme park. In that case the Marvel Cinematic Universe has its highs lows like a roller coster, some hits and misses like the dodgems and some shit ones like the helter skelter.

So which is best? Which is worse? Which ones literally had no effect on me after I left the cinema. Let’s start with one that actually made me feel physically angry that I was shaking.

◦ 23: Thor The Dark World:

The less said about this the better. Very few MCU film can be considered boring, humour free, messy, etc. This manages to accomplish all of rest impressive feats of mediocrity which culminates into one hot steaming pile of film. It was an odd choice to make this a big plot point in Avengers Endgame. Thanks Thor for Taika Waititi.

◦ 22: The Incredible Hulk.

Basically Thor the Dark World, Just not as bad. The origins of this version of hulk is enough to keep you more interested (at least more than the Ang Lee version), but after that they don’t really know what to do with the character. Looking back now Edward Norton didn’t quite fit the role that Mark Ruffalo has not made his own. This is the one film that the MCU tries to forgets about the most.

◦ 21: Iron Man 2.

If there’s one thing that I would use to describe Iron Mans second outing, it’s that the film feels, rushed. With the first film being such an immediate and shocking success, there was a demand to strike while iron was hot.

However this just led to a lacklustre plot, forced introductions to Black Widow and a boring villain who is remembered more for his bird than causing a headache to Tony Stark.

◦ 20: Captain America the first Avenger.

There are a lot of good ideas, in the first half of this movie. The introduction to Steve Rogers is perfect and fits him so well. Seeing the skinny kid jump on a grenade sets him up as committed even before hes enhanced.

However the film pretty much falls apart when Red Skull is introduced. Despite the super steroids that literally gave Steve super abilities,It’s still grounded in reality until Hugo Weaving Rips his face off. The finally into the present day is the only part that elevates the movie and that’s the final scene.

◦ 19 & 18: Ant-man / Ant-man and the wasp.

I’m just going to count these two together. They’re both pretty much the same and pretty bland. I don’t really rate them at all. They’re not really that funny.

Paul Rudd is really trying his best but ends up feeling wasted although I do enjoy the chemistry between him and Evengeline Lilly’s Wasp. Shame Michael Douglas doesn’t really give a shit. The story doesn’t flow. Bad villain. All I can think is what would it been like with Edgar Wright directing.

◦ 17 Thor:

This isn’t really a bad film. Just incredibly bland. The beginning and the fantasy stuff just doesn’t interest me. Although the MCU gets more fantastical later in the series, at this point it wasn’t sure how to integrate that with reality.

Then when he gets to Earth without his powers and starts hitting on Natalie Portman it’s still not interesting. Not every film needs a love story. Also Hawkeye is completely underused (yeah I said it).

◦ 16 Avengers Age of Altron.

I actually liked AoA when it first came it and didn’t understand the hate. Then I rewatched it and realised ‘wow this messy as hell. What is happening at the beginning? Why does Brice and Natalie have a thing? Why is Thor in the bath?’

It’s trying to set up future Marvel films rather than focusing on the current film. The joy of phase one was everyone coming together in Avengers. Here there already trying to split them up again. I still really like the Hawkeye farm scene even though everyone hates it.

◦ 15 Captain Marvel:

When this first came out, everyone either loved it or hated it. Yet, it wasn’t all the wrong reasons on both side. A film should just be evaluated on the films itself and not any factors from outside the movie. The truth is, it’s very, very ‘Meh.’

Brie Larson and Samuel L Jackson’s dynastic together. However Ben Meddlesons performance holds the film together. His villain role (like literally any other Ben Meddlesome film) and eventual nice guy works so well. Also the Sam Jackson effects are great. Same can’t be said from Clark Gregg’s.

◦ 14 Iron Man 3.

Slots in between Iron Man 1 and 2. I enjoy the dialogue and how the films flows. It also has good action. The sky diving sequence is great. However, the twist has seemed to overshadowed the entire movie and has driven the hate it gets. Although it’s not perfectly executed, it’s still not the main issue.

They half ass the PTSD story line which could have worked a lot better, if they didn’t focus half there time on the stuff with the kid from Jurassic World. It just feels like a long distance from the quality of the first Iron Man.

◦ 13 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2.

I laughed at lot in the cinema. It might go down as the funniest MCU film along side Thor Ragnarok (more on that later). It built on the personality of all of characters and giving them them all new aspects to them without losing track of each character brings to the story.

But the story, or lack of, is a big issued for me. It doesn’t really kick in until less than 30 minutes left of the film. The comedy isn’t enough to put this higher as it seems separate to whats happening in the overall story and at parts feel forced.

That being said, Drax’s conversation with Mantis about his family may be my favourite MCU scene.

◦ 12 Doctor Strange:

this has everything that a typical bland Marvel film contains. Doctor strange goes down as being one of the main MCU characters that lacks the most personality. Pair him with Mads Mikklesen wasted as the villain along with Rachel McAdams,Tilda Swinton and Chiwetel Ejiofor who also didn’t get much to do, it does lack the charisma most other Marvel films have.

However, whats elevated it is the visual effects. It’s some of the best seen in the MCU. The final show down is so inventive and original. No one has come up with a final boss battle as inventive and fun in recent cinema. With the sequel set to dives more into the psychology, i hope it goes down more of a horror path as promised.

◦ 11 Spider-Man Far From Home.

Its hard to say much about Far From Home. It’s just like Spider-Man Homecoming, just not as good. Unfortunately it doesn’t really do anything new. The twist is pretty evident and I feel will lose weight with repeat viewing.

Jake Gyllenhaal as Peter Parker’s new mentor to replace Tony Stark arguably elevates the film more here than Iron Mans role in Homecoming. Robert Downey Jr’s role felt slightly forced even if it was necessary. Including Myserio to fill that void and exploit Spider-mans weakness (his confidence without Iron Man) works really well. The final whammy only makes us want more.

◦ 10 Captain America Civil War.

This is a lot of fun, at times. The airport scene is obviously amazing, the introduction of Spider-Man and Black Panther is perfect for their characters and the entire team reflecting on the damage that they’ve done in previous films is executed well enough.

However, the story is messy as hell looking back and the pacing dips at time’s at a snails pace and then immediately speeds up again. A typical popcorn movie that starts to fall apart once you begin questioning Zemo’s plan and his actions to bring about the events of the movies.

◦ 9 Captain America Winter Solider.

A lot of people’s favourites MCU movie. Don’t get me wrong its really good, but it’s nowhere near the best. It clams to be a great spy thriller but it’s more like just another generic action film.

That being said, it’s still a good action film. Cap’ has much more to do to show he’s a badass now he’s use to good powers, Black Widow bounces off him brilliantly but falcon you can take it out leave it. The Winter Solider twist is so obvious and your five year old child could work it out

◦ 8 Spider-Man Homecoming.

The best live action Spider-Man film. It just is. Even above the lies of San Rami’s Spiderman and Spiderman 2. It took a long time but I’ve finally realised that it’s just the best. You could argue that this is the best Peter Parker film and maybe not the best Spider-Man film. The CGI at times is very distracting and is only working for me when Oeters personality shines through. Everything that works for Spider-Man stems from the personal aspect of the boy.

His relationship with Ned, Aunt May and Liz puts us right into the shoes of a teenager thats struggling with growing up. As I’ve said already, although i enjoy Iron Mans presents in the movie, it does feel slightly forced. However, nothing can beats Michael Keaton’s take on Vulture which is easily up there as the MCU’s best villain

◦ 7 Iron Man:

The very first and the very best. We had no idea the impact it would have on the shape of cinema. Yet it still holds up really well as a stand alone and one that fits into the MCU. A washed up Robert Downey Jr made the role of Iron Man his own. Still amazes me they started rolling without a completed script despite Marvel running the risk of bankruptcy if Iron Man failed at the box office.

However it’s still not perfect. Its already so set in its formula even from the first outing. It also suffers from bad MCU villain syndrome which it unfair to Jeff Bridges.

◦ 6 Avengers Endgame:

From the first to the last from Iron Man. The story is a bit far fetched, even for what is essentially a fantasy franchise by the end. As with every time travel movie, dont think about it or certain aspects of the story starts to come apart.

However, the way the Russo’s bring the entire Infinity Saga to a close is immensely satisfying. You don’t feel the 3 hours at all. The slow hour or so segment after the time jump is exactly what it needs to let the story breath before shit starts to go down.

Then follows some goosebump inducing moments that leaves you feeling like you could punch the air. Reintroducing all the characters lost at the end of infinity war, Tonys sacrifice and of course “Avengers Assemble.”

◦ 5. Black Panther.

Just like Spider-Man after his teaser inclusion in Civil War, Black Panther really shines in his own feature. The characters at built up fantastically whether it’s T’Challa and sense of pride in what his nation stands for, to the best MCU villain Killmonger and how hes counters the ways of the Black Panthers. The two play off each other brilliantly with both wanting the best for their people and country but in very different ways. Even the Wakanda is an integral part of the narrative and fits this world perfectly.

Its Shame about the entire third act. With late rewrites and not enough time to sharpen the special effects, the build up leads to a slight anti climax. The final fight contains plastic looking body suits and jerky, blurry rhinos. Its partly saved by the villians final line of being ‘Buried with his ancestors’ which really hits home his that his intentions were always for good.

◦ 4. Thor Ragnarok.

The most fun you can have with a Marvel film. Taika Waititi reboots an average/bad Thor franchise into the most vibrant, enjoyable movie that anyone can watch. It’s perfectly toned but take away the jokes and it’s still a deep take on a deeply broken part of Thor’s personality. His ego. Its beautiful towatch with the colours brillianty contradicting its previous film, literally called Thor The Dark World. Not only does Chris Hemsworth step up show some great comedic timing, Tessa Thompson’s ‘Valkyrie ‘ is a powerhouse and a superb addition. Also, Korg owns every scene hes in!

Again though the villain, Hella, is a big issue that inhibits nearly any Marvel movie. Shes ok and the added affect of being Thor’s sister does bring more to the table. Cate Blanchett seems to be having fun in her role even if her script was dry.

◦ 3. Infinity War.

Along side the first Avengers as the most ambitious superhero movie of all time. Imagine spinning 12 plates without letting one fall. Infinity war does it to near perfection. Bringing all these hero’s together in one narrative and giving all of them there deserved time in the spotlight and balancing tone, pacing, drama, humour and it does it effortlessly. All brought together by an ending that is shocking and devastating.

Focusing on Thanos as the main character is arguably the glue and his emotional arch. Its the first real time its given the villain a chance to tell their story and allow the audience to empathise with him and understand his actions and what he is sacrificing to do so. He’s not doing this for himself. He’s doing it for the greater good, at least that’s what he truly believes .

Honestly, Im trying to think of a reason how Infinity War could have been improved.

◦ 2. Avengers.

However, the first Avengers walked so Infinity War could run. At the time is was the ‘Most Ambitious Crossover.’ Never before had multiple separate films (Ironman. Thor, Incredible Hulk, Captain America) come together on screen into one single movie. It asked all the same questions infinity war did but at a time when this was uncharted waters. Scarlet Johansson spoke of how the entire franchise would fail if Avengers failed. But it was every fanboys dream.

The conflict between hero’s was real and believable and progressed every character individually. Each character had their time to shine in a dense narrative, The action, in particular the final act, is superb. The dialogue is witty and funny. A movie to unite movie lovers, comic book lover and the rest. It really should work as well as it does.

Yes it does take a while to get going but thats the effect the story was trying to take to build up to the moment when every hero comes together for that now iconic ‘Hero’s Shot’ in a circle. Still doesnt quite hit the top sport for me.

◦ 1. Guardians of the Galaxy.

Ok it’s my favourite, but it wouldn’t be at my number one if I didn’t also think it deserved to be.

I speak of this charm that is so prominent in Pixar films. This would place this on the same bracket. Normally a team up film with five separate characters coming together and each having their own origin and character development and balancing them all while having a direct narrative to tell seems like a very difficult job. Because it is. From Star Lords mother, to Gamora’s father, Rockets painful past and Drax lose of family, putting all that in yet seeming tying it all into the story keeps the pace fluid.

It’s not without its flaws. The dialogue isn’t exactly great at points and Ronin as just ok as a villain. But the pros don’t just outweighs the cons. You see them and accept them as they don’t seem you bring down the standard of the movie. Of course the best part os the soundtrack. Grounding this self proclaimed ‘Space Oprah’ with the use of 70/80s music brings the whole piece together very subtly. The older and less well known music used in a movie aimed at a younger demographic just fits so well. Within it, it tells the whole story and has all the emotional beats. A perfect piece of direction that makes it the best MCU film.