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I got Disney+ so we could revisit Hamilton. Then I somehow convinced myself it would be a good idea to watch all the Marvel Cinematic Universe films in chronological order (as the story unfolds, rather than by release date). And now, because I’m freakishly compulsive… A THREAD:
Rather underrated. The origin story (first 45 mins) is super tight, with clever little vignettes to illustrate Steve Rogers’ character. Chris Evans takes what could be a bland and bloodless role and makes it magnetic. And no expense was spared on the supporting cast.
The soundtrack is fun, young SLJ is a joy, and it’s freakin’ cool when Brie Larson goes full ‘God Mode’. But the narrative is so jumbled that it doesn’t drive forward properly. And there’s something slightly joyless at its core.
It’s funny. It’s cool. It’s got Jeff Bridges, a brilliant soundtrack (AC/DC!), and an exceptional ending. RDJ playing Tony Stark is the perfect fit between star and role. For my money, this is the best stand-alone superhero film every made.
Urgh. Why must all sequels try to be ‘darker’? Maybe poor Terrence Howard had a lucky escape here. This is plagued by silly tech, clunky exposition (some of Paul Bettany’s lines are stunningly lazy). And Tony Stark is way less likeable now.
Nothing to be ashamed of. It’s a decent superhero film. I like the way it dispenses with the origin story in the opening credits. Makes the first 30 mins really accelerate and builds an impressive amount of tension. I'd still like to see Tim Blake Nelson as the Leader!
This should be ridiculous, but it somehow manages to be silly and weighty at the same time. Perhaps it’s the gravitas of Anthony Hopkins, or the sheer tonnage of Chris Hemsworth’s charisma (and abs). Asgard looks lush. The music works. I love the ending.
An all-time great summer blockbuster, with the best screenplay of any MCU film. Starts at full speed and barely lets up for 143 minutes. A great ensemble cast. It’s just rollicking good fun from beginning to end.
Awful. An Iron Man film in which Tony Stark barely wears the suit? Voiceovers? PTSD?Glowing orange baddies? Ben Kingsley’s accent(s)? And Trevor f-ing Slattery?!? Urgh. Also… why is this set at Christmas?? It was released in May!!
Oh goodie. Another sequel opting for a ‘darker’ tone. The bad guy is literally threatening to destroy the UNIVERSE! How does this fail to get on the radar of Shield and the Avengers? And I don’t like Thor’s new greasy hairstyle either.
Oh piss off. SHIELD is actually Hydra?? That makes no sense. And 1970s scientists managed to create an all-knowing computerised Nazi out of Toby Jones’ brain and a room full of magnetic tape reels?! This film is ridiculous. The scene in the elevator was cool though.
By this point Marvel was clearly punch-drunk on its own success. With the exception of Quill, the Guardians are all objectively psychopaths. Also I’d forgotten how much space mumbo jumbo it contains. Still, I love Drax. And Baby Groot is super cute.
Was surprised to find that I enjoyed at least the first half of this one more than the original. But it takes a dive from the point at which they commit mass murder to ‘Come A Little Bit Closer’. Also, why do so many Marvel characters have major Daddy issues??
Enjoyable moments, but this ultimately feels like little more than a collection of set pieces (and some pretty ridiculous ones at that) tied together by efforts to establish the storylines of future MCU movies. Good ending though.
It’s ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids’ meets ‘Iron Man‘... but done as a heist film. So what’s not to like? It merits four hearts for the Thomas the Tank engine sequence alone.
The villain’s plan makes little sense. The whole Bucky storyline remains hard to care about. And - let’s be honest - Captain America clearly should’ve signed the Sokovia Accords. But the film is partly rescued by Tom Holland, as well as the excellent airport scene.
Admirably bonkers, visually. But there’s no novelty anymore in watching Benedict Cumberbatch play an irascible genius. Also his accent falls into the vocal equivalent of the uncanny valley.
Tom Holland is a perfect Peter Parker. That third act twist, with the always-excellent Michael Keaton, is one I really didn’t see coming. And Marisa Tomei’s final line rivals the ending of Iron Man. Plus the mini Captain America films are great.
Wakanda is a violent hereditary monarchical dictatorship. And the CGI is a bit dodgy at points. But nothing can diminish the cultural significance of this film. This one was *important*. And it’s taken on an added poignancy since Chadwick Bozeman’s untimely death.
Taika Waititi imposes his own style and sense of humour on the MCU. The result is the funniest film by far, and one of the most straightforwardly enjoyable (Led Zeppelin!). Hemsworth has good comedic chops and the cast is crammed full of other great supporting turns.
Gets off to a brisk start. Brolin’s Thanos is a toweringly good villain. The whole Dinklage bit is *awful*, but Thor’s arrival at the Battle of Wakanda partially redeems things. That ending is both harrowing and iconic. Boy does Peter Quill owe the universe an apology.
Dreadful exposition-heavy opener. Achingly unfunny script. Comparatively low-stakes plot (save Hank Pym’s wife and help a girl with chronic pain?). Plus… pointing out that you’re lazily putting “quantum“ in front of everything, doesn’t mean you’re not being lazy!
It pains me to see Hulk & Thor confined to comic relief. And Nat should've let Barton jump. The attempts at closure are mawkish, the big battle is completely over-the-top, and the ending(s) drag. But damn it if I don’t get goose bumps when Cap says “Avengers Assemble”.
That’s it. 22 films. Nearly 48 hours. I'm stopping now! I know these movies aren’t masterpieces of cinema. And I know I’ve been charitable with some of my gradings (four and five hearts are the only ones I’d really consider rewatching). It’s been fun though.
At its worst, the MCU can be violent, formulaic, and positively lousy with quips and CGI. But, at its best, it can be stunningly entertaining. Regardless, these films will shape pop culture for decades to come. As always, Honest Trailers summed it up best:
