Thread by @Lobby_Loiterer, Today I'm starting my #MarvelMadness marathon, watching through every single movie and [...]

Today I'm starting my #MarvelMadness marathon, watching through every single movie and TV series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But for the first couple weeks, I'll be going back through Marvel's pre-MCU films.

Howard the Duck (1986)

MCU

People greatly over-exaggerate the travesty of this film, but I certainly can't recommend it. There are some genuinely good effects and makeup, but the direction given to the actors only emphasizes the lameness of the script.

#MarvelMadness

Howard the Duck (1986) MCUPeople greatly over-exaggerate the travesty of this film, but I certainly can't recommend it. There are some genuinely good effects and makeup, but the direction given to the actors only emphasizes the lameness of the script. #MarvelMadness

The Punisher (1989)

MCU

This is a dumb, dumb movie, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the hell out of it. Super campy performances. Ridiculous action sequences. It feels like a TV pilot in a weird way, and I kind of wish there was more.

#MarvelMadness

The Punisher (1989) MCUThis is a dumb, dumb movie, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the hell out of it. Super campy performances. Ridiculous action sequences. It feels like a TV pilot in a weird way, and I kind of wish there was more. #MarvelMadness

Captain America (1990)

MCU

This one was rough. Salinger is completely uncharismatic in the lead, the cinematography and editing are nauseating, and the action isn't even silly enough to enjoy for the wrong reasons. Avoid this one at all costs.

#MarvelMadness

Captain America (1990) MCUThis one was rough. Salinger is completely uncharismatic in the lead, the cinematography and editing are nauseating, and the action isn't even silly enough to enjoy for the wrong reasons. Avoid this one at all costs. #MarvelMadness

Blade (1998)

MCU

I wasn't sure what to expect with this one, but it was a lot of fun. Wesley Snipes was born to play this role, and relishes in every second of it.

#MarvelMadness

Blade (1998) MCUI wasn't sure what to expect with this one, but it was a lot of fun. Wesley Snipes was born to play this role, and relishes in every second of it. #MarvelMadness

X-Men (2000)

MCU

DC has Superman as its first great film. Marvel has X-Men. While it's pretty dated now, this movie opened a lot of our eyes to the potential of comic book movies in the same way Batman did for the previous generation.

#MarvelMadness

X-Men (2000) MCUDC has Superman as its first great film. Marvel has X-Men. While it's pretty dated now, this movie opened a lot of our eyes to the potential of comic book movies in the same way Batman did for the previous generation. #MarvelMadness

Blade II (2002)

MCU

I was excited to see what they'd do with Blade in a sequel. Unfortunately the answer was "not a whole lot". It's a serviceable flick with imaginative effects, but it's missing the passion for the characters that the first film had.

#MarvelMadness

Blade II (2002) MCUI was excited to see what they'd do with Blade in a sequel. Unfortunately the answer was "not a whole lot". It's a serviceable flick with imaginative effects, but it's missing the passion for the characters that the first film had. #MarvelMadness

Spider-Man (2002)

MCU

(Yet?)

It's pretty clear somebody at some point said, "Marvel needs their Batman", because that's exactly what this movie is. And while I don't think all of it holds up, it's a shining example of how to do a superhero origin story.

#MarvelMadness

Spider-Man (2002) MCU (Yet?)It's pretty clear somebody at some point said, "Marvel needs their Batman", because that's exactly what this movie is. And while I don't think all of it holds up, it's a shining example of how to do a superhero origin story. #MarvelMadness

Daredevil (2003)

MCU

This movie's an editing nightmare with an unrelenting soundtrack of angsty hits, but I honestly enjoy it a lot. The casting is great and everyone plays off each other well. Jon Favreau and Colin Farrell look like they had a blast.

#MarvelMadness

Daredevil (2003) MCUThis movie's an editing nightmare with an unrelenting soundtrack of angsty hits, but I honestly enjoy it a lot. The casting is great and everyone plays off each other well. Jon Favreau and Colin Farrell look like they had a blast. #MarvelMadness

X2 (2003)

MCU

An excellent step up from the first film, which was already great. They took a deep dive into the politics and morals of the original comics, and balanced it well with a fitting story and incredible visuals.

#MarvelMadness

X2 (2003) MCUAn excellent step up from the first film, which was already great. They took a deep dive into the politics and morals of the original comics, and balanced it well with a fitting story and incredible visuals. #MarvelMadness

Hulk (2003)

MCU

I think this one was harder to get through than Captain America '90. Ang Lee had a vision and stuck with it, but it really doesn't work and has only become worse with age. The only positive I can say is that Sam Elliott was perfectly cast.

#MarvelMadness

Hulk (2003) MCUI think this one was harder to get through than Captain America '90. Ang Lee had a vision and stuck with it, but it really doesn't work and has only become worse with age. The only positive I can say is that Sam Elliott was perfectly cast. #MarvelMadness

The Punisher (2004)

MCU

Made by people who seem to have no idea who Castle is or what makes him interesting, it is, at the very least, not boring. Travolta is terribly miscast, and side characters were superfluous. The catalyst scene is great though.

#MarvelMadness

The Punisher (2004) MCUMade by people who seem to have no idea who Castle is or what makes him interesting, it is, at the very least, not boring. Travolta is terribly miscast, and side characters were superfluous. The catalyst scene is great though. #MarvelMadness

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

MCU?

I have far too many thoughts on this movie to share in one tweet, so here's a list of issues I have with this film. I will say that it has some incredible special effects that still hold up to this day.

https://letterboxd.com/lobbyloiterer/film/spider-man-2/1/

#MarvelMadness

Spider-Man 2 (2004) MCU?I have far too many thoughts on this movie to share in one tweet, so here's a list of issues I have with this film. I will say that it has some incredible special effects that still hold up to this day. https://letterboxd.com/lobbyloiterer/film/spider-man-2/1/ #MarvelMadness

Blade: Trinity (2004)

MCU

Uh, so this was...interesting. I'm not sure who's idea it was to bring in a bunch of white people to overshadow Blade, but it really feels like he was being pushed out of his own franchise. What a way to end a trilogy...

#MarvelMadness

Blade: Trinity (2004) MCUUh, so this was...interesting. I'm not sure who's idea it was to bring in a bunch of white people to overshadow Blade, but it really feels like he was being pushed out of his own franchise. What a way to end a trilogy... #MarvelMadness

Elektra (2005)

MCU

With another rewrite and enough time and money to actually finish the movie, this could have been considered a classic. As it stands, it's just an extremely disappointing experiment that fails to deliver.

#MarvelMadness

Elektra (2005) MCUWith another rewrite and enough time and money to actually finish the movie, this could have been considered a classic. As it stands, it's just an extremely disappointing experiment that fails to deliver. #MarvelMadness

Fantastic Four (2005)

MCU

This is the first and hopefully only film in this marathon where I had a brief notion to actually turn it off and just move on. Every single aspect of this movie, from writing to effects, is surface-level, low-effort filmmaking.

#MarvelMadness

Fantastic Four (2005) MCUThis is the first and hopefully only film in this marathon where I had a brief notion to actually turn it off and just move on. Every single aspect of this movie, from writing to effects, is surface-level, low-effort filmmaking. #MarvelMadness

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

MCU

An excellent close to an excellent trilogy. It leaves me pumped for more X-Men, and very curious as to how Marvel is going to bring them into the MCU.

#MarvelMadness

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) MCUAn excellent close to an excellent trilogy. It leaves me pumped for more X-Men, and very curious as to how Marvel is going to bring them into the MCU. #MarvelMadness

Ghost Rider (2007)

MCU

This is top-notch Nic Cage nuttiness. An absolute blast from start to finish. Gorgeous visuals matched with an unwavering spirit of fun and excitement. It's like the perfect pre-MCU comic book movie.

#MarvelMadness

Ghost Rider (2007) MCUThis is top-notch Nic Cage nuttiness. An absolute blast from start to finish. Gorgeous visuals matched with an unwavering spirit of fun and excitement. It's like the perfect pre-MCU comic book movie. #MarvelMadness

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

MCU

It still absolutely baffles me how much hate this movie gets. It's easily the deepest, most personal pre-MCU film, with excellent action sequences, a great sense of humor, and a whole lot of heart. I really, really love this film.

#MarvelMadness

Spider-Man 3 (2007) MCUIt still absolutely baffles me how much hate this movie gets. It's easily the deepest, most personal pre-MCU film, with excellent action sequences, a great sense of humor, and a whole lot of heart. I really, really love this film. #MarvelMadness

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

MCU

While it's still not great, this is a huge step up from the first installment. It takes itself a little more seriously, and the chemistry between the four is a lot stronger.

#MarvelMadness

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) MCUWhile it's still not great, this is a huge step up from the first installment. It takes itself a little more seriously, and the chemistry between the four is a lot stronger. #MarvelMadness

Iron Man (2008)

Here we go! And what a way to start the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The first Iron Man is like nothing that had come before it, heavily inspired by Batman Begins, but taking those ideas to a whole new place. I love it more every time I see it.

#MarvelMadness

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

A thoughtful, loving retry at a character that seems hard to get right in film. Norton's take on Banner works well for the story he wanted to tell, but you can tell why he didn't like the final result when the third act falls apart.

#MarvelMadness

Punisher: War Zone (2008)

MCU

I nearly didn't make it through this one. Every single aspect of this film was either misguided or just downright bad. What an absolutely miserable experience from start to finish.

#MarvelMadness

Punisher: War Zone (2008) MCUI nearly didn't make it through this one. Every single aspect of this film was either misguided or just downright bad. What an absolutely miserable experience from start to finish. #MarvelMadness

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

MCU

This is not a good film, and it retcons a lot from the original trilogy for very strange reasons, but it's not nearly as bad as I remembered. The romance plot works, and some of the action is well done. Still forgettable.

#MarvelMadness

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) MCUThis is not a good film, and it retcons a lot from the original trilogy for very strange reasons, but it's not nearly as bad as I remembered. The romance plot works, and some of the action is well done. Still forgettable. #MarvelMadness

Iron Man 2 (2010)

Not as groundbreaking as the first, but still a great sequel that delivers on the action and characters. But maybe more importantly, it serves as our first proper set-up for the universe that's being formed.

#MarvelMadness

Thor (2011)

A step in a new direction for Marvel and the #MCU, and one I really love. We get to meet Thor as well as Loki, arguably the best villain in the franchise. And we get to see Coulson in full force as he tries to understand it all.

#MarvelMadness

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