The thought arose to assemble an exceptional team, aiming to discover their potential for greatness. To find out if they could collaborate effectively in times of need. To tackle the challenges that were beyond our capabilities.
Nick Fury might be referring to the team known as the Avengers, but his comments could equally apply to the movie “The Avengers” and the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe as well.
Over the span of 15 years and numerous films, take a moment to appreciate the outcome of this concept: uniting these extraordinary individuals and discovering that indeed, they excelled beyond expectations when they collaborated, with their stories merging to create an intricate, overarching narrative.
15 years back, the idea seemed utterly absurd. A film about Iron Man? Who needs Iron Man? Starring Robert Downey Jr.? Wasn’t he battling substance abuse issues? And they were planning to make an Ant-Man movie? That would never take off.
Fifteen years have passed since Iron Man first graced our screens, and it’s undeniably clear that this movie sparked a successful franchise. A series of films followed, including The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, and The Avengers. More than six additional movies were produced afterwards, with Ant-Man eventually joining the cast. Now, we find ourselves in the heart of Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Captain America: Brave New World leading the charge. Is there a better moment to rank them all?
Following my viewings of “Brave New World” and revisiting past Marvel Cinematic Universe films, I’ve compiled a ranking that is, by no means, free from debate. This is purely based on my own opinions. Feel free to share your thoughts in a few months when we revisit this discussion for the next Marvel release.
Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best
35. Eternals
Initially, I wouldn’t have anticipated that a Marvel film, helmed by an Academy Award winner and centered around some of Jack Kirby’s most daring comics, would result in one of the company’s least indispensable productions. Regrettably, Eternals failed to coalesce effectively. It generally adheres to the fundamental principles of Kirby’s concepts with a few minor but quite perplexing alterations, such as transforming the antagonistic Deviants into unremarkable creatures devoid of purpose or objectives. The ensemble boasts commendable supporting roles from Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry; however, the two leads – Gemma Chan as Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris – grapple to convincingly portray their supposedly passionate love affair (a romance spanning 6,000 years yet appearing as though they’re on their inaugural date with palpable discomfort). The dialogue occasionally delves into intriguing ideas regarding the links among superheroes, mythology, and religion, only to forsake them repeatedly for a string of routine combat sequences involving uninspiring adversaries. It’s challenging to conceive of a more tedious film about immortal extraterrestrial automatons attempting to thwart imminent apocalypse than this one.
34. The Incredible Hulk
The film seems poorly planned and hastily produced, as if Marvel was taken aback when Iron Man became popular and quickly put this together. Casting Tim Roth as the world’s top soldier, who transforms into a large, bony beast, is a decision that Loki would find more criminal than any of his actions. (Continue reading <…>.)
33. Thor: The Dark World
Instead of nearly having Patty Jenkins’ version of Thor, we ended up with a film that’s quite gloomy, focusing on a tedious pursuit of a mystical object, one of the most uninteresting villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, if there’s a silver lining, it might be that this movie didn’t perform as poorly as expected, which could have prevented Marvel from taking risks and making drastic changes like they did with Thor: Ragnarok (read more here).
32. The Marvels
This Marvel film isn’t the most dismal in their catalog – it outranks three others after all – yet it might be the most disorderly and intense. A trio of captivating Marvel characters (Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau) are combined to thwart a Kree warlord with malevolent intentions. The actors work wonderfully in tandem, but the narrative, though concise, is confusingly chaotic and filled with peculiar decisions that make little sense.
31. Captain America: Brave New World
Incorrect setting, incorrect script. This phrase could apply to several recent underwhelming Marvel films (including The Marvels), but it fits particularly well with Captain America: Brave New World, a film that finally gives Anthony Mackie’s charming Sam Wilson his own storyline, only to burden him with a dull villain and a narrative filled with unnecessary references to The Incredible Hulk. (Were we all on the edge of our seats waiting to find out about Betty Ross, after all?)
30. Doctor Strange
In a nutshell, the movie ‘Doctor Strange’ is visually stunning, but it seems to be just an upgraded version of ‘Iron Man’ with a touch of magic. The good: the smart ending featuring Dormammu. The bad: the strange (pun intended) cape design. For a more detailed review, check it out [here](…).
The movie Doctor Strange is full of amazing visual effects, but it feels like it’s just Iron Man with magic instead of tech. On the plus side, I liked the clever ending with Dormammu. However, the cape design was a bit too wacky for my taste. For more thoughts on this, read [here](…).
29. Iron Man 2
Despite being better than you might recall, it’s still not exceptional. Sam Rockwell’s dancing skills can conceal many flaws, but not all of them. If 15 minutes of the setup from Avengers are removed, this could potentially become something quite compelling. (Continue reading here.)
28. Ant-Man
Ant-Man isn’t poor quality, but it feels like a scaled-down version of what Edgar Wright’s film could have been. Despite this, Michael Peña as Luis might be the finest non-superpowered character in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Read more here.)
27. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
In a battle between Ant-Man and Kang the Conqueror, even Kang himself, played by Jonathan Majors, acknowledges that Scott Lang is out of his depth. This seemingly lopsided conflict mirrors the film itself: The quaint, low-stakes universe of the Ant-Man series, known for its clever humor and lovable human characters, can’t hold a candle to the grand multiversal saga unfolding in Marvel Phase 5. As a Marvel blockbuster, it delivers satisfactorily. However, as an extension of the Ant-Man storyline, it falls short. Sadly, if you were expecting to see Michael Peña’s character Luis in this installment, you will be disappointed, as he is absent from the film entirely.
26. Ant-Man and the Wasp
The movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp” shines brightest when it emphasizes its diminutive aspects, featuring Paul Rudd’s witty banter with his fellow actors, Michael Pena’s captivating monologues, and a heartwarming, intimate story about a fractured family working to mend their bonds. (Read more
25. Captain Marvel
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers character is arguably the most powerful hero; however, her film could have used a bit more emotional impact. Despite this, it remains engaging thanks to two standout performances: Ben Mendelsohn as the cunning Skrull Talos, and Samuel L. Jackson (alongside impressive de-aging visual effects) portraying the younger Nick Fury. For further details, check out the article [here].
24. Black Widow
2021 saw Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited solo outing from the Avengers, where she predominantly served as the straight man in a group of witty Russian superheroes. This included David Harbour’s self-absorbed Red Guardian and Florence Pugh’s captivating Yelena. As a result, the film Black Widow, while still an entertaining Marvel production with impressive stunts and an intriguing villain (Taskmaster), didn’t quite provide the fitting farewell the character might have deserved. Nonetheless, it remains another successful addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
23. Thor: Love and Thunder
Experiencing Taika Waititi’s second Thor film, “Thor: Love and Thunder,” can feel somewhat like witnessing a magician performing the same trick twice. The initial performance left you awestruck. However, while the second performance is still captivating, it lacks the shock value of the first one. Christian Bale delivers a chilling portrayal of Gorr the God-Butcher, yet his intense and emotional villain persona doesn’t quite harmonize with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and his constant wit. Essentially, “Thor: Love and Thunder” retains all the key ingredients as Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” but they don’t blend together as smoothly this time around.
22. Deadpool & Wolverine
In this film, the dynamic between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman is exactly what you’d expect – it’s fantastic! The cameos are unexpected, even shocking. However, the story pushes the limits of how much information a movie can deliver without making much sense. It seems like each character has an excessive amount of tragic backstory – at least two in this case! If you can manage not to think too deeply about what’s happening onscreen for even a moment, you’ll have a fairly enjoyable experience. Jackman and Reynolds certainly deliver as Deadpool and Wolverine, reluctantly teaming up to save the Fox X-Men universe. You might find yourself wishing that the writers (including Reynolds himself) had managed the storyline a bit more effectively.
21. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The alternate version of “Iron Man 2” you may have forgotten is not as good as you think, but it’s still watchable. The advertising emphasized the conspiracy thriller aspect too much, but Anthony Mackie as Falcon was an excellent new character for the series, and Chris Evans remains a solid Captain America. However, I can’t help but be annoyed that Nick Fury, the world’s greatest spy, didn’t realize that everyone in SHIELD except him and his two friends were completely corrupt. Come on, Nick! Wake up! (Read more [here](url).)
20. Avengers: Infinity War
This film is grand in scale and ambition, with an ending that’s truly memorable. However, there seems to be a certain element lacking. If you’re primarily seeking non-stop action and witty remarks, then this movie certainly delivers. But if you appreciate the characters, their relationships, and the more peaceful moments amidst the battles, you might find this film falls short of your expectations. (For additional insights, read more here.)
19. Iron Man 3
The film was quite enjoyable, yet its quality was somewhat diminished by the surrounding Marvel Cinematic Universe. The storyline culminates in Tony Stark retiring from his Iron Man life and leaving for good. However, that decision didn’t seem to stick as he appeared in six more movies afterwards. While Guy Pearce’s character, Killian, fell short of expectations, Robert Downey Jr.’s frustrated interplay with a clever child was top-notch. (Continue reading here.)
The film was generally good, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe took away some of its luster. The movie reached a climax when Tony Stark decided to give up his Iron Man persona and ride off into the sunset. Unfortunately, this decision didn’t seem permanent as he went on to appear in six more films. Guy Pearce’s character was underwhelming, but Robert Downey Jr.’s interactions with a precocious youngster were excellent. (Continue reading here.)
18. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Initially, let me clarify: The climactic scene, filled with dragons and monsters clashing amidst thick gray fog, is a chaotic CGI disaster. However, prior to this point, Shang-Chi could potentially be Marvel’s finest action film, boasting numerous intense and intricate fight sequences. (The bus fight scene in San Francisco is particularly enjoyable.) Simu Liu heads an impressively deep Marvel cast, with Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh delivering captivating supporting roles, while Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina consistently provide comic relief, with the latter’s character, Kinglsey as former Mandarin Trevor Slattery, transforming from a less popular Marvel villain into an endearing secondary character.
17. Thor
In an unexpected twist, a sweeping, universe-encompassing tale primarily unfolds within the modest borders of New Mexico’s tiniest town. Despite its flaws, “Thor” stands out among Marvel movies as one where exceptional acting and captivating performances managed to surmount structural and script problems, a trait that later became a hallmark of the Marvel series. (Continue reading
16. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Ryan Coogler encountered an incredibly tough task with “Wakanda Forever”: Apart from creating a sequel that met the high standards set by the original “Black Panther”, he had to do it without Chadwick Boseman, who tragically passed away during the summer of 2020, just as production was about to begin. The film shines brightest when it incorporates the sadness felt by Coogler and the cast over Boseman’s death into the narrative of Wakanda grappling with the loss of its ruler. Unfortunately, the remainder of the movie is somewhat disjointed; a blend of intriguing concepts, numerous characters, and an adversary, King Namor, whose motives are somewhat unclear.
15. Captain America: Civil War
The plot of the film doesn’t withstand any amount of examination, and it appears that the entire movie is constructed to culminate in the epic showdown between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers at the airport. To put it simply: Wow, the massive battle at the airport is incredibly awesome! (Continue reading here.)
14. Spider-Man: No Way Home
In Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man movie, its quality is similar to Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man film. Interestingly, both films are packed with numerous villains. On the bright side, this film successfully portrays and emphasizes the charm of Peter Parker as a character, who despite frequent failures, consistently strives for improvement. Additionally, it introduces the concept of the multiverse into MCU films in an impressive manner, making a significant mark in the ongoing storyline.
Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man film shares comparable quality with Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man movie. Both movies are loaded with multiple villains. On the positive note, this film effectively showcases and highlights the allure of Peter Parker as a character, a person who consistently falls short but persistently aims to rectify his mistakes in the future. The movie also introduces the multiverse into MCU films in a grand fashion, serving as a notable milestone in the saga’s progression.
13. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Following a 15-year hiatus, director Sam Raimi re-entered the Marvel universe with an exhilaratingly bizarre tale that hangs in the balance of the multiverse’s destiny. Similar to his previous Spider-Man films, Raimi cleverly incorporated his unique style and motifs – witty humor, maniacal zombies, shocking surprises – into the conventional Marvel mold. (For further details, click here.)
12. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Despite some criticisms about its lower quality compared to the first Avengers film and the confusing Wanda and Pietro storyline, I remain baffled by the intense dislike for this movie due to its climactic scene where the Avengers unite to save every life in Sokovia, a quintessential Marvel moment. (Continue reading… )
11. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2
Both versions aim to convey the same message in a slightly different manner while maintaining readability and natural language flow.
10. Thor: Ragnarok
9. Spider-Man: Far From Home
In the second Spidey movie by Marvel, starring Tom Holland as the incredible Spider-Man, the film is slightly less impressive than its predecessor yet still offers a blend of romance, action, humor, and emotion. The phrase “with great power comes great responsibility” may not be uttered, but “Spider-Man: Far From Home” explores this theme just as profoundly as any Spider-Man film has before. Peter Parker, portrayed by Holland, finds himself caught between his romantic feelings towards MJ (a witty and humorous Zendaya) and the instructions from Nick Fury (a humorously irritated Samuel L. Jackson) to combat a group of elemental threats.
8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I can wholeheartedly say that James Gunn has masterfully concluded his Guardians trilogy with a film that strikes the perfect Marvel chord – a harmonious blend of thrilling action sequences, whimsical sci-fi visuals, and deeply emotional characters we grow incredibly attached to. By the end of Vol. 3, Rocket Raccoon transforms from a Marvel B-lister into one of the most intriguing and poignant heroes in their roster. After a series of underwhelming films, Gunn effortlessly demonstrates his skill. It’s a shame he’s moving on to DC now.
7. Avengers: Endgame
A significant leap forward from “Infinity War” and arguably one of the finest Avengers films, boasting grand action sequences, hearty chuckles, and potentially a record-breaking number of Easter eggs for any movie within the vast scope of any cinematic universe. (For more details, see here.)
6. Spider-Man: Homecoming
Among the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most captivating films, it boasts compelling characters, thrilling Spider-Man sequences, and an unexpected street vendor requesting a flip from Spider-Man (which he performs). Aren’t you hooked?!? (Continue reading here.)
5. Guardians of the Galaxy
As we reach the midpoint of the Marvel Cinematic Universe journey, I can’t help but reflect on how the first Guardians movie played a significant role in Marvel’s evolution. It demonstrated that their brand was robust enough to draw audiences to lesser-known properties. Before James Gunn took the helm, the Guardians were merely a footnote; however, he transformed them into an unexpected blockbuster hit. And let me just say, there’s no debate about it – Rocket is undeniably the best Guardian. So, let’s not waste time arguing, just accept this as an indisputable fact. (Read more here.)
4. Captain America: The First Avenger
Despite some issues with its narrative structure, as it condenses an entire war into a montage, Captain America portrayed by Chris Evans stands out as the most effective character adaptation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This film transformed a hero often criticized for being dull or outdated into a dynamic, endearing, multi-dimensional figure embodied by human values. A perfect choice to watch when seeking inspiration. [Read more here.]
3. Black Panther
In contrast to many Marvel films that strive for deep connections within a vast universe, Black Panther benefits from a more secluded approach. The film’s finale, where Black Panther decides to share Wakanda with the world, is intended as a joyous resolution. However, if this decision means future installments will be spread thin and packed with numerous guest appearances, it might not be so delightful after all. (Read more here.)
2. The Avengers
Despite the events in “Infinity War”, the initial “Avengers” movie remains an astonishing feat. Each character is finely tuned, the dialogue flows smoothly, and the climactic Battle of New York is undeniably one of the most impressive action sequences from this century. (Read more here.)
1. Iron Man
Initially, the movie stood alone without being surpassed by any other film. Reflecting on it now, its freedom from ties to a broader universe significantly improved its quality. The scenes featuring Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark testing his suit and subsequently flying for the first time more effectively conveyed the exhilaration of superpowers than any movie ever produced, be it by Marvel Studios or another production company. (Read more here.)
What One Man Learned Reading All 27,000 Marvel Comics
1. You Should NOT Try To Read Them All In Order
2. Reading Digitally Is A Different Experience Than the Original Comics
Decades past, it was challenging to savor Marvel comics from yesteryears without locating the original copies, many being scarce or exorbitantly priced. Nowadays, enthusiasts are fortunate enough to enjoy numerous classic titles in compiled editions or via digital platforms like Marvel Unlimited. However, as observed by Wolk in ‘All of the Marvels’, the pleasure derived from these reprints may not mirror that of the original issues. The reprints often omit letter columns and Marvel’s monthly ‘Bullpen Bulletins’ page. Additionally, the artwork is frequently recolored, sometimes significantly deviating from the creators’ original vision.
Wolk acknowledges, ‘The tactile sensation, holding the object in your hands, experiencing the texture of the pulp paper, viewing the off-register printing – that element is priceless to the experience.’ Yet, he asserts that if you can’t obtain or afford the vintage issues, digital versions are an acceptable alternative. ‘If the means to consume the core story – the narrative itself – is through a screen, albeit devoid of the additional elements, you’re still obtaining the tale,’ Wolk reasons. ‘The privilege of accessing the main content, the story, far outweighs what one might miss and not having all the extra features surrounding the medium.’
3. Some Marvel Comics Are Hard to Find — And a Couple Are Lost Forever
The Marvel Unlimited app grants access to numerous comics, yet it does not encompass everything Marvel has ever produced. Some older titles have slipped through the gaps, even digital reprints and trade paperbacks. For instance, certain comics created for America Online during its peak have become scarce on the internet.
In his endeavor to read every single Marvel comic, Wolk found some of the most elusive issues were promotional comics made for corporations. These include a rare edition of Fantastic Four exclusively for Target stores and an unusual Iron Man issue produced as a promotion for a drone manufacturer.
Wolk comments on Iron Man: Remote Possibilities #1, stating, “This Iron Man story features drones while the military-industrial complex is being addressed in Iron Man comics around the same time. Interestingly, this promotional comic portrays Iron Man using a drone for combat purposes, yet it’s marketed as a toy. It’s intriguing to observe such a connection.
4. Romance Comics Had An Enormous Influence on the Marvel Universe
Before Marvel Comics introduced their Silver Age superheroes, they published numerous romance comics such as “Millie the Model” and “Patsy Walker”. Although the genre faded out by the late 1970s and very few were reprinted, it left a lasting impact on Marvel. According to Wolk, these romance comics played a significant role in shaping the unique formula that defines Marvel Comics today.
In his words, “Superhero comics assimilated [romance comics], much like they absorbed monster comics, western comics, and war comics. They all became integral parts of these stories, contributing to this grand superhero narrative.” As evidence, consider the transformation of “The Amazing Spider-Man” after John Romita Sr., a former romance comics artist, began illustrating the series. Peter Parker’s character evolved from being a nerdy scientist to a handsome man.
5. No Comic, No Matter How Silly, Is Completely Worthless
Engaging with Douglas Wolk about “All of the Marvels” is delightful because he can discuss any Marvel title, no matter how unconventional or humorous. For instance, I’ve had a long-standing curiosity for a brief series named “NFL SuperPro,” which follows the life of a former NFL star turned superhero who dons football gear to combat crime. I dared him to find any merit in “NFL SuperPro” – and he certainly delivered.
Here’s his response: “Even poor quality comics are captivating as cultural artifacts,” he said. “Issue 0 of ‘NFL SuperPro’ features a satire of the mythopoetic men’s movement from the early ’90s. There’s a scene where a group of men, dressed in togas and gathered around a fire, are led by someone encouraging them to celebrate their maleness and connect with their inner superhero. The guys, sitting hand-in-hand, are all thinking, ‘This is so ridiculous.’ You won’t find a scene about the mythopoetic men’s movement in ‘X-Men.’ It will be in a lesser-known series like ‘NFL SuperPro.’ And it’s fantastic for that.
6. You Can Learn A Lot About Our History By Reading Comics
Upon completion of his monumental task, Wolk departed with a refreshed understanding of comics’ power to immortalize fleeting moments in history. He found the experience enlightening, stating, ‘Exploring them was like a secret door to uncovering historical truths.’
He delved deeper, discovering how these comic books mirrored the times they were created in, intentionally or otherwise. Reflecting on the evolution of societal fears, hopes, reliance, and aspirations through this medium was captivating.
What intrigued him most was the central role of science and knowledge in shaping the Marvel narrative. Although initially leading to ominous developments, this theme of exploring the unknown profoundly influenced the storyline and mirrored societal shifts over the past six decades – a transformation that our world has experienced but to a lesser extent. Science, learning, and discovery have been the driving forces behind cultural evolution in the last 60 years, reshaping our world significantly.
Read More
- Can RX 580 GPU run Spider-Man 2? We have some good news for you
- Space Marine 2 Datavault Update with N 15 error, stutter, launching issues and more. Players are not happy
- FARTCOIN PREDICTION. FARTCOIN cryptocurrency
- Persona Players Unite: Good Luck on Your Journey to the End!
- Streamer Life Simulator 2 (SLS2) console (PS5, PS4, Xbox, Switch) release explained
- Pacific Drive: Does Leftover Gas Really Affect Your Electric Setup?
- DAG PREDICTION. DAG cryptocurrency
- Record Breaking Bitcoin Surge: Options Frenzy Fuels 6-Month Volatility High
- New Mass Effect Jack And Legion Collectibles Are On The Way From Dark Horse
- „I want to give the developer €30 because it damn slaps.” Baldur’s Gate 3 creator hopes Steam adds tipping feature for beloved devs
2025-02-12 20:28