Also Keep in mind - there are some spoilers in the movie rankings below.
Without further ado, something I've wanted to do for ages - rank them all!
UPDATED JAN 28, 2022
27. The Incredible Hulk
This one suffers from a feeling of disconnect from the rest of the MCU, mainly because of the woeful miscasting of Ed Norton who we never see again. Mr. Norton is a phenomenal actor, he is NOT Bruce Banner in any way shape or form. Rumor is that he took over on the set and basically directed and wrote it as filming went along - judging by the final product, I believe it.
The plot in this one is only slightly less muddled than the very problematic Ang Lee film "Hulk", but the pacing and the characters at least are much more sharply defined and clear. It does sort of shit the bed at the end, though not nearly as spectacularly as Lee's version.
I'm sort of glad that this movie is not an origin story, but another part of me wishes they had done it correctly from the get go, an expertly done story of the beginning of the Hulk would have been something to see.
26. Iron Man 2
This one is a mess and doesn't have but a handful of action set pieces, the last one being a dissapointing gobbledygook of a different Rodes flying around somewhat at random. Weak sauce.
The good news - IM2 does bring us Scar Jo's Black Widow. The bad news, and I know this seems like a nitpick, but I can't seem to get over it - she has ridiculously long and curly hair. Black Widow would NEVER have such a ridiculous coif. "Hey you baddies, need something to grab? I know I don't have a silly cape, I'm in a skin tight catsuit for stealth and quickness - but how about you just grab on to this here 'do? Go on, grab it!"
Absurd.
Mickey Rourke is criminally underused and a lousy villain who turns out to be not much of a threat at all. Pointless.
All the same, held up against previous super hero movies pre-MCU, this one beats almost all of them still.
25. Thor
Yes, I'm going to catch flack for this one; I rank it way lower than most Marvel movie lovers. I'm sorry, Thor is just boring. He was boring in the comics and he's boring here.
Some fun stuff on earth with the whole fish out of water thing, and Natalie Portman is fantastic, but the entire time we are in Asgard I just want to curl up and go to sleep.
24. Eternals
Didn't write a full review of this one - but just because I didn't, and just because this one is ranked near the bottom of this list - doesn't mean I didn't like it. I did like it, a lot. I just didn't LOVE it like so many others on this list.
What I enjoyed the most - was the big question philosophical stuff. This movie is about God and our perception of God and the consequences and questions that arise when we go against God. Heady material for sure, and quite unlike any other MCU movie.
I was also greatly relieved that there really wasn't much, if any, "woke" preachiness to be found. Yes, there was a gay couple, but that didn't really factor into much of anything, other than ticking a box - which is fine by me. Don't care. The bigger point is that the relationship was centered around one of the Eternals and it was his family that he loved. Cool. Whatever.
Save for this one virtue signal, there wasn't really any other finger wagging in the story, which overall was interesting enough to hold my attention.
It is a tough order for audiences to care for characters that we've never heard of - and although the Eternals are no small part of Jack Kirby's legacy, I have to confess that even this fairly serious comic book reader as a kid and teenager, had never heard of any of them. Still, I did find myself invested enough.
Like all MCU movies, this one is VERY dense. I've seen it twice, and I do want to see it again, just so I can absorb more details and plot points. Whether you are an MCU fan or not, I think there's a lot here to chew on, and I can recommend it fairly confidently.
23. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings
So I never got around to writing a full review of this one, and you're probably assuming I hated it because it's ranked so low.
Actually, I liked it a whole heck of a lot - and I loved the first half of this movie. It has two monstrously strong action sequences. The stronger of the two is the bus fight, which is one of my all time favorite MCU action set pieces.
I also really like the cast and the characters and the acting. The lead is a little milquetoast but that's ok, his sidekick Aquafina is fantastic and brings all the heart and humor that we need and expect from the MCU.
The villain, whoever he is, is a tremendous actor and brings the entire film up to a higher level which helps a lot with the mediocre story and the unimpressive final act.
Yes, that final act is what really disappoints with this one. It just devolves into a giant CG battle, and it's hampered by Aquafina's sudden expert marksmanship which feels really out of left field and unearned.
I feel that there was a much better way to do this, rather than have the battle take place the next day after Shin and Aqua arrive, why not have it a year or two later? Time could pass differently in that realm or something. If you're going to have last minute heroics from a non super-hero character, make it at least plausible.
In any case, that's my one disappointment - the final act, but there was tons to love before that and I am excited about a sequel and/or Shin's/Aqua's integration into the MCU
21. Thor: The Dark World
Like this one a lot more than the first Thor, and rank it much better than most MCU critics who typically put this one squarely at the bottom of the list.
Natalie Portman makes this movie for me - her scenes, with Thor and with her friend, are a hoot.
The Dark Elves are kind of 'meh' in a DCU sort of way - the Ether is a lame McGuffin, but it still works I guess and most of the rest of the movie is a lot of fun, especially Loki who is as intriguing as ever. Thank goodness we spend a good deal of time not in Asgard.
20. Captain America: The First Avenger
My dear friend Allen will want to choke me out for ranking this one so low - but as I said, from this point on I love all of these films - and I truly do love this one.
My favorite stuff is Steve Rogers pre-super serum, Peggy Carter who is a magnificent choice for Cap's 'girl' and Cap in the USO shows. Fantastic.
Less impressive to me is the convoluted Howling Commando sequences, the thoroughly unconvincing death of Bucky (doesn't help that I know the comics so well) and Red Skull who is as much of a mustache twirler as has ever been in the MCU.
I do love the ending - it's emotional and powerful.
19. Iron Man 3
Lots of hate out there for this one in the internet nerd world - mostly because of the twist on the Mandarin character. I for one think this is a brilliant choice and I love it! There's also lots of other stuff to love here - Pepper Potts is great for once, love when she is in the suit (that whole sequence is awesome) and she makes a great damsel who is not too much in distress.
Love the idea of Stark having to pay for the sins of his past. Love the kid and the sub-plot with him. Thoroughly enjoy Tony attacking the compound sans Iron suit. And of course the airplane sequence is spectacular.
Not so crazy about the final action sequence - it does have some fun moments, but it's also quite a bit confusing and frantic, and I simply don't buy that Tony is destroying all his suits and all his work. It's silly and seems like lip service to Pepper, which as we find out, it totally is.
18. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Crazy to me that this one ranks so low. Nerds on the internet were disappointed, I really wasn't, it's just that from here on out the MCU movies are so SO GOOD, that this one has to go somewhere. It is the last solid "B" on my list, after this, they are B+ and up.
I love the party scene before Ultron shows up - MCU character exploration at it's best,
I love Paul Bettany's Vision, in the brief screen time he gets, he is about as perfect as the character as I could ever have hoped. The shot of him saving Wanda is just sublime.
The entire Sakovia sequence has some of the best action gags ever done in a Marvel movie. Joss knows his geography when shooting action and it shows. Just awesome awesome stuff.
The glaring exception is the death of Quicksilver. I love the story choice, I hate the execution. He gets shot, really? Very sloppy and not believable.
Again, Tony is quitting. Lame. We all know he's not. Not emotionally resonant at all. That ending line from Steve Rogers though, or rather partial line, pretty dang cool.
17. Guardians of the Galaxy 2
I love this movie - it is a spectacular character study, giving each member of the Guardians (and a new one) an emotional journey to undertake in which they all grow and change. Very unexpected and very daring, but James Gunn pulls it off.
We know we are in for something different when the entire opening action sequence is thrown out of focus right away and put in the background while we watch little baby Groot dancing around happily. Good stuff.
Love the Ravagers raiding the Milano in the woods. Thoroughly enjoyed Yandu's revenge on his old crew, gruesome as it was. Gamora and Nebula have the best scene when they finally break down and recognize that they are stuck with each other. Really great.
Less impressive was Ego's story line, I mean I get it - it does work, but it also seems rather abrupt, Ego all the sudden mean and nasty. Seems like he would've been more sly about hooking into Quill, but I give it a pass to a point because the final action sequence is so awesome.
Love baby Groot and Rocket teaching him how to set off the bomb timer - hate that it was spoiled in the trailer.
Love Yondu's Mary Poppin's line because it works on so many levels. Yeah, Mary Poppins is pretty damn cool, she really is! It's a self aware, fourth wall breaking moment that just makes the Disney / Marvel fan in me want to stand up and cheer!
Yondu's death is emotional and effecting, but not perfect. I wish we had a longer flashback when Quill is reflecting on what matters before he does away with Ego; that for me is one of the most spine tingling moments, to see Peter with Yondu as a kid, to see him flying with Rocket, to see his mom - ugh! I wanted more!
16. Captain Marvel
It kind of sucks that there was so much internet bullshit surrounding this one - both from in-cel neckbeards and from misguided conservatives who brought all of their emotional and political baggage to this very straightforward cosmic adventure that features a fantastic Brie Larson as the modern incarnation of Carol Danvers in the incarnation that many of us know and love from a relatively recent comic book run written and drawn by Kelly Sue DeConnick.
Truly, it is a rip roaring, and sometimes heartstring pulling yarn about our favorite Air Force captain - this time around she has amnesia - which isn't my favorite story telling device, but it works here because most of the audience isn't familiar with who she is either, and so it's an effective way for all of us (including Carol) to get to know her.
As for the internet nonsense - I really don't get it. Life is political enough, I don't need to inject politics into a movie where it doesn't really exist; and that's what I think is going on here. Look, I get it, in real life Brie Larson is a political ding-dong. So what? That doesn't mean the movie has one of her idiotic political agendas, or that the character of Captain Marvel is a 'Mary Sue' (the dumbest concept from the right as of late). Captain Marvel is a fun movie that moves right along and does a great job at straddling the line between earth bound adventure and the Marvel cosmic scene.
I love the young Sam Jackson (amazing) and his chemistry with Brie just crackles - in a totally plutonic way that works. Love Jude Law as the sniveling Kree, and it's great to see him finally dealt with properly at the end. And of course I love Ben Mendelsohn as Talos who brings the funny to his misunderstood Skrull character.
15. Ant-Man
A tremendous caper movie that also happens to have eye popping special effects and a healthy dose of the best kind of humor. Who knew that a thoroughly outstanding Ant-Man Movie of all things would be in our lives? It is truly a great time to be a super hero fan!
Love Hope Van Dyne. Love Scott's first round with the suit. The visuals are simply awesome.
Love Michael Pena's overdubbed stories from the hood. So damn funny.
Michael Douglas rocks. Young Michael Douglas, HOW did they do that? Awesome.
Best of all, the entire third act and ending are simply amazing. The movie drags just a bit in the middle, but man does it finish strong. This is something that all the MCU movies have in common from here on out, they all pretty much stick the landing - which we all know is one of the toughest things to do on the movie screen.
14. Iron Man
Probably will be ranked higher by most. I loved this when it came out, it was my favorite super hero movie of all times by a lot - (Dark Knight and Raimi's Spider Man 2 were the closest but all others fell far behind) - and I'm super impressed that 9 other movies since are even better.
The first act is about as perfect as it gets though, Tony's struggle in the cave, culminating in his escape is a sequence I could watch over and over again. Actually, I have.
Working on and perfecting the suit once he's back home is also great. Lots of opportunities for what would become and MCU staple - humor done broad but plausible.
My favorite scene by far is when Tony goes back to the Middle East and dispatches the terrorists. Just awesome.
Like this Brody a lot, a shame Terrance Howard was such a tool in real life. He's great in the role.
Less appealing to me is Jeff Bridges villain, very predictable, and the third act alas is not as strong as the rest of the story. Still, it is not a shitting of the bed by any means.
This one will always be a classic, because it was the one that was done first - and paved the way for all the awesomeness that was to follow.
13. Spider-Man: Far From Home
This one is a blast and a half! Not quite as strong as the first MCU Spider-Man installment, FFH still manages to bring the excitement and freshness only as the MCU can.
Jake Gyllenhaal is truly the very best choice for the very best until-now unused villain in the Marvel pantheon - Mysterio! Everything here works; from the faithful costume design (which works perfectly as a 'manufactured' costume to mock) to Mysterio's half-cocked scheme that he executes perfectly as he transforms from a nice guy who you want to have a beer into a snake who is incredibly dangerous.
Love the relationships here - Ned and the blonde chick are hilarious! "Thanks babe!" And Peter and MJ, the whole thing works really well - better than it did in Homecoming.
Love the location work, it gives the movie a much bigger epic feel than the story warrants.
The best stuff is with Happy and Peter on the jet, and the climactic fight is a "marvel" (see what I did there) in visual FX and editing. Beautifully done! Can't wait to see how they deal with the shocking reveal in the mid-credits tag! Great to see JK though!
1. Avengers: Endgame
Well this may change in the future - but as of right now Avengers: Endgame is for sure my absolute favorite MCU entry. It is the culmination and the payoff for over a decades worth of movies - and boy does it deliver!
Be sure to read my entire review - HERE, to learn why I love it so so much!!!
Well, there it is, how I see and rank the MCU. I imagine this list will keep changing for the rest of my life, as Disney I'm sure has no plans to stop cranking these movies out anytime soon!
22 Black Panther
Of all the rankings here, I know this one will be the most controversial. People LOVE this movie. One of the biggest reactions by the audience when I saw Infinity War on opening night was when we arrived in Wakanda. I too absolutley love this movie, I just happen to love it a little less than the ones ranked above it.
One of the movie's biggest drawbacks for me is the lack of action - there are only two big sequences. Granted, they are both excellent, especially the first one in Korea. Very very cool with Tchalla's virtual driving sister and the Kingsguard lady kicking ass with her Vibranium spear. But I really wish we had more. The middle of the film drags a bit.
The movie's greatest strength is for sure it's emotional power - seeing a prospering African country is very moving. When the King is "killed" it is a heartbreaking sequence. It all works.
I also especially love Michael B. Jordon, up until Infinity War he was easily the best MCU villain of all time. He is outstanding in every way.
My favorite scene in the entire movie is when Killmonger visits his late father and it's in the old Oakland apartment. Powerful stuff.
The final battle between T'Challa and Killmonger on the railway is okay, not fantastic. Killmonger's death is done beautifully though.
As for the films politics, they are not why this falls lower on my list. I truthfully didn't see what some of my conservative friends saw - if anything the movie preached mostly conservative values. Personal responsibility first and foremost. It was also a celebration of masculinity, the King was indeed just that, a very strong and bold leader. It also presented women as strong, but in a different way. When T'Challa decides it's time to give back, he's not giving anything away - he's setting up programs for people to work and earn a better life for themselves. I enjoyed it all very much.
That said, I could've done with a bit more action and trimming of the dialogue. There was a lot of talking in this one. While T'Challa's death was staged very well and was very powerful, his return seemed clumsy and almost an afterthought. The two women and the white dude wander into the snow tribe and whoops, there he is! Okay.
Of all the rankings here, I know this one will be the most controversial. People LOVE this movie. One of the biggest reactions by the audience when I saw Infinity War on opening night was when we arrived in Wakanda. I too absolutley love this movie, I just happen to love it a little less than the ones ranked above it.
One of the movie's biggest drawbacks for me is the lack of action - there are only two big sequences. Granted, they are both excellent, especially the first one in Korea. Very very cool with Tchalla's virtual driving sister and the Kingsguard lady kicking ass with her Vibranium spear. But I really wish we had more. The middle of the film drags a bit.
The movie's greatest strength is for sure it's emotional power - seeing a prospering African country is very moving. When the King is "killed" it is a heartbreaking sequence. It all works.
I also especially love Michael B. Jordon, up until Infinity War he was easily the best MCU villain of all time. He is outstanding in every way.
My favorite scene in the entire movie is when Killmonger visits his late father and it's in the old Oakland apartment. Powerful stuff.
The final battle between T'Challa and Killmonger on the railway is okay, not fantastic. Killmonger's death is done beautifully though.
As for the films politics, they are not why this falls lower on my list. I truthfully didn't see what some of my conservative friends saw - if anything the movie preached mostly conservative values. Personal responsibility first and foremost. It was also a celebration of masculinity, the King was indeed just that, a very strong and bold leader. It also presented women as strong, but in a different way. When T'Challa decides it's time to give back, he's not giving anything away - he's setting up programs for people to work and earn a better life for themselves. I enjoyed it all very much.
That said, I could've done with a bit more action and trimming of the dialogue. There was a lot of talking in this one. While T'Challa's death was staged very well and was very powerful, his return seemed clumsy and almost an afterthought. The two women and the white dude wander into the snow tribe and whoops, there he is! Okay.
21. Thor: The Dark World
Like this one a lot more than the first Thor, and rank it much better than most MCU critics who typically put this one squarely at the bottom of the list.
Natalie Portman makes this movie for me - her scenes, with Thor and with her friend, are a hoot.
The Dark Elves are kind of 'meh' in a DCU sort of way - the Ether is a lame McGuffin, but it still works I guess and most of the rest of the movie is a lot of fun, especially Loki who is as intriguing as ever. Thank goodness we spend a good deal of time not in Asgard.
20. Captain America: The First Avenger
My dear friend Allen will want to choke me out for ranking this one so low - but as I said, from this point on I love all of these films - and I truly do love this one.
My favorite stuff is Steve Rogers pre-super serum, Peggy Carter who is a magnificent choice for Cap's 'girl' and Cap in the USO shows. Fantastic.
Less impressive to me is the convoluted Howling Commando sequences, the thoroughly unconvincing death of Bucky (doesn't help that I know the comics so well) and Red Skull who is as much of a mustache twirler as has ever been in the MCU.
I do love the ending - it's emotional and powerful.
19. Iron Man 3
Lots of hate out there for this one in the internet nerd world - mostly because of the twist on the Mandarin character. I for one think this is a brilliant choice and I love it! There's also lots of other stuff to love here - Pepper Potts is great for once, love when she is in the suit (that whole sequence is awesome) and she makes a great damsel who is not too much in distress.
Love the idea of Stark having to pay for the sins of his past. Love the kid and the sub-plot with him. Thoroughly enjoy Tony attacking the compound sans Iron suit. And of course the airplane sequence is spectacular.
Not so crazy about the final action sequence - it does have some fun moments, but it's also quite a bit confusing and frantic, and I simply don't buy that Tony is destroying all his suits and all his work. It's silly and seems like lip service to Pepper, which as we find out, it totally is.
18. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Crazy to me that this one ranks so low. Nerds on the internet were disappointed, I really wasn't, it's just that from here on out the MCU movies are so SO GOOD, that this one has to go somewhere. It is the last solid "B" on my list, after this, they are B+ and up.
I love the party scene before Ultron shows up - MCU character exploration at it's best,
I love Paul Bettany's Vision, in the brief screen time he gets, he is about as perfect as the character as I could ever have hoped. The shot of him saving Wanda is just sublime.
The entire Sakovia sequence has some of the best action gags ever done in a Marvel movie. Joss knows his geography when shooting action and it shows. Just awesome awesome stuff.
The glaring exception is the death of Quicksilver. I love the story choice, I hate the execution. He gets shot, really? Very sloppy and not believable.
Again, Tony is quitting. Lame. We all know he's not. Not emotionally resonant at all. That ending line from Steve Rogers though, or rather partial line, pretty dang cool.
17. Guardians of the Galaxy 2
I love this movie - it is a spectacular character study, giving each member of the Guardians (and a new one) an emotional journey to undertake in which they all grow and change. Very unexpected and very daring, but James Gunn pulls it off.
We know we are in for something different when the entire opening action sequence is thrown out of focus right away and put in the background while we watch little baby Groot dancing around happily. Good stuff.
Love the Ravagers raiding the Milano in the woods. Thoroughly enjoyed Yandu's revenge on his old crew, gruesome as it was. Gamora and Nebula have the best scene when they finally break down and recognize that they are stuck with each other. Really great.
Less impressive was Ego's story line, I mean I get it - it does work, but it also seems rather abrupt, Ego all the sudden mean and nasty. Seems like he would've been more sly about hooking into Quill, but I give it a pass to a point because the final action sequence is so awesome.
Love baby Groot and Rocket teaching him how to set off the bomb timer - hate that it was spoiled in the trailer.
Love Yondu's Mary Poppin's line because it works on so many levels. Yeah, Mary Poppins is pretty damn cool, she really is! It's a self aware, fourth wall breaking moment that just makes the Disney / Marvel fan in me want to stand up and cheer!
Yondu's death is emotional and effecting, but not perfect. I wish we had a longer flashback when Quill is reflecting on what matters before he does away with Ego; that for me is one of the most spine tingling moments, to see Peter with Yondu as a kid, to see him flying with Rocket, to see his mom - ugh! I wanted more!
16. Captain Marvel
It kind of sucks that there was so much internet bullshit surrounding this one - both from in-cel neckbeards and from misguided conservatives who brought all of their emotional and political baggage to this very straightforward cosmic adventure that features a fantastic Brie Larson as the modern incarnation of Carol Danvers in the incarnation that many of us know and love from a relatively recent comic book run written and drawn by Kelly Sue DeConnick.
Truly, it is a rip roaring, and sometimes heartstring pulling yarn about our favorite Air Force captain - this time around she has amnesia - which isn't my favorite story telling device, but it works here because most of the audience isn't familiar with who she is either, and so it's an effective way for all of us (including Carol) to get to know her.
As for the internet nonsense - I really don't get it. Life is political enough, I don't need to inject politics into a movie where it doesn't really exist; and that's what I think is going on here. Look, I get it, in real life Brie Larson is a political ding-dong. So what? That doesn't mean the movie has one of her idiotic political agendas, or that the character of Captain Marvel is a 'Mary Sue' (the dumbest concept from the right as of late). Captain Marvel is a fun movie that moves right along and does a great job at straddling the line between earth bound adventure and the Marvel cosmic scene.
I love the young Sam Jackson (amazing) and his chemistry with Brie just crackles - in a totally plutonic way that works. Love Jude Law as the sniveling Kree, and it's great to see him finally dealt with properly at the end. And of course I love Ben Mendelsohn as Talos who brings the funny to his misunderstood Skrull character.
15. Ant-Man
A tremendous caper movie that also happens to have eye popping special effects and a healthy dose of the best kind of humor. Who knew that a thoroughly outstanding Ant-Man Movie of all things would be in our lives? It is truly a great time to be a super hero fan!
Love Hope Van Dyne. Love Scott's first round with the suit. The visuals are simply awesome.
Love Michael Pena's overdubbed stories from the hood. So damn funny.
Michael Douglas rocks. Young Michael Douglas, HOW did they do that? Awesome.
Best of all, the entire third act and ending are simply amazing. The movie drags just a bit in the middle, but man does it finish strong. This is something that all the MCU movies have in common from here on out, they all pretty much stick the landing - which we all know is one of the toughest things to do on the movie screen.
14. Iron Man
Probably will be ranked higher by most. I loved this when it came out, it was my favorite super hero movie of all times by a lot - (Dark Knight and Raimi's Spider Man 2 were the closest but all others fell far behind) - and I'm super impressed that 9 other movies since are even better.
The first act is about as perfect as it gets though, Tony's struggle in the cave, culminating in his escape is a sequence I could watch over and over again. Actually, I have.
Working on and perfecting the suit once he's back home is also great. Lots of opportunities for what would become and MCU staple - humor done broad but plausible.
My favorite scene by far is when Tony goes back to the Middle East and dispatches the terrorists. Just awesome.
Like this Brody a lot, a shame Terrance Howard was such a tool in real life. He's great in the role.
Less appealing to me is Jeff Bridges villain, very predictable, and the third act alas is not as strong as the rest of the story. Still, it is not a shitting of the bed by any means.
This one will always be a classic, because it was the one that was done first - and paved the way for all the awesomeness that was to follow.
13. Spider-Man: Far From Home
This one is a blast and a half! Not quite as strong as the first MCU Spider-Man installment, FFH still manages to bring the excitement and freshness only as the MCU can.
Jake Gyllenhaal is truly the very best choice for the very best until-now unused villain in the Marvel pantheon - Mysterio! Everything here works; from the faithful costume design (which works perfectly as a 'manufactured' costume to mock) to Mysterio's half-cocked scheme that he executes perfectly as he transforms from a nice guy who you want to have a beer into a snake who is incredibly dangerous.
Love the relationships here - Ned and the blonde chick are hilarious! "Thanks babe!" And Peter and MJ, the whole thing works really well - better than it did in Homecoming.
Love the location work, it gives the movie a much bigger epic feel than the story warrants.
The best stuff is with Happy and Peter on the jet, and the climactic fight is a "marvel" (see what I did there) in visual FX and editing. Beautifully done! Can't wait to see how they deal with the shocking reveal in the mid-credits tag! Great to see JK though!
12. Black Widow
Loved this and had ZERO problems with the character choices and wasn't at all threatened by the girrrlll power on display. Great flick with a strong message, worthy of Natasha's legacy.
Wrote a full review for this one - be sure to check it out by clicking here!
11. Ant-Man & The Wasp
Love this one so much! Be sure to read my 'review' a couple of posts up. So much humor and heart! So many great visual gags and superb action sequences! We really are in a Golden Age of comic book movies!
10. Doctor Strange
Damn is this a great movie or what!? Cumberbatch is stellar - the story moves and benefits greatly from the casting as well. Love McAdams so much in her small but crucial role. Tilda is dope. The guy who plays Wong is great. Mordo also is sufficiently menacing by the end.
This movie also has some of my favorite action sequences ever - the fight at Bleeker Street is both dynamic and super creative - and a hell of a lot of fun. The culmination of that scene with McAdams in the hospital might be my favorite Marvel fight ever. Just great great stuff.
The final battle is ingenious and hilarious at the same time. "I've come to bargain!" I love it!
9. Spiderman Homecoming
So much to love here. Tom Holland is note perfect - even though he's a Brit, I have to forgive him because he's so good.
It's the characters that make me love this movie so much. Peter and his friends actually seem like almost real people. Peter's relationship with Stark is also powerfully grounded. When Tony is disappointed, we really feel it!
The action sequences are top notch - but my favorite scene by far in the film is one that takes place in a car with just a few lines of dialogue. Magnificent acting and a perfectly delivered script.
Michael Keaton forever ends the MCU villain curse - he's simply outstanding as the very real and very human Vulture.
8. Thor: Ragnarok
The best time I've had at the movies in a long long time. Funny from the first frame to the last. The MCU's first and hopefully not only full on comedy. The director Tai Wakiti (sp?) is some kind of mad genius because he manages to combine all of my favorite things - outrageous Sci-Fi, irreverent and self aware superhero characters, and a healthy dose of emotional resonance into a thoroughly enjoyable and totally trippy comic book come to life.
I want to be Korg! He has the best outlook on life, like, ever.
"Hey man, we're going to go see this funny movie about Thor and stuff. Wanna come?"
Oh yeah, and Thor is NOT boring! He's now awesome! He was showing signs of promise in Dark World, but Chris Hemsworth really busts it open here and now we have a Thor that we can love and appreciate as someone truly special. I thought I would really miss Natalie Portman's Jane Foster, but honestly, I'm shocked that I don't!
I have been falling for 30 minutes!
The villain Hela is pretty good, but it's everyone and everything around her (Karl Urban for one) that makes this movie great. I love the colors, the sets, the music. And I LOVE this version of Hulk so so much!
Hulk like raging fire, Thor more like smoulder....
7. Captain America Civil War
If you had told my 12 year old self back in the day that there would be 3 outstanding big budget full on Captain America feature films that captured hearts and minds all over the world - I probably would've laughed in your face. Anyone remember the Captain America movie in the 1980's? Google it sometime if you want to be depressed.
Civil War is outstanding from beginning to end, and almost like an Avengers 2.5 movie. But it is in the end, the Cap's story.
Love the opening action sequence so so much. Great to see the Avengers kicking ass (for the most part) as a team.
Of course the highlight is the middle third of this movie - the airport sequence is legendary. A splash page comic book come to life before our eyes in a way we could never imagine. Just amazing.
Love Cap's character arch - from Peggy's death (very moving), to his new girlfriend (touching) to his letting go of his old friends (heartbreaking). I really do believe this is Captain America's movie in every way that matters.
The ending is stirring and emotionally draining - the very best of the MCU.
The remaining movies are a solid A.
(A+ is reserved for like, 3 of my favorite movies of all times. Not spilling those here.)
6. Captain America Winter Soldier
5. Avengers: Infinity War
Read the above post for all the reasons why this one ends up here!
4. Marvel's The Avengers
Everything works so well - it's an incredibly satisfying culmination of phase 1 that brings us something we've never seen before on the big screen. Multiple mighty heroes fighting side by side with incredible production values and visual effects. The entire NY sequence still gives me the chills - I could watch that gladiator style dolly move around our heroes over and over again and never get tired of it.
Best of all, Joss Whedon brings his patented humor and whip-smart dialogue to the party, making this one fun for everyone, not just comic book lovers. No wonder it is still near the top of the MCU list in box office success.
This is when my deep like of Black Widow turned into love - when Cap gives her that boost, oh man is that something else! Chills EVERY TIME.
The hellicarrier stuff is also great - the movie never really missteps or gets bogged down. So much to enjoy from start to finish.
And who is that purple dude at the end?
3. Guardians of the Galaxy
I said it at the time, and I still pretty much believe it - this movie is this generation's Star Wars. Yes, it's that good.
The Guardians of the Galaxy were an obscure comic book back in the day, and had a few incarnations that never really saw too much success.
James Gunn said he could make something great out of them and thank God Kevin Fiege believed him.
The result is a spectacular space opera with a huge amount of humor and an even bigger helping of heart. The music helps the story soar, a story that is yet another super hero origin thing, but it really is something special.
All of the team members are broken in one way or another, and we get to journey with them as they learn to let go of their pain and grab onto each other as a family. It's fun, it's frenetic, and best of all it's emotionally resonant.
When people ask me which MCU movie I would recommend for someone who doesn't care about comics - this one is by FAR the first on my list. It has universal appeal and themes. You don't need to be a nerd to love it.
Love the dance off and the climax of the movie SO MUCH!!!!
2. Spider-Man: No Way Home
Love this one so much! Be sure to read my 'review' a couple of posts up. So much humor and heart! So many great visual gags and superb action sequences! We really are in a Golden Age of comic book movies!
10. Doctor Strange
Damn is this a great movie or what!? Cumberbatch is stellar - the story moves and benefits greatly from the casting as well. Love McAdams so much in her small but crucial role. Tilda is dope. The guy who plays Wong is great. Mordo also is sufficiently menacing by the end.
This movie also has some of my favorite action sequences ever - the fight at Bleeker Street is both dynamic and super creative - and a hell of a lot of fun. The culmination of that scene with McAdams in the hospital might be my favorite Marvel fight ever. Just great great stuff.
The final battle is ingenious and hilarious at the same time. "I've come to bargain!" I love it!
9. Spiderman Homecoming
So much to love here. Tom Holland is note perfect - even though he's a Brit, I have to forgive him because he's so good.
It's the characters that make me love this movie so much. Peter and his friends actually seem like almost real people. Peter's relationship with Stark is also powerfully grounded. When Tony is disappointed, we really feel it!
The action sequences are top notch - but my favorite scene by far in the film is one that takes place in a car with just a few lines of dialogue. Magnificent acting and a perfectly delivered script.
Michael Keaton forever ends the MCU villain curse - he's simply outstanding as the very real and very human Vulture.
8. Thor: Ragnarok
The best time I've had at the movies in a long long time. Funny from the first frame to the last. The MCU's first and hopefully not only full on comedy. The director Tai Wakiti (sp?) is some kind of mad genius because he manages to combine all of my favorite things - outrageous Sci-Fi, irreverent and self aware superhero characters, and a healthy dose of emotional resonance into a thoroughly enjoyable and totally trippy comic book come to life.
I want to be Korg! He has the best outlook on life, like, ever.
"Hey man, we're going to go see this funny movie about Thor and stuff. Wanna come?"
Oh yeah, and Thor is NOT boring! He's now awesome! He was showing signs of promise in Dark World, but Chris Hemsworth really busts it open here and now we have a Thor that we can love and appreciate as someone truly special. I thought I would really miss Natalie Portman's Jane Foster, but honestly, I'm shocked that I don't!
I have been falling for 30 minutes!
The villain Hela is pretty good, but it's everyone and everything around her (Karl Urban for one) that makes this movie great. I love the colors, the sets, the music. And I LOVE this version of Hulk so so much!
Hulk like raging fire, Thor more like smoulder....
7. Captain America Civil War
If you had told my 12 year old self back in the day that there would be 3 outstanding big budget full on Captain America feature films that captured hearts and minds all over the world - I probably would've laughed in your face. Anyone remember the Captain America movie in the 1980's? Google it sometime if you want to be depressed.
Civil War is outstanding from beginning to end, and almost like an Avengers 2.5 movie. But it is in the end, the Cap's story.
Love the opening action sequence so so much. Great to see the Avengers kicking ass (for the most part) as a team.
Of course the highlight is the middle third of this movie - the airport sequence is legendary. A splash page comic book come to life before our eyes in a way we could never imagine. Just amazing.
Love Cap's character arch - from Peggy's death (very moving), to his new girlfriend (touching) to his letting go of his old friends (heartbreaking). I really do believe this is Captain America's movie in every way that matters.
The ending is stirring and emotionally draining - the very best of the MCU.
The remaining movies are a solid A.
(A+ is reserved for like, 3 of my favorite movies of all times. Not spilling those here.)
6. Captain America Winter Soldier
This one has some of my favorite action sequences ever, they are shot and cut expertly with a mix of frenetic hand held and high shutter speed camerawork that never loses geography or purpose. The opening salvo on the ship at sea, Nick Fury's SUV adventure, the freeway battle and the climax high in the sky - all absolutely outstanding.
I also just LOVE the semi-romance / friendship between Cap and Black Widow here. The dialogue is not really that deep, but Chris Evans and Scar Jo really make it powerful somehow. Just amazing acting chops, the both of them.
Love the scene with Peggy, brings all of the feels.
Robert Redford is probably the MCU's first very good villain. (Didn't get great until Vulture I think).
So much to love throughout, this one will always be one of my favorites. Again, I am just astonished that we have 3 top quality Captain America movies in the world for everyone to enjoy!
5. Avengers: Infinity War
Read the above post for all the reasons why this one ends up here!
4. Marvel's The Avengers
Everything works so well - it's an incredibly satisfying culmination of phase 1 that brings us something we've never seen before on the big screen. Multiple mighty heroes fighting side by side with incredible production values and visual effects. The entire NY sequence still gives me the chills - I could watch that gladiator style dolly move around our heroes over and over again and never get tired of it.
Best of all, Joss Whedon brings his patented humor and whip-smart dialogue to the party, making this one fun for everyone, not just comic book lovers. No wonder it is still near the top of the MCU list in box office success.
This is when my deep like of Black Widow turned into love - when Cap gives her that boost, oh man is that something else! Chills EVERY TIME.
The hellicarrier stuff is also great - the movie never really missteps or gets bogged down. So much to enjoy from start to finish.
And who is that purple dude at the end?
3. Guardians of the Galaxy
I said it at the time, and I still pretty much believe it - this movie is this generation's Star Wars. Yes, it's that good.
The Guardians of the Galaxy were an obscure comic book back in the day, and had a few incarnations that never really saw too much success.
James Gunn said he could make something great out of them and thank God Kevin Fiege believed him.
The result is a spectacular space opera with a huge amount of humor and an even bigger helping of heart. The music helps the story soar, a story that is yet another super hero origin thing, but it really is something special.
All of the team members are broken in one way or another, and we get to journey with them as they learn to let go of their pain and grab onto each other as a family. It's fun, it's frenetic, and best of all it's emotionally resonant.
When people ask me which MCU movie I would recommend for someone who doesn't care about comics - this one is by FAR the first on my list. It has universal appeal and themes. You don't need to be a nerd to love it.
Love the dance off and the climax of the movie SO MUCH!!!!
2. Spider-Man: No Way Home
All the way to number 2 with a bullet! This one brings the feels like no other MCU entry except for Endgame, that's why it lands here!
Be sure to check out my exhaustive review by clicking here!
1. Avengers: Endgame
Well this may change in the future - but as of right now Avengers: Endgame is for sure my absolute favorite MCU entry. It is the culmination and the payoff for over a decades worth of movies - and boy does it deliver!
Be sure to read my entire review - HERE, to learn why I love it so so much!!!
Well, there it is, how I see and rank the MCU. I imagine this list will keep changing for the rest of my life, as Disney I'm sure has no plans to stop cranking these movies out anytime soon!
