Year Released: 2011
Director: Joe Johnston
Phase One
Captain America could be compared to what Star Wars would be if set during WWII, complete with laser guns and a bike chase through the forest. What’s unique about Captain America is its pre-modern setting, giving the viewers a refreshingly different atmosphere alongside a group of characters with zero plot armor. I love the creatively genuine way they turn Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) into Captain America: first he’s used as a successful propaganda piece with the cheesy outfit of his traditional comic book design (making movies, theater plays and actual comics); makes sense considering one super soldier in theory wouldn't change the battlefield’s flow, yet after a unit gets captured by Hydra (in an area where Steve is touring), Steve goes solo to save his comrades. He succeeds in saving the unit, proving he’s as much an effective soldier in combat as he is a symbol for America. It makes sense politically and gives a reasonable explanation as to why he continues to wear his signature outfit in battle. Despite being a tie-in for The Avengers, Captain America can stand as its own entertaining Superhero film, though the film is certainly improved when seen after the previously made MCU films.
Year Released: 2008
Director: Louis Leterrier
Phase One
The Incredible Hulk is the often forgotten starter child to the MCU, releasing a month after Iron Man in 2008. Now I’ll admit to being a huge admirer of Ang Lee’s Hulk, a statement which is sure to cause some raised eyebrows (it did take three viewing tries before I ended with such an opinion); I must empathize however how Hulk is NOT a superhero film, at least in the traditional sense. Rather, Hulk is a psychological film which examines the psychosis of a disturbed comic book character…a reconstruction of the Hulk if you will. The Incredible Hulk on the other hand is a straightforward superhero film, which succeeds the same way as its comics. The film provides action and entertainment, all leading to a grand epic battle between the Hulk and the Abomination. The Incredible Hulk also does well character development wise, exploring in a “less artsy” sense the troubled mind of Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) and his green counterpart (voiced by Lou Ferrigno). A refreshing aspect in the film is how excitement (aka a rapid heartbeat) turns Banner into the Hulk, creating a more sensible explanation to his transformation, along with several amusing yet sad scenarios (such as how Banner cannot make love since he’ll transform from excitement). While I consider Ang Lee’s Hulk the superior film, The Incredible Hulk succeeds on a more entertaining level; I remain hopeful the MCU will someday return to the Hulk for a sequel which doesn't involve the Avengers (especially with the ever-talented Mark Ruffalo as the lead).
Year Released: 2014
Directors: Anthony Russo and Joseph V. Russo
Phase Two
The Winter Soldier is an important piece in the MCU; it follows the predictability and formula of the post-Avengers’ franchise films (major characters won’t die, the superhero doesn't ask any other Avengers for help, etc…), yet is still highly enjoyable and genuinely satisfying. The Winter Soldier proved non-Avengers MCU films could be more than “decently entertaining filler”; it’s an effective superhero film on its own right, though a lot of it has to do with utilizing elements which made The Avengers so effective. For one The Winter Soldier is as much about Black Widow (played by the fantastic Scarlett Johansson) and Nick Fury (played by the awesome Samuel L. Jackson) as it is Captain America; all three get balanced amounts of screen time, having entertaining action scenes and effective character development. I particularly love the lighthearted discussions between Captain “fish out of water” America and Black Widow, which give some of the funniest yet touching dialogue in the film. Having these characters work and clash together gives The Winter Soldier its own pseudo-Avengers atmosphere; it is the only phase two film to make this list and the best Marvel film to release since The Avengers. Its action is thrilling and frequent, its comedy is witty and entertaining, and its characters are appealing and full of chemistry. The latter praise is particularly noteworthy; further developing already established characters into more fleshed out, engaging individuals. The Winter Soldier may not be Avengers level, but it certainly qualifies as its own major picture.
Year Released: 2008
Director: Jon Favreau
Phase One
In the beginning, Jon Favreau created Iron Man. Who would have thought the director of Elf would end up creating such a great superhero film, and who could have predicted such film would begin a muti-billion dollar franchise! Of course the latter wasn't on viewers minds back in 2008; Iron Man was simply a standalone superhero film, which gives it several unique aspects in the MCU. For one the film is based entirely with a real world premise: no magic, no gods, no aliens and no super-science! Everything from the politics, to conflict in the Middle East, to Tony Stark himself feels believable enough to happen in real life. Even Iron Man’s suit (the most disbelieving aspect in the film) could be seen as a buildable technology in the close future (the way the film shows its steady, complicated creation helps matters). In a career turning performance Robert Downey Jr. becomes Tony Stark, playing the role so effectively it’s been hinted rather than replace Downey when he retires, the MCU will instead kill off Iron Man; to emphasize, Downey is so successfully ingrained as Iron Man, the company would kill off a billion dollar character rather than replace its actor. Downey is the glue which keeps Iron Man together; his comedy is spot on, his attitude is spot on, and his plot-driven character development works effortlessly! Other great performances include Jeff Bridges, who gives a wonderful performance as Obadiah Shane, a shockingly down to Earth, realistic villain (which only makes him all the more diabolical). Gwyneth Paltrow similarly plays Pepper Potts with effective charm and character, as well as a very enjoyable contrast to Stark’s personality. Alongside The Dark Knight, Iron Man brought a new, realistic frontier to the superhero genre; such a setting had never been done before, nor done since 2008 (Iron Man’s more upbeat and comedic realism contrasts well with The Dark Knight’s grittier version). Such rarity gives Iron Man its own unique appeal in the MCU, as well as being one of the best superhero films to release during the 2000s.
Year Released: 2012
Director: Joss Whedon
Phase One
The Avengers was a huge risk to take; making several superhero origin films all for one giant, expensive, “super-sized” event could have bombed in disaster. No one knew quite what to expect, including myself who admittedly had mediocre expectations. Yet in the end, The Avengers paid off, in ways few people predicted. Filled with familiar faces from previous setups (Iron Man, Thor, Captain America), Avengers bypasses the curse of lethargic origin exposition, avoiding any rushes which would have dulled its character strengths and bonds with the viewers. Such setup similarly allows for minor/underdeveloped characters such as Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Black Widow, Nick Fury, Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) and our new Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) to shine without taking away from the big three. Ruffalo is a surprise treat and the unexpected highlight of the film’s heroes; he replaces the equally talented Edward Norton to give his own unique performance as a brilliant yet shaken man, suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder thanks to his other green half. The entire cast is terrific, working together to deliver fascinating interactions in a massive combination. Alongside the great cast is the giggle inducing glory of The Avengers’ action and comedy; the battles are of seismic proportion, whether it be the clashes between the Avengers themselves (done in a way which serve fantastically as fan service yet feel natural within the plot) or the large-scale, epic battle in New York. The comedy is well-balanced and top notch, particularly from Robert Downey Jr. (who improvised many of his funniest lines) and Tom Hiddleston as our villain Loki, who’s as diabolical as he is charmingly-pathetic, as he is cheesy, as he is awesome. The Avengers’ success brought with it a major game changer to the superhero film genre, solidifying the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a series which will be continuing for a long time to come (I predict at least another decade). It created a comic book-esque universe of connecting films which can remain semi-independent; such concept has changed the way superhero films are being made, such as with DC comics creating their own cinematic universe. Whether such change is good or bad seems up to the series (it’s still working for Marvel…doesn't look good for DC), yet doesn't alter the massive impact Avengers has had on changing blockbuster films, making it as significant as it is grand entertainment.
Now it's time for me to go review Age of Ultron!!!
Now it's time for me to go review Age of Ultron!!!
