INFINITy
SAGA
Iron Man
The invincible foundation the MCU was built upon. The dark themes and visual design evoke genre icons like Indiana Jones and Robocop. It balances the Islamophobia with a focus on corporate greed. No risk was more rewarding than casting Robert Downey Jr.
Premiere: Apr 30, 2008
The Incredible Hulk
It's more of a love letter to the classic TV show than the comics, lifting the tone, music and origin. Lou Ferrigno even finally gets to voice the Hulk. Unfortunately, time hasn't been kind to him and Abomination, with the GCI making them look like some rotisserie chickens.
Premiere: Jun 12, 2008
Iron Man 2
A low-stakes sequel focused on world building with a couple of the worst cameos in history. Mickey Rourke's Whiplash doesn't work but Sam Rockwell's Justin Hammer helps make up for it. Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow certainly leaves a first impression.
Premiere: Apr 28, 2010
Thor
Kenneth Branagh was a perfect pick for Marvel's Shakespearean take on Thor, even if his camera was stuck on Dutch angle. I love the space opera first act and the tonal whiplash into a Hallmark movie is a difficult trick they mostly pulled off. Natalie Portman is the weak link.
Premiere: Apr 21, 2011
Captain America: The First Avenger
Joe Johnston channels his campy Rocketeer energy to deliver an earnest old fashioned WWII period piece. Chris Evans surprises by wholeheartedly embodying the role of Steve Rogers and has great chemistry with Hailey Atwell, who elevates Peggy Carter.
Premiere: Jul 22, 2011
Marvel One-Shot: The Consultant
It only exists to fill a plot hole left at the end of The Incredible Hulk and product placement. Agents Coulson and Sitwell have a dry exchange about Abomination. It's shockingly cheap for such an illustrious franchise. I respect the commitment to continuity though.
Premiere: Sep 13, 2011
Marvel One-Shot: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer
This is a vast improvement over the first short, yet is still a disappointment even just as a Blu-ray bonus feature. It's a single amateur action sequence and Agent Coulson looks stiff as hell doing it. This would not fill me with confidence as a backdoor pilot for Agents of SHEILD.
Premiere: Oct 25, 2011
The Avengers
Kevin Feige nails the landing, delivering the blueprint for cinematic universe building. It almost perfectly balances the all-star cast, building to an epic third act victory lap celebration. Crisp visuals, clean action and banter thats almost too witty. Cap's costume sucks.
Premiere: Apr 25, 2012
Marvel One-Shot: Item 47
Lizzy Caplan stars in this impressive heist short for a Blu-ray bonus feature. I feel they had to be setting her up as a proto-Daisy for Agents of SHIELD but she probably took something else instead. She would have been great but Chloe Bennet ended up killing it.
Premiere: Sep 25, 2012
Iron Man Three
This is the only time watching the trailers improved the film. Shane Black does his own thing in this homage to '80s and '90s blockbusters pulling from everthing from Robocop to Home Alone. The best humour of the trilogy and a fitting commentary on corporate America.
Premiere: Apr 24, 2013
Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter
These one-shots keep getting better. Hailey Atwell's welcomed return is a glimpse of Peggy's life after the war. It sets up her future in the MCU but surprisingly clashes with the continuity of the Agent Carter show, and yet Jarvis made an appearance in Endgame.
Premiere: Sep 3, 2013
Thor: The Dark World
For a troubled production there is a lot to like. Chris Hemsworth has grown into the role, Asgard feels more lived in, the design of the Dark Elves is incredible and the humour is mostly cute. The failure to utilize Malekith and Kurse is what holds it back. And Natalie Portman.
Premiere: Oct 30, 2013
Marvel One-Shot: All Hail the King
Kevin Feige blesses true cinema connoisseurs with more of thespian Sir Ben Kingsley's Trevor Slattery. For the rest, it reveals the real Mandarin is out there, so relax. The return of Sam Rockwell's Justin Hammer steals the show in the stinger. Bring him back cowards!
Premiere: Feb 4, 2014
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The Russo Brothers MCU debut is a gritty political thriller and one of the best superhero movies yet. Winter Soldier is a relentless threat, like Michael Myers with guns. It has brutal action, the strongest portrayal of Black Widow and still one of the best twists in the MCU.
Premiere: Mar 26, 2014
Guardians of the Galaxy
I was a diehard fan of both DnA's Guardians of the Galaxy and James Gunn's Slither and Super, so this film felt made just for me. It has stellar action, cinematography, humour, music and a lot of heart. It took my little corner of Marvel and shared it with the world.
Premiere: Jul 31, 2014
Avengers: Age of Ultron
It's overstuffed and convoluted, yet surprisingly experimental for a sequel to a massive blockbuster. James Spader is perfectly cast as the unhinged counter to RDJ's quirky wit, but Ultron is kept on the run, overpowered by the Avengers and unable to reach his potential.
Premiere: Apr 23, 2015
Ant-Man
Peyton Reed salvages the troubled production meant to release in Phase One and crafts a lighthearted palette cleanser to top off Phase Two. Paul Rudd is a great choice as the lovable loser in this family friendly heist film that fits big world building in a tiny package.
Premiere: Jul 14, 2015
Captain America: Civil War
The Russo Bros close out Marvel's best trilogy so far by dividing the Avengers by ideology, paying off on years of character development. A disagreement among friends becomes a brutal battle to the death. The point the films caught up to the comics in scope.
Premiere: Apr 27, 2016
Doctor Strange
Scott Derrickson opens the viewers 3rd eye to present a clear unrestrained vision for the Dr. Stange comic's blend of eastern spirituality & new age psychedelic esotericism. The rare film that demands to be seen in 3D. My only issue is with China's censorship.
Premiere: Oct 26, 2016
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
James Gunn takes full control and cranks everything to eleven. It's probably the best opening title card of all time. Baby Groot was so good every franchise has one now. Drax and Mantis are special. Beneath the absurdity is an incredibly poignant father and son story.
Premiere: Apr 25, 2017
Spider-Man: Homecoming
It is confident enough to stay street level, scaling back the stakes to blue-collar crime. The authentic cast nail the John Hughes high school tone. Tom Holland is the best fit yet for the role and Michael Keaton grounds the Vulture as the working class pushing back.
Premiere: Jul 5, 2017
Thor: Ragnarok
Oscar winner Taika Waititi energizes the property with a Kirby Crackle, lifting it to new heights & forging a comic book movie masterpiece that effortlessly nails the quirky humor while lifting the surprisingly weighty themes. Hemsworth fully proves his worth.
Premiere: Oct 24, 2017
Black Panther
A beautiful and daring film using the worlds largest stage to shine a light on complex racial and geopolitical issues through an awe-inspiring take on Afro-futurism. An all-star cast, iconic score and vibrant cinematography. This is an easy G.O.A.T. contender.
Premiere: Feb 13, 2018
Avengers: Infinity War
Ties 18 films worth of plot threads & characters into an unprecedented epic space opera while managing to respect & elevate the comics. The stakes have never been higher as Thanos' presence towers over our beloved heroes like the spectre of death.
Premiere: Apr 25, 2018
Ant-Man & The Wasp
Some of the fun is lost under the strain of expansion. Revels in the chaos of the chase but gets lost in a convoluted plot. The Quantum Realm is fascinating and seemingly has a New Age spin with hints of parapsychology. Ghost is totally lost in translation.
Premiere: Jul 4, 2018
Captain Marvel
Brie Larson matches the confidence of Iron Man or Thor, but the material falls short. They waste Mar-Vell and fail to make the Kree interesting. Ben Mendlesohn's Talos and Sam Jackson's de-aged Nick Fury are scene stealers. That eye gag went too far.
Premiere: Mar 6, 2019
Avengers: Endgame
Masterfully uses the concept of time to build an emotional epic mosaic out of incredible character moments. Delivers the most satisfying conclusions to beloved character arcs 22 films & over 10 years in the making. The ultimate cathartic finale.
Premiere: Apr 24, 2019
Spider-Man: Far From Home
The dessert after the 7 course meal that is Endgame. The situational teen comedy organically mines the hilarious ramifications of "the blip". The Mysterio concept is the perfect fit. Tom Holland & Zendaya's awkward romance is endearingly authentic.
Premiere: Jun 26, 2019
