Over its 12 year history, the has become one of the most instantly recognisable and successful franchises of all time. Many of that thanks can be placed in the hands of . The President of Marvel Studios, who with a vision and a path for the future, has managed to steer 23 interconnected films to exponentially rising heights.
As much as Mr. Feige is certainly responsible for the MCU’s success, the casting and subsequent performances of the various character shouldn’t be overlooked. The original casting of Robert Downey Jr. to play Iron Man was inspired. Not only did he succeed in the role; he reinvented what it meant to be Iron Man. Further additions such as Scarlett Johnansson’s Black Widow, Chris Evans’ Captain America, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, were just a few of the big named stars that helped take the franchise to a whole new level.
Despite our clear love of the movies, it’s worth noting that not every single film that’s been produced by Marvel Studios has gone on to be a bonafide classic. In fact, many hardcore MCU fans would admit that the likes of , and , are pretty average films. But despite this, the MCU has an incredible strike rate of putting together incredible and immersive cinema. Many of the movies can be considered amongst the greatest comic book movies of all time.
In this article, we’re going to be looking at the 23 MCU films (so far) and picking those that we consider the 5 Best MCU movies.
5. Thor: Ragnarok
2017
, when viewed in isolation to all other films, is an extremely enjoyable, thoroughly humorous adventure movie with some fantastic action sequences. However, when taking a more expanded look, Thor: Ragnarok, is a directorial success story that i just never thought i’d see. Up until the day before this movie was released, Thor had been a memorable addition to the Avengers. His depiction was neither great nor bad, he was just there. His work in the major films brought a level of grandeur to the heroic team, but his solo films were nothing to write home about.
Enter . The man took a fairly bland norse-god and turned him into a funny, modern, lightning fuelled machine. In doing so, he turned Thor: Ragnarok, and the Thor character, . It’s hard to pinpoint another franchise and/or saga of movies in cinematic history that was able to make as successful a transition from subpar and serious comic book flick into an hilarious action/adventure movie.
4. Captain America: Winter Soldier
2014
takes place shortly after the events of The Avengers. Captain America’s still trying to figure out where he fits in this modern world. He’s taken up a position as , a Government agency designed to protect America and the World’s interest. Or at least, that’s what he believes.
The film portrays a classic cinema trope, the corrupt and evil government agency. But thanks to the direction and memorable performances from Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel Jackson, Robert Redford and Sebastian Stan, this never feels like a typical political action movie.
Steve is forced into the realisation that his former ideals . The movie shows that evil can have many faces and very often they can be standing in plain sight.
3. Avengers: Endgame
2019
After Thanos successfully wiped out half of all life across the universe in , The Avengers and the Earth are in ruins. After tracking down his whereabouts, The Avengers attempt to retrieve the stones, only to find out he destroyed them. The final nail has been hammered into their coffin, and The Avengers sink to a new low knowing they can’t save the universe.
5 years passes with The Avengers separated throughout the world and/or galaxy. After Ant Man returns from the quantum realm thanks to an under-appreciated vermin, The Avengers devise a plan to travel backwards through time to retrieve the stones and undo Thanos’ cataclysmic evil.
Avengers: Endgame is a film that’s chocked to the brim with something for everyone and anyone to enjoy. Whether you’re an MCU newcomer, or a die-hard fan, this movie is wall to wall action, intensity and enjoyment. The 23 film in a line of incredible interconnected movies, Endgame as a whole is a nod to the MCU fans that have been there from the very beginning, with many fan service moments that will go down in cinematic history.
2. Avengers: Infinity War
2018
provides us with our first vision of Thanos in action. And boy, is he gonna be a handful. In his first scene, , before killing both and . Before being killed, Heimdall sends The Hulk/Bruce Banner back to Earth to warn The Avengers of Thanos’ imminent arrival.
The narrative revolves around a separated Avengers & Guardians team trying desperately to fight off an eager Thanos. Thanos is in the final stages of his plans to capture all 6 infinity stones. With these stones, Thanos plans on wiping out half of all life throughout the universe. He believes that by doing so, life will be allowed to prosper with an abundance of resources.
Many would likely have Avengers: Endgame at the top of their list, so this may seem a little surprising. Endgame probably provides you with a better feeling while watching, but Avengers: Infinity War, from a drama, intensity and stakes point of view, is easily the better film. The difference between the two can be likened to that of
1. Captain America: Civil War
2016
The 2016 blockbuster told a different kind of comic book story. Our heroes aren’t pitted against a formidable foe such as , or . No, they were fighting each other. posed the question of whether it was morally, ethically and legally correct for The Avengers to operate outside of the confines of world Government. After an incident in Lagos in which Captain America and his team are trying to stop a terrorist from stealing a biologic weapon, inadvertently blows up a building. The damage including several injuries and casualties and left the world question the place of The Avengers.
Tony Stark, along with General Ross (last seen in The Incredible Hulk film) put to the team the Sokovia Accords. It stipulates that they must sign, fall under the jurisdiction of the UN security council or retire. Captain America, believing that the world is safer when these decisions remain in The Avengers hands, refuses to sign.
After the UN is blown up, resulting in the death of King T”Chaka, Bucky Barnes is blamed. When he tries to stop the police from capturing and/or killing his best friend, Captain America is arrested, along with the Black Panther, T’Challa. The remaining conflict pitted Captain America against his friend and ally Tony Stark. Several Avengers are made to choose sides. Eventually, Tony finds out a truth that will rock The Avengers to their core and sever the friendship between Iron Man and Captain America.
This movie took a deep dive into not only the fighting character of our MCU heroes, but also their beliefs of how the world should operate. Allegiances were drawn and most of all, it told an emotionally devastating story of the fall of two friends through subtle misdirection and sublime plot choices.
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