Mcu Movie Reviews
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- DirectorJon FavreauStarsRobert Downey Jr.Gwyneth PaltrowTerrence HowardAfter being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.Iron Man is an excellent start to this franchise because it was just written to be an excellent movie before any of this cinematic universe stuff was even planned. Robert Downey Jr is perfect casting as Tony Stark and this movie has a perfect arc for his character. Watching him go from this self absorbed play boy to someone who is putting his life on the line to right his wrongs and help the people he put in harms way is so satisfying. Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts is also great here and her chemistry with Robert Downey Jr is wonderful. This movie also has solid action scenes and the visual effects for Iron Man's suit look better than most effects from movies coming out 15 years later. We also get that epic tease at the end of the movie where Nick Fury walks out and name drops the Avengers. The only real critique I have with the movie is that the villain is pretty one dimensional but overall Iron Man is a great super hero movie.
- DirectorLouis LeterrierStarsEdward NortonLiv TylerTim RothBruce Banner, a scientist on the run from the U.S. Government, must find a cure for the monster he turns into whenever he loses his temper.The Incredible Hulk is the definition of mediocre. Nothing about this movie is really that bad but it's so bland and generic that nothing really stands out in a positive way either. There are some cool action scenes but I don't really remember anything else from this movie. So if you just want some easy to watch super hero action this will do the job, but nothing character or story wise is going to stand out.
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsRobert Downey Jr.Mickey RourkeGwyneth PaltrowWith the world now aware of his identity as Iron Man, Tony Stark must contend with both his declining health and a vengeful mad man with ties to his father's legacy.Iron Man 2 is a fun but messy sequel to the first film. This movie's biggest problem is that it lacks a real focus. There's the Whiplash storyline, the Hammer Tech storyline, the War Machine storyline, Tony's blood issues, and the Shield storyline. That's a lot to juggle and the movie never really has enough time to flesh any of these ideas out properly. However, even if the movie is unfocused, Robert Downey Jr's charm and his chemistry with Gwyneth Paltrow still leave you having a good time. We also get the introduction of Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff/ Black Widow who is amazing right off the bat, and she gets that awesome hallway fight scene. So overall this movie is far from the worst in the franchise but it is probably one of the most middling entries.
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsChris HemsworthAnthony HopkinsNatalie PortmanThe powerful but arrogant god Thor is cast out of Asgard to live amongst humans in Midgard (Earth), where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders.Thor is one of the most underrated movies in the franchise. I think this serves as a great introduction to Thor and Chris Hemsworth is great casting. We get his arc of this arrogant, selfish prince to a humble man who refuses to sit on the throne. Tom Hiddleston as Loki is also perfect in this movie and does such a great job playing this villain that we are able to sympathize with and sort of relate to. The action in this movie is great, the directing is solid, and the world of Asgard looks so beautiful in this movie. I also actually really like the love story between Thor and Natalie Portman's Jane Foster, I really like their dynamic and I like how he learns to be worthy through his time spent with her. I love the character of Thor and this movie is pretty much the best first film he could have gotten.
- DirectorJoe JohnstonStarsChris EvansHugo WeavingSamuel L. JacksonSteve Rogers, a rejected military soldier, transforms into Captain America after taking a dose of a "Super-Soldier serum". But being Captain America comes at a price as he attempts to take down a warmonger and a terrorist organization.Steve Rogers/ Captain America is my favorite MCU character and a lot of the reason why can be traced back to this movie. This is a perfect set up for who this character is, Chris Evans plays Steve Rogers as this genuinely good guy that just wants a chance to help people. Hayley Atwell is also fantastic as Peggy Carter here, she manages to make her own character so interesting by herself along with being a great romantic partner for Captain America. They have my favorite love story in the entire MCU and the ending of this movie is heartbreaking. The World War 2 era also really elevates this movie and helps it standout from other films in the franchise. I always have a great time with Captain America The First Avengers and like the first Thor I don't think it gets the love it deserves.
- DirectorJoss WhedonStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansScarlett JohanssonEarth's mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a team if they are going to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity.When this movie came out the idea of bringing 6 different superheroes from their own movies into one sounded like an impossible task, but then this film released and proved to be one of the best super hero films ever made. Our original 6 Avengers in this movie made up of Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Hulk, Thor, and Hawkeye work so well as a set of characters, because the actors all play their own character so well and have great chemistry with each other. Each character gets to show off their own set of abilities and having Loki be the villain in this movie was a great idea. This film manages to seamlessly bring all this previous movies together while still managing to tell it's own story. Mark Ruffalo is also so great as the Hulk here and this film also has by far the best written story for the character in the MCU. The film keeps you engaged the entire time and watching the team struggle to get along to finally working together to save the city in the end is always so satisfying. I love this movie and everytime I watch it I have a blast.
- DirectorShane BlackStarsRobert Downey Jr.Guy PearceGwyneth PaltrowWhen Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.I know over the past couple of years people have started to defend Iron Man 3 and say it's underrated, but personally I don't think Iron Man 3 is all that great. The story starts off very strong and the Mandarin feels like a very threatening villain but the movie shoots itself in the foot with the twist that the Mandarin was just an actor the whole time. Robert Downey Jr gives it his all as Iron Man and I love the PTSD storyline. I think this movie does a great job diving into the mindset that Tony has after the events of the Avengers. This movie does have some great action and character work, but the story and all the villains are actually awful. Killian is one of the worst villains in the MCU, his motivations are beyond stupid and his plan is ridiculous. There are elements of a great movie here and I think it's slightly better than Iron Man 2 but overall I don't think this film sticks the landing.
- DirectorAlan TaylorStarsChris HemsworthNatalie PortmanTom HiddlestonWhen the Dark Elves attempt to plunge the universe into darkness, Thor must embark on a perilous and personal journey that will reunite him with doctor Jane Foster.Thor The Dark World is one of the most forgettable movies in the MCU. The Dark Elves are weak villains and don't really have any character to them. Thor and Jane's romance isn't written as well here as it is in the first one, and the reality stone plotline just isn't that interesting. The best part of this movie is the development we get for Loki. The action is fine, the acting is good, and the visual effects look nice but overall this is a pretty mediocre entry.
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansSamuel L. JacksonScarlett JohanssonAs Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Black Widow, to battle a new threat from history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.Captain America The Winter Soldier is a masterpiece. Watching Steve, have to get used to living in a world where good and bad aren't as black and white as they used to be is very interesting. As corrupt people infiltrate Shield and the government, Captain America truly represents what America is supposed to be about, and that's freedom. He is willing to let people choose their own path, instead of listening to some algorithm, and his speech right before the end battle about doing the right thing even when it feels like everyone is against you is so powerful. Natasha also gets so much great development in this movie as she learns to open up and be more than just her Black Widow persona. Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans also have chemistry off the charts, and every time they're together, whether it be a funny or serious scene, the movie is so enjoyable. And of course the whole Winter Soldier/ Bucky plot twist is incredible. The Russo Brothers are the best directors when it comes to making MCU movies and they prove that here, we get so many great shots and the action scenes, especially the highway fight are so well done. Samuel L Jackson also gives his best performance as Nick Fury in this movie. This movie actually has something to say and it says it so well, I don't think it's just one of the best superhero movies ever made, but one of the best movies ever made period.
- DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattVin DieselBradley CooperA group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe.Guardians of the Galaxy is always a great time. James Gunn really brings so much energy to this weird group of misfits and gets us to care for them. There is a perfect mix of action, humor, and heart and the movie keeps you engaged the whole time. Chris Pratt does a great job leading this ensemble as Peter Quill/ Star Lord, he's naturally charismatic and has great chemistry with everyone. Zoe Saldana as Gamora is also great and this movie manages to make you cry over the death of Groot, a literal tree. The soundtrack here is fantastic and these songs bring the movie a fun sense of adventure and also represent the deeper meaning of these characters. Guardians of the Galaxy was a huge risk for Marvel when they first made it but now it's one of their most beloved brands for good reason.
- DirectorJoss WhedonStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansMark RuffaloWhen Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it's up to Earth's mightiest heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plan.Age of Ultron is a decent sequel to The Avengers. I feel like the biggest problem here is that they tried to shove in so much set up for future Marvel movies that sometimes the main story of this movie took a back seat. The whole Hulk and Black Widow romance was really stupid and didn't work at all, it was dumb to introduce Quicksliver and then kill him off that quickly for no real good reason, and Ultron wasn't really a threatening enough villain. But there are some pretty good things in this movie too. Elizabeth Olsen kills it as Scarlet Witch immediately. Thor and Captain America kind of get side lined but I think the rest of our original six all get some pretty good material. Tony is still suffering with some PTSD and I think the story of him trying to save everyone is solid. Hawkeye having a family and trying to figure out what he brings to the group was interesting. Learning more about Black Widow's red room training, and watching Bruce view the Hulk as a monster both serve as great character work. And of course our team is still fun to watch together and I love the party scene in the beginning when we get to just watch them hanging out as friends, because it strengthens the groups dynamic. Overall Age of Ultron has some issues but it does do a good job fleshing out our team of Avengers more.
- DirectorPeyton ReedStarsPaul RuddMichael DouglasCorey StollArmed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, pull off a plan that will save the world.Ant Man is a small scaled heist movie and it's a lot of fun. The way this movie plays with Ant Man's shrinking powers is so unique and it's enjoyable to watch. The visuals and action scenes are so creative, I love the whole battle at the end with the toy train set. Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/ Ant Man is hilarious and he was perfectly cast in this role. The movie also has a pretty good arc for him as he tries to be the hero that his daughter already thinks he is, which is a very heartfelt and wholesome story. Ant Man is a great introduction to this character.
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansRobert Downey Jr.Scarlett JohanssonPolitical involvement in the Avengers' affairs causes a rift between Captain America and Iron Man.Captain America Civil War is another incredible Marvel movie from the Russo Brothers. This movie manages to make a conflict between our Avengers that realistically splits them apart. The government wants the Avengers to become a group working under the government instead of a private organization. Captain America from his first movie would've signed up for that in a heartbeat but now that he's seen corruption from inside the government first hand he refuses to sign it. And Iron Man from his first movie never would've signed up for that but now that he personally has made big mistakes as Iron Man he believes that government supervision is necessary. Black Widow has never wanted anything but a family over the years due to her terrible childhood so throughout the movie she is the one that is trying to get the group to stay united no matter what side they're on. This movie hilights their three character arcs over the years perfectly. Zemo is such a great villain and gives us a perspective into how many of the ordinary people would probably view the Avengers. He goes to incredible lengths to rip our group apart and he succeeds when he reveals to Tony that The Winter Soldier killed his parents, that Steve knew and never told him. Watching Iron Man and Captian America fight is so sad but also such great storytelling. This movie also excellently introduces Tom Holland as Spider Man and Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, with Black Panther getting such a great storyline here. The whole movie he wants revenge for the death of his father, and when he finally gets the chance to kill Zemo he decides not to because he sees what vengeance has done to Captain America and Iron Man. The way Chadiwck Boseman pulled off that scene was phenomenal. The Russo Brothers also bring their A game to directing, especially the airport battle and the final battle. Just like Winter Soldier I believe that Civil War is just one of the best movies ever made.
- DirectorScott DerricksonStarsBenedict CumberbatchChiwetel EjioforRachel McAdamsWhile on a journey of physical and spiritual healing, a brilliant neurosurgeon is drawn into the world of the mystic arts.I think Doctor Strange is a decent movie with lots of missed opportunity. This film has such a unique character and so many different things they could've done with the story but it kind of feels like a rehash of Iron Man 1. The movie is still solid overall though. Benedict Cumberbatch is obviously great as Doctor Strange and the visuals are probably the coolest out of the entire MCU. However the movie's villain is beyond forgettable and Rachel McAdams is completely wasted here which sucks because she is one of the best actresses in the world. The movie does do a good job of introducing magic to the franchise through the Ancient One and Tilda Swinton does a great job playing the character. The movie manages to keep a pretty serious tone for the most part, but when it does try to do a joke it's pretty hit or miss. Overall Doctor Strange is a pretty middle of the road MCU entry.
- DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattZoe SaldanaDave BautistaThe Guardians struggle to keep together as a team while dealing with their personal family issues, notably Star-Lord's encounter with his father, the ambitious celestial being Ego.Guardians 2 is just as good and maybe even better than the original. The movie is hilarious once again and I love the focus on family in this film. The whole story of Star Lord wanting to bond with his dad without realizing how special his found family is to him is great storytelling. The real hilight of this movie for me is Yondu. Michael Rooker does such a great job and the dynamic he builds with Rocket Raccoon lets us explore both these characters on such a deeper level. He's so funny throughout the movie and his sacrifice scene and funeral always make me cry. The "He may have been your father, but he wasn't your daddy" line is incredible and Star Lord's speech after is so good, Chris Pratt really is so good in this role. This movie also has some of the most underrated shots in the franchise, like the cinematography here is top tier. This is one of the most heartfelt movies in the MCU and once again James Gunn's directing make this such a great time to watch.
- DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandMichael KeatonRobert Downey Jr.Peter Parker balances his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens with his superhero alter-ego Spider-Man, and finds himself on the trail of a new menace prowling the skies of New York City.I love Spider Man Homecoming. This is a perfect coming of age story and this is the most like an actual high school student Peter Parker has ever felt. Tom Holland does such a good job playing a more fun and innocent superhero and he's just really funny. I love the whole high school dynamic in this movie and Peter's friendship with Ned is great, they perfectly portray how high school friends act. Peter's arc of learning what it really means to be a hero is great and the scene towards the end where he's lifting the rubble off of him in his homemade suit gives me chills every time. Michael Keaton as the Vulture is also one of the best superhero movie villains of all time, he manages to be so terrifying and yet you still sympathize for him. The twist that he is Liz's dad is fantastic, and I was so shocked when I first saw it but it actually makes so much sense when you think about it. Spider Man Homecoming is one of the best MCU films and I feel like it's slightly underrated.
- DirectorTaika WaititiStarsChris HemsworthTom HiddlestonCate BlanchettImprisoned on the planet Sakaar, Thor must race against time to return to Asgard and stop Ragnarök, the destruction of his world, at the hands of the powerful and ruthless villain Hela.Thor Ragnarok gave this series and it's lead character a much needed win. Switching Thor into a more comedic character here worked so well because it let Chris Hemsworth's natural comedic talent shine and this movie is without a doubt the funniest film in the franchise. Every joke hits but there's also a perfect mix with more serious stuff. We finally see Loki become a hero in this movie, I love that development, and it's so satisfying watching the brothers work together to save their people. And Tessa Thompson is also a perfect addition here, she is wonderful as Valkyrie. The energy Taika Waititi brought to this film was so refreshing and the realms of Asgard felt more alive then ever. There are so many great shots and the final battle is amazing. We get to see Thor finally go full god mode, and mixed with the Immigrant Song in the background it's awesome. This is by far and away the best Thor movie to date.
- DirectorRyan CooglerStarsChadwick BosemanMichael B. JordanLupita Nyong'oT'Challa, heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, must step forward to lead his people into a new future and must confront a challenger from his country's past.Black Panther is such an incredible achievement. This movie has the best world building in the franchise, Wakanda feels like such a lively, lived in place. The late great Chadwick Boseman played T'Challa/ Black Panther so perfectly and he probably has the best supporting cast in the MCU. Killmonger is also the best villain in the franchise besides Thanos. Killmonger is so interesting because in so many ways he is right, in so many stories he is the hero. He wants to help oppressed people all around the world and is mad Wakanda won't help those people when they have the resources to, but his anger and his hate would cause so much destruction and anarchy. This gives T'Challa such a good arc because he learns from Killmonger and chooses to peacefully open up Wakanda and help others because of the villain. Ryan Coogler is also such a good director, the waterfall fight scene is one of the best fight scenes in the MCU, and so many of the shots are so beautiful. The score here is fantastic and represents Wakanda and it's people so well. This movie is so powerful because it had an important story that is so relevant to real life and told it in a way that allowed these characters to grow and have a genuine impact on people.
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris HemsworthMark RuffaloThe Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.It only made sense to give the Russo Brothers the next two Avengers movies after their work on the Captain America films. And they knocked it out of the park, Infinity War is a masterpiece. This movie had to bring the Guardians and the Avengers together, and have them fight the most anticipated villain in film history with Thanos. It was no small feat and they managed to exceed expectations. All the characters bounce off each other so perfectly, the action is incredibly, we get amazing character moments, and Thanos is by far the best villain in the entire franchise. This movie also hits you right in your heart with Gamora's death, Scarlet Witch being forced to kill Vision, and the snap. Zoe Saldana gives a great performance as Gamora here and she really is the heart of this film. This movie gave so much time for Thor to shine, he really was the mvp here. Thor's entrance in Wakanda is one of the most epic scenes in film history and Chris Hemsworth's delivery when he screams "Bring me Thanos" is top tier. The directing here is obviously great with so many standout action scenes and fantastic shots. There really aren't any issues I have with this movie and like the other Russo Brother movies I think it's one of the best films ever made.
- DirectorPeyton ReedStarsPaul RuddEvangeline LillyMichael PeñaAs Scott Lang balances being both a superhero and a father, Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym present an urgent new mission that finds the Ant-Man fighting alongside The Wasp to uncover secrets from their past.Ant Man and the Wasp is a good little adventure. The stakes aren't very high and the villains are kind of lackluster but Paul Rudd as Ant Man and Evangeline Lilly as the Wasp are a really fun pair. Story wise this movie doesn't have very much going for it but the charm of the smaller scale is part of the reason it's enjoyable, and the action scenes are unique and interesting just like the first movie. The movie is pretty funny, but the best part of this movie is the end credit scene that leads right into Avengers Endgame. Overall this movie is good to put on if you just want to laugh and enjoy yourself.
- DirectorAnna BodenRyan FleckStarsBrie LarsonSamuel L. JacksonBen MendelsohnCarol Danvers becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races.Captain Marvel is pretty mediocre. The whole Skrull story line is pretty interesting and it's cool to see a younger Nick Fury but besides that the movie doesn't have much going for it. Brie Larson is pretty boring as Carol Danvers/ Captain Marvel and I feel like it's more the writing's fault than it is hers. We're just not really given any reason to care or route for her. The action scenes are fine and the nineties references get a chuckle every once in a while but they aren't something that we haven't had done better in other Marvel movies. It was dumb that Nick Fury lost his eye to a cat, and the villains weren't interesting or threatening. Overall Captain Marvel is one of the franchise's more forgettable entries.
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansMark RuffaloAfter the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to reverse Thanos' actions and restore balance to the universe.Endgame is perfect on every level. I love how character focused this movie is. The deep dive we get into our original six Avengers in incredible. The time travel stuff gets us to relive our favorite moments from the franchise while also allowing for our characters to reflect and grow. Tony getting that final talk with his dad, Ant Man seeing his daughter all grown up, Thor getting a pep talk from his mom, and Nebula getting to fix her relationship with Gamora are all such fantastic moments. And of course Black Widow and Hawkeye's battle over who gets to sacrifice themselves. Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner really bring it in that scene. When Natasha gives her final "It's okay" and jumps of the cliff I cry every time. The scenes of the Avengers mourning her are also so great and I love how we see the other original five showcase the five stages of grief. The end battle here is also the some of the best stuff ever put to screen. I'll never forget the crowd's reaction to Captain America lifting Thor's hammer and all the Avengers coming out of the portals to make their final stand against Thanos. Tony's "I Am Iron Man" sacrifice at the end of the movie is so poetic and makes you think about the epic journey the character has went on over the course of so many films and Robert Downey Jr really sells it. I also love that Steve finally gets his happy ending with Peggy after all these years. Once again the Russos have directed a perfect Marvel movie. This movie serves as a perfect send off for Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow and I will forever love it.
- DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandSamuel L. JacksonJake GyllenhaalFollowing the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019), Spider-Man must step up to take on new threats in a world that has changed forever.I think Far From Home is a very good epilogue to Avengers Endgame. It solidifies Spider Man being the face of the MCU moving forward after the death of Iron Man, and I love how this movie portrays Peter trying to deal with the fact that he is the legacy of this incredible hero. It allows for Tom Holland to bring such an emotional range to his performance this time around. It also keeps up that fun high school type of feel from Homecoming although I think it's just slightly less funny this time around. Mysterio is also such a cool villain and his powers lead to some of the coolest looking action scenes in superhero movie history. I love the continuation of Peter and Ned's friendship and I think Zendaya was a great call to play MJ, her and Tom Holland have wonderful chemistry. The ending of this movie where Mysterio reveals Peter's identity is probably the best ending to a Marvel movie and it got me so hyped for the next film. I think Far From Home did a great job at following Endgame and also telling it's own story.
- DirectorCate ShortlandStarsScarlett JohanssonFlorence PughDavid HarbourNatasha Romanoff confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises.I think Black Widow was a good stand alone adventure for Natasha, despite it being like five years to late. Just to start off this movie has the best opening of any Marvel movie in my opinion. The haunting cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit playing over the the horrifying Red Room training really shows us just how awful life was for Natasha while she was growing up. Black Widow's origins are probably the darkest thing we've seen in the MCU movies and I'm happy that they didn't shy away from showing it. I love the whole broken family aspect of the movie, especially Florence Pugh as Natasha's sister, Yelena. She is one of the best casting choices Marvel has ever made, she perfectly portrays a character that tries to cover up her pain with humor, and she has excellent chemistry with Scarlett Johansson. I really dig the spy thriller type of feel going on in the first two acts of the movie and that leads me to my biggest critique of the film, the third act. I feel like the third act just becomes a generic cgi fight fest with a stupid Task Master reveal. Dreykov also should've had more of a motivation as the villain. Some people tend to dislike this movie because they think Natasha should've gotten her own trilogy years before this and thought that this was underwhelming and while I agree, I still really do enjoy this movie and it gave us a chance to say goodbye to this beloved character.
- DirectorDestin Daniel CrettonStarsSimu LiuAwkwafinaTony Leung Chiu-waiShang-Chi, the master of weaponry-based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the Ten Rings organization.I think Shang Chi is okay. I think the biggest problem with this movie is Simu Liu and Shang Chi. In my personal opinion he just kind of lacks the charisma that most of Marvel's leads have. The movie's story is solid and I think that Wenwu is actually a pretty good villain. I love how he's a villain that is motivated by love, I think that's very interesting. The hand to hand combat in this movie is very good, but I think the final battle drags and the special effects on the dragon are pretty bad. Overall I think Shang Chi has some good elements, but I think it's easily the most over rated Marvel movie.