Top 5 Marvel Cinematic Universe Films

By Austin Johnson

I am not going to sit here and act like I am in love with the Marvel films as much as the rest of you. When I say Marvel films, I’m talking about Iron Man to Endgame. 22 films in 11 years that made 22 billion dollars is just an unbelievable achievement, and they wrapped everything up pretty damn well, but the content just isn’t a top priority of mine. We saw top notch actors take roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, forcing me to give a shit about the project all together. At this point, I’m pretty sure everyone has seen Endgame. If you haven’t, then you wouldn’t have gotten this far, reading the opinions of someone who isn’t even necessarily a fan. I say that because I simply do not care for about half of the films. I’ve seen them all at least once and very rarely do I find one that I’d consider rewatchable. It would be like someone saying that James Harden is an amazing basketball player. He is, but only on one side of the floor. You have to take everything into account when critiquing someone’s art.

I don’t want to bash any specific films, but if they aren’t on this list, aside from a couple, I just didn’t care for them too much. This is going to be the list I’m least passionate about so far, but that doesn’t mean I’m not passionate the ones I mention. I absolutely adore Mark Ruffalo and RDJ, due to their contribution in Zodiac, a film that you all know I am in total awe of. Josh Brolin is just the fucking man. Scar Jo has always been an actress I just can’t get enough of. Bradley Cooper has gotten all my respect after last year's hit, A Star Is Born. I truly believe Lupita Nyong'o is one of the premiere talents in the game right now. Point is, there are people in these films that I just can’t go on without seeing. There is no question that these films have dominated the past decade, getting everyone up off their asses and into the theater. I love that, but I wish it didn’t take capes and infinity stones to do so.

5.) Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

“So, to become an Avenger, is there like trials or an interview?”

Spider-Man is my favorite idea for a superhero, and I’m a sucker for the first two that came out in the early 2000’s with Tobey Maguire acting as Peter Parker. These days, we have the charismatic Tom Holland acting as the boy in tights, who has his second solo film coming out this July. Homecoming came out a couple summers ago, and it has grown on me since then. Initially, it was just another Marvel movie, but as I’ve rewatched it a couple times at home, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a pretty strong film. The cast is pretty random, but you have RDJ and Michael Keaton as the vets, holding it down. The use of Spider-Man on screen is just going to get more impressive as time goes on, because he uses fucking webs to fly around all over the place. His super powers will sort of reflect the technology we have, as you must use CGI for his high flying acrobatics. It looks like Holland is going to be a centerpiece for Marvel moving forward, with Jon Watts also making a return this July as Director. I really hope we see a film that rivals the quality of that first one with Tobey, Willem, Dunst, and Franco.

4.) Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

“Even when I had nothing, I had Bucky."

The Russo Brothers really showed us what they were capable of as directors in 2014 with this one. It was the first Marvel film they got full control of, and let’s just say they didn’t look back. The step up in quality from The First Avenger to The Winter Soldier is drastic in my opinion. In fact, it’s the 9th film in the Marvel cinematic universe, and the only one of those first nine that I think is totally aware of what it is. It felt like they weren’t just making superhero movies anymore, but just trying to make good films that every moviegoer would enjoy. The chemistry between Chris Evans as Steve Rogers and Sebastian Stan as Bucky is comparable to any other male duo we’ve seen in recent history. This is also where Scar Jo gets to truly shine as Natasha Romanoff, or if we are going by made up names, Black Widow. The CGI seems to be at a minimum here, with old school action taking its place. I think this film will have a long life, not just being a part of the 22 film MCU, but standing tall with its ambition and solid writing.

3.) Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

“There was one time when we were children, he transformed
himself into a snake, and he knows that I love snakes. So, I went
to pick up the snake to admire it and he transformed back
into himself and he was like, "Blergh, it's me!".
And he stabbed me. We were eight at the time.”

Ragnarok is easily the funniest film inside the 22 films for me. Some might say Guardians takes that title, but I just disagree. Chris Hemsworth finally found his exact niche, thanks to the freedom that Taika Waititi provides as a director. Taika had just done films like What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, both very out there comedies. When you put that with Thor, it’s destined to be pretty awesome. The addition of legendary actress Cate Blanchett as the main villain, Hela, might also have something to do with my admiration for the film. The change in pace and quality from the first two Thor films to Ragnarok is such an improvement. I can’t stress that enough. From the moment you hear "Immigrant Song" by Zeppelin to the post-credits scene between Thor and Loki, it’s a full throttle ride that will remind you just how fun these films can be.

2.) Captain America: Civil War (2016)

"That shield doesn't belong to you. You don't deserve it!
My father made that shield!”

Conflict among heroes is a fascinating thing, and Civil War showcases these heroes of ours going through their own self-reflection. Even in a superhero world, there has to be some accountability for actions taken. Civil War is such an integral piece to the whole story, because it shows serious decision making, and pits our two leaders, Iron Man and Captain America, against one another. Their differences are too strong, leading to a showdown between those who take Cap’s side and Stark’s side. This film provides some of the best moments in Marvel cinematic history, with our favorite people to look up to finally disagreeing, and acting on it. Black Panther makes his entrance after his father is killed by a bomb set off by Helmut Zemo. Civil War is off the wall! The choreography is an absolute master class and I really thought this was going to remain my favorite Marvel film until...

1.) Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

“Little one, it's a simple calculus. This universe is finite, its
resources, finite. If life is left unchecked, life will cease
to exist. It needs correcting.”

You read that right, not Endgame, but Infinity War. Infinity War is the gold standard for superhero films now. It stirred, surprised, and captivated all of us. I have watched this so many times now, thanks to it being put on Netflix shortly after it’s release. Every scene, aside from the Peter Dinklage stuff, is fucking incredible. We are legitimately scared for the future of the universe due to the sense of urgency that Thanos acts with. Thanos doesn’t stand there and talk to you before he pulls the trigger, he just pulls the trigger. His ability to see the big picture and open his mind up to ways in which humanity can thrive is like no other villain. Thanos is convinced that overpopulation is real, that there simply won’t be enough for everyone if we don’t check ourselves. He’s hard to argue with, but easy to hate because of the tenacity he contains. Every actor seemed to be completely locked in and aware of how powerful the film would be financially and cinematically. This one and Endgame made time stop for a second, getting all of us to fully invest, even if we weren’t fans of every film they put out. Of course Endgame is the finale, but personally, I’ll remember this as being the big climactic masterpiece that all of us deserved after staying on board for so long.