User blog:Mister Explicit/Ranking the MCU films

Let's make this brief.

Movies 23-18 are finished, 17-1 are coming soon!

23) Thor: The Dark World
Without a doubt, The Dark World is easily the MCU's only definitive failure, considering MCU standards. In my mind, this is where Marvel Studios first attempted to dabble into comedy, although it is made abundantly clear they were incapable of doing so (although they later redeemed themselves). I might have chuckled once, but the other 98% of the time the jokes felt flat or shoehorned in, primarily in part to the film's side characters (I'm looking at you).

This is also a film that suffers worst from Marvel's early villain problems, as Malekith the Accursed is a forgettable adversary (these problems I will hereby refer to as Forgettable Marvel Villain Syndrome, or FMVS for short). Most of the character development is focused on both Thor's relationships with Jane Foster and Loki. While it barely works, the romantic Foster subplot is thrown away after this movie, and the reprecussions of Loki's "death" are wiped back to square one by the events of Thor: Ragnarok.

The only takeaways are that Thor's mom dies (which would later come into effect in Endgame) and that the Reality Stone is introduced.

Final Grade: 40%

22) Ant-Man and the Wasp
So we passed the bad films in the MCU. That is in no way saying these next few are good.

Ant-Man and the Wasp falls into the same ballpark as The Dark World, only this time it doesn't completely fall flat on itself. The movie is not bad, by any means, but it's not great, either. In my mind, the only reason this film got as much great reviews as it did, because it served as a palette cleanser after Avengers: Infinity War. Which is... fine, I guess.

By 2018, most of us would know that Marvel had their comedy-game on point, so from that standpoint, you'd have fun watching this movie. If you're looking for a plot-driven, emotionally impactful superhero masterpiece akin to Infinity War, then this film is not right for you. Most of the new characters are admittedly forgettable, and until proven otherwise in the future, they don't appear to have a lasting impact in the grand scale of things. It isn't a necessary watch in the long run, save for the mid-credits scene, which serve as a moderate prologue for Endgame.

Final Grade: 45%

21) Thor
Thor was just whatever. Since this was still Phase One, this just seemed like Marvel was in the process of experimenting with their characters, figuring what worked and what didn't. Trial and error can come a long way, and while this ended up paying off, just by solely looking at this film by it's merits, it's nothing mind-blowing. It walks the line between goodness and mediocrity.

The only good things I can say about it, is that Loki's debut appearance is brilliant, setting up the foundation for an even greater and more sophisticated character in the later films. Also, the introduction of Asgard was a welcome one, but unfortunately, we barely get to see it because for the other 66% of the movie we're in the deserts of New Mexico. The conflict between Thor losing his powers and trying to prove his worth back, while Loki is seizing control of the throne of Asgard, is well-established, but it's a slow-burn, which leads to terrible pacing in the film, and in turn making it all the more boring.

That's me being generous, because there really is nothing else to say about this movie.

Final Grade: 55%

20) Iron Man 2
And so we cue in the moderately half-decent entries in the MCU.

Iron Man 2 is a movie that doesn't deserve the hate it gets, when it comes to comparing these movies. Definitely inferior to it's predecessor, but it is certainly an enjoyable Sunday night flick. There were more than several welcome additions into this movie, such as Black Widow and the sleazy Justin Hammer. The plot, aside from the overcomplicated subplot with Tony Stark struggling with his 'sins of the father' conflict, is pretty much a copy and paste of the first movie, where Stark develops new technology, then the film's antagonist (in this case, Whiplash, another FMVS victim) uses this tech to wreak havoc, and the movie ends with our hero winning the big final climax.

...not a great plan.

Final Grade: 60%

19) Captain America: The First Avenger
Captain America: The First Avenger suffers from the same problems as Thor, in the sense that it keeps experimenting with the characters. However, this time around, Marvel Studios produces somewhat more effective results.

You have a likeable protagonist, Steve Rogers, and you root for the big man as you watch this superhero flick escalate into a war-time drama. And a bona fide solid movie, at that. The character development between Rogers and Peggy Carter was well-implemented, and doesn't feel shoehorned (like others). Also, the integration of HYDRA, and the Red Skull into the MCU was particularly well-done. The pacing is significantly better, so it is more engaging, but it doesn't excuse the fact that the first act is a bit slow. However, it is in the second act that the film really goes into full gear, and by the third act, you're locked in for the thrill ride.

Final Grade: 65%

18) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Guardians Vol. 2 is a really good sequel, as it expands on the world of the first, all the while maintaining it's unique charm. While it is lightyears away from being as good as it's predecessor, it still retains the hallmarks of a Guardians adventure, as we've come to know and become familiarized with, while also improving upon certain aspects that the first may have faltered. This movie is a punch below the belt on the emotional forefront, as here, the stakes are more personal. The best thing about this movie, is that the chemistry between our beloved ragtag group of outlaws, assassins and mercenaries is built upon and expanded more. The inclusion of Baby Groot is the movie's main attraction, and scene-stealer.

The only major complaints I have with this otherwise solid film, is that I felt that sometimes the humour was too shoehorned in, and half the time, it does not pay off as well as the film would've hoped it to be. The pacing is also slowed down, but for this film, considering the stakes, it would've been best that this movie be a slow-burn, like a wick to the candle, before it dials up the adrenaline by eleven in the film's climax.

Also, Ego the Living Planet has proven to be a far better antagonist than Ronan, although that is a pretty low standard.

Final Grade: 67%