Having seen Captain America: The Winter Soldier, I think it's time to update my ranking of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But, solo movies only simply because The Avengers is still the best superhero movie in my opinion.
8: Iron Man 2
Easily the weakest of the Marvel solo movies. Iron Man 2 tries to do too much with setting up The Avengers, it becomes more of style over substance. Not saying it's a bad movie. It still progresses Tony as a character, giving him a unique situation in a second installment of a superhero franchise. I can easily see the hate for the movie and the one dimensional villain. I can't help but still enjoy it because of the performances and the story overall is still solid.
7: Iron Man 3
Iron Man 3 is again, not a bad movie. Mandarin twist aside, which I honestly still don't mind it. I think there was a missed opportunity with the film. As with most of the Marvel Studios films, the villain is weak and while we do get some stakes with the story and characters, it never feels like something bad was going to happen to any of the characters. The dynamic with Tony and the Harley is easily the best part of the entire movie. It ties up some loose ends and giving more time to Rhodey, it survives as a movie due to being a very entertaining blockbuster but tries to hard to be funny.
6: Thor: The Dark World
As with Iron Man 3, the movie ultimately while a darker movie in the franchise, never feels like there are any real stakes to the characters and story. As with Iron Man 2, it prefers style over substance and is the only film in the cinematic universe with a weak and forced romance. A bit more believable this time, it suffers from a weak villain whose motives are the typical bad guy is pure evil and wants to rule the world (universe?) and I feel like it was the Loki show despite being a Thor movie. More time with Lady Sif and the warriors three would've also been nice. Darcy is still ammusing but, tries to hard to be funny. What makes this movie so weak is the lack of an interesting story. The score on the other hand is outstanding.
5: The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk has a strong and interesting story that pays homage to the Bill Bixby show while keeping in touch with what makes the character so interesting. The struggle and long search Bruce Banner has to cure himself of The Hulk. The fights are intense and exciting and while not exactly a strong romance. It easily has some of the best performances in the cinematic universe which with the story, ultimately makes it one of the stronger and more engaging films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
4: Thor
What makes Thor a very good movie is the interesting story of casting the main character out to earth powerless and making him appreciate lives of others while redeeming himself as a man. Despite a forced romance and weak battle sequences. It's ultimately the characters and both the journies of both Thor and Loki that makes this one worth a watch. Not to mention it introduces us to the greatness of both Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddelston.
3: Iron Man
Iron Man is pretty simple in story. But, Robert Downey jr. has a ressurgence with this film and ultimately has become the definitive Iron Man. It gives us a real world look at terrorism and I feel it shows us through complex characters that not only can everyone change and become better, selfless people. We can make a difference. Iron Man is a rarity. A smart blockbuster that ultimately proves it can still be fun and action packed while maintaining substance. Maybe I read too much into it but, that's what I get from the movie and is for sure one of the best superhero movies we've ever had. Why number 3? I'll explain by showing you my top two.
2: Captain America: The First Avenger
The First Avenger's strongest point is the supporting cast. It really shines through even over it's lead, Chris Evans. Evans perfectly captures Steve Rogers. While many people found the ending to be rushed and that Cap doesn't have much development, I disagree. Cap has development but it's as much as you can give a goody two shoes hero for their first film. Superman has the same problem if you ask me but, I'm not trying to compare. Cap struggles to become a weakling who is used as a mascot more less to becoming a super soldier who is our hope from Hydra. His relationship with Peggy is the strongest romance I think in superhero films and it's the one movie where not only do we care for our hero genuinely but also, we care for him before he becomes the superhero. Again weak villain but, that aside. The First Avenger has easily one of the most memorable superhero scores we've ever had.
1: Captain America: The Winter Soldier
If you've read my review for the film, this shouldn't be a shocker. One of the best superhero films of all time. Captain America: The Winter Soldier gives us great plot and character twists while also predictable, the greatest strength lies within the character development and as with the first film, we care for the characters. The action sequences are intense with what I feel is a memorable villain in, The Winter Soldier himself. A film about friendship, humanity and honesty, it gives us a real world look at security over freedom and that ultimately, what makes this film so great and the best of the solo films. It maintains its humanity by giving us real characters with substance over style with Cap coming into his own as a hero and becoming the true leader we all know and love him to be.
Agree? Disagree? Comment below with your thoughts and rankings. What makes this so great as that everyone has their own opinions. Let's have fun with this guys and let's be respectful as always.
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