HAMMY’S TOP 10…MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE FILMS!

With Guardians of the Galaxy vol.2 already released over here in the UK, and shortly to be released in the U.S., I thought it was about time that I listed my Top 10 MCU films! The Marvel Cinematic Universe has become the franchise that all film companies aspire to possess. Warner Bros have attempted to compete with the DC Universe, and we have plenty more movie ‘universes’ to come. But for now, only one is dominant, and that’s the MCU.

They’ve honed and refined a winning formula of generic origin stories, light-heartedness and humour. Most of all, the majority of them are fun to watch! There have been a few awful films (The Incredible Hulk, most of the sequels), but overall you know what you’re getting in a MCU film. That’s good for now…but will people tire of it in a few years? We’re getting three this year, for goodness sake! But for now, here are my (up-to-date) Top 10 MCU Films…

Mr Blue Sky…

Review: Captain America: Civil War (2016) (We Don’t Need Your Civil War…Or Do We?!?!)

SPOILER-FREE!

“Wherever you can compromise you do, but where you can’t, don’t”

Is Captain America: Civil War the best MCU movie yet? In more than a few reviews, the answer has been: yes. When critics fawn over something with great intensity, I usually regard the thing in question with suspicion. It also works in reverse: when critics universally slate something, I am more forgiving of it (see: Batman v Superman). After watching Captain America: Civil War more than a week ago, I’ve had more than enough time to think about it. While I thought it would be hard to top the MCU’s previous ‘best film,’ Captain America: Winter Soldier, Civil War just about tops it…I reckon it earns the title ‘best MCU film.’

Review: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) (Hail to the King?)

(SPOILERS AHEAD)

“Don’t Win The War ‘Til I Get There”

‘Captain America’ brings a good old World War II feel to the Marvel Universe. The previous film was ‘Tho’r, a fantasy about gods on other planets. ‘Captain America’ brings things down to earth, albeit with some effects from the world of Thor. It’s a film of two halves, united by the excellent casting of Chris Evans as Steve Rogers. The first half, the better half, follows Rogers’ journey to becoming Captain America. The second half never really finds its feet, blundering from one scene to another.

Review: Iron Man (2008) [Where It All Began…]

(SPOILERS AHEAD)

“Yes, it’s very cool!”

In preparation for Avengers: Age of Ultron, I’ve been watching all the Marvel Universe films in order. And boy, does Iron Man seem so long ago! It came out at a time when a ‘shared’ universe was barely understood. Now, it’s the buzz word for Hollywood. In 2008, all of the major superheroes had had their time in the sun. It was time for the B+ players to shine, and the seeds to be sown for the biggest team up in comic book movie history…