JBond Overanalyzes the MCU

This... took a turn I don't agree with. I don't like Guardians 2 as much as some people but can't really relate to ranking it that low. As for Cap 1, I feel like the steampunk WW2 of it is more than enough to earn it some extra points and while Red Skull is far from the most nuanced villain, he does look really cool.

The complaint that Cap 1 is better in the scenes before he actually becomes Cap, i.e. goes into action...I don't disagree.

23. Eternals (2021)



This is the only movie in the list I had only seen once before my binge. This is also the movie that you often hear getting the title “worst MCU movie ever,” which I hope most agree is quite an exaggeration. It’s not a very good movie and it runs a bit long, but for me, there is nothing obvious to point and complain. It’s slow, but the characters are pretty good and could have greatly benefitted from a Disney+ series instead of movie. I like the idea of characters growing relationships with other people over millennia. And there’s more than one above average fight scene in this. I also like the Eternal Druig’s struggle with wanting to break the “Prime Directive,” to borrow a Star Trek term, and help humans prosper instead of watching them kill each other.


Best part: There’s a great battle scene between the Eternals and Deviants in the Amazon rainforest.

Worst part: Didn’t care for Sprite switching sides on if the entire planet lives or dies because she loves the new villain.


**.5/****



22. Doctor Strange (2016)



I don’t have much to say about this one – I find it pretty boring. It’s not the first or even the second origin story where a jerk finds meaning, but the other two were more compelling. And Doctor Strange just went from being a jerk to being a less selfish jerk. A lot of this movie seems motivated by special effects, which were pretty and all, but doesn’t help the movie after a few viewings.


Best part: New York mirror universe sequence.

Worst part: No one part really jumps out. I guess the whole Ancient One casting and story behind it is pretty disappointing.


**.5/****


21. Thor (2011)



This movie grows on me a bit more each time I watch it. Thor’s arc, though not completely unlike Tony Stark, aptly takes him from a warmongering child to a leader who has learned patience and humility. It never reaches the level of Shakespeare, but there aren’t as many weak points as I remember from the past. The film is well-cast, has maybe a weak middle, but ends it on a fairly high note. I think Loki’s arc is a bit muddled and tough to understand – he fairs better in later instalments as an all-out villain.


Best part: Thor finally finds his hammer Mjolnir on Earth, and much to everyone’s surprise, he cannot wield it. Seeing him hit rock bottom was well done, and served well for his climb back up.

Worst part: There is line from Thor about coming from a place where science and magic are one and the same. If they could redo it, they probably would have left this line out. Now that we have witches, sorcerers, time travel, multiple realties and magic.


**.5/****

What'll be interesting here is seeing what movies we DO agree on.

Uh oh.

Jibbs has a #1 #2 of Black Widow and Captain Marvel and i burn this place down.

Yeah, well, it also has enemies blowing up and coming back down, up and down in front of the moon.

17. Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness (2022)



I've now probably seen this movie three times, and it's grown on me a bit since the first time I've seen it. I still think the first half drags quite a bit. As could be seen from my low ranking of Doctor Strange, this franchise isn't really my cup of tea. Because of this I was hoping to just get some fan service out of this film now that the multiverse theme is starting to breakthrough in the MCU. Minus a few reference and quick cameos, even this didn't really break through. Also, we have a new superhero that has as interesting back story, but then proceeds to do and say almost nothing in the film.

But the final half/act is where this movie really starts to shine. When it goes "full Raimi." I'm not a huge fan of horror, but I still had a lot of fun. I've already thrown in movies low on this list that had a bad half, but I think this ranking shows the benefits of the good half being the second half.


Best part: Scarlett Witch being “seen” by her kids in disgust. Gut wrenching moment.

Worst part: Throwing in that our dreams are links to our alternate selves. Oh, come on. Why are all of my alternate selves looking for a clean bathroom?? (I also did not care for Doctor Strange making Bruce Campbell punch himself for three weeks. What a cruel, cruel thing if you think about it. I guess it was funny for Raimi because it was the Bruce cameo)


**.5/****



16. Black Panther (2018)



There’s much to like about this movie. The movie is gorgeous in its locations, sets and props. The cast is top tier, as is usually the case. The script however, just isn’t very good. It’s driven by the power struggle clichés we’ve come to expect going back to Game of Thrones, Lion King and even Hamlet. And let’s not forget the scene where a neighboring group is asked for help, they decline, and then show up just in time. (How did they even show up on mostly flat plains without anyone seeing them from far away?) I know a lot of people love this movie, but I never find it very engaging.

This might have been forgivable with a strong villain, and as much as I like Michael B. Jordan, his character is...well, he’s an unlikeable jerk. And not in a good villainy way. Which is weird, because it looks like they wanted to give him a good point about the one-percenters of Wakanda hording their wealth and influence. But this isn’t what drives his character. Just hate, warmongering, and oddly placed anger toward T’Challa whom had nothing to do with his father’s death.

Then there’s vibranium, which kind of drives this movie. It’s a substance that’s stronger than any substance, can power technology, and can heal a bullet wound as long as you shove it right up there! It’s cartoony, but I suppose it goes well with the cartoony action, as well.


Best part: T’Challa fight scene early on with M’Baku for the throne.

Worst part: Black Panther and his cousin literally fighting while falling off a cliff.



**.5/****



15. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)




It’s a new Thor. Gone are the days of stuffy Shakespearian Asgard aesthetics, and in its place is the familiar and established goo of goofy, action Marvel. In theory, it’s a welcome change. In reality, even Marvel is hit or miss when it comes to their comedy/actions, and I feel this one hits about as much as it misses.

I love the feel of this movie. It IS a fun movie. Whenever we’re on the planet of Sakaar, there is this great retro use of color and synthesizer, as if we’re in a Tron sequel. I want to like this movie more because of all this, but the writing mostly doesn’t do it for me. Too much of it is driven by scenes that are themselves driven by comedy and chaos that don’t land for me. The introduction of long lost sister Hela, although near the top of desperate writing ploys, actually serves the lore of Thor pretty well. It’s already been established that Odin has had wilder days where he was a conqueror instead of a king. Hela returning forced the characters to reckon with this – you have to wonder why Anthony Hopkins didn’t have a main role in this one. That could have been very interesting.


Best part: Thor summons the demon(?) Surtur to destroy Asgard as a last ditch effort to stop Hela.

Worst part: A few seconds later when Korg makes a joke at the expense of the destruction of Asgard. Kind of a microcosm of much of the movie.


***/****

That's the best part of the movie!

Yeah, Ragnarok is a top 5 Marvel for me.

Oh those things are great. I guess I'd say there are aspects of filmmaking in general that can't elevate a film on its own. A bad movie could have the greatest soundtrack of all time and I'd still be a bad movie. (Not that Black Panther is bad)