Author’s Note: While I have read a few Marvel Comics and consider myself an average fan of the franchise, I will admit that it is usually the first film that comes to mind when comparing stories of a certain character, the origin story and rarely do sequels top the original. However, do some of the choices made by the studio seem out of place? Definitely. How and why? I can answer that question in one sentence. You sacrifice quality for a quick buck. That’s how low the entertainment industry (even comics) have fallen. Way past the bottom of the barrel, and down into a near endless abyss. But I have excluded one film even though it has some ties to the end of Phase 3, which I will get to (3 guesses who). I would easily summarize it in a short paragraph despite not seeing it for a good reason. Keep in mind that this is a combination of both my opinion and some notes about the films that I have seen so tiny spoiler alert for those that have never watched some of them. So…after a decade of Marvel films and sequels and new starts…it has all lead to the Endgame. So, let’s start all the way back to 2008 with the film that started it all shall we.
[PHASE 1:] The Blueprint
Iron Man (2008)
“I am Iron Man”
“Did you really think you were the only superhero in the world? Mr. Stark you just entered into a bigger world. You just don’t know it yet.”
“How ironic Tony. You tried to rid the world of weapons. You gave it the best one ever”.
The film that started it all. I only knew the bare minimum about the character. Weapons dealer, arrogant, bright, billionaire, gets captured by terrorists and then makes a suit of iron to escape from his confinement after realizing the mistakes he has done. The poetic irony and the only inner demon that I realize Tony will never admit he has inside, is his ego. Yes, his military friend Col. Rhodes tries to help him get back into the world after what Tony went through in the Middle East, but sometimes even the brightest of minds can also invoke monsters worse than they can imagine. Stane represented the dark side of corporations that exploit for their own personal gain, that even though the guy built the company from nothing, the morals are just as much as night and day between the two. What would not surprise me later was how some of the later films would harken back to not just this film, but a few would harken back to the origin films of the so called “trinity” of Marvel.
The Incredible Hulk (2008):
“I hate to say that I told you so General, but that Super Solider experiment was put on ice for a reason”.
Not to be confused with the Hulk film of 2003, the base of the story deals with scientist Bruce Banner getting exposed to gamma radiation because of a military experiment while being hunted by the military and turning into the giant green anti hero monster that many Marvel fans love. However, the only tiny difference between the two films is the fact that the main villain Abomination is the antagonist. What makes the connection to Captain America however is the failed attempts at doing the “Super Soldier” experiment of which Tony’s father was a part of. Hence, the reason why Bruce Banner gets turned into the titular character. While Betty was the only one keeping him sane at first, the fact that the experiment of Bruce turning into the Hulk and the supposed secrets of creating a “super solder” could create a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions bothers Bruce and he tried to get the sample destroyed, but someone gets injected with the serum and becomes a monster just as bad as the Hulk. While having understood the basic storyline of the character, the visuals were pretty good but it was pretty easy to follow what causes people who are obsessed with power and control yet forget to control themselves; making an inner monster while lashing out at others for something that they themselves caused.
The post credits of The Incredible Hulk harkens back to the problem of hubris of which Tony easily forgets when he “confronts” Gen. Thunderbolt Ross and alludes to the “Avengers” project that Director Fury mentioned in post credits of Iron Man.
Iron Man 2 (2010)
“You lose Mr. Stark”.
“I’m very real. I’m the realest person you’re ever going to meet”
“I didn’t give Rhodes my suit. He took it”.
“Hold on. You’re Iron Man and he just took it?!”
While the take on SHIELD, Whiplash, and War Machine were for the most part, spot on, Tony having to find an alternate power source to power up the reactor in his chest and having to deal with not just past ramifications of his father’s work but realizing that sometimes certain things are just not meant to be done because others will take advantage of it right under your nose. Such was the case with the petty Hammer company not realizing that he was being manipulated by Whiplash. Black Widow’s introduction was obviously the best part of the movie, while Tony teaming up with his best buddy Rhodes came in at a close second before the second round with Whiplash. However, Rhodes having to literally snap Tony out of his mental instability to Fury and Agent Romanov trying to help Tony focus on finding a new element to his reactor battery problem while making Pepper the new CEO of Stark Industries really makes for one hell of a ridiculous laundry list of issues for someone as ego centric as Tony Stark.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011):
“I could do this all day”. – Steve Rogers
“Arrogance may not be a unique American trait, but I must say Captain you do it better than anyone. But there are limits to what even you can do, Captain, or did Erskine tell you otherwise?” – Red Skull
“I don’t want to kill anyone. I don’t’ like bullies; I don’t care where they’re from”. – Steve Rogers
“Whatever happens tomorrow you must promise me one thing. That you will stay who you are. Not a perfect soldier, but a good man”. – Erskine
The fact that this one went a bit on the old school design in terms of how the times were and since we’re also talking about how the character exemplifies American patriotism and defending the values of the Constitution against tyranny…I thought the first film would actually still be great. What mattered more with the titular character was values and morals vs tyranny and pursuit of power by any means (which is what was the case with both the modern military and Abomination in The Incredible Hulk). While I did enjoy the timely visuals in terms of what went around during that time, I especially liked the origins of Captain America in general and especially with the fact that during the time, America was facing the fight against Communists and Nazis. However…the fact that such individuals existed in America didn’t surprise me. Moreso in the fact that such sleepers blended in the general public (more on that in part 2 Phase 2). The interesting part about how the Infinity Stones became an integral part of the MCU made me wonder how the others would be incorporated film wise based on the numerous comics for many of the characters of Marvel. In this case for The First Avengers (and again with The Avengers) the Tesseract (or the Space Stone). What made me curious about the climax was where the Red Skull was transported. I know that the Wikipedia assumed that he was dead but I had basic knowledge of its ability so I knew that Red Skull was alive (more on that in Part 3 Phase 3).
Thor (2011):
“You are a vain, greedy, cruel boy!”
“And you are an old man and a fool!”
“Yes… I was a fool, to think you were ready.”
[Odin to Thor
“It’s not a bad thing finding out that you don’t have all the answers. You start asking the right questions.”
“For the first time in my life, I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.”
“Anyone who’s ever going to find his way in this world, has to start by admitting he doesn’t know…”
[Thor to Selvig]
While I did have basic knowledge…or limited knowledge on Norse mythology (ie: who was who, the setting, etc.), this version of the Norse god of Thunder was more or less an arrogant young man that needed a bit of reality and humble pie. I did enjoy the visuals of Asgard and the Bifrost. Anthony Hopkins’ performance as Odin was really good and Tom Hiddleston as Loki…I can see why fans like the God of Mischief. But I can definitely see Chris Hemsworth as Thor because of how he portrays the character. The only minor cringe has to be some of the writing (but it shows a little more in The Avengers). While Selvig and Jane Foster did serve as a means to help Thor adjust to Midgard, it was the Warriors Three and Sif who were his friends in battle whereas the aforementioned two helped Thor become humble and understand what it meant to protect the innocent and those who could not defend themselves. However, in reality, this was more of the classic mind over matter and brains vs. brawn scenario (the geek modern version is Batman v Superman and I don’t care if I am getting off track for a brief moment but the fact remains the same in terms of how everything doesn’t involve brute force).
Even after Loki found out about his real heritage, what was a bit sad and vain of both Loki and Thor was trying to gain the approval of Odin, their father but in different ways. However, Thor’s time on Midgard made him realize that they were worth protecting despite all the flaws that humanity usually has. While Hawkeye had a brief cameo and Coulson was in the film after his brief stint in Iron Man 2 per orders of Director Fury, the only question remained as to who the main villain was going to be when The Avengers started, that is until the post credits of Thor happen when Loki arrives on a parallel plane to Midgard and the Space Stone is rediscovered after being fished out of the ocean.
The Avengers (2012):
“Yeah, you say ‘peace’ I kind of think you mean the other thing” (Fury to Loki)
“You know the last time I was in Germany, and saw a guy standing over everyone else…we ended up disagreeing” (Capt. Rogers to Loki)
“Aren’t the stars and stripes a little…old fashioned?”
“With everything that’s happening, the things that are about to come to light, people might just need a little old-fashioned”. (Agent Coulson to Capt. Rogers)
“We have a Hulk” – Tony Stark to Loki
“Because if we can’t protect the Earth, you can be damn well sure that we’ll avenge it”.
After five years and 5 films, the first time I heard about the movie coming out, I had a feeling that it might be great. While the main villain was obvious I kept getting the nagging feeling that this first team up was just a set up to something more. Some of the dialogue wasn’t too bad and I could rattle off some quotes if I felt like it but…before I get to some of the good ones, I had to admit that I have to give kudos to the script writers and the genius of Alan Silvestri who made the theme of The Avengers. Most fans can easily rattle off some lines but I sometimes stick to some of the most significant quotes. Dr. Banner explaining about how he wanted to be rid of the Hulk by ending his life and yet the doubt he was wrestling with caused the Hulk to come out anyway (2003 Hulk). [Note: This was actually a deleted scene, but referenced].
“Big man in a suit of armor. Take all that away and what are you?”
“Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist”
“I know guys with none of that worth ten of you. I’ve seen the footage. The only person that you fight for is yourself. You’re not the guy to make a sacrifice play. To lay down on a wire and like the other guy crawl over you”.
“I think I would just cut the wire”.
“Always a way out. You know you may not be a threat but you better stop trying to play the hero”
“A hero? Like you? You’re a laboratory experiment Rogers. Everything special about you came out of a bottle”.
While this exchange between the two not only shows how much they dislike each other, what shows is that Tony is every bit like his father and never puts himself in check because of his ego whereas Steven has the set of morals that has slowly been forgotten by most people (which…in all honesty is sad), but…keeping those values and morals despite being literally “out of time” is what make Captain America so memorable. Despite Loki being captured voluntarily after running off with the Space Stone and having been given the Mind Stone (the Scepter) [already 2 out of the 6 Infinity Stones] plus putting Hawkeye and Erik Selvig under his temporary control, while some of the Avengers dislike Loki and Thor dismissively disregarding the fact that Loki is playing them (although only Capt. Rogers seems to have figured that detail out), and then Director Fury having to ask “Then why do I get the feeling that he’s the only one that wants to be here?”, it’s Black Widow that was able to piece together Loki’s real plan, letting the Hulk destroy the Hellicarrier.
By the time we get to the Battle of New York, parts of the Helicarrier are in shambles, Loki killed Agent Coulson and Thor and the Hulk are far from the others; the remaining Avengers realize that they have to put their differences aside and work together in stopping Loki and the army that he plans to set loose on the city (the Chitauri).
Visually, most of the fights were good and the Battle of New York was done well. Plus the music was tied in nicely to each of the great scenes. It was also nice to see a cameo from the man himself, Stan Lee. Near the end, when Fury faces the World Council post Battle of New York…I love the exchange that he gives.
COUNCILMAN: I don’t think you understand what you’ve started: letting the Avengers loose on this world. They’re dangerous.
NICK FURY: They surely are. And the whole world knows it. Every world knows it.
COUNCILMAN: Was that the point of all this? A statement?
NICK FURY: A promise.
Because no matter how great the danger may be, there will always be a need for heroes.
With that being said, here’s my ratings on the first 5 films:
Iron Man: 9.0/10
Iron Man 2: 8.0/10
The Incredible Hulk: 7.5/10
Captain America: The First Avenger: 8.9/10
Thor: 8.0/10
While I have been curious about the pathway of the franchise, I did have to remind myself a bit of caution because of “fatigue” and it’s potential. However, with what modern Disney was doing…part of me didn’t trust the brand entirely. Could some characters show growth and development? Likely. But all of it depended on how the rest of the story arcs came through.
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