My Personal Opinions on the Infinity Arc Movies (Part 1)
This post is to illustrate what I personally think of each movie in the Infinity Arc. I will be doing these posts in 3 parts- Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3, from Iron Man to Avengers: Endgame. To be clear, this will also include Black Widow as that takes place between Civil War and Infinity War but not Spiderman: Far From Home as that is part of the Multiverse Saga. Without further ado, let’s get right into it. We will begin with Phase 1.
Iron Man
The best of the Iron Man movies without question. The tone is serious and grounded. Jeff Bridges makes for a good villain and the action scenes are good. The tank scene is a great establisher for the MCU’s forthcoming action scenes. I feel this is also Tony Stark’s best portrayal before he became over-arrogant with hubris in subsequent Iron Man and Avengers films. Here, Tony is still likeable before becoming cocky and butting heads with just about every leadership-role male he met (Steve Rogers and Stephen Strange). Terrence Howard does play nicely in contrast to RDJ, although Cheadle will always be better. Best line(s): Your services are no longer required/I am Iron Man/Next time baby
Incredible Hulk
The most underrated MCU film and that is saying something. Before Disney bought out Marvel and stamped their family-friendly campiness onto the MCU on the Avengers and onward, Paramount and Universal distributed the Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and Hulk films. Why people think the Incredible Hulk is a forgettable film is beyond me. It’s better than Ang Lee’s Hulk, that’s for sure. I love the tone. Serious and dark. A man on the run, for something that was not his fault. A sense of hopelessness. Will he get out of the corner he’s been put into? The struggle between the man and the monster and even playing the Lonely Man theme while Banner is walking through Guatemala. Norton’s performance of Banner is a different one than Ruffalo’s. Ruffalo encapsulates the more vulnerable, introverted side of Banner whereas Norton portrays the more angsty, edgy Banner. A perfect pairing for the chase sequence that occurs on the rooftops of Rio complemented by the awesome score by Craig Armstrong. Amazing performances by Norton, Tim Roth, and William Hurt. Liv Tyler is a hit or miss. Would have loved to see more of Tim Blake Nelson. I would like to see his return as Leader in the upcoming She-Hulk although I don’t know if that’s going to happen. Say what you will about the CGI, the battle at Culver University which was, by the way, filmed at Morningside Park and University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (Canadian pride, I am a Scarborough native), is awesome with the sonic blasters and the ferocity of Hulk and expressions in his face. The final battle between Abomination and Hulk always gets me excited especially as Abomination sees Hulk and they begin running at each other. Tingles and chills every time. Love the brute bashing and the demonstration of how much stronger Abomination is than Hulk. If it were up to me, this is the tone I’d set the entire MCU in. Best line(s): I don’t know what you’ve got inside you already, the mixture could be…… an abomination/Reload
Iron Man 2
This one is decent. Not terrible like everyone says it is. Sure the villains are kinda thin but who cares. I’m a fan of Mickey Rourke’s performance as Vanko. There are also some entertaining moments like the Grand Prix race and Tony and Rhodey banging each other up in Stark’s house. Best scene in the movie, no contest. The music chosen to go with that scene is perfect (Queen’s Another One Bites The Dust and Daft Punk’s Robot Rock). Sam Rockwell is a hilarious charming goof as Justin Hammer. Also, Scarlett Johansson’s debut as Natasha? Hubba hubba. More please. Will admit, the piss-in-the-suit thing while drunk and fatalistic is stupid. MCU’s first strike at over-silliness. The whole creating-an-element-out-of-Howard-Stark’s-diorama-thing does not bother me in the slightest, no sir. An average film. Pretty forgettable but enjoyable main villain unlike Malekith. Did kind of suck that that he died a bit fast in the climax but oh well, it’s Whiplash. He gets a pass for dying so fast since he’s not a A or B-list villain. Best line(s): Sidekick this!/Hey man, I want my boord/Oh sorry, funny how annoying a little prick can be isn’t it?/Hey man, don’t get so attached to things. Learn to let go
Thor
Another decent movie that I like at the same level as Iron Man 2. I don’t really feel that anyone outshines anyone in terms of acting. No one acts terribly bad or really outstanding. One plus about it is that Phil Coulson has a more substantial role after Iron Man and 2. Nothing very memorable about it. Nothing terrible about it. Obviously The Destroyer is nerfed in the MCU because it should not have been destroyed by Thor that easily. It would actually give him a good lengthy battle and would most likely have needed assistance from the Warriors Three and Sif. Actually, there is one actor whose performance does rise above the rest and that is Tom Hiddleston as Loki. Especially during the scenes where he tells Laufey he can conceal him while he sneaks him into Asgard and then can slay Odin where he lies. The other which takes the cake, is when Loki confronts Odin after finding out he’s a Frost Giant. The cinematography of the Bifrost, Asgard, and Jotunhiem all stand out as well. That’s pretty much it for this one. Average, decent film. Best line(s): This drink I like it, another!/TELL ME!
Captain America: The First Avenger
A solid film with good performances from Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Tommy Lee Jones, and Hugo Weaving. Perfect casting choice for Red Skull. Although he was basically a one-off, Weaving’s performance is memorable. Making the plot of the movie a period piece in WWII worked. The Howling Commandos were a treat, led by Neal Mcdonough as Dum Dum Dugan. Stanley Tucci was a nice addition as Dr. Abraham Erskine. Weaving stole the show every time he spoke and the climactic battle was a treat. Nuff said for this one. Best line(s): I can do this all day/Look at him, he’s making me cry/What about you and Stark, how do I know the two of you haven’t been…fonduing?/Zola: What is this? Philips: Steak Zola: What is in it? Philips: Cow. Doctor do you realize how difficult it is to get a hold of a prime cut like that out here? Zola: I don’t eat meat. Philips: Why not? Zola: It disagrees with me. Philips: How about cyanide, does that give you the rumbly tummy too?
The Avengers
Although it does look cheesy and cheap compared to its successors, can’t deny the screenplay is genius. The banter between the Avengers when they first meet is hilarious, clever, and witty. Got to hand it to Joss Whedon for this one. The dialogue alone between Cap and Iron Man about Tony being a genius, playboy, billionaire, philanthropist is gold. The first fight between Hulk and Thor is a treat and let’s not forget the battle in the forest between Thor and Iron Man. One thing that no one liked that everyone can almost unanimously agree I think, is Steve’s strictness to the point of Boy Scout level. Although I do side with him that Tony was being careless on the ship by provoking Banner, Steve maybe does need to lighten up a bit. Too uptight which is understandable since they were dealing with a planetary threat. Steve is right but his attitude would personally irk me too since I can’t swallow by-the-book people either. The story flowed and the way how they all came together did too. Best line(s): Shakespeare in the park? Doth mother know you weareth her drapes?/Loki: I have an army. Tony: We have a Hulk/Not a great plan/Puny god/An ant has no quarrel with a boot/Steve Rogers: Big man in a suit of armor, take that off, what are you? Tony Stark: Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist