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Every Marvel Universe Film, Ranked From Worst to Best
10. Thor: The Dark World (Metacritic Score: 54)
Poor Thor. His recent film sits at the bottom of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in terms of critical reception. Despite the fact that most of the characters seem to be merely going through the motions of saving the cosmos, when it comes to entertaining special effects extravaganzas you could do far worse.
9. Iron Man 2 (Metacritic Score: 57)
After Iron Man became an international break out hit, the sequel frustrated many by being surprisingly soulless. Let's face it: competing with the charismatic Jeff Bridges as a villain may have been too tall an order for Mickey Rourke and an army of drones.
8. Thor (Metacritic Score: 57)
For a film adaptation of the legendary son of Odin's adventures, Thor is a rousing and exciting action fest, notable for its imaginative take on the world of Asgard. Ranked among its fellow Marvel films, however, Thor comes up slightly lacking with a plot bogged down in backstory and explanations. It's still worth a watch for fans of the Norse hammer-wielding god.
7. The Incredible Hulk (Metacritic Score: 61)
The Incredible Hulk may have arrived too soon on the heels of Ang Lee's awkward arthouse rendition in 2003 to receive a fair hearing. This update does a considerably better job at capturing the spirit of the character, and at the time, its special effects were unparalleled.
6. Iron Man 3 (Metacritic Score: 62)
After the disappointing Iron Man 2, Marvel swung back again with the third film in Stark's storied saga. While the plot of Iron Man's showdown with the Extremis virus never quite reaches the heights of the original film, it definitely manages to inject back some of the heart missing from Iron Man 2.
5. Captain America: The First Avenger (Metacritic Score: 66)
Captain America definitely scratches that retro itch for everyone looking for a classic WWII comic book fable. With a fun pulpy style reminiscent of Indiana Jones, Captain America finds the perfect balance between action thrills and corny nostalgia.
4. The Avengers (Metacritic Score: 69)
You knew only good things would result when they combined the maverick talents of Joss Whedon with an all-star lineup of fan favorite Marvel characters. The Avengers runs neck and neck with Guardians of the Galaxy as the most fun of the Marvel films, with its witty script and playful banter.
3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Metacritic Score: 70)
The most recent Captain America film barely edges out The Avengers in a surprising critical upset. Steve Rogers may have a classically simple superhero name, but its the movie's moral complexity and breakneck action that appealed to audiences, making it one of Marvel's highest grossing films worldwide.
2. Guardians of the Galaxy (Metacritic Score: 76)
Guardians of the Galaxy delivered a breath of fresh air to the often overly-serious world of comic book movies. A collection of scruffy underdogs with an unending barrage of witty jokes make it an easy film to fall in love with. An upbeat catchy soundtrack that captures the movie's energetic spirit catapults Guardians to its status as a new classic.
1. Iron Man (Metacritic Score: 79)
The film that kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe remains king of the pack. The first Iron Man simultaneously revitalized Robert Downey Jr.'s career and, along with Batman Begins, made comic book movies very cool again. Ten movies later, Iron Man is still the Marvel movie to beat when it comes to worldwide critical acclaim.
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Poor Thor. His recent film sits at the bottom of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in terms of critical reception. Despite the fact that most of the characters seem to be merely going through the motions of saving the cosmos, when it comes to entertaining special effects extravaganzas you could do far worse.
9. Iron Man 2 (Metacritic Score: 57)
After Iron Man became an international break out hit, the sequel frustrated many by being surprisingly soulless. Let's face it: competing with the charismatic Jeff Bridges as a villain may have been too tall an order for Mickey Rourke and an army of drones.
8. Thor (Metacritic Score: 57)
For a film adaptation of the legendary son of Odin's adventures, Thor is a rousing and exciting action fest, notable for its imaginative take on the world of Asgard. Ranked among its fellow Marvel films, however, Thor comes up slightly lacking with a plot bogged down in backstory and explanations. It's still worth a watch for fans of the Norse hammer-wielding god.
7. The Incredible Hulk (Metacritic Score: 61)
The Incredible Hulk may have arrived too soon on the heels of Ang Lee's awkward arthouse rendition in 2003 to receive a fair hearing. This update does a considerably better job at capturing the spirit of the character, and at the time, its special effects were unparalleled.
6. Iron Man 3 (Metacritic Score: 62)
After the disappointing Iron Man 2, Marvel swung back again with the third film in Stark's storied saga. While the plot of Iron Man's showdown with the Extremis virus never quite reaches the heights of the original film, it definitely manages to inject back some of the heart missing from Iron Man 2.
5. Captain America: The First Avenger (Metacritic Score: 66)
Captain America definitely scratches that retro itch for everyone looking for a classic WWII comic book fable. With a fun pulpy style reminiscent of Indiana Jones, Captain America finds the perfect balance between action thrills and corny nostalgia.
4. The Avengers (Metacritic Score: 69)
You knew only good things would result when they combined the maverick talents of Joss Whedon with an all-star lineup of fan favorite Marvel characters. The Avengers runs neck and neck with Guardians of the Galaxy as the most fun of the Marvel films, with its witty script and playful banter.
3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Metacritic Score: 70)
The most recent Captain America film barely edges out The Avengers in a surprising critical upset. Steve Rogers may have a classically simple superhero name, but its the movie's moral complexity and breakneck action that appealed to audiences, making it one of Marvel's highest grossing films worldwide.
2. Guardians of the Galaxy (Metacritic Score: 76)
Guardians of the Galaxy delivered a breath of fresh air to the often overly-serious world of comic book movies. A collection of scruffy underdogs with an unending barrage of witty jokes make it an easy film to fall in love with. An upbeat catchy soundtrack that captures the movie's energetic spirit catapults Guardians to its status as a new classic.
1. Iron Man (Metacritic Score: 79)
The film that kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe remains king of the pack. The first Iron Man simultaneously revitalized Robert Downey Jr.'s career and, along with Batman Begins, made comic book movies very cool again. Ten movies later, Iron Man is still the Marvel movie to beat when it comes to worldwide critical acclaim.
More...