Summary
TheMarvel Cinematic Universeenters Phase Two from 2013 to 2015, providing audiences with 6 MCU movies and the promise of going beyond Earth. Phase Two was a tad of a shake-up for the MCU and a time where experimentation with the formula would flourish, and allow for further intrigue into characters known and unknown.
Whilst some movies in MCU’s Phase 2 were not as well received as that of Phase 1, there is still a lot ofnostalgia to look back on, with MCU movies that still act as the pinnacle of Marvel Studios’ heights as they enter into the 2020s with new releases.
6Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 67%
Thor’s second solo adventure sees him fight against Dark Elves in an effort to keep Asgard and Earth from plunging into darkness and rage. What could have been a triumphant return to Asgard, with its characters and consequences from the firstAvengersmovie, instead turned into a rather slow and mediocre drama where not much happens in terms of interesting villains and motivations.
There are certainly emotional scenes to be had, but further exploration of Thor and Loki’s relationship as brothers, and their ties to their mother were necessary, especially when paired against a villain that failed to compel.Thor: The Dark Worldisn’t terrible, but it has a weird place in the MCU.
5Iron Man 3 (2013)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
After the events of the firstAvengersmovie, Tony Stark suffers from his experiences. PTSD and anxiety attacks plague Tony, and even within the indestructible armor of Iron Man, he cannot escape the torments of his fears. Things go from bad to worsewhen the Mandarin makes himself known, vowing to tear Tony’s world apart, from his home to his friends and family.
What could have been a serious finale to Iron Man’s trilogy, ended up being less ‘Iron’ and more ‘Man’. The movie is mainly about Tony Stark’s retribution against a disappointing and predictable Mandarin plot twist, and whilst there are entertaining scenes, and RDJ is as charismatic as ever, it’s a tad too subversive to be repeated.
4Ant-Man (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
The MCU getsbigger by going smallerthanks toAnt-Man, a movie that features Scott Lang, a master thief, who is tasked with stealing plans to save the world. Ant-Man is a wonderous blend of superhero flair mixed with comedy charm, and Peyton Reed and Paul Rudd seem to be a charming duo that shows that the little guy can be the most important every now and then.
Even to those who have a distaste for bugs and ants in particular,Ant-Mandoesn’t gross people out, but instead keeps them engaged with hilarity and heart. The lack of an epic scale really helps to make Ant-Man feel more personal and believable, even if it involves a guy shrinking to a microscopic level.
3Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 76%
The Avengers return for their second outing as a team, and for this adventure, they are once again called into action to stop a world-ending threat, one that Tony Stark is responsible for. Tony has crafted the ultimate artificial intelligence with Ultron, but Ultron takes matters into his own hands when he develops sentience, and decides that to save the world, the human race must die.
There is much conflict inAge of Ultronsurrounding the stellar chemistry of characters, and everyone seems to be battling their own demons, making for a darker approach to their characters, but still equally as safe fora sequel that doesn’t take much risk. The introduction of new characters is neat but underdeveloped, and the action goes a long way in makingAge of Ultrona stand-out that still has much to be desired.
2Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
Steve Rogers is adapting to the modern world, but that very world is turned upside down when S.H.I.E.L.D. becomes compromised with H.Y.D.R.A. agents, thrusting Captain Americaand Black Widowinto a deeply rooted political plot, all whilst they try to battle the hunting, resilient, and mysterious Winter Soldier.
Captain America: The Winter Soldierdeserves credit for taking the MCU in a darker direction, providing a political thriller over the spectacle of a humorous comic book movie.The Winter Soldieris intriguing, unexpected, and at times fairly dark, and it proves that not every Marvel movie needs to be quips upon quips.
1Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
The Marvel Cinematic Universe leaves Earth behind for a cosmic voyage, bringing forth sci-fi elements and a space opera worthy of the Marvel name. The movie follows the rogue human Peter Quill as Star-Lord as he finds himself with a ragtag group of misfits with the common goal of stopping Ronan the Accuser from controlling the galaxy with a mystical orb.
Guardians of the Galaxyis brilliantly electrifying and provides audiences with a new team of misfits and outcasts that are tasked with doing a little bit of good and a little bit of bad to save the galaxy. The creativity, chemistry, and humor is Marvel at their peak thanks to James Gunn, and it proved that Marvel could make a star out of the weirdest and most unknown characters withthe right talentand risks.
