With Marvel’s new Netflix original web television series, The Punisher, officially scheduled to release some time in late 2017, and Thor: Ragnarok set to debut in theaters November 2, Marvel fanboys and fangirls alike have taken to the Internet to post their thoughts and opinions on the latest additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) certainly doesn’t always live up to the expectations of dedicated comic-lovers –– and oftentimes completely diverges from the characters and plot lines we know and love (here’s looking at you, Iron Man 3’s more-than-disappointing Mandarin reveal. Seriously, Ben Kingsley?). However, rare moments of clarity between the big screen and the inked pages promise that whether you’re a die-hard comic junkie or a casual movie-goer, the brains at Marvel HQ have created something for everyone to enjoy.
Ant-Man (2015): Scott Tries On the Suit
When Stan Lee teased the pre-production of the Ant-Man movie over Twitter in February 2010, fans couldn’t hide their skepticism. By 2013, Marvel Studios cast ruggedly handsome, hasn’t-aged-since-1995 Paul Rudd as their ant-loving-burglar-slash-prison-convict-slash-family-man. But despite Ant-Man’s rich background in Marvel lore, dating back to his first appearance in 1962, most fans had no clue he existed. A man that communicates with insects and shrinks down to ant-size? Kind of sounds like a bad Honey, I Shrunk the Kids spin-off.
Regardless, Ant-Man (2015) proved naysayers wrong with its clever script and strategically staged battle scenes that both immersed the viewer in the action and gave way to the movie’s inability to take itself seriously. And while the Toy Train Fight between our hero Scott Lang and Darren Cross made me literally laugh out loud at its absurdity, Scott trying on the suit easily takes the cake as the best scene of the movie. The almost mesmerizing, smooth transition of Scott shrinking for the first time, landing only millimeters tall in his bathtub and promptly freaking out gave us a first look into the physics behind the suit and the elusive Pym Particle.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): Training at Camp Lehigh
World War II-era Steve Rogers taking initiative and risking his life in a fake grenade test via training montage meant to showcase his selflessness? There’s absolutely nothing more American than that…except maybe apple pie. Or the Star-Spangled Man song break after Steve beefs up via Super Serum.
The cardinal movie of the Captain America trilogy, The First Avenger (2011) makes a point to flesh Steve out and develop his personality, goals and fears into the three-dimensional, “I’ve got nothing to lose” smart guy dismantling a pole to reach the coveted flag we see in the clip –– before throwing all that maturation out the window and stuffing him full of angst and despair for the next six years. Chris Evans, Marvel dealt you a bad hand, but we don’t blame you. Instead of mulling over “what might have been” if Steven Grant “I’m Not Brooding, That’s Just My Face” Rogers hadn’t devolved over the course of The Avengers, rewatch his training at Camp Lehigh and how that Brooklyn-grit of his shines through.
Spider-man: Homecoming (2017): Reflection in the Mask
Chock-full of Easter eggs and references to other films encompassing the MCU, Homecoming’s homage to its 2002 predecessor starring Tobey Maguire came as no real surprise. During the second confrontation between Peter Parker and the estranged Vulture, Adrian Toomes, the vigilante, ends up crushed under the weight of several cinderblock support pillars. After looking into his unmasked reflection in the pale moonlight (a serious hats-off to the OG Spider-man’s battle with Green Goblin), Peter summons the resolve to pick himself (and an entire building) up and stop Toomes before he hijacks a plane holding high-tech Avengers equipment.
Spider-man fans old and new found Tom Holland’s plucky youthfulness a refreshing portrayal of the quick-witted Peter Parker of the comic series. And along with the nod toward Miles Morales and Cindy Moon in the Cinematic Universe, Spider-man: Homecoming (2017) carries the torch of a new era of Marvel movies with pride.
Daredevil (2015): El Grande Avocados
Most of the items on this list hail from the movie-side of the Cinematic Universe, but Marvel doesn’t limit their audience to those watching in the theater. Netflix’s original Daredevil series highlights the vigilante (I’m sensing a pattern here) Devil of Hell’s Kitchen in his quest to help the underdogs prevail over the corrupt legal system of the United States –– more of a topical social commentary piece than an enigmatic, action-filled show about a cool superhero in red tights.
For a vast majority of the first season, lawyer-by-day, crime-fighting-menace-by-night Matt Murdock keeps up a stoic facade to hide years of grief and abandonment issues from his two dear friends and co-workers. A straight-faced, level-headed 9-to-5er, who just so happens to have heightened senses and a knack for pursuing criminal activities. Sure, he smiles occasionally and lets out a small chuckle here and there, but for the most part, nothing can faze Matt Murdock…until “Nelson v. Murdock” (S01E10). For the first time, Matt Murdock jokes around. He full out laughs. A significant difference from the stone cold expression he usually wears. We finally see Matt as a human being, capable of human emotion, exchanging friendly human banter.
Iron Man (2008): “I Am Iron Man”
Talk about a twist ending (sarcasm)! Knowing Tony Stark’s (and, by extension, Robert Downey Jr.’s) affinity for grandiose gestures and keeping up public appearances, this ending wasn’t so much of a shock as it was an “I saw that coming, but I can’t wait to watch what they’re going to do next.” The 2008 Iron Man film marked the first movie in a long line of Marvel’s ever-expansive Cinematic Universe, and its success at the box-office ultimately led to every television spin-off, Netflix series and feature film advertised online and plastered on billboards we see today.
Thus, this iconic scene holds a very special spot on this list (and my heart) as the No. 1 Marvel Cinematic Moment. Marvel, while you may have over-dramatized and exaggerated plot lines over the years, drawn-out tensions that really could have been settled through any sort of communication and desaturated livelily, animated characters in favor of sulking men in spandex, Tony Stark remained a constant quip-bearing threat.
