Movies: What did You Watch Last Night?

[Smithy Winfred]

Originally Posted by Yodaking

No AoU yet either Smithy?

Oops, should tell you what I thought of it. It was pretty, but left a lot to be desired. That was the first one that I think suffered primarily because it was created by the Marvel machine. It had so much riding on it, and I feel like they didn't let it take any chances.

I did like Ultron for what he was though, he wasn't as imposing or terrifying as the comics, but I do feel like he was interesting enough as a villain to keep the movie rolling. The final battle against Ultron is on par with Iron Man 2 as my least favorite fight scene of all time, just because it was so anti-climactic. Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes did it better.

[Aldin]

If I'd only ever watched Iron Man, Avengers, Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy I'd be perfectly happy. While I've enjoyed the rest to greater or lesser degrees, they feel like pretty standard Summer Action fare in comparison.

Mind you, my movie watching over the weekend was High School Musical and Pitch Perfect - so my credibility may be seriously lacking.

~Aldin, a bit saddened by his suspicion that the acapella wave has crested and is in decline

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by Aldin

If I'd only ever watched Iron Man, Avengers, Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy I'd be perfectly happy. While I've enjoyed the rest to greater or lesser degrees, they feel like pretty standard Summer Action fare in comparison.

I feel like the first Captain America is a major snub on that list, but that's the only one I'd try to make a strong case for.

[Aldin]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

I feel like the first Captain America is a major snub on that list, but that's the only one I'd try to make a strong case for.

Really? Maybe I should re-watch it. I already knew Cap's origin story and the way he fit in the present-day. From that perspective it felt rather paint-by-numbers to me - but I may be doing it an injustice.

~Aldin, who enjoys Cap more as a man out of time, than as a WWII super soldier

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by Aldin

~Aldin, who enjoys Cap more as a man out of time, than as a WWII super soldier

Ah, but it's not the "super soldier" parts of that movie that really make it - it's the parts with the little guy who stands up for what's right and defies all odds, the one who the government thinks is a joke and a mascot (even after the successful powering up), and the guy who reminds us that patriotism, goodness, and duty are still worthy ideals.

[Hahma]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

Ah, but it's not the "super soldier" parts of that movie that really make it - it's the parts with the little guy who stands up for what's right and defies all odds, the one who the government thinks is a joke and a mascot (even after the successful powering up), and the guy who reminds us that patriotism, goodness, and duty are still worthy ideals.

Well said Bats. I'm a big fan of that era, so that adds to my enjoyment and part of why I enjoyed Agent Carter so much too.

The first Cap movie demonstrated in so many ways what a good guy Steve is and what big heart he has.

[Yodaking]

Yeah, it really came through in that movie that he was a hero because of his character, not because he was born with superpowers. Him diving on the grenade when everyone else ran was key to his character. His seeing the solution for getting the flag off the pole when completely exhausted while the others just tried the direct approach showed his mental toughness and strategic thinking.

[Smithy Winfred]

Just got back from Ant-Man, and I was pleasantly surprised. It had a very Edgar Wright feel too it, and it was much funnier than I thought it would be. Even if the plot was stealing tons from Iron Man 1, I feel it did it well, and with enough originality to make it its own. Paul Rudd did amazing, and Michael Douglas was a good old man Hank Pym as well, with the whole self doubting mentor kinda thing going on, and his tense relationship with his daughter. I could have done for less Hope, but it didn't kill the movie. Its biggest shortcoming was probably, once again, a weak villain, Marvel really needs to get their act together on this front, out of the almost 2 dozen movies, we have one good villain, and he can from the TV series.

Spoiler Alert!

The final battle was probably the best fight sequence in a Marvel movie to date. It really captured the spirit of the movie in a fun, and exciting way, while still keeping you engaged, and laughing the whole time. Did not like the whole "That's Titanium! you can never break through that! oh no, he's going to die! Psych." I'd have been fine if they just had him punch a way through and save the day, but whatever.

Definitely worth seeing

Rankings:

GotG
Winter Soldier
Avengers
Ant-Man
Iron Man 1
Ultron
Cap 1
Iron Man 3
Thor, Thor 2, IM2, Incredible Hulk (In no particular order)

I think I liked Ant-Man a lot more than many other people.

[Yodaking]

Smithy, Antman comment.....

Spoiler Alert!

Pretty sure they are setting up the 'microverse' or whatever they called it in the movie for some future Marvel story arcs. Possibly a first introduction to something Dr. Strange gets involved with. They mentioned that time works differently in that 'zone' a couple of times too so I wouldn't be surprised if Janet Van Dyne pops up in a future installment. They purposely never showed her face to leave a later casting decision wide open. I'm just not sure how that is going to work with Hope becoming the Wasp too. Not sure if the MCU needs two Wasps running around at the same time.

[chas]

Yes, I really thought they were going to rescue Jan at the end, so she could live out her older age with Hank, and I'm rooting for her in the next film! There's no reason you can't have a new active Wasp with an older retired one, just like Ant Man himself...

...if you can't have a happy ending once in a while, what's the point of comics--they are supposed to INSPIRE us.

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by Smithy Winfred

I think I liked Ant-Man a lot more than many other people.

I loved it! But I loved some other movies on your list more than you did, so it only makes my #5 spot (first spot of the second tier).

Marvel’s The Avengers
Captain America: The First Avenger
Iron Man
Captain America: Winter Soldier

Ant-Man
Guardians of the Galaxy
Iron Man 2
The Incredible Hulk

Avengers: Age of ULTRON
Thor
Iron Man 3
Thor 2

[quozl]

I'd rank them like this:

Ant-Man
Iron Man
Marvel’s The Avengers
Guardians of the Galaxy
Captain America: Winter Soldier
Captain America: The First Avenger
Iron Man 3
Thor
Thor 2
The Incredible Hulk
Avengers: Age of ULTRON
Iron Man 2