Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 1 Rapid Fire Reviews

     Two months from the day of this writing, Avengers: Endgame will be released at theaters, and you can bet your comic book collections that I will be attending the midnight premiere of it.  Even though the Marvel Cinematic Universe will continue to introduce new superhero movie franchises for years to come, the story arc that began a little over a decade ago with Iron Man will come to end in, well, Endgame.  And as I ride on the hype train for the next two months, I'm going to be watching all 20 of the films Marvel Studios has produced thus far, sharing my quick thoughts on each one.  Without further ado, here are the original six films that started it all:

Iron Man--This movie, when it was being made, should not have turned out half as good as it is, and it still remains one of Marvel's best films.  The characters are funny and charming.  The film finds a nice balance between humor and drama, and the story about redemption and transformation is wonderfully told.  Not a bad way to start a movie marathon.

The Incredible Hulk--Well it's not 2003's Hulk film, so it's got that going for it.  But I do like the monster movie vibe of this film, and it's always fun to see the grumpy green Goliath smash up whatever is in his path.  It's enjoyable, but doesn't have the same charm or the memorable characters of other films on this list. 

Iron Man 2--This film has more suits, more one liners, more villains, more plot lines, more characters, and more references to the universe at large.  If this sounds like the movie is overstuffed, you would be right.  But it also means there's more Iron Man, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Thor--Great date movie, as no woman can resist staring at Chris Hemsworth, and the guy can enjoy the spectacle of a Thor comic book come to life. And Natalie Portman's not bad either. 

Captain America: The First Avenger--This is my personal favorite of the bunch.  I love the WWII aesthetic of the film, and the characters are well-written and likable.  It's not only a great superhero movie, showcasing why one of Marvel's oldest characters remains one of their most beloved, but it's a great tribute to comic books and the hope and inspiration they've given readers since the 1940's.

The Avengers--One word: marvelous. 'Nuff said.