It's pretty hard to believe that this film that started it all came out four years ago (May, 2008), but I'm glad to say that it still lives up to how awesome it once was. If you're one of the few people in the world who hasn't seen it, 'Iron Man' brought Marvel films into a new level of awesomeness with its execution, focusing much more on an origin story, rather than your typical hero/villain showdown with only a very basic origin. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is a billion-dollar playboy whose industry develops the latest in advanced weapons technology. During a test run in the desert of his new weapon, the Jericho Missile, Stark is kidnapped and held hostage. His kidnappers demand that he create the Jericho for their terrorist group, and with the help of a man named Yinsen, they set to work. However, it's revealed to the audience that they're actually working on a body suit of extreme armor and power in order to break free. The breakout is a success, and Stark takes the technology he created home with him in order to build a fancier suit. At a press conference, it's revealed that many of Stark's weapons were used against villages in Afghanistan, including Yinsen's. It's also revealed to him that his friend Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges) wants to take over Stark Industries for himself at any cost, thus dethroning Stark as head of his father's company. Enraged, he uses his new suit to fly to Afghanistan and save a village from terrorism, and thus, the Iron Man weapon is born. 'Iron Man' had some incredibly stiff competition upon the release of 'The Dark Knight' later that summer in which was the better superhero movie. As most people I know would lean toward 'The Dark Knight', it may be interesting to note that both hold a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, however 'The Dark Knight' has more of an audience following (which did include myself) and 96% as opposed to 'Iron Man's 91%. I always frankly considered 'Iron Man' to be the 'Batman Begins' of the Marvel films, as its very similar in its formula. Either way, what really made this movie awesome for most people, including myself, was it's after credit scene in which Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) speaks to Stark about putting a team together, giving way to the concept of 'The Avengers'; the biggest superhero project to date. 'Iron Man' is still easily the best of the 'Avengers' predecessors in my humble opinion, providing us with great story, great action, and lots of solid laughs blended with a seriousness that this day and age is all too familiar with.
Final Rating: 5/5

'The Incredible Hulk' is living proof that reboots don't always fail. Of course, this particular reboot didn't have a hell of a lot to live up to considering its predecessor was that Ang Lee flick that featured Eric Bana as Bruce Banner and was complimented by far too many comic book frames and cheesy effects. THIS Hulk is Edward Norton, who I find to be just about perfect for the role, but certain discrepancies Norton and the studio had over money matters (correct me if I'm wrong) has Norton NOT playing the Hulk in 'The Avengers', and he will of course be played by Mark Ruffalo. Anyway, it's not often that you see a superhero movie just flat out hit the ground running like this one does, and it worked brilliantly. The general gamma radiation accident that happens to Bruce Banner occurs in the opening credits. Throughout the first parts of the film, we know there's something wrong with him as he's in hiding in Rio de Janeiro, working in a bottle factory and looking for a "cure", which he collaborates with a "Mr. Blue" on over the internet for (Banner is Mr. Green). He also works with a martial arts expert in order to control his rage during this. One day in the bottle factory, Banner cuts his finger, and accidentally drops some blood into one of the bottles, which is ingested by Stan Lee's cameo, causing him health issues. General Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt [who worked on the gamma immunization experiment with Banner along with his daughter, Betty, played by Liv Tyler]) traces this sample back to Rio, and sends a team lead by Emil Blonksy (Tom Roth) to investigate. We soon of course find out that he turns into a crazy, gigantic, green rage monster when provoked due to his exposure to gamma radiation. Upon discovering this, along with the annihilation of his team Blonsky agrees to be injected with a small amount of a serum that Ross has developed which gives him amazing physical capabilities with which to fight the Hulk. Of course, this eventually leads to his lust for power and becoming the "Abomination" and to save a hell of a lot more explanation it generally comes down to Blonsky wanting the power to defeat the Hulk, Ross wanting to weaponize the serum, and Banner and Ross' daughter (who were once love interests, reunited) ultimately looking for a cure and avoiding catastrophe from Ross, Blonsky and even Banner himself. I thought it was overall very well done, and figure a general audience can certainly sympathize with a character like Banner. One needs to control his or her own rage once in a while or they can turn into a big scary monster metaphorically speaking, and often have to do this under a lot of pressure. I always kind of considered the Hulk to be a metaphor for that kind of thing, which I understand was what Stan Lee was going for upon his creation. This film, unlike its predecessor, however, adds a few more human elements to it like the greed of Blonsky and Ross, making a statement on just how power hungry humanity can be. It's great having a villain like the Abomination go up against the Hulk because it's two very different types of rage. Of course, this one ends with it's Avengers teaser as well a the end when we see Stark talking to Ross about forming a team. It's a well done, action filled and heart-felt film for what the filmmakers have to work with.
Final Rating: 4/5

And third in line for The Avengers buildup is... IRON MAN!...again. 'Iron Man 2' picks up where the previous film left off. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) has revealed himself to the world as Iron Man, and as a result, the US government wants the technology. After a man named Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke) attacks Stark on a racetrack using a very similar technology, the hunter of this technology, Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) takes matters into his own hands by hiring Vanko to create an army of drones. In the meantime, the world needs Stark to be Iron Man, so he appoints Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) to be CEO of Stark Industries. 'Iron Man 2' is decent, but it's got nothing on its predecessor. They really beat you over the head with the Avengers Initiative, even introducing Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) as she works side by side with Pepper Potts for the majority of the film. A treat for the audience, however, is getting to see Rhodes (Don Cheadle [previously Terrence Howard]) take on the role of War Machine; basically an Iron Man suit completely decked out with firepower, which, when fighting side by side with Iron Man, makes for a pretty epic final battle for the last half hour. I did, however, find Whiplash (Vanko) to be pretty damn underplayed. He spends most of the time working on these drones, and has about one (arguably two) good fight scene. It is a fun movie to watch, but I'd probably consider it the weakest of the Avenger films, as it hammered in the whole Avengers concept far too much. At the point of its release, the upcoming Avengers film was pretty hyped based on the endings of 'Iron Man' and 'The Incredible Hulk'. It was what people were talking about, but this particular film really drilled it into our heads instead of offering just subtle teasers like its predecessors... except of course for its after credit scene when they find Thor's hammer. Anyway, as an 'Iron Man' sequel, it almost feels more like filler as they went to work on 'Thor' and 'Captain America'. In the end, it's good, fun and humorous... but it's not really that epic.
Final Rating: 3.5/5

I have to admit, I really wondered after introducing Iron Man and Hulk how exactly they were going to pull this off and not make it look cheese-tacular. 'Thor' opens up with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), her assistant Darcy (Kat Dennings) and mentor, Dr. Selvig (Stellan Starsgard) track down a strange anomaly in the desert of New Mexico. They soon crash into a strange man, and upon the question "where did he come from", we flash back to this strange man who turns out to be Thor as a kid, as his father, Odin (Anthony Hopkins) is telling he and his brother Loki the story of how the Asgardians (their race from another planet) waged war on the frost giants of Jotunheim in order to protect the nine realms from destruction. After the fight, the Asgardians take something called the Casket of Ancient Warriors, and protect it for years to follow. In the present day, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has outdone his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and is about to earn the throne of Asgard when the frost giants attack in an attempt to steal back the Casket of Ancient Warriors. Infuriated, Thor takes matters into his own hands, gathering a group to go to battle with the frost giants on their planet. However, Thor sneaks under Odin's radar in doing this without of Odin's expressed permission, and is then banished to Earth where our opening scene took place, as well as his hammer, of which Odin only grants its powerful capabilities to he who is worthy. Thor then, with Jane's help, has to work his way to regaining the ability to use his hammer by doing the right thing instead of just being the cocky warrior that he tends to be. So, after wondering if they could pull it all off, I have to say I was pretty damn impressed with what they came up with. The whole realm of Asgard remains a God-like city, much like an Olympus, however when Thor is banished to Earth he learns in his own way that he has to become more human-like than he is. This offers up a whole big human element to an otherwise off the wall concept in comparison to 'Iron Man' and yes, even 'The Incredible Hulk'. It's lots of fun, very humorous, and relatable in several ways, providing a nice, big step up from 'Iron Man 2'!
Final Rating: 4/5

Well, we have one last stop to make before the epicness that will be 'The Avengers'. I'm happy to say that of the Avenger predecessors, 'Captain America' is just a step below 'Iron Man' in how well done it is... at least in my opinion. We start out in present day when a team of scientists in the Arctic uncover some mysterious wreckage. However, instead of finding a strange alien that can shape shift into everyone on the team, making sure they don't know who to trust, they find a man buried in ice. Rewind to 1942. We see a very short and scrawny Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) who is desperately trying to register for the US Army so that he can participate in the war fighting rather than just picking up scrap metal. Eventually, a Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) comes to his aid at a carnival when he overhears him trying to register again. He gets him in, and observes him along with Colonel Chester Philips (Tommy Lee Jones). After finding that he lacks physical strength, but has a heart of gold, Rogers is signed up for a program to make a super soldier, transforming him into Captain America. We also discover that the leader of an evil group called HYDRA named Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving) has stumbled onto the formula that created Captain America for himself, and upon injecting himself, he becomes who we know best as Red Skull. To make a lot of explanation short, it's not long before Captain America and Red Skull find themselves battling each other. I thought this film was good the first time I saw it, but now, after watching all of these Avengers films, I can freely admit that this is easily my second favorite behind 'Iron Man'. I think the main thing that strikes a chord with me is just that Steve Rogers is this little scrawny weakling, but when he becomes the Captain, he uses that power in a very positive way, often risking his own life in order to save the lives of many more. It's kinda the same reason I like Spider-Man so much. I can just relate to such a character really well. The story is solid, the characters are likable, its filmed in an interesting style, and above all else, it's just an excellent way to cap these predecessors off. Well, that's it for all five of the Avenger films to date. Next up, 'The Avengers'! The film that these have been hyping up so freaking much after all this time! May it live up to the hype!
Final Rating: 4.5/5

Well, here it is, folks. One of the most hyped movies of 2012 has finally come to pass after four long years of waiting, and hoping to God it did the franchise justice (insert Justice League joke here). Well, I'm happy to say that Joss Whedon is most definitely on a roll this year, and as cool as 'Cabin in the Woods' was, this overshadows it by a mile. Our movie opens with SHIELD experts examining a cube known as the Tesseract, which, if you remember from 'Captain America', was HYDRA's ultimate weapon that they were going to use in order to launch a full scale attack against America. It was also seen briefly in the post-credit scene of 'Thor', where its mentioned that it has nearly unlimited power, and teases that Loki (Tom Hiddleston) will eventually get his hands on it. Well, he does, and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) takes matters into his own hands, bringing together an incredible team of heroes that we've seen over the past four years, calling on Tony Stark as Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Bruce Banner as Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and Steve Rogers as Captain America (Chris Evans) to lead them into battle. Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Natasha Romanoff as Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Clint Barton as Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) also join the fight eventually, as Loki attempts to form an army of extraterrestrial beings in order to take over the world and rule it for himself, remaining ever jealous of his brother, Thor, taking the throne of Asgard back in Thor. Whedon made this film work so incredibly well! There is so much in here for the comic book geek who has been following everything up to this point, making it even more reminiscent and fantasy-like of the comics, which goes to show that you can definitely get away with such far fetched ideas and STILL make a great comic-based movie, whereas a formula that 'Batman Begins' and 'The Dark Knight' has fueled a more realistic concept. Don't get me wrong, that works very well for the Nolan 'Batman' films! But 'The Avengers' reminds us that these comic book superheroes ARE still a fantasy, and being a little far fetched while not being afraid to be so when it comes to this genre is NOT always a bad thing! I have to praise Whedon's work with all of the characters in this as well! Stark has to come to terms with the fact that maybe he is indeed a little too big for his britches, Rogers has to cope with being a leader in a time that he's completely unfamiliar with, Banner still has rage issues that we don't know how he's keeping under control, Thor's still battling his brother's greed and trying to get him to come home, and Black Widow and Hawkeye end up having an interesting history that we learn about. The film acts much like a series of comics would as well, setting things up in the first act, bringing things down and hinting at a real element of danger in the second, and a third act that provides an incredible climactic scene involving AWESOMELY filmed action sequences that keep you on the edge of your seat along with a lot of great laughs, showing us how they can work together as a team instead of falling apart. I was absolutely blown away by how awesome this was! The characters are so well portrayed and cast, the action is intense, the tension between characters is there and lessons are learned, the story coincides with the previous films very well, it's really funny and provides some great dialogue, and... well, I'm just gonna say it... its definitely my favorite superhero movie to this date, officially dethroning 'The Dark Knight', and it will take a hell of a lot to dethrone this!
Final Rating: 5.5/5