Marvel Movies Marathon — Watching Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, Infinity War, ahead of Avengers: Endgame

The Ultimate Marvel Movies Marathon

11 years and 21 films later, Avengers: Endgame is just a few days away.

What a marvelous feat of vision and execution the Marvel Cinematic Universe is, enriching pop culture in a manner that is without parallel. Now nothing can make Endgame come any sooner, but there can’t be a better way to get into the mood for the final battle with Thanos than going back to the beginning and retracing the entire journey to how we got *here* - breathless with excitement for the conclusion of the truly epic saga.

So, here’s presenting the Ultimate Marvel Marathon, where we watch every film in the MCU - from Iron Man to Captain Marvel - in the greatest Marvel Studios throwback you’ve seen. We look at the crazy moments and little details that we may have missed or forgotten over time, all of which have contributed to the iconic status the Avengers and other characters hold around the globe. 

From intriguing trivia to legendary scenes, from cinephile musings to fanboy excitement, expect it all in the Ultimate Marvel Marathon.

Join us, won’t you? 

*

See our full Avengers: Endgame coverage here.

We're in the Endgame.

So there we have it. Not only is Captain Marvel the most powerful weapon that earth has, but Carol Danvers is also the reason why the Avengers Initiative gets its name - it was Danvers’ call sign back when she was a pilot. That end-credit scene when she finally answers the call from Fury’s pager (?) has to give you goosebumps. Because now, we’re in the endgame.

We can't wait for 26 April. 

One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter

Once Captain Marvel realises that the Skrull war was actually a separatist movement, with the Skrulls merely looking to be a people with a home of their own, she realises what her true mission must be. Her endorsement of the Skrull quest for self-determination is a big political statement for the real world, that sort of went under the radar. It’s the reason why I personally rate this film quite highly. That, and the cat.

The lack of a romantic track in Captain Marvel is refreshing

The whole flashback-wiped memory device is done-to-death, but that’s where Brie Larson manages to make things interesting. She’s no tormented soul. She just runs with it, chasing answers to the images that flash before her eyes.

Hers a goofy but charming presence that evolves through the film. And one of my favourite things about the film is that she’s the only lead Marvel character yet to not get a romantic track on the side, apart from mere hints of chemistry with Law’s character right at the start. 

The lack of a romantic track in Captain Marvel is refreshing

The whole flashback-wiped memory device is done-to-death, but that’s where Brie Larson manages to make things interesting. She’s no tormented soul. She just runs with it, chasing answers to the images that flash before her eyes.

Hers a goofy but charming presence that evolves through the film. And one of my favourite things about the film is that she’s the only lead Marvel character yet to not get a romantic track on the side, apart from mere hints of chemistry with Law’s character right at the start. 

And we're on our last film of the day: Captain Marvel

Captain Marvel seems so removed from everything we’ve seen so far. The little connections go more into the Guardians of the Galaxy storyline, because of the Kree-Skrull conflict background. Jude Law is great random addition into this story (or maybe I’m partial because he’s British.) 

Things get really interesting when Vers (what she thinks her name is) crashes into planet C-53, also called Midgard, also called Earth. And then, she runs into a young Nicholas J Fury! Unsurprisingly, it’s the first time he’s meet an alien but he bonds right away. Then, he bonds with a cat. He seems to really start trusting it...

Ant-Man 2's shock-worthy end credits scene

Obviously, the most significant aspect of this film is that shock-worthy end credits scene. The foursome - Hope, Hank, Janet and Scott - are fiddling with the quantum realm, Scott still inside, when suddenly no one’s responding from outside. We know who did that! To know how Ant-Man manages to get out of there, we’ll have to wait for Endgame.

Ant-Man 2 is too basic

Michael Peña narrating his stories, introduced in the first film and perfected in this one, is a thing of beauty. Genuinely innovative comic writing and execution, in a manner that only cinema can allow you. While Ant-Man 2 is basic, particularly after all that we’ve seen in the lead up, but it manages to be fun throughout. Also, it’s possible the quantum realm will have some significance in the battle against Thanos.

Hannah John-Kamen makes for an intriguing villain

In recent MCU films, the antagonists’ motivations have become increasingly grey. You almost always end up seeing the point of their quest. Same goes for Ghost in Ant-Man and the Wasp. But this film has the misfortune of coming immediately after Infinity War, so everything in Ant-Man 2 seems smaller, pun definitely not intended.

Next film of the day: Ant Man and the Wasp

My favourite thing about Ant-Man and the Wasp? Scott Lang’s daughter Cassie is back! For me, that girl is an Avenger. She’s integral in so many way to Hank Pym, the Wasp and Ant-Man’s quest to bring back Pym’s wife.