Marvel Cinematic Universe Bracket Style - Part 3 (Final Four)
Plenty of fun in our four matchups this round. Here is where we stand for the elite eight matches.
Click here if you need a recap of the criteria and grade scale.
1) The Avengers v. 9) Thor: Ragnarok
SAQ: Avengers = A; Thor 3 = B+
CD: Avengers = B; Thor 3 = B
MSA: Avengers = A; Thor 3 = B
Readers Votes: Avengers 100% - Thor: Ragnarok 0%
Thor: Ragnarok is my favorite of the Thor trilogy as shared last time. It's got heart, humor and quality contributions to the MCU. Unfortunately, Avengers has all these things too and in greater supply. The Avengers moves on to the final four films.
5) Captain America: Civil War v. 4) Iron Man 3
SAQ: Civil War = A; Iron Man 3 = B-
CD: Civil War = A; Iron Man 3 = C+
MSA: Civil War = A; Iron Man 3 = B
Readers Votes: Civil War 100% - Iron Man 3 0%
Seems the readers and I seeing eye to eye this week. Civil War outpaces Iron Man 3 in all categories. These films trend toward some similar story lines both have ordinary men playing the role of main antagonist. They also each engineer their own schism's directly impacting Tony Stark; Iron Man 3 separates him from his iron legion army while Civil War separates well the avengers. Civil War heads on to meet The Avengers in the semi-finals.
3) Avengers: Age of Ultron v. 11) Captain America: Winter Soldier
SAQ: Ultron = B; Winter Soldier = A-
CD: Ultron = B-; Winter Soldier = A-
MSA: Ultron = B+; Winter Soldier = B+
Readers Votes: Ultron 25% - Winter Soldier 75%
Sticking with the readers again. Winter Soldier pulled the Captain America saga back from the brink of disappointment and then kept running toward overwhelming success. The Hydra parasite inside SHIELD story line was executed perfectly and intertwined the Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes re-introduction seamlessly.
2) Black Panther v. 7) Guardians of the Galaxy
SAQ: Panther = A; Guardians = A
CD: Panther = B; Guardians = B+
MSA: Panther = B+; Guardians = A
Readers Votes: Black Panther 25% - Guardians of the Galaxy 75%
The best matchup of the round by far. Margin for victory does not get much slimmer than this. This match features two of the four components of the new guard Avengers; the other two being Spider-man and the soon to come Captain Marvel. Black Panther is epic and a has already lead to a powerful movement through superhero cinema; WakandaForever. There is no denying if the Avengers are left in the care of King T'Challa they will have little to be worried about. Chadwick Boseman showed all Wakandans and members of the MCU what real leadership needs to be, striving for a future for all, together, united for that is when humanity is at its strongest. Guardians of the Galaxy also profoundly exemplifies that the sum of the whole is greater than its equal parts. Only by jointly holding the power infinity stone are the
Guardians able to withstand being overwhelmed and save Xandar and the universe from Ronan as well as delay Thanos lying his gauntlet wielding hand on another infinity stone. As you can see by the grading these two are nearly tied so it comes down to the little things like depth of character development Guardians has at least eight heavy hitters it profiles with some depth while Black Panther has five or arguably six, because Shuri is so cool and amazing that she counts for two. The MCU contributions along with contributing a kick-ass soundtrack really puts GOTG a nose ahead at the finish line. But seeing as GOTG 2 was mediocre, Black Panther 2 should have no problem besting it in future box office performances. Revenge may be on the horizon for Wakanda yet.
As we wrap this round up, here are the final four:
Don't forget to vote for your top two to meet in the finale. If the poll display is not working below, vote here. Final two will be revealed on 4/17 so vote by then.