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This story was originally published in 2017 and has been updated ahead of the release ofCaptain Marvel.
Marvel movies are funny.
Its part of what youre being promised when you buy a ticket.
It was a revelation.
In comparison, however (and though its a worse movie),Iron Man 2is way funnier.
And by tiger, I mean something just as dangerous: improvised comedy.
There are clearly scenes inIron Man 2where Favreau just let RDJ go and filmed whatever happened.
Its why Vulture comics expert Abraham Riesman jokes in conversation thatIron Man 2sometimes feels like a mumblecore movie.
Its why hes the MCU actor that would be the hardest to replace.
Its all very cute, because theyre giants acting like babies.
[Leans back in a therapist chair and pushes glasses up nose.]
Heres the thing about so-called super heroes: Yes, they save the day, but why?
Of course, of course, they dont want innocent people to die.
However, people are motivated by their desires superheroes save people because itfeelsgood.
So what happens when they hang out with someone with bigger muscles or access to stronger chemicals?
Ultimately,Ultronearns the director his nickname, Jokes Whedon.
But theres nothing wrong with this!
With a good cast, these jokes can get legitimate laughs.
Ant-Manrepresents the funniest version of this sort of comedy.
For example, Michael Pena gives a quirky-as-hell performance as Rudds heist buddy.
Its a small thing, but its indicative of how refreshingHomecomingfelt when it came out earlier this year.
With a villain whose goal isnt to become a God, theres plenty of time for classic high-school hijinx.
Watch how grounded Glover is in this scene, building the comedy from character and not just dialogue.
You believe him when he says he likes bread.
Then cameGuardians of the Galaxy, with a degree of levity not yet reached in the franchise.
Because of scenes like this,Guardians of the Galaxyalmost was No.
1 on the list, if only because of how well-integrated the comedy was with the action.
Out of all the Marvel films, it is, most completely, an action-comedy.
The prison-escape scene, for example, fulfills both the desire for kicks and punches as well as laughs.
1.Thor: Ragnarok
Unlike most of the MCU,Thor: Ragnarokis not a comedic action movie.
Its not even really an action comedy, likeGuardians.
Its a comedy, full stop just one with a big fight scene toward the end.
But he isnt cool like Iron Man is cool, all swagger and comebacks.
No, to Waititi, turning Thor cool meant turning Thor into an idiosyncratic, sensitive weirdo.
Tessa Thompson literally falls down drunk, a modern version of Han Solo.
Technically, this movie shouldnt even exist.
As Waititi told me, he and Mark Ruffalo would occasionally find themselves openly wondering when theyd get fired.
These sort of incongruities probably make up the largest part of the films comedic stew.
Its all because Waititi wanted to convey how fun the movie was to shoot to the audience.
Its a really silly movie, with some of the best, dumbest jokes this side ofPopstar.
My personal favorite moment comes when Goldblums character is tasked with sentencing a man who committed a crime.
I pardon you, he proclaims, to the relief of the criminal, from life.
(Waititi said that they tried it five times and couldnt get a take where Hemsworth doesnt laugh.)
Its so beautifully dumb and I love it with all of my little heart.
It is, after all, the funniest Marvel movie.
