Genre: Superheroes
Stories of heroes with extraordinary powers — the battles they fight, the identities they hide, and the responsibility their gifts demand.
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Wonder Woman (2017) — Review
Wonder Woman is one of the better DC Extended Universe productions and the first major female-led superhero film of the contemporary American superhero cinema era. Patty Jenkins directed. Allan Heinberg wrote the screenplay from a story by Heinberg, Zack Snyder, and Jason Fuchs. The film was... -
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) — Review
1960s retro-futurist aesthetic as protection against contemporary political fatigue. Galactus underdeveloped, period setting works. Phase 6 opener. At 5/10. -
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) — Review
James Gunn's farewell with substantive Rocket Raccoon backstory, the High Evolutionary's dark register, the Phase 5 exception. At 6/10. -
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) — Review
Tony Leung's career-best Wenwu, Hong Kong-influenced martial arts choreography, the Phase 4 entry that demonstrated the alternative. Third-act problems. At 6.5/10. -
The Wolverine (2013) — Review
James Mangold's first Wolverine film. Japan setting, bullet train sequence, the foundation that led to Logan. Third-act Silver Samurai problems. At 8/10. -
X-Men (2000) — Review
Bryan Singer's foundation of modern superhero cinema. Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman's debut. The mutant-as-allegory framework working. At 8/10. -
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) — Review
Evangeline Lilly's Wasp introduction through earned narrative foundation. Ghost's underdeveloped sympathetic antagonist. Phase Three bridge filler. At 5/10. -
Ant-Man (2015) — Review
Paul Rudd's likability anchors a heist-comedy that survived Edgar Wright's departure. The Quantum Realm setup that would matter. Phase Two closer. At 6/10. -
Black Panther (2018) — Review
Michael B. Jordan's Killmonger is one of the franchise's best villains. Production and costume design earned Academy Awards. The third act collapses. At 5/10. -
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) — Review
James Gunn's space-opera commitment, the Awesome Mix Vol. 1 soundtrack, the cosmic Marvel foundation. The film that worked before the formula did. At 6.5/10.